The Nation Newspaper

Category: News Update

  • Delta flood victims get deadline to quit `illegal’ camp

    Delta flood victims get deadline to quit `illegal’ camp

    More than 300 persons displaced by flood in coastal communities such as Oko, near Asaba, in Delta, have resisted Delta Government’s attempts to relocate them to flood victims’ camps in Asaba.

    The people, who are taking refuge at some unaffected areas at the Asaba end of the River Niger Bridge, claimed that they could not abandon some of the belongings, which they had salvaged from the flood.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the people are living in makeshift homes built with materials such as cement bags, mats, wood, and discarded roofing sheets on both sides of the bridge.

    From their new abode, the people still go fishing on the fringes of River Niger with nets and canoes.

    NAN also reports that the Delta State Government had made four attempts to relocate the people, through persuasion and threats of forced evacuation, all to no avail.

    The displaced persons insisted that the only condition that would make them to move to the camps was if they were allowed to move with their belongings, which included beds, chairs and electronic items.

    However, at the people’s meeting with the state Commissioner for Bureau for Special Duties, Dr. Tony Nwaka, who coordinates all the camps set up for flood victims, it was resolved that the “Bridgehead camp’’ should remain for the time being.

    However, the government gave the people a December 15 deadline, after which they would either join other flood victims in designated camps or return to their communities.

    “After listening to them this time and seeing the situation, we have decided that the best thing is to allow them to remain there for some time.

    “Truly, they have some of their properties which they cannot take to the camps or leave behind. The collective decision is that we will, from Sunday, be taking food and other materials to them at the Bridgehead.

    “But we have also agreed that they have up till December 15 to remain there, after which they will be moved to the camps if the situation has not normalised by then or else they will be compelled to return to their communities,” Nwaka told NAN.

     

  • Five die in Kaduna church blast

    Five die in Kaduna church blast

    A suicide bomber drove a vehicle packed with explosives into a Catholic church in Kaduna on Sunday, killing at least five people, wounding nearly 100 and triggering reprisal attacks that killed at least two more, officials said.

    Reuters reports that the bomber drove a jeep right inside the packed St Rita’s church, in the Malali area of the city early on Sunday morning.

    A spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency in Kaduna said that five people had been confirmed killed, while 98 people were receiving treatment for wounds at two local hospitals.

    There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Islamist sect Boko Haram has claimed similar attacks in the past and has attacked several churches with bombs and guns since it intensified its campaign against Christians in the past year.

    “The heavy explosion also damaged so many buildings around the area,” said survivor Linus Lighthouse, saying he thought there had been two explosions in different parts of the church.

    Other witnesses and the police said there was just one bomber. A wall of the church was blasted open and scorched black, with debris lying around. Police later moved in and cordoned the area off.

    Church attacks often target Nigeria’s middle belt, where its largely Christian south and mostly Muslim north meet and where sectarian tensions run high. Kaduna’s mixed population lies along that faultline.

    Shortly after the blast, angry Christian youths took to the streets armed with sticks and knives.

    A Reuters reporter saw two bodies on the roadside lying in pools of blood.

    “We killed them and we’ll do more,” shouted a youth, with blood on his shirt, before police chased him and his cohorts away. Police set up roadblocks and patrols across town in an effort to prevent the violence spreading.

    Another witness to the bombing, Daniel Kazah, a member of the Catholic cadets in the church, said he had seen three bodies on the bloodied church floor in the aftermath.

    A spokesman for St. Gerard’s Catholic hospital, Sunday John, said the hospital was treating 14 wounded victims. Another hospital, Garkura, had 84 victims, the NEMA official said.

    Many residents rushed indoors, fearing an upsurge in the sectarian killing that has periodically blighted Kaduna.

    A bomb attack in a church in the state in June triggered a week of tit-for-tat violence that killed at least 90 people.

     

  • Bomb blast in Kaduna

    An unspecified number of persons have been killed in a bomb blast in Kaduna  at St Theresa Catholic Church on Sunday morning.

    Police Commissioner, Olufemi Adenaike confirmed the incident.
  • Al Qaeda leader calls for kidnap of ‘Westerners’

    Al Qaeda leader calls for kidnap of ‘Westerners’

    Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri has called on Muslims to kidnap Westerners, join Syria’s rebellion and to ensure Egypt implements sharia, SITE Monitoring reported on Saturday, citing a two-part film posted on Islamist websites.

    The Egypt-born cleric, who became al Qaeda leader last year after the death of Osama bin Laden, spoke in a message that lasted more than two hours, Reuters said.

    “We are seeking, by the help of Allah, to capture others and to incite Muslims to capture the citizens of the countries that are fighting Muslims in order to release our captives,” he said, praising the kidnapping of Warren Weinstein, a 71-year-old American aid worker in Pakistan last year.

    Zawahri’s message was first released on Wednesday, SITE said, just two weeks after the cleric issued a filmed statement calling for more protests against the United States over a California-made film mocking the Prophet Mohammad.

    In his new message, he called on Muslims to ensure Egypt’s revolution continued until sharia law was implemented and urged fellow Muslims to join the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

    The release of his message, according to Zawahiri, had been delayed because of the “conditions of the fierce war” in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    U.S. President Barack Obama, whom Zawahri described as a “liar” and “one of the biggest supporters of Israel”, has stepped up the use of unmanned drones to target militants in both countries as well as in Yemen.

    In a further attack on Western governments and international institutions, Zawahri accused world powers of giving Syrian President Assad “a licence to kill” his opponents.

     

  • Okunnu commends security agents for containing terrorism

    The President, Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, on Saturday commended the security agents for curtailing the activities of terrorists in the country.

    Okunnu told the New Agency of Nigeria that the efforts of the  joint task force had helped a lot in checking the heinous activities of terrorists’ particularly in the north.

    The former Federal Commissioner for Works also sympathised with state governments and victims of recent flood disasters in the country and prayed to God to protect the nation against future disasters.

    On the Eid-el-Kabir festivities, he urged Muslims worldwide to always emulate the exemplary life of Prophet Ibrahim while celebrating.

    Okunnu said they should ensure their activities were guided by the teachings of the Holy Qu’ran, adding that such were emulated by the prophets.

    “The celebration of Eid-el-Kabir this year should be with fear of Allah as a major consideration.

    “We should be reminded of the exemplary life of the father of the faithful, prophet Ibrahim, his son Ismail, and wife Sayidat Hajara, on their total submission to the will of Allah.

    “ In the course of your celebration, let your activities be strictly guided by the teachings of the Holy Qu’ran and the Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad,’’ he said.

    He said the lessons from Eid-el-Kabir were sacrifice and absolute submission to the will of Allah, adding that God should be praised for “sparing our lives.’’

     

  • Cynthia: Lawyers hail proposed ban of Rophynol

    Cynthia: Lawyers hail proposed ban of Rophynol

    Lawyers and social critics on Friday commended the Federal Government’s move to ban the sale of the ‘date rape drug’, allegedly used to kill Miss. Cynthia Osokogu.

    They gave the commendation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    The Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday in Abuja resolved to ban the sale of Rophynol drug.

    “Rohypnol,” clinically known as Flunitrazepam, a sedative with hypnotic effect was used to lure late Osokogu to complacency and later killed.

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that the government planned to ban the drug because of the need to curb its disastrous use.

    He said that the Act No. 43 of 1989, which established the National Drug Formulary and Essential Drugs List, empowers it to prohibit importation and manufacturing of any drug not on the list.

    A Lagos based lawyer and founding member of the African in Democracy and Good Governance (ADG), Mr. Edwin Nebolisa, said the decision was appropriate.

    He said the ban was informed by the ugly trend of the abuse of the drug by the youths, and stressed the need to check the excesses of youths, which was becoming worrisome.

    He also said that pharmacy stores and hospitals should be discouraged from dispensing such drugs because it had become a means of facilitating incidence of rape.

    A facilitator with the Legal Defence and Assistant Project (LEDAP), Mr. Noel Brown, also aligned with the decision of the government and advocated the ban of other sedative drugs.

     

  • Gov Suntai to be flown to Germany for treatment

    Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba has been flown to Abuja preparatory to being moved to Germany for further treatment.

    A medical source at the Specialist Hospital, Yola, where the governor was receiving treatment following his plane crash in a bush along Yola-Numan road on Thursday night, disclosed this on Friday.

    The source, who pleaded anonymity, however said that the governor was in stable condition, adding that: “He sustained a fracture on his right hand and some bruises on his head.’’

    Suntai was driven in an ambulance belonging to Federal Medical Center Yola around 11.30 a.m. to Yola International airport to board an air ambulance to Abuja in a long convoy of well wishers and sympathisers.

    Meanwhile, men of Accident Investigation Bureau of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria from Abuja have arrived at  the scene of the plane crash for investigations.

    A NAN correspondent, who visited the scene, reports that the officials could be seen gathering parts of the plane while mobile security men are preventing people from loitering around the spot.

    In a related development, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Malam Hassan Mijinyawa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the governor’s condition was stable.

    He said the condition of the ADC and CSO to the governor, who were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, was critical because they both had multiple fractures on their legs and hands. (NAN)

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Nigerians pray for peace, security

    Eid-el-Kabir: Nigerians pray for peace, security

    Nigerians have focused prayers on peace, stability and security as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    From Kaduna came the report that Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State on Friday stressed the need for prayers to tackle the security challenges in the country.

    Yakowa, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Muhktar Yero, made this remark after the Raka’at prayers led by Malam Muhammed Dan-Zaria at Murtala Square in Kaduna.

    He said the current security challenges could be overcome with fervent and sustained faithful prayers, patriotism and assisting security agents with information.

    Yakowa stressed the need for the Muslims to renew their faith in peace just as he described the fear of insecurity among the residents as disturbing.

    The governor also urged them to use the occasion for sober reflection, emulate the Holy Prophet of Islam by extending love and hands of friendship to the less privileged, non Muslims and others in the society.

    Dan-Zaria in his sermon, cautioned the Muslims to be just, fair and have faith in God in all their activities.

    In Ilorin, thousands of Muslim worshipers joined their counterparts all over the world in celebrating Eid-el-Kabir with prayers.

    The Chief Imam of llorin, Alhaji Muhamm Bashir, in his sermon, urged Nigerians to allow love, patience, peace and other good virtures be their watchword in all their endevours.

    In his remark, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the Emir of llorin, thanked security agencies in the state for ensuring provision of adequate security before, during and after the prayer.

    He also called on Nigerians to eschew bitterness, rancour and acrimony which could retard the progress of the country.

    Also, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun in his message, urged the Muslims to imbibe the lessons and values of Eid-el-Kabir by sustaining peaceful co-existence across the country.

    He appealed to them to abstain from worldly things and engage in more acts of worship that would earn them abundant rewards from God.

    Mr Akintunde Adegboye, the Deputy Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, urged the Muslims faithful to use the lesson of the festival to leave in peace with their neighbours.
    Adegboye said that Muslims should be generous to the less privilege during and after Eid-el-Kabir.

    A traditional ruler in Omu-Aran, Kwara, Oba Charles Ibitoye, in his message to his subjects, urged religious leaders to intercede on behalf of the country through special prayers for adequate security, progress and development.

    Ibitoye made the call on Friday while receiving Muslim faithful in his palace led by the Chief Imam of Omu-Aran, Alhaji Sodiq Afolayan.

    “Only divine intervention through prayers could save the country from his socio-economic problems.

    “Our present leaders in all tiers of government are not magicians, they are human being like us, it is when we support and pray for them that they can lead us well.

    “I am using this opportunity of the Sallah celebration to appeal to our religion leaders, irrespective of their affiliations, to continue to pray for unity, progress and peaceful co-existence,’’ he said.

    In his remark, Afolayan urged Muslims to always be truthful and learn to honour agreement in their dealings and transactions with fellow humans.

    “A lot of negative happenings today, more importantly high profile killings and assassinations are as a result of party’s failure to honour agreements.

    “A Muslim whether as a civil servant, businessman, politicians and other professions, must not say or promise what is beyond is capability; Allah loves those who are truthful, honest and trustworthy,” he said.

    In Benue, the Chief Imam of Watada Mosque in Makurdi, Malam Sanusi Burhanudeen, urged Muslims faithful to shun all acts of violence for the peace and unity of the nation.

    He gave the charge on Friday during the Eid-el-Kabir prayers, calling on Muslims to emulate the faith of Abraham by living exemplary lifestyles that promoted peaceful co-existence.

    Sanusi also prayed for peace in the country and appealed to the Muslims to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir with humble hearts and seek forgiveness from Allah.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to find lasting solution to the growing cases of insecurity in the country. (NAN)

  • Those who wished me dead need God`s forgiveness—Awujale

    Those who wished me dead need God`s forgiveness—Awujale

    Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, on Friday said those who rumoured his death while he was on medical trip abroad should ask God for forgiveness.

    Oba Adetona, who stated this during his Eid-el-Kabir message at Idobi praying ground in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, said despite the rumour, God saved his life.

    It would be recalled that Adetona was flown abroad in June for medical treatment and returned on Oct. 22 to Ijebu-Ode.

    During his sojourn abroad, there was rumour of his death.

    The Awujale said he wondered why people were in hurry for him to die before his time.

    Adetona, who explained that he was rushed abroad after he fell in his residence in Lagos, said the prayers of those who loved him saved his life.

    “Many people spread the news of my death while I was abroad for medical treatment, but I thank God that I am alive.

    “I wonder why people are in a hurry for me to die. Those who spread the news should go and ask God for forgiveness.

    “It is only God that can determine when a man will die. Moreover, I don’t fear death because death is a debt that everybody must pay.

    “I thank God that I am hale and healthy“.

    On the forthcoming Ojude-Ode festival, Awujale said it would be the best ever celebrated.

    Oba Adetona added that Senate President, David mark would be the special guest of honour.

    Earlier in his message, Alhaji Abdulrasak Salaudeen, the deputy Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode central mosque, appealed to government to improve health care delivery in the country.

    Salaudeen said that most of the hospitals in the country were in bad shape with no modern equipment to work with and attributed it as the reason for mass exodus of people abroad for treatment.

    The Imam also urged government to create jobs for the youth and improve security in the country.

    Also speaking, Mr Rasak Daddah, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode local government, said the people of Ijebuland were happy that the Oba was alive to celebrate sallah with them.

    “Awujale is a symbol of authority and culture for the Ijebus and for the country at large and we are happy that he came back from his medical trip. (NAN)

  • Taraba governor survives aircrash

    Taraba governor survives aircrash

    Taraba state governor, Dambaba Suntai has survived an aircrash in Yola, Adamawa state on Thursday.

    A statement by Special Assistant to the Aviation Minister, Jude Obi said all passengers on the flight are alive with various degrees of injuries.

    The statement titled “Incident Involving Aircraft, Cessna 208, 5N-BMJ in Yola, Taraba State, reads:

    “An aircraft, Cessna 208 with 6 souls on board including crew, operated by the Taraba State Government departed Jalingo, Taraba State for Yola this evening and reported contact with the Yola Control Tower (1720Z) and field in sight at 38 miles estimating landing at 1730Z. The pilot subsequently lost contact with Yola Control Tower and subsequent effort to raise the aircraft failed.”

    “Search & Rescue was immediately activated and site of incident located with all victims alive with various degrees of injuries. The victims have been evacuated to the hospital for treatment pending further investigation of the incident.”

    “This is the correct version of the incident; every other one that is contrary to this is incorrect.”

    Joe Obi,SA (Media) to Aviation Minister.”