The IGP and some Nasarawa State traditional rulers
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has called on traditional rulers across the country to cooperate with the police in ensuring the security of lives and property of all Nigerians.
This was made known in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah.
The IGP made this plea while playing host to some traditional rulers from Nasarawa State, led by the Chairman of the Nasarawa State council of Traditional Rulers, Isa Mustapha Agwai who was represented by the Emir of Keffi, Chindo Yahusa.
He sought the cooperation of the royal fathers in crime prevention and control in their jurisdictions, asking them to ensure adequate security in their domains by prevailing on their subjects to be law abiding.
The IGP further informed the royal fathers of the establishment of the ‘Eminent Persons Forum’ in every State of the federation, urging them to participate actively in the forum by making inputs from their wealth of experience to intervene and resolve conflicts and crisis where they occur.
The Emir of Keffi, while responding on behalf of the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Traditional Rulers, assured the IGP of their support and cooperation, while also pledging their readiness to be of assistance whenever the need arises.
The Commission of Inquiry set-up by the Kaduna State government to investigate the cause of the clash between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, and soldiers last December, has blamed the leader of the group, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky for all the transgressions of the Shiites.
A copy of the commission’s report made available to the New Telegraph said that El-Zakzaky had refused to order his followers to allow passage to the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai and his convoy, when members of the IMN blocked the road at the PZ junction in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The 295-page report, which has 15 chapters, quoted the Secretary to Kaduna State Government as saying that Governor Nasir El Rufai had personally called El-Zakzaky on phone “to persuade him to prevail on his members to remove the road blockade to no avail.”
“Similarly, the testimony of the State Director of Department of State Services, DSS, indicated that he did contact a DSS officer at Hussainiyya Baqiyatillah (the headquarters of the Shiites where the roadblock was mounted) to persuade the IMN to allow passage for the COAS convoy to no effect,” the commission noted.
The commission said it heard 102 memoranda, received 39 exhibits and 87 witnesses testified before it.
“The refusal of the IMN leader to cooperate with appropriate authorities to direct his followers to grant access to the COAS, was unnecessary, inappropriate and confrontational in the circumstances.
“Considering the nature and organisational structure of IMN, where the leader has total control over the members, Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky should be personally held responsible for all acts of commission or omission of the entire membership of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in its clash with the Nigerian Army, for refusing to call his members to order when required to do so,” the report noted.
The commission, which was inaugurated on January 26, reported that “IMN has been steadfast and deliberate in widespread and habitual acts of lawlessness and defiance to constituted authorities, including the refusal to recognise the legitimacy, authority and the constitution of the Nigerian state.”
According to the report, the clash, which occurred between soldiers and Shiites in December is one out of several of such clashes with constituted authorities, adding that the clashes have continued “mainly due to weak and poor decisive/ proactive action and measures by appropriate constitutional authorities.”
The report recognised a “lack of political will at all levels of government to take proactive, appropriate and quick steps/ measures, including provision of proper and adequate equipment and training of law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigerian Police Force.”
The commission also noted that IMN has the habit of erecting roadblocks at will and “claims are rife that El Zakzaky orders IMN’s ‘Hurras’ or guards to arrest local residents for alleged offences such as not giving way to his entourage, prosecuting the arrested persons in his court, pass and execute judgements against them, including death penalty.”
The commission, however, faulted the Nigerian Army for “disproportionate use of force to deal with the situation.”
“The commission observed that the Nigerian Army had not followed its own rules of engagement and its actions would seem to be contrary to international standards, which must be strictly observed in carrying out such internal security operations,” the report stated.
In addition, the commission noted that the Nigerian Army was not forthcoming in the number of IMN casualties, although its memorandum revealed that it lost one soldier, Corporal Dan Kaduna Yakubu.
“The commission’s findings are that a total of 349 persons lost their lives during the clashes. The commission could not ascertain whether out of the said 349 who lost their lives, the seven people who died at the road blockade were included in the 347 buried in a mass grave by Kaduna state government,” the report stated.
The commission also indicted the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 1st Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade for giving a verbal order to soldiers to undertake a cordon and search operation around El Zakzaky’s residence.
According to the report, the standard practice is for such an order to be given either by the president or COAS in writing, which was not done.
It was not clear whether the GOC obtained a written order from President Muhammadu Buhari or Buratai before giving the verbal order for the operation to commence.
The Nigerian Army says it will begin an operation codenamed ‘Crocodile Smile’ in the South-south region of the country in order to curb the increase in militancy and crime in the area.
Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai made this known during the closing ceremony of the Nigerian Army 2016 Combat Support Arms Training week which was held at the headquarters of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri.
Buratai said the operation is expected to commence this week and will involve the deployment of military special troop and other hardware to the region to restore peace and normalcy.
“After the success of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, Funtua Exercise, Exercise- Harbin Kunama in Zamfara state, another major exercise, ‘Crocodile Smile’ will commence this weekend in south-south states of the country,
“The aim of the exercise is to train our special force troops in amphibious and internal security operation in riverine environment,
“It will also check criminal activities like kidnappings, militancy, piracy and forms of criminal activities in support of the civil authority,” the army chief said.
Buratai said the Combat Support Arms Training is an annual event designed to keep troops updated on the ethical and professional conduct of combat support to meet up with current and future challenges.
He noted that the current training activities have been going on in all formations and units of the Nigerian Army.
“It is a reality that the nature of threats we are countering now and in the near future is asymmetric, hence the need to be proactive by all security agencies especially the military”.
“I’m glad to note that several efforts were made to tackle the challenges of counter-insurgency operations. The current counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations being undertaken by the military in the country especially in north-east have yielded positive results,” Buratai said.
He added that security agencies should not rest in their oars, rather they should continue to synergise in order to make gains on the progress recorded so far in the counter insurgency operations across the country.
The COAS urged troops to be loyal and committed to the maintenance of security in the country, adding that the army headquarters will continue to provide the necessary direction and resources to its troops to ensure that the combat arms perform optimally.
Abdulmumin Jibrin, the ousted Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, has described as shameful the threat of Speaker Yakubu Dogara to sue him for damages over corruption allegations he made against him and some other principal officers of the house.
In several tweets today, he accused the speaker of trying to frustrate investigations of his alleged crimes by rushing to court.
He said: “Speaker Dogara has threatened legal action on me. Quite predictable. I know he will rush to court in order to invoke the house rules that matters in court cannot be heard on the floor.
“He failed to realise that the law is not intended to protect corrupt people. It is such a shame.
“I have responded to their allegations rather than respond to mine, he is rushing to court. I stand by my allegations and will not withdraw them!
“I am happy to announce that my lawyers have officially approached the EFCC and the ICPC towards working out a date for me to personally submit my petition against Speaker Yakubu Dogara; Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun; Whip Alhassan Doguwa and Minority leader, Leo Ogor.
“I believe once a date is agreed with the anticorruption agencies we would have begun the process of making these characters pay for abusing their office.
“I will not and will never apologize to a shameless fraud in high office who has glaringly abused public trust like speaker Dogara and the three others.”
Minister of Budget and National Budget, Udoma Udo-Udoma
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo-Udoma, has commenced discussions with the management of the Chinese EXIM Bank in Beijing, China, that will lead to the implementation of the various projects discussed during the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to China.
The President, during a visit to China earlier this year, had reached a number of agreements with the Chinese government on development assistance particularly the funding of some critical infrastructure in the country.
The visit by the President further bolstered Nigeria’s participation in the ten critical areas under the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, FOCAC.
A statement issued by Akpandem James, the Media Adviser to the Minister, said that the Budget minister is currently in China to attend the FOCAC Coordinators meeting as a follow-up to the President’s earlier visit.
The statement quoted Udoma as saying that his visit was to exchange views with the management of the bank and to see how Nigeria can deepen the bilateral cooperation already existing between it and China.
“Our relationship with China is very important to us, which was why our President led a big delegation on a State visit to China in April this year. We are quite impressed with the infrastructural development in China and believe that China has a lot to teach us in Nigeria; particularly we will like the support of China in the area of infrastructure development,” he said.
The minister listed some of the projects for which the federal government would require assistance from China.
They include: “the Nigerian railway modernization projects from Lagos to Kano – (Lagos –Ibadan) and Lagos – Kano (Kano – Kaduna) which are two parts of the same project; the coastal railway project from Calabar to Lagos, the Mambilla Hydro-electric project and the Niger Delta East West road project,
Other projects the FG have in mind to execute are: “power transmission projects, Greater Abuja Water project, Abuja Mass Transit project, Galaxy Backbone project, NTA Digitalization, expansion of Abuja- Keffi road, and the dualization of the Akwanga – Keffi road” among others.
The Minister stressed that the priority projects, particularly the railways, will help the rapid development of Nigeria and expand its economy thereby increasing capacity of the country to repay the loans.
Udoma also said that Nigeria would appreciate it if Chinese companies came and invested in the Export Processing Zones.
He reiterated Nigerian government’s commitment to diversifying its economy, saying that Nigerians, like the Chinese, are hardworking people and with the right infrastructure in place they will work harder and the country will make wealth and become a better partner to China.
The vice president of the Chinese EXIM bank, Xingyong said the bank already enjoys a very sound relationship with Nigeria and is willing to deepen the bilateral cooperation with the country and extend financial support for development purposes.
“We appreciate the idea of the EPZ. By establishing EPZs it will create the enabling environment for enterprises and provide revenue for Chinese business investments in Africa. Such EPZ will become a vehicle for international cooperation between China and Nigeria, and transfer of industrial capacity between the two countries,” he said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has given Abdulmumin Jibrin, the ousted former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, a seven day ultimatum to tender an unreserved apology to him and retract all allegations made against him or face legal action.
According to a statement by the Speaker’s special adviser on Media and Public affairs, Turaki Hassan, the ultimatum was given by Dogara’s lawyer, Joash Amupitan, SAN, in a letter addressed to Jubrin dated Monday, July 25, 2016.
Amupitan said that Jibrin’s allegation of corruption and abuse of office against his client was aimed at tarnishing his image at home and abroad and is a clear case of libel.
The letter reads in part: “By the said publication (referring to Jibrin’s allegation Statement which was published in many print ad electronic media) and without putting to the public any shred of evidence, our client is portrayed as a criminal, corrupt, dishonest, fraudulent, dishonourable and unfit to hold the position of Speaker of House of Representatives.
“Our client’s reputation has further been brought down in the estimation of right thinking members of the society and he has been thrown into public opprobrium, odium, scorn and ridicule,
“Consequently, we consider your publication on the matter as not only libelous but made in bad faith; an act of vendetta owing to your recent removal as the Chairman of House Committee on Appropriation.”
The letter added: “The said publication is also aimed at causing disaffection between Nigerians and members of the House of Representatives.
“Sequel to the above, we have to request you to submit immediately to us a clear and unqualified apology and retraction of the publication in an equally conspicuous position in all the print and electronic media where the publication appeared.
“TAKE NOTICE that in the event of your failure/refusal to comply with the above mentioned demands within seven (7) days of your receipt of this letter, we have further instructions to institute a suit against you in a court of law.
“If we have to pursue this course, we shall be claiming aggravated and exemplary damages,” it concluded.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, says he will bring to an end the incessant Farmers/Herdsmen clashes that have been a major source of concern for Nigerians over the years.
The minister intends to achieve this through the importation of special grass seedlings into the country, which he believes when grown, herdsmen across the country would have more than enough fodder to feed their cattle and will not have to destroy farmers’ crops in search of pasture.
Ogbe revealed this during a discussion with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, saying that the ministry has started bringing the special grass seedlings into the country and the commencement of ‘the paddock development’ (growing of special grasses for cattle) will kick-off in August.
“The clash between farmers and herdsmen has been getting worse by the years and by the grace of God I will bring it to an end,” he said.
He said the problem of farmers/herdsmen clashes would have been solved if successive governments had taken the issue serious.
The minister maintained that there was a need for the country to end the herdsmen roaming with cattle even though it was a culture.
“Whether it is a culture or not, we cannot afford it anymore; it has to stop,” said Ogbeh.
He said that after the development of ranches, it would be an offence for any herdsmen to allow his cattle to roam the streets.
The minister said that land has been allocated to government in some states that would be used for ranches for herdsmen to acquire for their cattle, adding that the herdsmen would record more yields if their cattle were kept in one place than when they walk about in search of food.
Ogbeh said that the agriculture ministry was collaborating g with the ministry of interior to provide security at the ranches in order to check activities of cattle rustlers
He added that after some time, the country could even become an exporter of the grass to earn foreign exchange.
“The Saudi Arabia is asking that if Nigeria can grow enough grass, they will buy to feed their cows,” he said.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris and the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Musa Daura, has brokered a peace deal between leaders of the two main political parties in River State over the crisis that has rocked the state for some time.
The truce was brokered at a peace meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, where Governor Nyesom Wike and leaders of other political parties vowed to play the game by the rules in the forthcoming re-run elections in the state, as well as to prevail on their supporters against violence.
This is coming on the heels of the postponement of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
All the parties are to reconvene in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital to further consolidate on the commitment to peace reached in the meeting.
The Secretary of INEC, Augusta Ogakwu, on Tuesday released a statement to the effect that the election was rescheduled due to reports of violence and fatalities in the Rivers State.
The statement read in part: “as a responsible organisation and conscious of the violence, maiming and fatalities which accompanied the previous election in March as well as developments in the state since then, the commission cannot ignore such credible reports,
“In the circumstances, therefore, it is compelled to further postpone the rerun legislative elections in Rivers State as one of the principal conditions earlier stipulated for the return of the state for the conclusion of the election has, regrettably, not been met,” she stated.
Consequently, the APC in Rivers State released a statement, blaming the PDP-led state government for the violence that led to the postponement of the elections.
APC publicity secretary in the state, Chris Finebone, the party blamed Governor Wike for the hate speeches that stirred his “foot soldiers” into bombing and burning of the INEC office as well as the campaign office of Magnus Abe, an APC senatorial candidate in Bori area of the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it would recognise the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the Ali Modu Sheriff faction based on the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port-Harcourt.
An official document to that effect which was signed by Ishiaku Gali, Director of INEC’s secretariat July 26, said that the commission would recognise the National Caretaker Committee for two activities.
These activities include the conduct of primaries of political officers and the submission of the names of candidates for any election to be conducted by the Commission.
INEC also said it was recognising Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the PDP’s candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State based on the court order from the Port-Harcourt High Court secured by the Makarf-led caretaker committee.
It, therefore, rejected the name of Matthew Iduoriyekwemwen, who was the candidate of the Modu-Sheriff faction.
When contacted, no member of the Sheriff faction was ready to speak on the issue, as they said they were working on their own strategy.
Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has arrested two persons who tried to defraud unsuspecting applicants for the ongoing Recruitment Exercise.
The two friends, Endurance Ehichoya and David Eghosa, both 21 year-old students of the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo state, were paraded in Abuja on Tuesday.
They were arrested in Ekpoma by NAF intelligence operatives with the assistance of Zenith Bank officials.
Their arrest followed a message posted on Facebook by Ehichoya on June 25, requesting applicants to contact the Air Secretary, CN Chukwu, through a particular phone number for enlistment assistance into the NAF.
The message had the photograph of the Air Secretary in order to lure their would-be clients into believing that the scam is real.
When contacted on the said phone number, Ehichoya had requested the caller to pay the sum of N75,000 into his Fidelity Bank Savings Account.
However, the caller told Ehichoya that there was no Fidelity Bank branch around his area in order to get more information from him, asking him if he could provide another bank details; Ehichoya then supplied the Zenith account details of his friend, Eghosa.
The NAF, working with the officials of Zenith Bank, then deployed security operatives from 81 Air Maritime Group Benin to Ekpoma to arrest David Eghosa who was subsequently flown to Abuja for further investigation.
Realising that Eghosa had been arrested, his relations got the Police to arrest Endurance Ehichoya, and handed him over to the NAF.
Eghosa confirmed he knew his friend, Ehichoya, was a serial scammer, indulging in recruitment and local online dating scam using ladies’ names and photographs to defraud men online.
Two of the Facebook accounts operated by Ehichoya to commit fraud online are BRIDGET EHICHOYA VIOLET which he later renamed ELLA JONNY FROSH, and CREFLO A DOLLAR.
The suspects have been handed over to the civil police for further investigation with a view to identifying and arresting other members of the gang.
