The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Deadly blasts hit Turkey border town

    Four people have been killed and another 18 wounded in explosions in a Turkish town close to the Syrian border, officials say.

    The blasts were reported in the town of Reyhanli in Hatay province, the interior minister told Turkish media they were caused by car bombs.

    BBC reports that thousands of refugees have fled Syria across the Reyhanli border.

    Five people were killed last October when a mortar round hit the Turkish border town of Akcakale

    As many has four explosions were reported at around 13:45 local time (10:45 GMT), causing panic in the town, Turkish media said.

    Reyhanli mayor Huseyin Sanverdi said a municipal building and a post office were hit. The municipal offices were badly damaged, reports said.

    Interior Minister Muammer Guler promised a government investigation.

    The border area of Reyhanli has itself been attacked in recent months. In February, 13 people were killed and more than 20 others wounded when a mortar round landed close to a border gate.

     

     

  • Reps investigate police occupation of Rivers Assembly

    Reps investigate police occupation of Rivers Assembly

    Order IGP to remove ‘his men’ from complex

    The House of Representatives has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abubakar Mohammed, to, as a matter of urgency, withdraw his men from the premises of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    The lawmakers have also directed House Committee on Police Affairs, Human Rights and Justice to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the display of anti-democratic tendencies by the Nigeria Police within two weeks.

    The federal lawmakers also steered clear of legal controversies associated with the suspension of the chairman, deputy chairman and 17 Councillor of Obio/Akpor Local Government by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    The withdrawal order from other places so occupied by police in the state as well, according to the lawmakers was to ensure unhindered and unencumbered access for those whose responsibility it is to use those facilities to work for the good of the people of River State.

    The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a matter of urgent national importance by Sekonte Davies (PDP, Rivers) who, regretted that the Rivers State Police Command has resorted to intimidation of the state House of Assembly by occupying the complex.

    According to him, the occupation has caused the legislators to adjourn sine die (indefinitely) due to reports that trouble would be fomented at the Assembly complex which will afford the police a reason to cause commotion in a bid to declare a state of emergency.

    Saying that there was no time that the state’s Commissioner of Police informed Governor Rotimi Amaechi of the need to deploy such heavily armed police contingent being the Chief Security officer of the state, Davies said the deployment was capable of sending wrong signals of political and social instability to the people of the state, Nigerians and foreigners alike.

    The motion was unanimously supported when it was put to voice vote by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal.

     

  • Senate probes NAF jet crashes

    The Chairman Senate Committee on Airforce, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, on Thursday revealed that the Senate would investigate the crash of Airforce jets in Niger and Port Harcourt.

    Alkali in a statement in Abuja said the leadership of the Upper Chamber has already mandated its joint committee on Airforce, Navy and Aviation to investigate the causes of the recent air crashes involving the Nigerian Airforce jets.

    He stated that the ongoing investigations would incorporate the crash of the Alpha Jet involved in the peace keeping operations in Mali.

    He said the committee would also unravel the crash of an Helicopter Gunship belonging to the Nigerian Airforce in Port Harcourt.

    The lawmaker, representing Gombe North Senatorial District however commiserated with President Goodluck Jonathan, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh and the Nigerian Armed Forces on the death of two Airforce pilots who lost their lives in the Niger Republic air-mishap.

    He also condoled with the families of the late Airforce personnel, Squadron Leader Benjamin Ado and Flying Officer Ayuba Joab Layeimenson.

    He urged the families of the deceased heroes to take solace in the fact that their children lived noble lives of service and purpose as epitomized in their paying the supreme price in the service of their fatherland.

    Senator Alkali also commended the sacrifices being made by members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies who put their lives on the line for the peace and security of the nation.

    He said the country will forever be grateful for their selfless sacrifice.

    He pledged the continued support of the National Assembly to the Airforce and sister services in their peacekeeping operations to ensure a safe and secured Nigeria.

     

  • Nasarawa killings: IGP gives AIG, CP marching orders

    Nasarawa killings: IGP gives AIG, CP marching orders

    … Vows to bring perpetrators to book

    The Inspector -General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has given Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) in charge of the North Central zone and the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police the marching orders to arrest the persons behind the killing of 23 policemen in the state on Wednesday.

    Abubakar deplored the unprovoked and brutal killing of the 23 policemen who were on legitimate assignment as provocative and unacceptable.

    The slain policemen were part of a team of security agents on a mission to arrest members of an ethnic militia group who had been linked to unprovoked killing of security agents in the state in recent times.

    In a statement signed by Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, on Thursday, Abubakar vowed to bring the perpetrators to book in record time, saying “enough is enough.”

    The statement reads: “We consider the attack not just an attack on the Nigeria Police and its officers and men but an attack on the collective will of Nigerians to protect and preserve our dear fatherland. This, we have vowed to put an end to.

    “This disturbing, condemnable and highly distressing incident, coming closely after similar ones in Bayelsa and Borno States, had thrown up new and emerging threat in the delicate task of policing our country.

    “Consequently, the IGP has directed all its field commanders and Special Units including Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to harness all resources available within their domain in ensuring that this reign of terror and lawlessness is brought to an end.

    “The Nigeria Police Force working in conjunction with all positive minded Nigerians, will do everything within its powers to fish out and bring to book all those involved in this and other similar killings of law enforcement agents.

    “We must put an end to this endless circle of impunity. Enough is enough.”

     

  • Senate defers deliberations on supplementary budget

    Senate defers deliberations on supplementary budget

    The Senate on Thursday deferred consideration of the 2013 Supplementary Appropriation bill indefinitely.

    Though consideration of the bill was listed in the Order paper, Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, told his colleagues that the lead debate of the bill was not ready.

    Ndoma-Egba moved that the bill be stood down to another legislative day.

    The Senators promptly supported that it be stood down for another legislative day.

    President Goodluck Jonathan submitted a bill for an Act to amend the 2013 Appropriation Act to authorise the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

    The amendment sought by Jonathan, observers said, may re-enact fresh round of bickering between the National Assembly and the Presidency.

    The President reluctantly signed the 2013 budget in February and shortly after in March, forwarded a memorandum to the National Assembly seeking amendment of the Appropriation Act.

    Jonathan accused the lawmakers of over reaching their powers by including clauses that might be injurious to the spirit of separation of powers in the budget.

    He insisted that the injurious clauses could hamper the work of the executive arm of government if not expunged.

     

  • Dokubo-Asari vows to cripple oil production if ….

    Dokubo-Asari vows to cripple oil production if ….

    ...Dares Reps, Northern leaders

    Leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, on Thursday vowed to halt oil production in the country, if he is arrested.

    Dokubo-Asari, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja, was adamant and insisted that he stands by his comment for which the security agencies are now being prevailed upon to arrest him.

    He challenged the House of Representatives and some northern leaders to order his arrest, if they can.

    “The last time former president Olusegun Obasanjo arrested me,” Dokubo-Asari stated, “my arrest reduced Nigeria’s oil production to 700,000 barrels per day, this time, it will reduce it to zero barrel, and we will match violence by violence, intrigues by intrigues, we are ready for them.”

    He said if some of those calling for his arrest fail to carry out their threats, he will regard them as cowards.

    The former President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) also vowed that Nigeria would become “history” if he is arrested.

    He wondered why those now clamouring for his incarceration did not do the same when some northern leaders threatened to make the country ungovernable, “where the dog and baboon will soak in blood” and how there will be no more Nigeria, if a northern did not occupy Aso Rock Presidential Villa in 2015.

    Dokubo-Asari said: “I stand by my statement which I made in my earlier press conference; there will be no peace, not only in the Niger Delta, but everywhere, if Goodluck Jonathan is not President by 2015.

    “I want to add that the Fulanis, who migrated and invaded our lands and continue to show disregard and disrespect to the owners of the country they came into, and people have tolerated them for a very long time, but that will no longer continue.

    “I want to refresh your memories with comments made by these Fulani invaders who have in the time past threatened war and break of Nigeria.

    “In 2010, a Fulani, one Lawal Kaita said and I quote: ‘Anything short of a Northern President is tantamount to stealing our Presidency. Jonathan has to go and he will go. Even if he uses the incumbency power to get his nomination on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, he would be frustrated out…The North is determined, if that happens, to make the country ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan or any other Southerner who finds his way to the seat of power on the platform of the PDP against the principle of the party’s zoning policy.”

     

     

     

  • ChamsCity pilots computer- based UTME

    Candidates for this year’s edition of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) were availed the choice of Computer Based Test (CBT) and the Dual-Based Test (DBT) format during the recently concluded 2013 examinations conducted nationwide. The CBT and DBT are a radical departure from the traditional Paper Pencil Test (PPT) which is the benchmark in the country.

    ChamsCity, the country’s largest and most advanced digital mall was among the designated centre for students who chose the Computer Based Test format over the Paper Pencil Test in Abuja, Lagos and across major cities. Over 400 students who chose CBT format wrote the 2013 UTME at ChamsCity Abuja under the direct supervision of Professor Dibu Ojerinde, Registrar, Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB).

    According to Prof. Ojerinde, there was an increase of about 13.35 per cent in the number of candidates who registered for this year’s exam when compared with those registered last year. “1,735, 720 candidates applied for this year’s UTME as against last year’s 1,503,931 registrations. This represents an increase of 13.35 per cent; the total number of candidates sitting for the exam today is about 1.5 million while those writing outside the country are 378 in number”.

    Explaining the rationale behind the adoption of Computer Based Test format, the JAMB helmsman said it is in line with the commitment of the examination board to do everything possible to make sure that the best is given in the area of service provision to the students.

    To underscore the significance of the CBT format, the Honourable Minister for Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, visited the ChamsCity Centre, Abuja during the examinations. Throwing her weight behind the pilot programme, she reiterated the need to secure a better future for the Nigerian child by giving them quality education services and providing necessary materials that measure with international standard. She emphasized that the federal government will do everything in its capacity to give quality education to the Nigerian Student

    Engr. Akin Sawyer, Director, Chams Plc commended the Federal Government and JAMB for taking the bold step by piloting CBT format to ensure that the Nigerian child have equal opportunities and access to ultra modern learning and educational tools like their counterparts in developed economies. He added that Nigeria can fast-track attainment of its vision of becoming one of the top 20 economies in the world through investment in education, especially in the areas of science and technology.

    ChamsCity in 2008 was certified by the Guinness world record as the largest digital cafe in the world and is equipped with over 1000 computer systems to serve various needs. ChamsCity is a business unit of Chams Plc and the centres in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt have served as enabling platform for various computer and non computer based trainings and testing.

  • 23 mobile policemen killed in Nasarawa

    About 23 Mobile policemen and operatives of the State Security Service were killed on Tuesday night in Nasarawa State in an ambush by members of  a militia group called  Ombatse.
    Nine others were critically injured by the militia and eight out of 11 operational vehicles set ablaze by the militia in the village, which is about 10 kilometres to Lafia, the state capital.
    But many  policemen were still missing as at press time amidst fears that they might have been abducted by the militia.
    The development forced the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura to rush to Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Wednesday in Abuja for presidential intervention.
    The state police commissioner, Abayomi Akeremale, who spoke with newsmen on the attack, said the large contingent was on a mission to raid the shrine.
    He said: “We decided at the State Security Council meeting, because of the frequent attacks on churches and mosques by this particular group, who are forcing people to swear an oath at the shrine, that we carry out an operation and arrest the perpetrators for prosecution, less it turns into a religious crisis.
    “The people; some called them Ombatse, but they call themselves cultural people; ambushed our men and opened fire”, Mr. Akeremale said.
    “The policemen were on operation to raid the place and make arrests, particularly of the chief priest, and other leaders, who  have been torturing worshipers in churches and mosques to force them to swear an oath of allegiance to Ombatse.
    He said the worshipers had tortured and compelled an inspector of police, to swear allegiance to Ombatse, but added that the officer has been freed, and returned to his duty post.
    “We are still after the persons “administering the oath forcefully on people. We will make sure we bring the perpetrators to book.”
    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Michael Ada admitted that 23 policemen and men of the SSS were killed.
    He said  eight patrol vehicles were also burnt.
    Ada said:”The casualty we confirmed is 23. They killed and burned 23 policemen and SSS. They also burnt eight patrol vehicles. But our rescue team is still in the bush, and has not return to give update.”
    On his part, Governor Almakura  confirmed that over 20 policemen and security operatives were killed.

  • EFCC arrests Sylva in dingy corner of Abuja house

    EFCC arrests Sylva in dingy corner of Abuja house

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arrested a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva for money laundering.

    According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the former governor was picked up at his No. 3, Niger Street, Maitama, Abuja home.

    The statement said: “On arrival at the facility at about 10.00 am, the Commission’s operatives were told that the ex-governor was not in town but they insisted on conducting a search on the house having obtained a warrant from the court.

    “During the search, vital documents were obtained. Ironically, the ex-governor who was said to be out of town was later found hiding in a dingy corner in the upper chamber of his expansive mansion.

    “He was immediately whisked away and is currently being interrogated at the Abuja headquarters of the anti- graft agency.

    “He is being grilled in connection with fresh evidence linking him with a bouquet of fraudulent transactions that borders on money laundering. “Part of the new evidence includes a number of eye-popping real estate acquisitions in Abuja.

    “The arrest of the former governor is sequel to his refusal to honour invitations by the Commission.

    “Rather than appear before the EFCC, he got his lawyers to inform the Commission that he was unable to appear because he was sick, and hospitalised in Lagos. The lawyer had promised to appear with his client on May 7, 2013 but failed to do so.

    “The Commission warns that it will not longer tolerate the antics of suspects who treat its invitation with levity.”

  • Bama: FG ready to crush insurgent groups

    President Goodluck Jonathan has  deplored Tuesday’s attack by armed terrorists on Bama, Borno State which claimed scores of lives.

    President Jonathan in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Reuben Abati noted that the continuation of such callous and wanton attacks of innocent Nigerians, government facilities and security formations  flies in the face of ongoing efforts to establish a workable framework for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of security challenges in Northern Nigeria.

    The President warned that the Federal Government’s consideration of dialogue as an option for the elimination of some current threats to security should not be seen as a weakening of its resolve and determination to use all the forces at its disposal to crush all brazen affronts to the powers and sovereignty of the Nigerian nation.

    President Jonathan condoled with the the families and colleagues of the soldiers, policemen and prison officials who lost their lives in the dastardly attack.

    He  urged the armed forces and police not to be disheartened or daunted by the loss of their colleagues, but to remain focused and undeterred in discharging their responsibility for the security of lives and property in all parts of Nigeria with the assurance that the Federal Government will continue to give the Armed Forces and Police the fullest possible support to enhance their ability to meet the continuing challenges of terrorism and insurgency.

    President Jonathan also commiserated with the families of the innocent civilians who were either killed or injured in Tuesday’s attack on Bama.