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NGOs In Bayelsa Condemn Abuses By Security Agencies

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NGOs In Bayelsa Condemn Abuses By Security Agencies
Policemen manhandling a citizen
Policemen manhandling a citizen

Civil society organisations in Bayelsa have condemned increasing incidence of human rights abuses by security operatives in the state against residents.

The groups, including the Bayelsa Non-Governmental Organisations Forum, BANGOF, Civil Liberties Organisarion, CLO and the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, whose leaders addressed journalists in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital on Sunday, said that there had been a “geometric spike in cases of extortion and brutality against the people.

Chairman of BANGOF, Robinson Kuroghobogha, , who read a prepared statement of the groups, expressed worry at the increasing spate of human rights violations by men of the Nigeria Police, the armed forces and other security agencies, noting that that, rather, they are meant to provide security for citizens.

“It has come to the notice of the civil society that the rate of assault, harassment, intimidation and unlawful extortion of law-abiding citizens in Yenagoa by armed security personnel has been on a geometric increase,” Kuroghobogha said.

Continuing, he said that “several cases of brutality by armed security personnel have been reported to various institutions with no tangible response from them.”

The activist cited as examples of human right abuses by security operatives, the recent assaults on a reporter with Radio Bayelsa, Tonye Yemoleigha, by an Air Force rating and a student, Philomena Briggs, by five policemen.

Kuroghobogha observed that such acts are human right abuses and a violation of their fundamental human  rights guaranteed in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human Rights.

“The human rights community and indeed all law-abiding citizens of Bayelsa are seriously concerned with the excessive conduct of armed security personnel, he states, adding that the primary duty of the police and other security agencies is “protection of lives and property and ensuring the rights of law-abiding citizens are not violated.”

“Therefore, policemen acting with impunity and violating the fundamental rights of law-abiding citizens is a deliberate call to chaos and anarchy and no sane society will approve of that”, he said further.

The groups appealed to the heads of security agencies to address the situation and halt the human rights abuses on citizens.

 

Buhari Condemns Failed Turkey Coup Attempt

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Buhari Condemns Failed Turkey Coup Attempt
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the coup attempt in Turkey by a group of rebel army officers and men which resulted in the reported death of more about 256 people.

President Buhari said he is “deeply saddened by reports of a violent attempt to dismantle constitutional authority and disrupt the democratically elected government of Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey.

“The removal of a democratic government by force is no longer acceptable. Violence can never solve any problem but only complicates them and sets back the progress of democratic societies.”

The President also noted that President Erdogan is one of Nigeria’s close international partners and sincere supporter in its current war against terrorism, adding that the “destabilization of democratic countries through coups d’état in the 21st century” must be resisted by the people.

President, Buhari said that “democracy provides peaceful options of changing governments through the ballot box. The ballot box doesn’t require violence to remove any government perceived to have lost its popularity and public support. Despite its limitations, democracy is still better and more durable than a violent change of government.”

The President praised the courage and immediate response of ordinary citizens, who in face of guns and tanks defied the rebel soldiers and forced them to abandon their “mad quest for power”.

He called on the President of Turkey to pursue reconciliation and offered Nigeria’s support to the government and people of Turkey in their hour of trial.

 

 

PSC Approves Promotion Of 18 New AIGs, 37 CPs

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PSC Approves Promotion Of 18 New AIGs, 37 CPs
File
File

The Police Service Commission, PSC, has approved the promotion of 18 Police officers to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, AIGs; while 37 others have been promoted to the rank of Commissioners of Police. Nine officers were also made Deputy Commissioners of Police.

This was contained in a statement by the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani on Saturday in Abuja.

The statement quoted the PSC Chairman, Mike Okiro, as saying that the promotions and postings were in line with the commission’s resolve to reposition the Nigeria Police Force for better performance.

Ani stated that Ibrahim Adamu is now AIG, Zone 1;  Abdulmajid Ali, AIG, Zone 2 and Usman Tilli, AIG zone 3.

Dorathy Gimba remains in charge of the Investment Formation, Mohammed Mohammed, Special Protection Unit while Mohammed Katsina was moved from Maritime to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Jos. Paul Okafor takes over the Maritime desk, the statement noted, adding that 16 CPS retained their commands.

They include, Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, Ebonyi; Emmanuel Ojukwu, Enugu; Frederick Lakanu, Imo; Adeleye Oyebade, Oyo; Basen Gwana, Abia; Yunana Babas, Taraba; Austin Iwar, Gombe; Murtala Mani, Akwa Ibom and  Fatai Owoseni, Lagos.

CP Henry Fadairo was moved from Research and Planning department to Jigawa State.

Okiro, while congratulating the newly promoted officers, urged them to be hardworking and dedicated to their duties as the commission would hold any of them personally responsible for any failure in the discharge of their duties.

Soldiers Ambush Boko Haram Members In Borno Village 

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Ag Director, Army Public Relations, Sani Usman
Ag Director, Army Public Relations, Sani Usman

The Nigerian Army has continued to record more success in its bid to flush out remnants of Boko Haram members in the northeast.

The latest victory came as troops of 29 Brigade’s Quick Reaction Force, QRF, with help from the youth vigilante group, Civilian JTF, on Friday successfully ambushed members of the group in Marguba, a village in Kaga local government area of Borno State, killing two while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by army spokesperson, Sani Usman, a Colonel, the troops recovered some weapons and ammunition including “one AK-47 rifle with 29 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, a bow and arrows, a Tecno mobile telephone handset, 1 wallet and an Identity Card of Animal Dealers Association, among other items.”

Similarly, Usman said troops are not deterred by the unfavourable terrain in Sambisa forest caused by heavy downpour, which makes movement of vehicles and equipment difficult, as they carry out clearance operations with support from Civilian JTF.

“Despite bugging down of vehicles and equipment because of the bad terrain, the troops have continued with their clearance operations,” Usman added.

FG To Partner US On Fair Labour Practices

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FG To Partner US On Fair Labour Practices
Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige
Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige

The Federal Government says it would partner the United States on fair labour practices to boost international trade relations in the Nigeria.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, made this known when he played host to Marlin Hardinger, the Political Officer in the U.S. Embassy, in Abuja.

According to a statement by Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director, Press, in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, on Saturday, the Minister said that the decision by the U.S. to tie her trade relations with Nigeria to fair labour practices was a big boost to the country’s international trade.

“We appreciate the American government for taking this step. It is pleasing to note that you are synergising with the International Labour Organisation to make this workable. This is really a big boost to trade not only in Nigeria, but in the entire continent of Africa,” the minister was quoted as saying.

Ngige said that although trade relations between Nigeria and the US have receded following the decision of US to stop the import of crude from Nigeria, “we have a vast agricultural product base which can find ready market in the U.S.”

He said that the primary focus of the Federal Government currently was to give quality life, including gainful employment and infrastructural development, to the people.

“What we are looking for is a Nigeria that is prosperous and stable enough to remain a rallying point in the comity of nations and not necessarily a super power. We will partner you in this effort,” Ngige said.

The statement also quoted Hardinger as saying that the purpose of his visit was to encourage, correct and adjust trade efforts across Africa and the U.S.

He said that the process officially began in 2000 and was renewed in 2015, adding that promoting trade and economic growth was integral to proper running of an economy.

Hardinger said that the objective would be given more momentum at the 2016 Labour Roundtable Conference slated for September in the U.S.

Also speaking at the event, the statement said, was Dennis Zulu, the International Labour Organization, ILO, Country Director for Nigeria, who said that the proposed September meeting would enrich participating countries on labour laws.

Zulu said that the discussions on trade goals and labour would be beneficial to member-states.

Clement Illoh, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said that the theme for the workshop would be centred on relationship between labour, trade and investment, with reference to occupational safety and health.

He said that Nigeria had ratified the eight-core convention in the World of Work, “especially on issues like social labelling, child labour, hazard at work, employments, skill development and certification as to their relationship with trade and investment,” he said.

Turkey: Coup Fails As President Says Coup Plotters Committed Treason

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Turkey: Coup Fails As President Says Coup Plotters Committed Treason
President Erdogan (centre) welcomed by cheering supporters
President Erdogan (centre) welcomed by cheering supporters

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has flown in to Istanbul, after an army group said it took over the country.

The group had declared that a “peace council” now ran the country and there was a curfew and martial law.

Erdogan was seen surrounded by cheering supporters, saying in a live TV speech that the coup attempt was an “act of treason” and the army must be cleansed.

More than 160 people are dead, 1,440 are wounded and some 2,800 soldiers are under arrest.

Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim said the situation was largely under control.

He has ordered the military to shoot down aircraft being used by coup plotters.

Earlier, one of the helicopters being flown by forces involved in the coup attempt was shot down over the capital Ankara.

In a statement, the Turkish foreign ministry said the coup attempt “was foiled by the Turkish people in unity and solidarity. Our president and government are in charge”.

“Turkish Armed Forces was not involved in the coup attempt in its entirety. It was conducted by a clique within the armed forces and received a well-deserved response from our nation.”

Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the military chief of staff, Hulusi Akar, are still unknown as he is reported to have been taken hostage by rebel soldiers, but another Army General, Umit Dundar, commander of the 1st Army, has been appointed acting chief of staff.

Reports also say rebel soldiers in some areas have been surrendering their weapons to police loyal to Mr Erdogan.

The surrender of one unit of 60 soldiers, who had taken control of one of the Bosphorus bridges in Istanbul, was shown live on TV on Saturday morning.

Istanbul’s main Ataturk airport is now under army control, and flights which had been interrupted for some hours were due to resume.

Shell Host Communities Report Earth Tremour, Seek Investigation

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Shell Host Communities Report Earth Tremour, Seek Investigation
Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson
Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson

Some Communities in Bayelsa and Rivers States within oilfields operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, on Friday, reported witnessing vibrations described as Earth tremor and urged the government to probe the cause.

Residents in Igbogene and Akenfa in Bayelsa as well as Akinima, Akie-Oniso(Oruama), One Man Country and Mbiama in Rivers, say they are yet to come to terms with the incident and are still in fear.

According to them, they noticed heavy vibrations that lasted for some several minutes during the incident which occurred on Sunday night.

Chief Etekpe , a house owner and retired School Principal in Igbogene , Bayelsa on Friday said it was a frightening experience.

“We were about to go to bed when I heard a heavy vibration. I thought it was something else so I quickly went into prayers’, the 60 year old stated.

Victor Idieto who also resides in the area described it this way: “In fact, there was a kind of quake, very serious quake that lasted for over minutes.

“At first I thought it was armed robbers that were removing my roof, so I started shouting, only to realise that others had similar experience”.

At Akie-Oniso in Oruama in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers, a resident, Paul Kio said the tremor caused a crack in his building.

“This vibration was something unpredictable, look at the cracks on my wall’, Kio explained.

Also Paul Harrison, who also resides in the area, said it was the fourth time the incident had taken place, vowing to take his family away from the community if another occurs.

At Akinima, headquarters of the Local Government Area, a house wife, Animason Emeka-Mark pointed out that it was a traumatic experience she had on Sunday night.

“Everywhere was shaking.  It was something else. I thought the world has come to an end’, the house wife recalled.

Officials of the environment-based Non Governmental Organisation, NGO, Friends of the Earth in Bayelsa, who were also on an assessment tour of the affected areas said the incident had occurred previously.

Alagoa Morris, Head of Field Operations at the NGO said the last occurrence took place two years ago in Freetown, Ikarama 1 & 2 in Okordia clan in Yenagoa Local Government Area in Bayelsa.

Although what triggered the tremor has yet to be established, some indigenes and environmentalist have linked it to intense seismic and oil exploration activities undertaken by SPDC in the area over the years.

Residents have called on government and relevant agencies to look into the incident with a view to ascertaining the real cause and prevent future occurrences to avert any disaster.

Joseph Obari, an SPDC spokesman, who was contacted said that he was on vacation and hence cannot respond.

Also Precious Okolobo, Media Relations Manager at SPDC declined comments on the development.

Coup Attempt In Turkey

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Coup Attempt In Turkey

coup in turkey

 

Military jets and helicopters are reported to be flying in the skies of Ankara, the Turkish capital, while gunfire is reported in the streets of Istanbul and Ankara.

Gunfire has also been reported around the Police Headquarters in Istanbul.

A group within the Turkish military has attempted to topple the government of Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim.

A statement read on TV said a “peace council” now ran the country and there was a curfew and martial law.

The coup plotters issued a statement claiming to have taken over the government to protect democracy and re-unite Turkey with the world.

But the Turkish Prime Minister has said the coup plotters acted without the support of the Turkish military command, and threatened that the mutineers would pay “the heaviest price.”

Yildirim said in a TV broadcast that “There was an illegal act by a group within the military that was acting out of the chain of military command.”

But he declared that “The government elected by the people remains in charge. This government will only go when the people say so. Our people should know that we will not allow any activity that would harm democracy.”

Meanwhile, there are reports Turkey’s top general has been taken hostage at the military HQ.

Fani-Kayode Released From EFCC Custody

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Fani-Kayode Released From EFCC Custody
Femi Fani-Kayode
Femi Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has been released from EFCC custody after meeting his bail conditions.

Fani-Kayode was released at about 6:30pm in Lagos on Friday after over two months in detention.

The former Aviation Minister, shortly after his release told journalists that he was grateful to God for setting him free “after 67 days in detention.”

“This was the worst experience of my life but God was with me all the way. I suffered immeasurably but I count it all as joy,

“I am innocent of all charges and I look forward to defending myself vigorously in court. These charges are politically motivated and I have been severely punished for my political views and criticisms of the government,” Fani-Kayode said.

The former Aviation minister was arrested by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged 1.5 billion Naira fraud and has been charged alongside a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman and one Jimoh Yusuf.

The Federal High Court had granted them bail in the sum of 250 million Naira each.

The trial judge, Justice Sule Hassan, had ruled that there was no evidence that the defendants would interfere with trial if granted bail, and that denying them bail, especially as the courts’ vacation was near, would not serve the interest of justice.

Justice Hassan said the accused persons must provide two sureties who must own landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction and must present to the court, evidence of tax clearance.

The defendants were also ordered to deposit their international passports in the custody of the court pending the determination of the case.

Owing to the courts’ annual vacation which commences on Monday July 11, 2016 Justice Hassan adjourned commencement of trial to October 19, 2016.

Osinbajo To Lead Delegation To AU Summit In Rwanda

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Osinbajo To Lead Delegation To AU Summit In Rwanda

buhari osibanjo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will represent President Muhammadu Buhari at the African Union, AU, Summit formally opening on Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda.

Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant, Media & Publicity, to the Vice President made this known in a press release on Friday.

He stated that a retreat of African Heads of State and Governments will precede the summit proper on Saturday, July 16, while the 27th Ordinary Session of the AU summit is scheduled to hold from 17 to 18 July, 2016.

“The Session has been preceded by the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee, PRC, and the 28th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the Union at the ministerial level ending today (Friday),” Akande stated.

The theme of the summit is “African Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on the Rights of Women.”

2016 is also being celebrated by the Union as the year of Human Rights with the aim of raising awareness on human and peoples’ rights, particularly women’s rights, on the continent and taking stock of progress or efforts made, including major challenges and/or obstacles encountered.

Vice President Osinbajo, accompanied by Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun and Babagana Kingibe among other functionaries, leaves for Kigali Friday evening and is expected back in the country on Monday, July 19.

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