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Life Is Hell, Arrested Boko Haram Member Confesses

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Life Is Hell, Arrested Boko Haram Member Confesses

A peep into the hellish and meaningless life lived members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect has been provided by one of them who confessed that that they live perpetually in fear.

The 22-year-old member, whose name is being withheld for security reasons, who was arrested by the army said he was forced into the sect by his brother who always came home with guns to hide.

According to him, his brother, who has since been killed in one of the deadly attacks launched by the sect, presented him with two choices – to join the sect or get killed by members or the soldiers that may come home looking for him.

“We launched an attack in Damboa and I was shot and my colleagues who thought that I was killed left me behind but later when I regained consciousness I crawled to the road,” he said.

Speaking further, he said: “I was picked up by the police later and I told them I was willing to volunteer information. I was asked by a senior police officer how I got recruited into the group which I told him, he later handed me over to the Army where I was kept since.”

He said once initiated into the group, it is difficult to denounce membership, as a census is conducted every week or two to determine whether any member had fled, and “any of us found missing will be looked for and if he is found would be slaughtered”.

The arrested member advised youths in the state to stay far away from the group because it is a life of hardship all the way.

Meanwhile, the 21 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army has said that the outlawed Boko Haram sect kill innocent citizens in the country’s North-east region as a way of venting out their anger and frustration.

The acting commander of the brigade, Ibrahim Yusuf, a colonel, who said this on Sunday at a news conference in Maiduguri, Borno State, assured that the army had introduced new measures to counter the insurgent’s attacks on civilians in the state.

“I want to assure you that the army is doing everything possible to ensure that no civilian is attacked by Boko Haram in the state because we are here to ensure the safety of all Nigerians,” he said.

Most times, the Boko Haram members go to remote villages to kill innocent civilians in cold blood because they have been frustrated by the army. They cannot operate in the open, so they vent their anger on innocent civilians,” he stated.

The acting commander who boasted about the prowess of his team said further: “we cannot be taken by surprise by the Boko Haram, the recent attacks are nothing but signs of weakness. We are also evolving strategies to make sure that we prevent future attacks, no matter how small.”

He also said that the army was willing to give safe passage to members of the sect who want to quit and urged those who want to embrace the offer to either surrender themselves at any military post or go to their ward or district head.

“Let me say again that all those who surrendered will not be killed but will be given safe passage,” he said.

FG To Track Crude Thieves Using ICTs

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FG To Track Crude Thieves Using ICTs

The federal government has announced plans to employ the use of technology in the clamping down on pipeline vandals and crude thieves in the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan made this known on Saturday at a two-day oil and gas investment forum in Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Senate President, David Mark, said his administration has embarked on a number of “far-reaching measures” to tackle the menace, including putting in place mechanism to ensure that vandals find it extremely difficult to access petroleum pipelines.

“Government is exploring the possibility of using electronic pipeline surveillance to track down oil theft. To this end, I am calling on all relevant industries to ensure that all oil and gas related cargo are discharged only at the designated terminals,” he said.

The President also directed relevant agencies to ensure strict enforcement on the ban on the illegal discharge of cargo and receiving of vessels at private jetties, adding that steps should be taken to guard against the breach of national security and loss of revenue to the government.

Jonathan said the choice of the Onne oil and gas free trade zone was strategic, as it will showcase the investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy.

According to him, government generated revenue in the zone has increased from $5.4 billion to $7.1 billion in 2013 and the Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, from $4 billion to $4.2 billion dollars in 2013.

“Available statistics indicate that the companies operating in the free zone have increased from 150 in 2011 to 170 in 2013, employment regeneration has increased from 30,000 in 2011 to 34,000 in 2013. Support to family livelihood has grown from 180,000 in 2011 to 200,000 in 2013. If these indices are not indicating an attractive environment for investors, I wonder what else they are,” he said.

The minister of industry, trade and investment, Olusegun Aganga, said the Oil and Gas Free Zone, OGFTZ, would continue to be a catalyst for the diversification of the economy.

“The oil and gas industry remains the prime mover of Nigeria’s economy, while the OGFTZ concept continues to be strategic in the facilitating of private sector investments in the sector,” he said.

74 Boko Haram Members Killed, Camps Destroyed In Borno Raid

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74 Boko Haram Members Killed, Camps Destroyed In Borno Raid

Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

A combined team of the Nigerian Army and Air Force has destroyed a Boko Haram camp in a Borno village, killing 74 members of the sect in the process.

The Army in a statement by the deputy director, public relations of the 7 Division Maiduguri, Muhammad Dole, a lieutenant colonel, said the troops destroyed other camps of the terrorists in Galangi and Kawanti villages within Mainok general area of the state.

He said that the operation which involved ground and aerial assault supported by Nigeria Air Force, caused several sect members to flee the destroyed camps with serious injuries.

Dole added that two soldiers were injured in the process, just as two Isuzu Tiger pick up vehicles and five Hilux Toyota vans belonging to the insurgents were destroyed.

“The General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. obidah Ethan appreciates the general public for their resilience and cooperation by providing timely and credible information to security agencies,” the statement from the army read.

Ethan also reiterated the commitment of 7 Division to ensuring safety of lives and properties of all citizens within its area of responsibility.

Africa Loses $1 Billion Weekly To Illicit Transactions

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Africa Loses $1 Billion Weekly To Illicit Transactions
An agency of the African Union estimates that Africa loses nearly $1 billion every week through illicit financial flows out of the continent chiefly through transactions involving multinational companies.
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD, an AU policy wing, said in a statement on Friday that the region lost $900 billion in illegal financial flows between 1970 and 2008.
Commercial transactions by multinationals accounted for 60 per cent of the unlawful flows, followed by criminal activities such as trade in drugs, weapons and people which all accounted for 35 per cent.
Bribery and embezzlement made up five per cent.
Channels for the illegal flows were trade mispricing, investment-related transactions and offshore tax havens, a report commissioned by NEPAD and the UN’s Economic Commission for Africa said.
For example, a company or official could say a piece of imported equipment costs $100 million when in fact it was exported with an $80 million price tag, NEPAD said in the statement.
The difference can be discreetly deposited in an offshore bank account.
“The development impact of these illicit flows has resulted in loss of tax revenues, damage to economic potential and weakening of governance,” it said.
A report by the African Development Bank, AfDB, earlier this year also showed that Africa was a net creditor to the world through illegal outflows worth between $597 billion and $1.4 trillion in the three decades to 2009.

Gov Al-Makura Denies Links With Ombatse Cult

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Gov Al-Makura Denies Links With Ombatse Cult

Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Friday denied any links with the Ombatse group that allegedly killed security operatives at Alakyo village on May 7.

Al-Makura made this disclosure when he testified before the commission of inquiry on the killing of security operatives and ensuing crises in the state.

He said that he had no knowledge of the existence of the group prior to an incident at Nasarawa Eggon in November 2012.

The governor said that there was a protest in November 2012 at Nasarawa-Eggon by some youths who obstructed traffic and held commuters for almost six hours.

He said the youth alleged that the military obstructed their prayer session at Alogani village, adding that he went to the scene and invited them to his residence in Lafia.

He said that it was in his Lafia residence that the name “Ombatse” was first mentioned to him.

The governor, led in evidence by commission’s counsel, Funsho Lawal, denied being the financier of the group as alleged by Ombatse’s lawyer, Zamani Allumaga.

Allumaga had earlier testified before the commission that the governor gave two leaders of Ombatse and Eggon Community Development Association N1 million each when they visited him November 2012

Al-Makura admitted giving out some monies, but explained that he gave N1 million to the youths he invited to his residence for their transportation and refreshment and not N2 million as alleged.

On the allegation that some members of his cabinet sabotaged the ill-fated security operation at Alakyo on May 7, he said there was no evidence that government officials were involved, noting, however, that “sabotage cannot be completely ruled out.”

Al-Makura also dismissed as untrue the allegation that government failed to heed the warning of Eggon elders through retired Justice Ahmed Ubangeri, a former Chief Justice of the state.

The warning was that government should postpone the ill-fated operation in order to allow elders to meet with Ombatse priest, Baba Alakyo on May 9, over activities of the group.

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The governor explained that the deputy governor informed him of the decision of the Eggon elders at about 6p.m on May 7, while he was in Jos.

He said when the information got to him, the security operatives were already on their way to Alakyo.

Al-Makura said that before he could act on the information, another call came from the deputy governor about 20 minutes later telling him that the security operatives were attacked

Westgate Mall Attack: Kenya Sacks 15 Immigration Officers

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Westgate Mall Attack: Kenya Sacks 15 Immigration Officers

The Kenyan government has fired 15 immigration officers following an audit on the Westgate Mall attack in September.

The Interior Cabinet Secretary, Joseph Ole Lenku, on Friday in Nairobi , said that the officers were implicated in the issuance of Kenyan identification documents to illegal immigrants.

“These officers will soon be arraigned in court,” Lenku said.

During the September 21 terror attack, the worst in over a decade, at least 67 people were killed by Al-Shabaab fighters and 175 injured.

He said the purge would extend to many other government departments.

“We want to remove all those who may have been part of the network that is facilitating the issuance of Kenyan identification documents to illegal immigrants who turn out to be criminals,” he said.

The government has redeployed experienced administration officers to the department of immigration to help streamline and reorganise the department.

“These officers will help to streamline and revamp the immigration department as to avoid a recurrence of security lapses we have witnessed in the past,” the official said.

The cabinet secretary noted that the government is also seeking to amend the laws that govern the registration of persons.

“This will help to strengthen the identification process before one is given an identity card. I have given instructions that if cards are not collected within three months, they be destroyed,’’ he said.

Court Grants FG Ownership Of $15 Million Ibori Bribe Money

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Court Grants FG Ownership Of $15 Million Ibori Bribe Money

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has awarded to the federal government ownership of the $15 million allegedly offered by a former Delta state governor, James Ibori, as bribe to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to stave-off arrest and prosecution.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole averred that the Delta state government failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the money belongs to it.

The EFCC had in July 2012 approached the court through an ex- parte application, requesting for an order forfeiting the Ibori bribe which had been lying in the vaults of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for more than five years to the federal government as unclaimed proceed of crime.

In a motion filed by its lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, the EFCC urged the court to dismiss the claim by the Delta State government to the alleged bribe and order the final forfeiture of the sum to the federal government in line with the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Counsel to the Delta State government, Timipa Okponipere, had asked the court not to give the money to the federal government, maintaining that as at April 25, 2007 when Ibori allegedly offered the bribe of $15m bribe to the EFCC, he was still the governor of the state, with all rights and privileges attached to the office.

He asked the court to declare that the $15m is property belonging to government of Delta State and its people.

Okponipere further asked the court to hold that any application or order granting the money to any other entity other than the government and people of Delta State was illegal and of no effect.

The court, however, disagreed with the Delta State government’s counsel and ruled that the money be awarded to the federal government.

Military Imposes Curfew In Yobe

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Military Imposes Curfew In Yobe

Iro Babyola, Damaturu

A staff of Media Trust, publishers of Daily Trust Newspapers, Abdulwasiu Akinsanya, was among the many civilians killed in Damturu, Yobe state, by members of the blood thirsty Boko Haram sect, in multiple attacks Thursday night.

The Military has announced a 24 hours curfew in the town following the attack.

The insurgents, in a pattern identical with previous attacks, invaded military and police locations as well as public and private buildings in the town between 5:30pm and midnight.

Abdulwasiu until his death was attached to the printing section of Media Trust at the Maiduguri regional office and was reportedly caught in crossfire while travelling to Kano together with his family.

His Wife, Bilkisu Akinsanya, confirmed that her husband was killed around 5.30pm when their vehicle broke down in Damaturu shortly before the Boko Haram insurgents launched the attacks.

“I and our children were with him when he was killed. The dead body of my husband has been taken away to a hospital by security agents,” said Bilkisu, who is now taking refuge with her children at the Maisandari Police divisional headquarters in Damaturu.

Although the numbers of casualties could not be official gotten as at the time of filing this report, residents who spoke to journalists said the attack which lasted five hours was massive and kept everyone in fear for the duration.

They said guns and Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, were deployed by the sect members in the attack judging by the sounds they heard and that by Friday morning, corpses were seen on the roads in some part of the town.

The spokesman of the 3 Division, Special Operation Battalion, in Yobe state, Eli Lazarus, a captain, who confirmed the attack said that security forces in the state capital were involved in a gun battle with the insurgents.

He said that a 24-hour curfew had been imposed across Yobe state with immediate effect as the battalion continued its operation to rid the state of insurgents.

Though the army did not give details on the extent of damage or number of casualties, sources said the 234 army Battalion along Maiduguri road, the mobile police base, the police Area Command, the state CID all along Gujba road were burnt down and some detainees freed.

It was also gathered that the insurgents looted the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in the area, making away with two brand new ambulances and huge quantity of drugs at the hospital.

37 Gaddafi Era Officials Indicted, Charged For Murder

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37 Gaddafi Era Officials Indicted, Charged For Murder

A Libyan investigative judge on Thursday indicted 37 Muammar Gaddafi-era officials on charges related to attempts to crush a 2011 uprising that eventually toppled the long-serving dictator.

The defendants, including Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam, are charged with genocidal murder, incitement to rape, ordering the killing of peaceful protesters and setting up armed militias to kill civilians during the uprising.

The case is to be heard by the Criminal Court in Tripoli, which has yet to set a date for the beginning of the hearings.

“Now that the case has been referred to the Criminal Court, the defendants’ appearance before the court will be obligatory,” al-Sediq al-Sur, an official at the prosecutor general’s office said.

Gaddafi was captured and killed by opposition insurgents in October 2011 in his hometown, Sirte.

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His son, Saif al-Islam, is being held in the western Libyan city of Zintan, where he is being tried in a separate case.

Libya has resisted pressure from The Hague-based ICC to hand over Gaddafi’s son for trial on charges of crimes against humanity during the uprising.

The ICC, which issued its arrest warrant for the younger Gaddafi in June 2011, has questioned whether he would receive a fair trial in the North African country.

Defend Yourselves, Borno Govt Tells Citizens

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Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Following continuous attacks on communities in Borno State, the government has asked the people of the state to be responsible for their own safety, by doing “everything” possible to protect themselves from members of the Boko Haram sect.

Deputy Governor Zannah Umar Mustapha who said this on Thursday at the palace of the district head of Kawuri, explained that the government was not shelving its responsibility of protecting lives and property of citizens, but needed the support of the people to adequately combat crime and insurgency in the state.

Mustapha had gone to commiserate with the people of Kawuri following attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect in which three persons were killed, 18 injured, with about 150 houses and shops burnt or destroyed.

He said that if the people of Maiduguri had relied solely on the security provided by government agencies, they would still have been tormented by the life-snuffing group, and urged them to take their destinies in their hands.

“The people of Maiduguri has since realised that and it is working for them as nobody can carry gun to go and killed a fellow human being without being arrested and brought to justice. I urged you to do the same by ensuring that you rise up to defend yourselves,” he said.

Mustapha said the government was concerned about the insecurity in the state and would do everything within its powers to restore peace to the area.

The deputy governor also annouced the donation of two new golf cars and two hundred and fifty thousand naira to youth volunteers in the village.

Some of the people of Kawuri who spoke to journalists, revealed that residents of the town were afraid to carry sticks and machetes like others in Konduga and Maiduguri because Kawuri village appeared to have many informants of the sect living in the village due to its proximity to Sambisa forest where military troops and insurgents have been battling since the declaration of state of emergency.

They alleged that the insurgents always visited the village in search of information, food and women and have not at anytime attacked the village until recently when they had problem with a youth volunteer group who came from Maiduguri.

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