Jonathan is a weak president, he rejected my advice to quiz Buhari & others – Azazi

Former National Security Adviser, NSA, has reacted to his sacking yesterday by President Goodluck Jonathan with shock and disbelief, and called Jonathan a soft president. He however expressed hope that the action would bring an end to the serious security challenges facing the country. In a statement through his Media spokesman Mike Awe, Azazi said Jonathan failed to heed his counsel on how to confront Boko haram.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sacked the National Security Adviser, NSA, General Andrew Owoeye Azazi and the Minister of Defence, Haliru Bello. He named Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, as the new NSA. Dasuki was former Aid- de-Cmap, ADC, to General Ibrahim Babangida.

But reacting to the sacking, Media spokesman to Azazi, Mike Awe, said: “The government appointed him and has asked him to go. The President is under political pressure and not everything is classified and made public. When NSA asked that Buhari be invited for questioning, Jonathan kicked against it. When he suggested that some people be brought in and questioned, he kicked against it saying it is a ploy to scatter his government. So, really, it’s all about the president’s softness (weakness) but he appointed him and he has removed him.

NIGERIA: T-e-r-r-o-r-! Family of 6 killed in Jos

A family of six including a six-month old child and a 70-year old grandmother were yesterday brutally murdered by gunmen at Kumpun village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. In Lokoja, capital of Kogi State, the police command has discovered a hideout in Koto – Karfe area of the state where guns were being locally manufactured.

In Kano State, the Joint Military Taskforce, JTF, also yesterday discovered a high calibre Improvised Explosive Devise, IED, in the   premises of Waje Friday Jumat Mosque in Fagge Local Government Area of the state. The JTF also arrested four persons while allegedly trying to plant the bomb in the mosque.

This was even as there was pandemonium in the Zone 5 area of Abuja, yesterday evening, following a bomb scare, with some offices in the ever-busy environment  quickly evacuating as business men and women  also hurriedly closed shops and residents scampered for safety.

Policemen from bomb disposal unit packing defused home made bombs made from cans of soft drinks.

In Minna, Niger State capital and environs, business activities were also temporarily disrupted yesterday afternoon as rumour of attacks by members of an Islamic sect, Boko-Haram filtered into town. The rumour which started  barely an hour to the Friday Juma’at Mosque climaxed as some shop owners closed shops for the day’s business while many traders at the Kure ultra modern market and other markets around the metropolis also hurriedly followed suit.

However, six other people were injured in Plateau State when the assailants suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and said to have numbered over 30 stormed the village at about 3.30am wielding guns and machetes.

An eyewitness said the attackers killed six members of the Dakibang family in their sleep and injured two other members of the family who were hit with machetes as they tried to escape before moving to other houses in the village where they injured four other people.

They reportedly shot sporadically while some of them attacked those trying to escape with dangerous weapons and operated for about two hours before escaping through a bush path.

Security men to whom distress calls were made allegedly arrived at the village an hour after the attackers had gone.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. John Clark Dabwang who visited the affected village to commiserate with them described the attack as barbaric and wicked.

He wondered why people would hack down fellow human beings in cold blood and appealed for calm among the people urging them not to carry out reprisals.

Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent Emmanuel Abuh confirmed the attack and the six killed adding that investigations were on to track down the perpetrators.In Kano State, the Waje Friday Mosque lies within the expanse of land that separate the predominantly Christian quarters and the indigenous Hausa.

Bomb found in Kano mosque

A  statement by JTF spokesman made available to Saturday Vanguard in Kano, Lt Ikediche Iweha stated:

“The attention of the general public is hereby drawn to the latest desperate and despicable tactics employed by members of the terrorist sect aimed at causing public disorder and riots in the name of religion. This afternoon, June 22, 2012, at about 2pm, the attention of the JTF was called by a careful Nigerian to a suspicious package at a mosque in Fagge area just before the Friday prayers. Upon examination, the package turned out to be an IED planted by terrorists to cause death and grievous harm to worshippers at the Jum’mat prayers.

“This latest attempt is particularly disturbing in view of the wider implication it would have had on the fragile peace in Kano and the disruption of economic activities it would have brought with it. It is also equally disturbing in view of the recent events in parts of Kaduna State to which Kano boarders.”

Similarly, the Police Public Relation Officer in the state, DSP Rilwanu Tanimu  confirmed the arrest of the four suspects stressing that they were apprehended after they abandoned the IED stocked in a polythene bag.

Taminu further explained that a comprehensive investigation has begun on the matter, adding that the four suspects were in their custody.

Bomb scare in Abuja

As usual with such situations, there were several versions to the cause of the scare with some people saying that a bag dropped from a moving vehicle and those by the road side took to their heels.

Another version had it that a bag was dropped near an eatery in the area where several government offices, and private businesses as well as, the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, had their headquarters.

Some eyewitnesses said they saw a suspicious bag between Top View Hotel and the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps office in the area and concluded that it could be an explosive.

The headquarters of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, is located on the other side of the road leading to Alvan Ikoku Way. The incident which occurred between about 3pm and 5 pm caused traffic gridlock in the area as one lane had to be closed to traffic.

However, when Anti-Bomb Policemen visited the place, it was confirmed that there no explosive in the said bag.

Locally manufactured arms

The Kogi State police Commissioner, Muhammed Katsina who briefed newsmen over the incident said three persons, (names withheld), were arrested at the factory where locally made guns were being manufactured.

Katsina said, the trio who had already confessed to have manufactured guns of different categories for men of the underworld were arrested by detectives who swooped on them at their workshop following a tip off.

According to Katsina, 10 locally made single- barreled guns, one locally made double barreled gun, two manufacturing machines and a gas cylinder were recovered at the ‘’arms workshop.’’

He further said the state command also arrested two persons, aged 25 and  26  in connection with the kidnapping of a teenage girl, Racheal Bulus from Jos.

The girl who was a Face book friend of Haruna travelled to see him only for the two to detain her and call her father asking for N200,000  ransom. The duo according to the police boss were arrested while trying to withdraw the money from their bank account in Ogane Iyale, Dekina Local Government of the state

Traders scamper in Minna over rumour of attack

As a result of the rumour of attack, the Friday prayer Mosques which were usually filled to capacity with adherents of the Islamic faith was poorly attended as many moslems chose to stay indoors as part of the rumour indicated that the central mosque was the target of the sect.

Proprietors of private schools, especially those owned by Christians, who were in session,out of fear called or sent text messages to parents/guardians to come for their wards as their fears were further heightened by the presence of soldiers and anti-riot policemen who were patrolling the town.The situation was chaotic as  parents who had their wards in schools drove recklessly to pick  their children, in the process,  causing traffic gridlock along major roads in the city, especially at the Central Mosque-Sabon-Gari round- about linking the Obasanjo shopping complex.

Taxis and commercial motorcycle drivers popularly called ‘Okada’ were not left out in the confusion that ensued. While many simply stopped business to watch the unfolding events, others made brisk business charging more than the normal cost for a drop.

Meanwhile, the police in Niger state have advised residents against spreading rumour over possible attacks and asked them to go about their normal businesses.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO,,  Pius Edobor, solicited the support and cooperation of Nigerlites in tackling security challenges by providing the police with useful information to check criminals and people from cause breach of the peace.

Edobor described the rumoured attack as one of the gimmicks by mischief makers and assured residents of the state of their safety at all times.

Police foil fresh crisis in Kaduna •Residents groan under curfew, call for review •Yobe relaxes curfew •Security tightened in Kogi

AS youths in Kujama near Kaduna defied the curfew order in Kaduna State and took arms against one other, the police have reinforced security in that part of the state, even as the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, said nine people were arrested in connection to the crisis in the state.
Already, more riot policemen from Abuja, Jigawa and Abia states have arrived in Kaduna and were mobilised to Kujama and the few remaining trouble spots in the state. The renewed hostilities in Kujama were as a result of the action of some Christian youths who molested a Muslim girl and tore her hijab. The conflict which lasted till Thursday morning left several people dead and many injured. At an emergency meeting of emirs and chiefs at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris, appealed for calm and called on parents to prevail on their children to embrace peace. The Police Public Relations Officer for the Kaduna State Police Command, DRP Aminu Lawan, however, assured that peace and orderliness were gradually returning and urged members of the public to desist from spreading rumours.
The leadership of JNI and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also reiterated the need to sheathe the sword and remain peaceful.
Meanwhile, the governor of Kaduna State, Mr Patrick Yakowa, has once again commiserated with all those affected in the crises of the past few days in the state.
In a message by the governor's aide on Media and Publicity, Reuben Buhari, the governor said while sharing in people's grief, "it’s, however, important to inform the whole state that the 24 hours curfew earlier imposed in the state is still in force and security agencies have been asked to ensure its full compliance.
"As distasteful as the imposition of the 24 hours curfew is, the good citizens of Kaduna State should understand that the measure became necessary for the good of the state and the benefit of its citizens.
"People are expected to cooperate fully with security agencies who are saddled with the task of restoring full peace and order in our state."
The governor further called on people to absolutely disregard all mischievous text messages and rumours being spread on impending crisis or attacks. "All these rumours are meant to further throw the state into chaos. His Excellency also calls on all the inhabitants of Kaduna State to show love to one another, regardless of religious or ethnic differences," the statement said.
Meanwhile, as the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state entered its fifth day, residents, on Thursday, appealed to the state government for a review, to enable them to restock.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that most residents in the state capital had exhausted their foodstuffs, as provision stores were also experiencing low stock.
NAN also reported that markets, banks and other business premises had remained closed, while restaurants and other food joints had also closed shops due to the curfew.
NAN also reported that the state water board was providing skeletal services, due to erratic power supply which affected water treatment process.
Meanwhile, more security operatives have been drafted to the streets to ensure strict compliance with the curfew.

Yobe govt relaxes curfew
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has approved the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew imposed on Tuesday, as a result of violence that erupted on Monday evening.
Consequently, a press statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s special adviser on media and information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, said public movement within Damaturu metropolis was now allowed between 10.00 a.m and 4.00 p.m daily.
Bego, in the statement, also advised members of the public to remain in their homes from 4.00 p.m till 10.00 a.m daily, as restriction on public movement in other parts of the state remained from 10.00 p.m till 6.00 p.m daily, while restriction of movement in Potiskum town remained between 6.00 p.m and 6.00 a.m daily.
The decision, according to Bego, was taken following a meeting that the governor had with heads of law enforcement agencies in the state.
Gaidam, therefore, urged the public that the task of ensuring and maintaining security was not just for the security agents alone, but for every law abiding citizens.

Soldiers, policemen on patrol in Kogi
In Kogi State, fully armed combat military men and members of the mobile policemen have commenced street patrol in Lokoja, the state capital.
The combat military men and mobile policemen criss-cross all the major roads in the state, particularly the one that linked the South and the North.
The state Police Public Relations officer, while reacting to the deployment of the security agents, noted that it was to assure the public that security agencies were fully on the ground to face any security challenges in the state.

Boko Haram duo linked to kidnapping of foreigners

Khalid al-Barnawi, labeled a "global terrorist" by the United States government Thursday, is alleged to be an Al Qaeda-linked militant with Boko Haram ties involved in kidnapping of foreigners.

The U.S State Department described Barnawi and another militant also given the terrorist designation, Abubakar Adam Kambar, as tied to Boko Haram and with "close links to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb," or Al-Qaeda's north African branch.

A source close to the Boko Haram sect told AFP that Barnawi is thought to have run a militant training camp in the Algerian desert and was involved in the kidnapping of foreigners in Niger and in Nigeria.
 Those kidnappings included the abductions of French nationals in Niger and of a Briton and an Italian in Nigeria last year near the border with Niger.
The report said Abu Mohammad, the alleged mastermind of the kidnap of the Briton and the Italian, trained at the camp under Barnawi. Mohammad died in custody in March after suffering gunshot wounds in a raid in Sokoto State.

 AFP gathered that Mohammad and Barnawi formed an alliance with the faction of Boko Haram led by Abubakar Shekau, also designated a "global terrorist" on Thursday, after Mohammad returned to Nigeria.
Under the alliance, Mohammad and his group were to carry out abductions for ransom, part of which would go towards financing Boko Haram operations. Boko Haram would in turn provide security cover for Mohammad's group.

Barnawi is said to have feuded with an Al-Qaeda "spiritual adviser" at the training camp, particularly over the kidnappings in Nigeria.

According to the report, Barnawi planned the kidnappings without Al-Qaeda consent.
Not much is known about Barnawi's background, though he is thought to be in his 30s and had been born in Maiduguri, Borno State.

APGA suspends 5 NWC members for anti-party activities

 

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday suspended indefinitely five leaders of the party over alleged anti-party activities. Until their suspension, they were members of the party’s NWC.

 

Those suspended include Deputy National Chairman, North, Alhaji Sadeeq Massalla, National Vice Chairman, South East, Mr Morgan Anyalechi, Deputy National Organising Secretary, Sunday Obasohan, Deputy National Legal Adviser, Bala Bako, National Youth Leader, Mr. Ferguson Okpara and National Women Leader, Mrs. Ella Nwabueze Ezeanya.

The NWC, at its meeting in Abuja, set up a seven-man disciplinary committee headed by Alhaji Tayo Sowumi, National Vice Chairman, South West, to probe the suspended officers over alleged disobedience of the party’s constitution.

However, it took the timely intervention of the anti-riot policemen to disperse some hoodlums who stormed the party’s National Secretariat yesterday, ostensibly to disrupt the NWC meeting.

The protesters who arrived the party office at about 9.30 am armed with placards while chanting war songs, were prevented from gaining access into the  national secretariat by the policemen who had been stationed there since Wednesday.

Sets up 7-man disciplinary committee to investigate suspended members

The National Chairman, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, who announced the development while addressing newsmen after the NWC meeting, said the suspension was endorsed by 18 members of the NWC.

According to him, on June 19, 2012, five members of the NWC accompanied by hoodlums broke into the party’s national secretariat and addressed the press where they purportedly announced the suspension of the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.

“These five NWC members further declared Alhaji Sadeeq Massalla, Deputy National Chairman, North, as Acting National Chairman and one Dr. Ifedi A. Okwenna, a member of the PDP, as the Acting National Secretary of APGA. The activities of these dissident NWC members have since been closely monitored by the party.

They have been sponsored overtime to undertake in dissidents and anti-party activities in order to destabilize the party. Their nefarious activities culminated in the unfortunate event of the 2012 aforementioned.”

He said “after a thorough deliberation, the NWC unanimously resolved to suspend the following members indefinitely.”

Arguing that the suspended officers lacked the constitutional capacity and quorum to do what they purportedly did on June 19, Chief Umeh, urged the disciplinary committee “to investigate the flagrant and brazen display of disobedience to the party constitution by the suspended NWC members and make appropriate recommendations to the National Executive Committee, NEC.”

“The NWC also condemned activities of Dr. Tim Menakaya, a member of the Board of Trustees, BOT, of the party, who randomly calls meeting of the party, thereby interfering with the day-to-day running of the party, contrary to the Article 11.1 (1) of APGA constitution, which forbids the Board of Trustees from taking “part in the day-to-day activities of running the party.”

The NWC also called on the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi to ensure that his administration conduct the local government elections in Anambra State without further delay, adding, “since the new voters register has been made available by INEC after the 2011 general elections, the NWC in compliance with Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, as Amended, hereby calls for the conducts of the council polls.

Denies plans to merge with ACN, CPC

On the rumoured proposed merger of the party with CPC and ACN, Chief Umeh said the NWC made it clear that APGA would not merge with any political party, instead,, the APGA is ready for alliance talk with other political parties for the purpose of presidential elections in 2015 wherein APGA will field a presidential candidate.