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Boko Haram Targets Football Fans, Kills 10 In Yobe Viewing Centre

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Boko Haram Targets Football Fans, Kills 10 In Yobe Viewing Centre

At least seven people are feared dead following an explosion that occurred at a popular viewing centre in Damaturu, Yobe State, late Tuesday night as football fans gathered to watch the match between Brazil and Mexico match in the on-going World Cup games.

Some reports said at least seven persons were killed and 15 others injured, but no official confirmation has emerged.

The Yobe Police Command confirmed the incident. The public relations officer for the command, Nansak Chewang, said he could not ascertain the extent of casualty in the blast.

“You know it happened just this night, we are yet to establish what happened and the details,” the police spokesperson said.

However, giving the population of the centre, the figures are expected to rise.
The Nigeria Police had a week ago advised owners of the centres to take extra security measures as well as to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard their viewers during the World Cup tournament.

“For the safety of your clients and customers, the operators of the centres should carry out a thorough stop and search of viewers before allowing them into the centres”, spokesperson for the Force, Frank Mba, had said in a statement.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, administration announced a ban on TV viewing centres in the city and warned operators against flouting the order.

Similarly, the Plateau State police command issued a similar directive and advised football fans to stay away from such centres, saying they should rather watch all the matches of their homes.

Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program Opens Application

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Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program Opens Application

Journalists and other practitioners engaged in promoting democracy can now apply for the 2015-2016 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program at the International Forum for Democratic Studies.

The fellowship program which is funded by the U.S. Congress, supports democratic activists, scholars, and journalists from around the world to undertake independent research on democratic challenges worldwide.

Dedicated to international exchange, the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program offers five-month fellowships to leading democracy activists, journalists, and scholars from around the world.

During their time in residence at the National Endowment for Democracy, NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, fellows reflect on their experiences and consider lessons learned; conduct independent research and writing; engage with colleagues and counterparts in the United States; and build ties with a global network of democracy advocates.

The program is intended primarily to support practitioners and scholars from developing and aspiring democracies, but distinguished scholars from established democracies are also eligible to apply.

Projects may focus on the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural aspects of democratic development and may include a range of methodologies and approaches.

Fellows work full-time on their projects and receive a monthly fellowship payment, health insurance, travel assistance, and research support.

However, The program does not fund professional training, fieldwork, or students pursuing a degree and a working knowledge of English is required.

To apply click here

Army Identifies Wanted Boko Haram Terrorist Among Arrested 486 Suspects

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Army Identifies Wanted Boko Haram Terrorist Among Arrested 486 Suspects

The military said on Tuesday that a key wanted man was among the 486 terrorist suspects intercepted in Abia State on Sunday along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway by soldiers attached to the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa in Ukwa West local government area.

The suspects, who are said to be within the age bracket of 16-25 years and all males from Kano, Jigawa, Adamawa and other parts of the north eastern part of the country, were travelling to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in over 35 Hiace Hummer Buses when they were apprehended.

It is suspected in some security circles that the group comprised terrorists fleeing from Owerri, the Imo state capital, after security operatives mounted pressure to hunt them down following the discovery of bombs in a church.

Army spokesman, Chris Olukolade, a major general, in a statement confirmed that a terror kingpin in the list of wanted terrorists of security forces in Nigeria has been detected in the on-going joint screening of the 486 suspects.

Olukolade said other security agencies including the para-military joined the screening exercise to ascertain the status of the remaining suspects and that those identified as possible security risk or illegal immigrants are expected to be identified for further action.

Meanwhile, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has condemned what it referred to as a random arrest of northerners in Abia State as suspected Boko Haram insurgents, stressing that it was wrong to treat innocent from the zone as terrorists.

“We are not in support of Boko Haram or their bomb attacks (but) we are saying that innocent citizens should not suffer because some evil-minded people come from their area. I can tell you that those who were arrested in Abia are not Boko Haram members,” President of AYCF, Yerima Shettima, said on Tuesday.

Edo House Crisis: Police Arraigns 15 Political Thugs

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Edo House Crisis: Police Arraigns 15 Political Thugs

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Fifteen out of the 37 suspected political thugs arrested by the Edo State Police in connection with the on-going political crisis at the House of Assembly have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Benin.

The suspects were charged with conspiracy, conduct likely to cause breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, and unlawful possession of Edo State House of Assembly Identity cards with intent to falsely represent themselves.

The public relations officer of the state command, Noble Uwoh, a deputy superintendent, said in a pressed statement that the suspects came in their numbers to the assembly complex on Monday in an unregistered bus and were found to be in possession of fake staff identity cards which they intended to use to gain entry into the building.

Uwoh, said they were, however, discovered by policemen deployed to maintain law and order at the Assembly and were subsequently arrested.

He called on the people of the state remain law abiding and to go about their lawful businesses without fear.

Woman Roasts Ex-Lover To Death In Edo

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Woman Roasts Ex-Lover To Death In Edo

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

The police in Benin, Edo State, has arrested one Esohe Ogbewei, for allegedly pouring petrol on her ex-lover and burning him to death.

Family members of Peter Osayi, the deceased, said prior to this time,
Ogbewei and her ex-lover had a quarrel and that he had gone to her house following an invitation from her to resolve the matter.

But it would seem that his ex-lover had more on her mind because while reconciliatory talks were ongoing, she bathed him with petrol and subsequently struck a matchstick.

Osayi was immediately rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, where he gave up a few days after.

Ogbewei, 35, who had had two children for the deceased, was subsequently arrested and the case transferred to the homicide department of the state police command.

One of the victim’s brothers who gave his name simply as Moses urged the government to ensure that justice is done to avenge the death of his late sibling.

“We want government to give us justice. He was roasted alive. My brother told me before his death not to allow the girl escape,” he said.

Edo police command spokesman, Uwoh Noble, confirmed the incident, saying investigation has already begun into the matter.‎

Rivers Police Boss Dissolves Police Community Relations Committee

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Rivers Police Boss Dissolves Police Community Relations Committee

The commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Tunde Ogunsakin, has ordered the dissolution of the executive of the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, in the state.

The police public relations officer in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, an assistant superintendent, told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the action was taken because of the endless crisis rocking the committee.

She said the commissioner had ordered that a caretaker committee be set up to oversee the activities of the committee and prepare grounds for the election and inauguration of a new executive.

“The commissioner of police, Rivers state command, has noticed with grave concern that the lingering crisis bothering on alleged maladministration, mismanagement, embezzlement, tenure elongation, rocking the PCRC Rivers state command chapter is seemingly endless,” the spokesperson said.

She explained that due to the crisis, a ban was placed on the activities of the PCRC executive but that this did not lead to a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

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“Knowing that PCRC is an integral part of the police, we, therefore, enjoin and encourage members to put up extra sacrifices in partnering with the police to make peace a permanent feature in Rivers State,” she said.

Confab Wants State Of Emergency Declared For Power Sector

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Confab Wants State Of Emergency Declared For Power Sector

The National Conference has recommended that President Goodluck Jonathan declares a state of emergency in the power sector, insisting the energy must not be left in the hand of the private sector alone.

The recommendation came as delegates adopted the report of the conference committee on Energy.

The report suggested that a top-down approach through the amendment of existing framework will allow government at all levels and the private sector to be involved in power generation, distribution and marketing locally.

The conference also adopted the banning of flaring of associated gas, while communities that are prone to gas flaring should be compensated and that the Petroleum Act of 1969 be reviewed in the interest of justice and equity.

It equally recommended that laws should be enacted and those available should be enforced at the state and local government levels to control indiscriminate cutting of trees for household energy, charcoal making and export.

The conference also believes that the country should explore the nuclear option in view of the possibility of nuclear energy development and that better security measures be put in place to prevent vandalism, while Nigerian engineers should be adequately represented in the planning and implementation of all aspects of power reform programmes.

Also, the delegates recommended that the federal government should consider the construction of mini refineries in each state as was done in Malaysia and Indonesia and that industries that make use of raw materials should be established close to the source of such resources for rapid industrialisation and diversification.

The conference, however, rejected the recommendation that the federal government should face-out the use of generators in all markets and subsidise the importation of panels until they can be locally manufactured.

Uniabuja Shut Indefinitely Following Students’ Protest

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Uniabuja Shut Indefinitely Following Students’ Protest

The management of the University of Abuja on Monday shut down the institution following students protest over the on-going indefinite strike embarked upon by the academic staff of the school.

This is contained in a circular signed by the university’s registrar, Mohammed Modibo.

The circular said the vice chancellor, James Adelabu, had on behalf of the senate approved the closure of the institution until further notice.

“I am directed to inform you that given the prevailing situation in the university, the Vice Chancellor has on behalf of the senate approved that the university be closed down until further notice,” it said.

The circular which was pasted at the university gate late on Monday directed the students to vacate hostels and university premises immediately, adding that further development would be communicated to them.

The protesting students had earlier gathered at the university staff quarters at Giri, near Gwagwalada, with mats insisting on seeing the vice chancellor.

The students lamented that they were always at the receiving end whenever there was a strike vowed not leave until the strike was called off.

They urged the union and the university authority to dialogue and put an end to the strike.

The striking lecturers of the institution under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, had embarked on an indefinite strike, accusing the vice chancellor of misappropriating the school’s funds.

The union claimed that Adelabu checked-off the union dues in 2013 and refused to remit the fund to it.

They also accused him of refusing to pay allowances entitled to members of the union.

However, the vice chancellor has denied all the allegations, stressing that the lecturers had no basis for the action.

Boko Haram Writes Threat Letter To Chibok Residents

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Boko Haram Writes Threat Letter To Chibok Residents

Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Fear of the unknown has gripped residents Chibok community in Borno State, following a threat letter purportedly written by the dreaded Boko Haram sect, informing of another attack.

Chibok town has attracted attention over the last two months both locally and internationally as a result of the abduction of over 200 school girls from the Government Girls Secondary School who are yet to be found.

Journalists were informed in Maiduguri on Monday by a top official of the local government area that a letter has been received from the terrorists group, stating that the town would soon be visited with terror.

The official said they immediately went to show the letter to police authorities who assured them of maximum protection.

But the residents who have had a foretaste of the abilities of the terrorist group have refused to bank on the assurance of the police, insisting on seeing tangible actions backing the promise.

“Everyone knows that this sect cannot be warded off by a pocket of security men. Whenever Boko Haram tells you that they are coming they never fail to come. Our fears now is that, we don’t know when and how they are going to come,” a distraught resident said.

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved an extension of the state of emergency declared on the state and two others affected against the wish of the state governments, arguing that the security situation was still uncertain.

Police Takeover Edo State Assembly

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Police Takeover Edo State Assembly

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Hundreds of fully armed policemen led by a deputy commissioner took over the Edo State House of Assembly complex this morning, preventing lawmakers from entering their offices.

It was gathered that the policemen arrived at the complex even before 6am, early enough to prevent either faction of the assembly from holding sitting in the building until pending issues are resolved.

The Speaker of the House, Uyi Igbe, along with the deputy speaker, Festus Ebea and the only female member, Elizabeth Ativie, among others, had arrived the complex before 6:30am but were barred from entering to hold plenary.

The police action followed building tension which ensued after a botched attempt to oust the Speaker.

The dispute in the House broke out last week when eight members made an early appearance at the House in an attempt to suspend the Speaker and 15 others.

The members who were retaliating the suspension of four of their colleagues by the larger House for decamping from the All Progressive Congress, APC, were later joined by four other Peoples Democratic Party, PDP lawmakers to declare the majority suspended.

The majority, however, stormed the assembly complex and tried to eject the minority lawmakers causing pandemonium that took the intervention of riot policemen to control.

Speaker of the house had approached a Benin City high court and obtained an injunction restraining the suspended lawmakers from gaining entrance into the assembly complex.

But the suspended lawmakers threatened that in spite of the court injunction they will resume sitting with other lawmakers.

The takeover of the Assembly complex by the police resulted a heavy traffic on the roads leading up to the complex, including the ever busy King’s Square, and all adjourning roads, causing commuters untold hardship.

Other roads like Sapele and a part of the Airport roads were cordoned off by the police.

Meanwhile, the police has arrested and arraigned 37 suspected political thugs in connection with the on-going leadership crisis in the House of Assembly.

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