NDC NEWS BULLETIN 2 September 2, 2013

STOWAWAY: AVIATION STAKEHOLDERS LAUD EFFORTS TO BOOST SECURITY AT AIRPORTS

Sequel to the stowaway incident at Benin airport penultimate Saturday, aviation security experts have commended the Federal Airport Authority of , FAAN, for taking additional security measures to forestall runway incursions at airports in the country. The Chairman of Aviation stakeholders Squaretable, Capt. Balarabe Usman, told newsmen that the aviation industry had suffered many years of neglect which was inherited by the present administration.

Usman noted that security equipment and facilities were allowed to decay, even as some were abandoned, adding that there were several efforts to build perimeter fencing at the various airports in the country, especially the major airports, but were abandoned halfway. Usman, who was the former Chief Security Officer of FAAN and an aviation security consultant, said if the agency had completed the initial projects on perimeter fencing, the situation would not have degenerated to the level where there was no perimeter fencing at some airports.

1 He said: “While we condemn the failure of FAAN to provide adequate security at the airside of some of these airports, we have to also commend the efforts being made by the Ministry of Aviation to reinforce security to forestall such incident happening in future. “I know that what this government inherited were decayed terminals, security equipment and non- existence facilities but since it started the remodelling programme, we have witnessed what have been achieved and we know that most airports in the country will have perimeter fencing and operational vehicles. “The Federal Government has started deployment of sophisticated screening equipment in various airports and simultaneously kicked off training of personnel to man this equipment.”

A security expert and the CEO of Centurion Securities Limited, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), said during the auditing of airport security by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, that FAAN had failed to provide perimeter fencing and security fencing of airports in 2004, 2006 and 2008. He said the Category 1 safety status Nigeria obtained from the US Federal Aviation Administration was in the hope that the country would improve its security systems at the airports.

FAAN said recently that bushes at airports would be cleared to ensure full view of the perimeter, allow both the control tower, FAAN fire and rescue observation posts and aviation security patrol teams have a sweeping view of the perimeter of an airport from their duty posts. It also declared that at every airport without fully functional perimeter fence, a security vehicle would be deployed to a point within full view of aircraft as it taxies out to take off and maintain visual scrutiny and, if necessary, respond to any situation until every departing aircraft is safely airborne

2 TWO PASTORS, 28 OTHERS NABBED OVER PIPELINE VANDALISM

THIRTY suspected pipeline vandals, among them, two pastors and two teenagers were, weekend, arrested by officials of the command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Isheri Olofin area of the state. The suspects, according to the Commandant, Mr Akinwande Aboluwoye, were arrested after a shoot-out. Recovered from the suspects, according to Aboluwoye, were canoes and 400 50-litre jerricans filled with siphoned petroleum product. Parading the suspects, among whom were six women, the commandant explained that the feat was achieved following a tip off.

He said: “Immediately they sighted us, they opened fire, thereby leading to a gun battle. But when it became apparent that the heat was too much for them, they abandoned the products and jumped into the river and escaped. However, we were able to arrest their accomplices who reside in the area. We set the recovered canoes ablaze while surveillance has been intensified in that area.”. However, when the teenagers, Michael Oyedotun(13) and Azeez Ajani(12) were quizzed, they denied their involvment, saying they are apprentices in a tailoring workshop in the area.

While Oyedotun claimed he was arrested while taking his bath at the Ogun River, Azeez admitted seeing jerricans around the area any time he wakes up. On his part, one of the pastors who identified himself as Nikuleyi Adesola, claimed he was arrested in the company of two female members of his church. According to him, “I live in the church. I was with two of my members when NSCDC officials ordered us to come out. I do not know

3 anything about the recovered jerricans or activities of vandals.” Meanwhile, the commandant has said the suspects would be charged to court soon.

LAGOS GOVT EVICTS 200 OCCUPANTS OF DISTRESSED BUILDINGS

No fewer than 200 occupants’ of three distressed buildings in Mushin Local Government area of the state were weekend evicted by the state government. It has also continued the demolition of one of the three buildings; a four-storey, located on 34 Adeyemi Street. The two remaining buildings awaiting demolition are a two-storey and a shopping complex located on 32 and 33 Adeyemi Street respectively.

However, the evicted occupants have alleged that they paid N100,000 to un-named official of the Building Control Agency, LASBCA, to allow them remain in the distressed buildings for another year before demolition. It was learnt that some of the buildings were erected over 22 years ago and were never renovated, but the landlords were only collecting rents worth over N200, 000 each annually. Vanguard gathered that five other buildings were also marked for demolition for allegedly contravening approvals among others. They may be demolished in a matter of days.

Speaking, General Manager of LASBCA, Mrs. Abimbola Animashaun- Odunayo, said: “The occupants were evicted because the buildings are unsafe for habitation. They have obvious cracks and can collapse any moment. This was the reason for government action. They are dangerous

4 for habitation and if they collapsed today, about 200 occupants of the houses will suffer severe injury. We have to be proactive to ensure that buildings especially distressed ones do not collapse on the occupants.

“To avoid loss of lives, a new slogan has been adopted; ‘kill the house, before it kills us’. We have issued the landlords of the affected buildings notices thrice directing their tenants to vacate the property. But they refused.” On the alleged bribery, she said: “I believe they made such allegation because they were upset. They believe that if they say that we can pardon them. Earlier, they appealed for a week extension, but we turned it down. We are all human beings. We have seen a lot of collapsed buildings and we have seen the number of causalities that died as buildings caved in. Why will anyone collect money from someone when we know that such building can collapse any moment? We have conscience.”

FG GETS 21-DAY ULTIMATUM FROM NMA

The last has not been heard about the crisis in the health sector as the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, will today hand the Federal Government a 21–day ultimatum to tackle the myriad of challenges and anomalies confronting the country’s health system or face another industrial action.

This is coming on the heels of the suspension of a nine-day indefinite strike by the Medical and Health Workers Union after government agreed to their

5 demands. However, Nigerians may now have to contend with the new threat by the umbrella body of doctors in the country.

A communique issued at the end of its 2013 National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Sokoto weekend, said the ultimatum was also for the Federal Government to resolve the ongoing destruction of what they described as “the fabric of professionalism and hierarchical order in Nigeria’s public hospitals and the health sector.”

The communique, jointly signed by the President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele and the Secretary-General, Dr. Akpufuoma Pemu, said the non-negotiable stance of NEC is the enthronement of professionalism and international best practices. It said: “NEC resolved not to further tolerate the dislocation and unqualified suffering of doctors and other health workers, who are being owed salaries due to non-payment of wages occasioned by recurrent irregularities in the implementation of the centralised integrated personnel payroll information system, IPPIS.

“Since the commencement of the implementation of IPPIS in federal public hospitals, it has greatly undermined the welfare of doctors many of whom have had to endure over three months of non-payment of salaries due to the irregularities in the implementation of IPPIS.

“NEC, therefore, calls on government to urgently correct the numerous deficiencies within the next 21 days or stop the use of IPPIS as a means of payment of the salaries of doctors in public hospitals, pending when the irregularities in the IPPIS are sorted out with a perfect innocuous system put in place.”

6 They also mentioned the delay in the inauguration of the Governing Board of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, despite several appeals made by NMA to Government. The said that MDCN remains greatly handicapped by the fact that there was no judge/council chairman to preside over investigated cases brought before it.

BENUE CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO UKUM COUNCIL MASSACRE

Benue State Government has urged the state’s Police Command to unearth the masterminds of the recent killings at Ayati, Agena and Agbaye communities in Ukum Local Government Area, where a local militia reportedly massacred 13 persons, injured many and burnt down houses and huts of residents.

Acting Governor of the state, Chief Steven Lawani, told journalists, yesterday, in Makurdi that “the state government is working in collaboration with the Police to fish out leaders of the gang responsible for the bloody attack. “But despite that unfortunate incident, Benue remains a safe place and I can assure you that the safety of the lives and property of each and every individual residing or passing through is safe.

“Already, Police has been urged to investigate and apprehend the masterminds of the attack and I can assure you that we are working closely with the Police to ensure that the peace of Benue is not disrupted by

7 anyone or group. “Moreover, the security report I have indicates that everything is peaceful and there is no breach of security in Benue State.”

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, Zone 4 Makurdi, Mr. Mike Zuokumor, and Benue State Commissioner of Police, Adams Audu, have also ordered full scale investigations into the killings. The duo gave the order after visiting the besieged communities where they assured the residents of the safety of their lives and property. According to a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent Daniel Ezeala, “while addressing the besieged communities, the AIG appealed for calm and also ordered full investigations into the killings.”

NMA’s claim

Meanwhile, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, said yesterday that Nigeria was losing $800 million (about N125 billion) annually to medical tourism. The National President of the NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, made the announcement in Sokoto at a news conference at the end of the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the association. According to him, no fewer than 5,000 Nigerians travel to India annually for medical tourism.

He said: “That is why we are commending Governor Idris Wada of for heeding our advice when he had an accident and he stayed back in Nigeria for treatment. “Other public and political office holders should emulate him and have confidence that there are adequate medical manpower and facilities in Nigeria.” “There is, therefore, the urgent need for investments in the nation’s healthcare system.” Enabulele urged President

8 Goodluck Jonathan, governors, other top public officials and political office holders to emulate the Kogi governor.

He said: “If this is done, the high rate of capital flight as a result of medical tourism would be curbed and Nigerians should only travel for treatment when it becomes absolutely necessary.” Enabulele said that the association was fully committed to taking the nation’s health sector to greater heights.

He said that 3,700 patients were attended to in Tambuwal, Wamakko and Gwadabawa communities during the three-day free medical outreach programme, which ended on August.28 in . The NMA President added that no fewer than 98 free surgical operations were conducted in three local government areas of the state during the programme.

FLOOD WREAKS HAVOC IN MAKURDI, SUBMERGES 180 HOUSES

Over four hours of torrential rain has left several parts of Makurdi the Benue State capital flooded with no fewer than 180 houses submerged in the unexpected deluge. Also lost to the downpour which started around 7pm Saturday night, were property, household items and valuables valued at more than N200 million. Areas badly affected by the flood included Demekpe, Gyado Villa, Wurukum, Idye village, Achusa and Mobile Police Barracks on Naka road and Wadata. When Vanguard visited some of the

9 affected areas, many residents were seen battling to rescue their property and valuables from their flooded homes and neighborhood while some could not find access to the houses to save their valuables from being swept away by the flood.

At Demekpe, one of the victims, John Adamgbe told Vanguard that he lost most of his valuables and important documents to the flood. “My family and I were preparing to have our dinner when the rain started around 7pm. We knew we were in for trouble when the rain became torrential and was not showing any signs of stopping. As at 9pm it was as if the heaven would come down and the entire place was like River Benue and we started battling to save my five children from being swept away while most of our property and valuables had already gone under water.”

When contacted, the General Manager of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, Mr. Adikpo Agbatse warned residents of Makurdi town to desist from dumping refuse on drainages to avert the flooding of the town, adding that he had commenced a tour of the affected areas after which he would issue a statement on the devastation.

US COAST GUARD COMMENDS NIMASA ON SECURITY CODE

The United States Coast Guard has declared that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, is on the right path to the successful implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facility

10 Security, ISPS, Code in Nigeria. The leader of the US Coast Guard team to Nigeria, Mr. Tivo Romero, made this declaration at a meeting with members of the ISPS Code Implementation Committee in Lagos, weekend, during a visit to NIMASA, the designated authority for ISPS Code implementation in Nigeria. Mr. Romero, who said they visited six port facilities in the country during their two-week visit to Nigeria, said that they noticed tremendous improvement since the last visit to the country. He commended NIMASA for the outreach to facility operators.

Romero said: “I must commend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for its efforts so far. “However, the United States Coast Guard will provide required technical assistance to ensure that infrastructural and legal instruments needed for effective implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria are put in place. “I urge you all to see this project as a voyage, which we have all embarked on, that must be concluded.”

Romero dismissed media reports that the United States Government would embargo vessels from visiting Nigerian ports, noting that the US Government was fully behind Nigeria as a strong business partner that requires desired partnership, a reason for which both countries would always continue to work together.

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GUNMEN KILL DOCTOR, DISTRICT CHIEF IN BAUCHI COMMUNITY

Some gunmen on Saturday killed the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Medical Centre, Azare in , Dr Musa Mohammed. Police spokesman Hassan Mohammed, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP), confirmed the development yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi.

He said the deceased was shot and killed with Alhaji Muhammadu Manu, the district head of Yame community in Dambam Local Government Area. “Mohammed, and Alhaji Manu, were shot dead in Yame town around 10.30pm on Saturday,” Mohammed said. The spokesman, who said no arrest had been made, added that the police have begun investigation into the matter. NAN learnt that the late doctor was ambushed on the Azare- Dambam Road by the suspected assailants, who took him to Yame town and killed him with the district head. Until his appointment as the CMD of the centre, Mohammed was the chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

12 PLATEAU HEADING FOR GREATNESS, SAYS OUTGOING STF CHIEF

The outgoing Commander of the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos Crises, code-named Operation Safe Haven, Maj.-Gen. Henry Idowu Ayoola, has said is gradually rising from its conflicts and heading to greatness and prosperity. Gen. Ayoola spoke yesterday in Jos, the state capital, during a valedictory church service for him.

He has been redeployed to the Defence headquarters as the Chief of Research and Development after serving as the STF commander for 15 months. Speaking at the Parliament Church in Dogon Karfe, Jos, the venue of the service, Gen. Ayoola said: “Plateau State has crossed over to a new point of its life’s challenges; it’s moving from a conflict era to a post-conflict era of peace, greatness and prosperity.”

The fifth and the longest-serving commander of the STF, added: “The secret behind the peace achieved on the Plateau so far lies in the cooperation between the residents and the state government. We did it all together with God behind us. “My service in Jos was like a divine call to duty. I was just an instrument in the hands of God. All my actions and inactions, whether good or bad, were carried out as I was only obeying divine instructions. “All that Plateau went through during the conflict was a divine course of achieving greatness and prosperity in the life of the state. I can see the state leaping to greatness soon.

“The prevailing peace on the Plateau is not what we desire. This is just the beginning, not the destination; the destination is permanent peace. “But if

13 Plateau residents want to get to the right destination of permanent peace and prosperity, they should learn to show love and nurse no grudges.” Governor Jonah Jang, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Shedrach Best, said: “Plateau is full of gratitude to the service rendered by the outgoing commander and the Ministry of Defence.“Gen. Ayoola came in at the most challenging moment of the state, when suicide attacks on churches were high. But the state is pleased today that we have moved to the era of peace.”

ACE PHOTOGRAPHER PETER OBE DIES AT 81

A media Consultant, Taiwo Obe, wrote yesterday on the late Obe, his uncle, who was born on December 28, 1932. “Just as the Daily Times, where he was for several decades chief photographer, was the generic name for newspapers, he was also for a long time the generic name for photography in Nigeria. If you wasted time in taking a photograph, you were automatically written off as “not Peter Obe.” On the other hand, if you exhibited some measure of mastery, you earned the name, “Peter Obe.”

He was a legend. Indeed, in the Daily Times, he was not mentioned by name; rather, he was “Ace”, indicating his high quality, excellence. His photographs were always stamped “Exclusives.” And, truly, they were: in a different class. “This afternoon (yesterday), Peter Oyeyemi Obe, better known as Peter Obe, died at his residence situated on 31 Alhaji Masha/Moronu Street, Surulere, Lagos. His first son, Femi, made the announcement. A visual impairment which he had a couple of years ago,

14 cut short his freelance photography work for the Agence France Presse (AFP). His coverage of the Nigerian civil war for the Daily Times resulted in a one-of-its-kind book, “Civil War Pictures From Nigeria: A Decade of Crisis in Pictures.”

Mr Lade Bonuola (aka Ladbone), an executive consultant at The Guardian, in a condolence message, wrote: “As chief cameraman of the Daily Times and I as the chief sub-editor, we worked very closely together. He never failed in supplying me terrific action photographs for the front page. Once I shouted ‘Exclusives’, I trusted he was on the way to the newsroom to supply page 1 photograph.”

For veteran sports journalist Fabio Olanikpekun, the late icon of photo Journalism was a true professional who discharged his duties with a sense of professionalism. “Oh my God! Peter Obey has passed on? He asked almost close to tears. Continuing, he said: “That is a monumental departure in the history of Nigeria Photo Journalism. I was a kid when Peter Obey occupied the space in Nigeria Photo Journalism. As a Daily Express photographer he was the essential photo Journalist of his era. “If he did not cover any event then that event was not going to be an historic event. And those of us who grew up in Lagos in the 40′s remembered that any event he covered was historic with his ever present cap. He was easily distinguishable and there’s nobody in Lagos that did not recognise him as the essential press photographer of his days. “As a naturalist, he was famours and popular by his love for bush meat, grass cutter. As I speak to you, I feel saddened that a great professional in the act of press photography departed. But we should thank God that he made a mark for others to emulate.”

15 ASUU: FED GOVT LIED ON N92B EARNED ALLOWANCE

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has cleared the air on the controversial N92 billion earned allowances contained in the 2009 agreement reached by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government. The NUC said the earned allowances of N92 billion in the agreement covers the earned allowances of the academic and non-academic workers. While the Federal Government claimed it had released N100 billion for infrastructure in federal universities, ASUU insisted that the amount due for injection is N500 billion.

The government also said it has met substantially, the agreements reached with the union, except the N92 billion earned allowances. But in a letter dated August 26, 2013, signed by the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie, addressed to the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, the NUC boss directed the governing councils to provide oversight in the administration of the released earned allowances to “deserving academic and non-academic workers”.

Speaking in a telephone chat with reporters in Ibadan, the Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU, Dr. Segun Ajiboye, said ASUU had been vindicated by the campaign of calumny by the Federal Government to the effect that the earned allowances was for only academic workers. He described the initial claims by the government representatives that ASUU was demanding N92 billion earned allowances for its members as a blackmail, which has “now fallen like a pack of cards”. According to him, “Nigerians should by now see that our government is a government of deceit”.

16 “The government that told Nigerians some weeks ago that ASUU was demanding N92 billion as allowances for its members has now written a letter that the amount is for both academic and non-academic workers in Nigerian federal universities. This shows our government lies with impunity. Nigerians should know that the N92 billion is to service earned allowances of the academic and non-academic workers in the universities for three and a half years from 2009. ASUU is insisting on total implementation of the 2009 agreement and the 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). We are not interested in tokenism.

As at now, the amount due for injection into the universities in the agreement is N500 billion and not N100 billion. We want our universities back on track and we want the best for our children. Nigerians should join the union in pressurizing the government, which had lied that it had no money, only for it to approve N100 billion. Federal Government must inject the remaining funds into the educational system.”

NLC: TARABA CRISIS SHOWS NIGERIA’S DISREGARD FOR BASIC RULES

The political crisis rocking on the controversy surrounding the state of health of Governor Danbaba Suntai shows that Nigeria does not have respect for basic rules, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Vice President, Comrade Issa Arewu, has said. The labour leader urged President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the crisis so that the world

17 would take Nigeria serious. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) also expressed worry over the governor’s health.

Addressing reporters in Sokoto after the association’s National Executive Council (NEC), NMA President, Dr Osahon Enabulele said: “We will make available our members, who are professionals in various fields of medicine, to constitute a medical board.” He urged the National Assembly to enact a law for the creation of the Office of the Surgeon-General, to assess the medical fitness of public and political office holders.

Enabulele said: “This will further save the nation the embarrassment caused by the question of independently ascertaining the medical fitness of our leaders.” Aremu told reporters at the weekend in Offa, the headquarters of Offa Local Government Area of , that ailing Governor Suntai should resign.

He said: “I think the President must speak out on this, because the world is watching us that we don’t have respect for basic rules. How do we present a sick man as a governor? The spirit as well as the content of the 1999 Constitution is that whoever seeks public office must be fit to address a lot of challenges. So, Suntai should resign. Certainly, he doesn’t need to be told. Otherwise, they will put governance in Taraba State on recession and that is not the spirit and content of the constitution.

“What is happening in Taraba State shows the crisis of governance in Nigeria. We simply cannot live by the rules. Not only that; we are also not living to the basic global best practices. Even some governors who are fit, healthy and not bed-ridden, how have they performed? If those who are not

18 sick have not delivered, is it those who are sick that will deliver? “No private company will keep Suntai a day longer in his condition. Yet, we are talking of a state of close two million people… “The forces that want to keep Suntai there are not interested in the development of the state. They just want power for power’s sake. I thought Nigeria had crossed that bridge, from what we witnessed under (the late President Umaru) Yar’Adua. It is sad that we have not learnt from history at all. I think it is important that we should never recommend the Suntai model for Nigeria. The Suntai model cannot be the best in governance.

“As a self-dignified fellow, he must learn to resign and attend to his health. In any case, with the best of intrigues and cover-ups, he cannot last longer than his tenure, as defined by the constitution.” Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), has said the recent statement by President Goodluck Jonathan on the Taraba State crisis is reckless and irresponsible.

Falana reacted yesterday to the Taraba State crisis when he spoke on: Leadership, Corruption and Security Challenges, at a forum organised by the Olalekan Olomide Platform for Development, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Ibadan, the capital. The frontline lawyer noted that President Jonathan’s statement showed a sign of a weak and irresponsible leadership. He said: “Nigerians are not fools. The present state of things has happened before when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was brought back into the country in a state of comma and the Presidency said he was well. The late President was even said to have signed the budget.

19 “I believe that President Jonathan should know better, because he was the Vice President then. Some cabals rose up against him. So, he should not have said so such as he did in statement on Suntai’s state of health and what may happen if he is allowed to continue with an unstable health. “Suntai was helped to alight from the plane when he returned last week Sunday. He could not even recognise anybody. Yet, the next thing was to tell Tarabians that he is fit. It is a lie. We should not be fooled.”

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JONATHAN HOLDS CRISIS MEETINGS IN ASO VILLA

• Obasanjo, rebel govs, others attend

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday held two separate meetings with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and 16 Peoples Democratic Party in what is believed to be his bid to resolve the crisis that led to the emergence of a splinter group in the party. He first met behind closed doors with Obasanjo for about two hours inside his official residence in the Presidential Villa, Abuja and then the governors, including four of the seven that are the arrowheads of the splinter group known as the new PDP. The four are Babangida Aliyu (Niger), (), Muritala Nyako (Adamawa) and (Kwara).The other governors in the Group of Seven are Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), (Jigawa) and (Rivers). The G-7 and a founding member, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, had walked out of the PDP special convention in Abuja on Saturday and consequently, announced the formation of the new PDP. Also in the faction are a former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Kawu Baraje; a suspended National Secretary, Prince ; and a former National Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja. They were said to have been miffed by the way Dr. Bamanga Tukur and the Presidency had been running the party to the exclusion of other critical stakeholders. Less than 24 hours after the splinter group emerged, Obasanjo, who did not attend the special national convention at the Eagles Square, Abuja, showed up at the Presidential

21 Villa. Decked in a white flowing dress (agbada) and a traditional cap, Obasanjo first joined Jonathan and his wife, Patience, for Sunday service at the Aso Villa Chapel . The former President’s visit coincided with that of the President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi, who also worshipped with the first family inside the chapel. After the service, Jonathan led his guests to the children church where they took turns to pray for the children. The President, former President, Yayi and the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, thereafter retired into the President’s residence “for lunch.” It was however learnt that the President discussed issues bordering on the crisis in the PDP with Obasanjo and bilateral relations with Yayi. It will be recalled that Wamakko, Aliyu, Kwankwaso, Nyako and Lamido had met with Obasanjo in his , Ogun State residence as part of their nationwide consultations over the state of the nation and the party. They also met with former military dictators, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, . As part of efforts to resolve the crisis, Obasanjo had in August met with PDP governors inside the Presidential Villa for two days.The meeting did not however yield any positive result. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, confirmed to journalists that Jonathan met with Obasanjo and Yayi after worshipping together at the chapel. In a brief statement made available to journalists, Abati explained that Obasanjo did not participate in the bilateral talks between the President and Yayi. He however did not say what his boss dscussed with the former President.

The statement reads, “President Goodluck Jonathan met on Sunday at the Presidential Villa with President Boni Yayi of neighboring Benin

22 Republic. “Both leaders attended Sunday service together at the Villa Chapel before proceeding to the presidential residence for lunch and bilateral talks. “The talks between them focused on issues related to the strengthening of developmental cooperation between Nigeria and Benin Republic, including trade and economic relations. “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo worshipped with President Jonathan and President Yayi at the Presidential Villa but did not participate in the talks between them.” * Jonathan’s meeting with 16 govs Hours after meeting with the former President and Yayi, Jonathan also held a crucial meeting with Governors Aliyu, Kwankwaso, (Bauchi), Nyako (Adamawa), Idris Wada (Kogi), (Cross River), (Akwa Ibom), and Ahmed. Others were (Delta), (Katsina), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Garba Umar (Taraba Acting Governor), Seidu Dakingari (Kebbi), (Abia), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Jonah Jang (Plateau). As at 9.25pm when Jonathan arrived the venue of the meeting, the 16 governors had taken their seats inside the First Lady’s conference room in the Presidential Villa The PDP lawyer, Mr. Joe Gadzama (SAN), also attended the meeting alongside the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.). The meeting was still ongoing as at 10am when this report was filed.

• Obasanjo sues for peace

Obasanjo expressed concern over the development and called on both sides to maintain the status quo. He assured in a brief statement on Sunday evening that a meeting of the elders of the PDP would be

23 convened before the end of this week over the matter. The statement reads, “The situation in our ruling PDP after the convention on Saturday and the parallel convention same day has given great concern to all well- meaning members of the party and particularly to the elders of the party. “While some select elders are making efforts to get the situation resolved as soon as possible, it is imperative to emphasise that the move will bring back peace and return it to its vigorous and dynamic election-winning ways. “I want to passionately appeal to both sides for now to sheath their swords, maintain the status quo, with earliest conveyance of the elders’ meeting before the end of this week. Members are equally enjoined to remain calm until the elders’ complete their peace-making meeting.” • Amaechi, others shouldn’t misbehave – Presidency There were however discordant tunes by the Presidency, Obasanjo and the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio, on the factionalisation of the PDP. While the Presidency, through the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, blew hot on Sunday over the development, Obasanjo and Akpabio preached reconciliation. Gulak, in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja, said the formation of the new PDP was the “height of irresponsibility.” He said if the intention of the seven governors was to cause crisis in the party and then jump ship, they would not succeed. The presidential aide said with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and other extant laws, the governors and the others in their group had no basis to misbehave or be irresponsible. Gulak said although the PDP remained one united family, it would not be moved if some of its members opted to become “prodigal sons or daughters.” He said Jonathan was not disturbed about the development because of his belief

24 that everybody had the right to aspire to the highest office in the land. Gulak said, “That development is the height of irresponsibility. Nobody expected people in their positions as governors to do that. They should know what the law says. They should know what INEC regulatory Act says. “They should know that there is only one PDP and if they want to precipitate crisis in the PDP, they will not succeed. If they want to leave PDP and join another group, they are at liberty to do so. “As far as we are concerned, there is one PDP and the party had its national convention yesterday (Saturday) and we elected officers to fill the vacancies in the National Working Committee. “As far as the PDP is concerned, we remain a united family but if your son or daughter decides to be a prodigal son or daughter, so be it. But we plead with them to be reasonable; to be law- abiding; to know that nobody is above the law. “The Electoral Act and the constitution and extant laws are very clear on this issue. They have no basis at all for misbehaving; they have no reasons at all to be irresponsible. They should come back to their senses and abide by the rules and regulations if they want to continue in PDP. “But if they have decided to abandon PDP, jump ship and join another political party or form another political party, they are at liberty. We are not perturbed; we are not disturbed. Everybody has the right to aspire to the highest position in this country.” •Akpabio vows to reunite aggrieved govs Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio, had told journalists at the Eagle Square venue of the convention that he would reconcile the aggrieved governors. He said, “Let me tell you that some of my colleagues and I have resolved here and now to ensure a total reconciliation with all those that have grievances. I can tell you that there was a break in communication. I was with the former

25 Vice- President and we even took pictures with the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, at the convention venue. “This is a family affair and I can assure you that in a few days’ time, this matter would be resolved.” He added that the PDP Governors’ Forum had commenced reaching out to the governors, whom The PUNCH learnt, continued their strategy meeting after their press conference at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Saturday. • Nyako predicts more crises But Nyako predicted more crises for the Bamanga Tukur-led faction of the PDP. He said the Tukur faction would split in the next two or three months. The Director of Press, , Mr. Ahmad Sajo, spoke on behalf of the governor in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday. Justifying their action, Nyako advised the Tukur leadership to carry out a thorough assessment of the party with a view to finding a lasting solution. He said, “The step we took was the right step. Now, if they have eyes to see the reality, they would seek for a genuine understanding of the situation with a view to finding a lasting solution. “If they continue to toe the same line even what they parade as the PDP (the Tukur faction) will split in the next two or three months.” He said the Tukur leadership disallowed authentic delegates from Adamawa State from participating in the convention. “All the people in the Adamawa list were not national delegates. Some of them were candidates of the Labour Party at the time the PDP held its congress to elect its national delegates,” Nyako added. The governor, who said that the PDP in the state would take a legal action, claimed that Abubakar was disrespected at the convention. “Turaki Abubakar was not given a seat at the state box as a former Vice-President and Board of Trustees member. He was told to go

26 and sit with ordinary delegates from Adamawa State. He was disrespected,” Nyako said.

• Clark blames Obasanjo

A former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, on Sunday asked Nigerians to hold Obasanjo responsible for the action of the seven PDP governors.

Clark, an ardent supporter of Jonathan, insisted that Obasanjo was encouraging Lamido and Amaechi to run for Presidency on a joint ticket in 2015. He told journalists in Abuja that the ambition of the two governors was the beginning of the crisis in the PDP. He said, “Obasanjo is the one encouraging them; he is pushing governors Lamido and Amaechi to run in 2015, that’s where the trouble started. “Amaechi thought because Senator used the Nigeria Governors’ Forum chair to contest to be President, he could also use it to become Vice-President and we have said in the South-South that we want President, not Vice-President. So, the group of governors which Amaechi has joined believes only a Northerner can be President.” On the involvement of the former Vice-President, Clark said, “Abubakar said he is in PDP, not PDM but all his men are in PDM. Is that a loyal member of the party? All his followers have left. PDM was created by Abubakar. “Even Governor Nyako had boasted that they would bury the PDP. Let them go, but I can tell you that PDP will remain stronger. They will soon know that they are alone. Abubakar has always been a disloyal person; what he is doing now is what he had done to Obasanjo.”

27 12-YEAR-OLD, OTHERS ARRESTED FOR PIPELINE VANDALISM

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested 30 people for alleged pipeline vandalism in Isheri Olofin area of Ogun State. PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspects were arrested on Saturday morning after a combined team of NSCDC officials from the Lagos and Ogun state commands engaged in a gun duel with some pipeline vandals. Among those arrested are a 12-year-old boy, Azeez Ajani; a 13-year-old boy, Michael Oyedotun, two pastors, six women and 20 others. The Commandant, Ogun State Command, Mr. Akinwande Aboluwoye, said over 20,000 litres of stolen fuel were recovered from the vandals. He said, “We got a tip-off that the vandals were going to operate early on Saturday morning, so we intensified surveillance. They were arrested with their canoes and 400 jerry cans of petrol, each jerry can contained 50 litres. “The vandals had engaged us in a gun duel and when the heat became too much, they abandoned the products, jumped into the water and escaped. However, we were able to apprehend their cohorts who live in the area.” Aboluwoye said the canoes had been set ablaze while security had been beefed up in the area. A resident, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said the suspects carried out pipeline vandalism in an organised fashion. She said, “The men usually come at midnight to break pipelines. The children assist them in loading the petrol into kegs, which are later kept inside the houses of residents. The role of the women is to source for buyers who usually come during the day to buy the fuel at cheap prices. “When I realised this trend, I quickly informed the NSCDC to avert a fire disaster.” The suspects, however, denied the allegations, saying they were not pipeline vandals, but new residents of the area. The 12-year-

28 old suspect said, “I am a tailor’s apprentice in the area. My father is late and my mother lives in Ajah. I don’t know anything about pipeline vandalism. I leave home very early everyday and I come in late at night so I never know what is happening in the area. “The only thing I know is that when I wake up in the morning, I usually see jerry cans in the area.” The 13-year-old suspect, who also claimed to be a tailor’s apprentice, said he was about to bathe in the Ogun River when he was apprehended by the NSCDC officials. “My parents live in Ifo, I only moved to the area recently. Please, I know nothing about this. My parents don’t even know that I have been arrested.” A pastor, Nikuleyi Adesola, said he was arrested while leaving church with two other female members. “I am a carpenter and also a pastor. I live in a mission house. I was with two female members when the civil defence men order us to come out. I am not a vandal,” he said. The commandant said the suspects would be charged to court, adding that past investigations had shown that women and children were also involved in the illegitimate business.

OIL WELLS: LAGOS FAULTS ARREST OF RESIDENTS

The Lagos State Government says it is not comfortable with the indiscriminate arrests of some state residents around Idimu/Ejigbo areas over the discovery of some wells containing fuel instead of water. The government said it was concerned because the law enforcement agencies did not conduct a proper investigation to establish whether the people arrested were actually responsible for the action or whether it was a mere incident. The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, said this

29 in a statement on Sunday. He said any arrest without a thorough investigation to ascertain the degree of neglect by relevant government agencies would be wrong. He added that such action was like punishing the people for an offence that they were not responsible for. He said, “While the state government supports every action of the Federal Government to curb stealing of petroleum products and pipeline vandalisation, it frowns at any act that could constitute an infraction on the rights of residents through wantonly unjust arrests by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.” Bello said past and present administrations in the state had drawn the attention of the Federal Government to hazards being experienced by residents of Baruwa- Ipaja, Ilado, Amuwo-Odofin and Ejigbo through polluted boreholes, contamination of underground water, ruptured pipelines and seepage of pipelines, without any response. The commissioner said, “The state government has records showing that official letters were written by the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000. “More importantly, the present administration of Mr. equally wrote a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, respectively, complaining about the serious oil pollution and high level of degradation that residents of these areas are daily exposed to without any meaningful response.” Bello insisted that NNPC must conduct an integrity test on its pipelines in the state, as well as provide the state government with information to prevent future recurrence.

30 CD SEEKS COMPENSATION FOR IGBO KILLED BY B’HARAM

The Campaign for Democracy has asked the Federal Government to compensate families of the 1,836 Igbo people killed by the Boko Haram insurgents in the North since 2011. This was contained in a statement by the organisation in Onitsha, , on Sunday. The statement was signed by the Chairman, CD South-East Region, Mr. Uzor A. Uzor. “For over three years now, over 1,836 Igbo men, women and children had been killed either through terrorist attacks, direct gunning down or slaughtered in a gruesome manner. “Most of them were killed in the motor parks, churches, schools and even in their private homes,’’ the statement said. The CD said that the killing of Ndi-Igbo started in a large scale in the December 25, 2011 Christmas Day bombings that killed over 35 people at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, by Boko Haram sect.”

31

3 FARMERS KILLED IN KUKA VILLAGE IN SHENDAM

Three persons have been allegedly killed at Kuka village in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State. A source to our corresondent via a telephone chat that the three were attacked at about 1pm, while working on their farms. “He said: “The three persons killed were cultivating their yam farm behind the Kuka market when unknown people came and killed them, cutting their throats in the process.” Those killed are Shuiabu Danladi, 65, Malam Umar, 63, and his child Danjuma Umar, 8, whose leg was also cut off and taken away by the killers, the source said. LEADERSHIP learnt that the death of the three farmers came to light when Malam Umar’s wife sent one of her sons to take food to his father at the farm, but the boy got to the place to discover the trio’s death. It was gathered that soon after the boy had gone back home with the news, people reported to the men of the Special Task Force (STF), who escorted them and evacuated the bodies for burial. STF spokesman, Captain Salisu Mustapha, when contacted, said he would seek confirmation of the incident and would get back to our reporter, but at the time of filing in this report, he had not responded to the inquiry.

32 WITHDRAW ODIMEGWU’S QUERY NOW, CAN TELLS FG

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the federal government to withdraw the query issued to the chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Festus Odimegwu and also tender an apology to him in the interest of fairness. Odimegwu has made a comment which faulted previous census exercises and the 2006 census, but CAN said Odimegwu’s comment has been politicized and a ploy by the North to blackmail President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 general elections. CAN which made the call in a press statement signed by Mr. Sunny Oibe, Public Relations Officer of CAN in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, said that the call by the Arewa Consultative Forum and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso for the sacking of the NPC boss before the 2016 census, because he was a Southerner, was untenable. “The call by ACF on President Goodluck Jonathan to make sure that Odimegwu does not supervise the 2016 census is misplaced. The question we are asking is: which part of the North are they saying has higher population? Since when has ACF become a political party that every time they will always dabble into politics? “We in CAN hereby demand that the federal government should withdraw the query issued to Odimegwu with immediate alacrity. Why would the government be blindfolded by Kwankwaso? The government should also apologize to Odimegwu; Jonathan should make sure that nothing happens to him. We are surprise that Jonathan is allowing himself to be intimidated by the Islamic North. “Before the 2006 census, we confronted the former chairman of NPC, Mr. Samuila Makama from Plateau State, on why religion and ethnicity were not included in census matters, to be able to ascertain who is who in Nigeria and the man was sweating.” We

33 wanted to know which tribes and religions exist in Nigeria and that this information must be included in census data. The man was sweating. The North then blackmailed and intimidated ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo that if the indices were not removed, they will not participate in the exercise.” According to CAN, although there was a census that was conducted during the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s administration, Lagos State was given a figure more than Kano, saying that thereafter, the late General Sani Abacha came and split Kano into two, making Jigawa and Kano States. “Today, a half of that Kano is more than Lagos. So, are we saying that Lagos is not growing, meaning that it’s only the core North that is growing? Why is it that it is always the North that is causing problems, claiming that they are in the majority but always afraid of coming out with a true figure that will enable Nigeria to plan well?” it queried. The association also expressed shock that Governor Kwankwaso went so far to intimidate President Jonathan and the federal government into issuing a query to Odimegwu, and queried why Kwankwaso did not go to Jonathan to demand that a civil servant like the Central Bank governor Mallam Lamido Sanusi be sacked for turning the apex bank into an Islamic agenda. CAN wrote: “Why have they not called Sanusi to order? This is a man who will dress islamically to office in a manner that is contrary to the banking code. Yet, the heavens did not fall. “Why are they now calling for the head of Odimegwu? Is it because he is a Southerner? We hereby warn that Jonathan should not try to do anything that will undermine Christians in Nigeria this time especially with the next census matter; we will not accept it. “What Odimegwu said was the truth; the figure of the 2006 census was cooked to support and favour the core North. The Middle Belt was grossly undermined and we are not happy with that. Odimegwu has stated the fact

34 of the matter. The coming census must be addressed in such a transparent way.” CAN accused the North of always using many means, including Odimegwu’s comment, as a means to blackmail President for the 2015 elections, saying that Jonathan should not allow himself to be deceived into sacrificing Odimegwu because of the 2015 elections. “The core North never voted for Jonathan and they will never vote for him. We know those who voted for Jonathan, it’s the minority Christians in the North who gave him the vote. “The only solution to these problems is a national conference come 2014 to address all the issues in Nigeria where it would be determined whether we will remain together or peacefully part ways. We will not accept and agree with a situation where one part of the country will always be dictating for others,” it said.

IMB/NUPENG SHUT PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION OVER THREAT TO LIVES

Suspected Renegade group of the Independent Marketers Branch, (Warri Unit), of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG), weekend reportedly seized the IMB secretariate preventing the newly elected chairman, Comrade Benjamin Ifeta and his executives from carrying out their constitutional duty. Angered by the development and threats to lives, the national body of NUPENG at the weekend, halted distribution of products in Delta which supplies Edo and neigbouring states until peace is restored.

35 LEADERSHIP however gathered that the renewed crisis may not be unconnected with the overwhelming victory of Comrade Benjamin Ifeta as the Warri chairman of IMB held last week in Benin. Meanwhile, the NUPENG national headquarters, Abuja which waded into the crisis in a petition dated 30th, August 2013, to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, Hashimu Argungu and made available to newsmen in Benin City, Weekend asked the Police authority to properly investigate alleged forgery, impersonation, threat to lives and abuse of police escort to intimidate and harass IMB/NUPENG members in Warri. The petition which was signed by the national secretary of IMB/NUPENG, Comrade Chidi Nwosu reads in parts. “We write to bring to your notice the criminal activities of Hon Henry Baro and Hon Bright Edejewho who forged and impersonated our national secretariat and conducted an illegal election in a hotel where they forged our letter headed paper and signature of the national officers”. “They use thugs to threaten the lives of our members and break into our union office in Ekpan which house our guest house where they looted goods worth over N1.1million naira” “We urge you to use your good office to save our lives and properties of our union and also bring these people to book so that our members can resume their normal day to day lives as enshrine in the constitution of Nigeria.”

36 GROUP SEEKS RELEASE OF STOWAWAY BOY FROM DETENTION

A group of lawyers under the aegis of De Rauf Volunteer Group yesterday called for the release of Daniel Oikhena, stowaway boy, currently being detained by the Department of State Security Service (SSS). Oikhena was arrested in Lagos for travelling inside the wheel compartment of an Arik Air plane from the Benin Airport. The coordinator of the group, Mr Amitolu Shittu, however, told newsmen in Benin that the group was ready to secure the release of the boy from detention. He said the group led by Mr Yinka Muyiwa would tomorrow meet with the SSS to secure his release. Shittu decried the continued detention of the boy and appealed to the security agencies to release him without further delay. He said that the security agencies had enough time to carry out their investigation and urged them not keep the boy longer than necessary. “They have had enough time to carry out their investigations. We are ready to stand as guarantor to the boy and if the security agencies are not ready to release him, they should charge him to court where we are again ready to defend the innocent boy. “We believe he is just an innocent child who should not be blamed for the security lapses in the airport. “The security lapses in Benin Airport have further proved that Nigeria is not secure and so the boy should not be made to suffer unduly.”

CORRUPTION, BANE OF NATIONAL DEVT – CHRISTIAN LAWYERS

Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) at the end of its annual national conference has identified systemic corruption in Nigeria as

37 the major bane to the nation’s much desired rise to greatness. CLASFON further said that corruption is a vice that has eroded public confidence, brought global reproach, diminished public institutions; desecrated the offices and questioned the sense of nationalism of our public functionaries in all tiers and arms of government. In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference and signed by Sunny Akanni, Arome Okwori, Omonuwa Ogeimudia, President, Secretary and PRO respectively and a copy made available to LEADERSHIP in Kaduna, noted that, “while corruption manifests in our political and bureaucratic institutions in toasts of scandals and financial improprieties; it is a vice that has not spared other spheres of our cultural, traditional and spiritual institutions. “The conference noted the desecration and gradual erosion of cherished values and virtues of honesty of purpose in organized labour which centres its agitations on monetary settlement without adequate empirical justification. “The conference acknowledged the populist condemnation of the vice of corruption whereas the reality of the efforts to combat it remains a mockery of the fight against the scourge. The Christian lawyers, while commending the leadership of the Nigerian Population Commission in exposing one of the ways financial fraud is perpetuated in Nigeria and the NEITI audit of the oil sector of the economy; the conference also hoped that the functionaries of these institutions would not become victims of the usual political intrigues and shameful acts of victimization. It further called on the Federal Government to exhibit political will by instituting a public enquiry and to sanction the culprits. On national development, the communiqué stated that the conference also deliberated extensively on the State of the Nigerian nation and concluded that the bane of the Nigerian Nation is lack of visible sense of nationalism amongst the social and political elites and the erosion of

38 sense of patriotism amongst the citizenry, while it further noted with dismay at the delay in the disposal of Court cases especially high profile corruption cases and recommends massive investment in judiciary infrastructure and personnel. Similarly, the Conference observed the incessant reoccurrence of ASUU strike which has resulted in the increasing number of half baked graduates from Nigerian universities as highly unfortunate, saying, “One of the causes of this crisis is fiscal irresponsibility inarticulate public policy and programmes.”

POLICE CONFIRM DEATH OF OFFICER OVER GIRLFRIEND

Yobe State police commissioner, Sanusi Ahmed Rufa’i has confirmed the killing of an assistant superintendent of police(ASP), Mr Olasuji Elegbede by a police corporal over a girlfriend. Speaking to LEADERSHIP correspondent, the commissioner said Assistant Superintendent Olasuji was shot dead by the corporal over a misunderstanding between the him and Corporal Bitrus. He said the incident occurred at a police division compound in Gashu’a local government area of the state after a serious misunderstanding between the ASP and the police corporal caused by a girl allegedly dating both of them. He adding that, “when I heard the news over the killing of the ASP I gave immediate order for his arrest.”

The police commissioner said the suspect, Mr Bitrus and his girlfriend have been arrested and investigation is on progress, adding that they are waiting for the medical report conducted on the Olasuji before the suspect would be charged to court. LEADERSHIP gathered that Bitrus was caught in the

39 act when the cries of the other policemen attracted police officers at the police division compound.

CAMEROON GENDARMES, NOT JTF KILLED SHEKAU - REPORT

The last might not have been heard of the death of the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau. A security report fingers the Cameroonian gendarmes as those responsible for his death and not the Joint Task Force (JTF), LEADERSHIP can now report. The JTF had issued a controversial statement reporting the death of the Boko Haram leader without any clearance from the Defence Headquarters in order to prevent the Nigerian Army from taking its hard-earned glory. The Defence Headquarters has refused to confirm or deny the statement and controversy continues to trail the JTF; the presidency itself has passed the ball back to the military, claiming that only the military has the final say on it. The spokesman of JTF, Lt Col. Sagir Musa, had in an e-mail statement he made available to newsmen claimed Shekau had died from the mortal wounds sustained in one of the recent clashes with the military and hurriedly rushed to a Cameroonian village where he eventually died. He stated: “It is greatly believed that Shekau might have died between 25 July and 3 August, 2013. He was reported to have masterminded the kidnap of the seven French citizens and that of the elder statesman Alhaji (Dr) Shettima Ali Monguno in addition to many murders of Islamic clerics in Northern Nigeria. He was also responsible for bombings of many places of worship and public buildings including Police and United Nations Headquarters in Abuja. The JTF wishes to appeal to the sect members to lay down their arms and

40 embrace the Federal Government’s offer for dialogue.” Amidst the controversy, the officer told LEADERSHIP during the week that he stood by his story. “I am driving now, so I cannot grant any press interview or answer any question now. A statement has been issued on Shekau; he is dead and I stand by the statement,” he said and hung up. But a highly placed security chief, who does not want his name in print, has faulted the claim made by Sagir. According to him, although Shekau is dead it was not the JTF that was responsible for his death; instead it might be the Cameroonian gendarmes who were policing their border that killed him. “Let me begin by telling you that there is a strong indication that Abubakar Shekau is dead but he was not killed by the JTF. If he was shot by our boys, they would not let him escape. This is why I know the JTF was misbehaving with that funny statement claiming responsibility. Where were they after shooting Shekau and they allowed a man who had suffered such a mortal wound escape? That is not possible. But with fresh revelations coming up, there is a possibility that Shekau was shot and killed by the Cameroonian gendarmes who were keeping watch over their border,” the security official said. He explained that Nigerian security operatives were making contacts with their Cameroonian counterparts with a view to establishing the circumstance that had led to the death of Shekau and the wherabouts of his corpse. Speaking further, the source disclosed that what the JTF officials did amounted to gross indiscipline, disloyalty, unpatriotism and uncalled for and they might face sanctions to discourage others from following suit. “What those boys did was nothing but a gross indiscipline, they were disloyal, unpatriotic and they are supposed to be sanctioned. They went to issue such an all-important statement just like that. We all know the role Shekau was playing, we know who is or was Shekau and if

41 he was killed, that was not the way the news should be broken. When Osama bin Ladin was killed, who broke the news to the whole world? It was President Obama. That is how things should be done. And to add insult to the injury, the JTF was claiming to be standing by its story. That is un- military. It was arrant nonsense. I would be surprised if those boys are not punished for that crime.” He disclosed that the JTF had lost its credibility by the time the Defence Headquarters moved in with the reinforcement that saved its face. He recalled how unpopular the JTF had become before the declaration of the State of Emergency and wondered why the JTF would be in a hurry to claim credit for the killing. “You remember before the declaration of the State of Emergency, nobody wanted anything to do with the JTF especially in Maiduguri. People were calling for their withdrawal from the streets but with the intervention of the Defence Headquarters, there was the reinforcement that restored the credibility to the military and it was this same credibility that the JTF wanted to remove again all because a new Army Division was created to take over from them.”

42

JTF, BORNO YOUTHS KILL BOKO HARAM COMMANDER, ARREST OTHERS

BARELY 48 hours after the Boko Haram gunmen killed 24 members of the Borno Vigilance Youths Group (BVYG) at the border town of Monguno, the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the youths yesterday killed a top Boko Haram commander (name withheld) and arrested five other terror suspects at Bama in Maiduguri. The arrests and killing, according to JTF sources Sunday in Maiduguri, occurred when members of BVYG carried out a three-hour hunt for fleeing Boko Haram at Bama. The five suspects were arrested at the 777 Housing Estate and Gwange ward of Maiduguri. Bama is a border town with Cameroun and 78 kilometers east of Maiduguri, where over 100 people have been killed in several attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents since April this year. Speaking on Monguno’s attack and killing, the Chairman of Monguno Council, Alhaji Mohammed Nur Monguno, yesterday said that the youths were ambushed by members of the Islamist sect who disguised in military uniform, the same way they killed 14 vigilance youths last week at Bama. A surviving member of BVYG, Ibrahim Isa, also said they were ambushed by the Boko Haram gunmen in military uniform, who disguised as men of the JTF from Maiduguri to assist the vigilance youths hunt for fleeing sect members.

Chairman of BVYG, Abubakar Mallum said: “Our members numbering over 100 were on a mission to capture some Boko Haram terror suspects

43 in their camps around Kaleri, Shuwari, Maganari and Nannari villages before they were ambushed by the gunmen who killed 24 vigilante youths, while about 36 are still missing. “In fact, there was an initial arrangement with military troops that they will accompany the vigilante youths to the said Boko Haram camps in Monguno. But when the youths waited to see the arrival of the military men for some hours without response, they took courage to visit the area with a view to arresting the suspects. Unknowingly to them that the armed Boko Haram sect members disguised in military uniform with three captured patrol vehicles of the security agencies, the vigilante youths concluded that it was the military troops that went to the camp ahead of them. “As they approached the camps, the terrorists opened fire and killed about 15 of our members, while the other nine who were spiritually charmed against gunshots were killed by using their vehicles in crushing them. But as I am talking to you now, about 36 of the volunteered youths are still missing. We received an unconfirmed report that five of our members who escaped the attack with broken legs and hands injuries were rescued by some good Samaritans and are in one of the villages close to the camps where they are receiving treatment by the villagers.” A top politician and close associate of Governor ; who did not want to be identified for security reasons, also confirmed the incident yesterday in Maiduguri to newsmen.

The spokesman of Police Command, Gideon Jibrin, also confirmed that six terror suspects were arrested in Maiduguri by vigilante youths and handed over to JTF for further investigation.

He added that a top Boko Haram commander was also shot dead in an encounter with troops at Bama Sunday.

44 GUNMEN KILL CMD, DISTRICT HEAD IN BAUCHI

Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, Bauchi state, Dr Musa Mohammed, was on Sunday abducted and killed by unidentified gunmen.Some gunmen also killed the District head of Yamai, in Dambam Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Manu Yamai.The gunmen were said to have escaped after the dastardly acts. It was not however, clear whether the two incidents were carried out by the same group.The state Police Public Relations Officer, Hassan Auyo, confirmed the incidents He said, “About four hoodlums first abducted the chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Center, Azare and later killed him while some hoodlums also robbed the district head of Yamai, Alhaji Manu Adamu, before killing him.“The hoodlums escaped through the bush immediately after carrying out the deadly acts.”Auyo said The police had commenced investigation into the incident, assuring that the culprits would be apprehended very soon to face the law.The police spokesman enjoined the public to give Information to the police that could lead to the arrest of perpetrators.

COFFIN DEALER FEIGNS KIDNAP, DEMANDS RANSOM FROM BROTHERS

The police in have arrested a coffin dealer, Mr. Samuel Ani, for allegedly “kidnapping himself” and demanding ransom from his younger brothers.Ani was arrested last Thursday in a bush where he had hid himself for six days.The police said on Sunday that it was from the bush that the suspect made telephone calls to his two younger brothers that he had been

45 abducted and that N2m was required to get him out of the purported kidnappers den. He was said to have told his brothers that failure to pay the ransom meant that he would be killed.

The brothers, however, reported the case to the Enugu State Police Command, which in turn mobilised its anti-kidnap unit.Our correspondent learnt that an initial sum of N100, 000 was paid into the account number provided by the supposed kidnappers.However, a girl, Oluchi Ogbu, was arrested when she went to withdraw the money from a new generation bank on Agbani Road, Enugu.The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said, “The girl was identified as Oluchi Ogbu from Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area. She is Samuel Ani’s fiancée.“On closer interrogation, she revealed that the account belongs to her but she was instructed by Samuel (Ani) to supply the account number so that his brothers could pay the ransom into it. She said she was instructed to cash it as soon as she received an alert of the payment and bring it to him (Ani).”Amaraizu said Ogbu’s revelation led to the arrest of Ani in the bush.

“When we arrested him, he disclosed that he was not kidnapped, adding that he kidnapped himself so that his wealthy younger brothers could pay money for ransom, which he would use to sort out his financial challenges,” the PPRO said.

The suspect told the police that, apart from the deceit, there was no other way his brothers would give him money.The suspect said he needed to trick the brothers to get out money from them in order to address his immediate challenges, which he said required huge amount of money.It

46 was learnt that Ani was married and had five children, but had not told Ogbu, who he also promised marriage.”The PPRO said investigation into the incident was ongoing.

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