The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • Accidental bombing: It was a tragic mistake- Air Chief

    Accidental bombing: It was a tragic mistake- Air Chief

    • as AirForce deploys 200 personnel to The Gambia
    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has described the bombing of a civilian settlement by an Air Force fighter jet as a tragic mistake.
    Air Marshal Abubakar spoke at the 117 Air Combat Training Group (ACTG), Kainji on Wednesday during the deployment of about 200 Air Force troops to The Gambia.
    He said the pilots got airborne to save lives but a mistake led to the “tragic loss of lives.”
    Abubakar said: “It was a very tragic thing yesterday (Tuesday), our pilots got airborne hoping to save lives but unfortunately there was a tragic mistake which lead to the loss of life of innocent people, we have been operating for eight years in the North East now we have flown close to 6000hrs, this is the first time we are having this tragedy.
    “This is very tragic and unfortunate incident, sometimes it does happen in war,  I want to say that we share in the pains and sorrows of the families that have lost loved ones, I want to sympathise with those that are wounded.
    “We have directed our Chief of medical services to provide medical facility in Maiduguri to the wounded so that they can also be treated there in addition to other medical facilities that is available in Maiduguri.”
    He assured that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident.
    “Also we are putting up a high-powered committee at the Air Force level, I know the theatre commander is also working hard to find out what really happened, the information we have are very sketchy, we don’t want to pre-empt the findings of this committee both at the headquarters level and the Committee that has been set up.
    “It is very tragic and unfortunate but I want to assure as a professional service we will continue to evaluate our procedures and processes so that we can be effective in dealing with those that are out to kill innocent people and not what really happened on Tuesday.
    The troops deployment to The Gambia was a mandate of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to enforce the results of the December 1, 2016 presidential election in that country.
    The Air Force personnel were airlifted from Kainji to Dakar in Senegal. The troops which included the Special Forces, Combat Support Group, Technicians, Medical officials etc were airborne in the Hercules C-130 military transport plane.
    The CAS who addressed the troops urged them to keep Nigeria’s flag flying by being professional and to conduct themselves to the Air Force high standard.
    “They have been given the task which is very well defined, and we have put together all the air assets that we think are necessary to ensure that we are able to to successfully conduct this operation and that is what we have on the ground here,” Abubakar said.
    Among the platforms being deployed to the Gambia include: fighter airplanes, helicopters, C-130 and the large utility helicopter which also be useful in the conduct of the operation.
    “What we have here are men that are highly trained, highly skilled they know their job and they know their task, and as a professional service the commander of the air assets will work together with other commanders and they will come up with what is required in terms of plans, to be able to execute their tasks and come back home,” Abubakar said.
    Also, it was reliably gathered that the Nigerian Army is also set to deploy to the Gambia on Thursday. The Army troops will be airlifted by the C-130 transport plane. The Navy had on Monday deployed it’s newest battleship, NNS Unity to the tiny West African country.
  • Airport closure: FG meets with foreign airlines operators

    Airport closure: FG meets with foreign airlines operators

    As anxieties mount over government proposed closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International airport runway in Abuja, the federal government held a closed door meeting with foreign airlines in Abuja.
    Highlighting what transpired at the end of the meeting which lasted for over one and half hours, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika said the operators would be subjected to inspect some of the facilities that would be installed in Kaduna before the closure.
    According to him: “Foreign airline operators in Abuja have certain questions, queries and concerns and I am glad to inform you that even though we have not exhausted the questions 100 percent, we have done so by 95 percent.
    “They want to know whether Kaduna airport has an operational fence to ensure that the airport is secured, to know whether the airport can contain several aircrafts at the same time, to know the level of preparedness as regards security within the city of Kaduna enroute Abuja and the airport?
    He further said: “Whether there is the availability of Jet A1 in Kaduna? Whether the airlines will participate in the screening of passengers and baggage? Handling of aircrafts and catering also?
    “Possibility of having a breakdown of any of the aircrafts in operation in Kaduna, whether the airport or Kaduna as a city has the capacity to contain such breakdown and if there is the availability of engine system by which airlines talk to themselves?
    The operators according to the minister also sought to know if there is an office that the opeeators can use for the stipulated time.
    He said: “they also wanted to know if there are airline offices that can be used temporarily for six weeks and whether there are enough boarding gates and what happens if there is any delay in catering which is a necessity in all of the flight operations?
    “They also wanted to know if there was any delayed bag, how the bags could be tracked? Also, the fuel contracts that may arise knowing fully well that they are all engaged and they have some arrangements and agreement with fuel companies in Abuja and what will happen if they move to Kaduna?
    “We also talked about a delivery team to deliver procurement and also discussed the possibility of putting up a website where all these can be interactive and it will be between us and them”, he said.
    Moving forward, the Sirika said: “Because the questions are many, we have dealt with each of them, and some of them are subject to verification and inspection of Kaduna as an airport to see whether those facilities are available”.
    On whether the closure will be put on hold or not, he said: “We cannot continue to use the runway for safety reasons, the airport will be closed for six weeks. We want to take advantage of the dry season to be able to rehabilitate the only runway in Abuja and this is the demonstration of the fact that we have successfully succeeded in removing hitherto impunity in governance, we are able to consult, interact with members of the public and stakeholders in decision making in governance.
    “We are not closing the airport for fun, we are doing it in the interest of safety as demonstrated by high level of destruction of the runway”, he stated. 
    Some of the foreign airlines present at the meeting are: Ethiopian airways, Air France/KLM, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Egyptair, and South Africa Airways
    The minister also noted that a media chat will be held to discuss further fears and concerns on the closure of the airport.
  • Reps pass bill to protect dead Nigerians

    Reps pass bill to protect dead Nigerians

    Worried by the unpalatable treatment dead Nigerians are sometimes made to endure, the House of Representatives on Tuesday moved to protect the rights of the dead to rest in perfect peace.

    A bill to protect dead bodies from abuses and undignified treatment passed second reading yesterday on the floor of the House of Representatives.

    When passed, anyone that abuses or desecrate a dead human body or any part of it ” purposely and illegitimately,” will go to jail for 5 years.

    Titled “A bill for Prohibition of Desecration of Dead Bodies in Nigeria” the piece of legislation sponsored by a member, Rita Orji, when passed into law shall defend the sanctity and sacredness of human life and compel people to respect the dead.

    Orji while presenting the bill said desecration of the body should not be tolerated in any way, shape or form.”

    According to her, all over the world institutions which handle dead bodies including the security outfits like soldiers in combat follow laid down rules on how they are to handle the dead.

    According to her, “all religions have respect for the dead. Different religions, especially the monotheistic faiths, don’t accept any desecration of their own dead or the enemy’s dead.”

    A member, Agbonayinman Johnson while supporting the bill said the way Nigerians treat dead bodies portrays the country in bad light.

    His words: “It is difficult for Nigerians to be known for goods. I wonder how people would decide to make money from dead bodies.

    “This is another form of corruption. Remember, we are all going to die one day so let us all support the bill.”

    Henry Archibong (PDP Akwa Ibom ) also saw the bill in a positive light saying the bill when passed will protect the sanctity of life.

    His words: “In the modern day Nigeria a lot of people are into selling of dead people’s bodies some are even exhumed, dismembered and sold or used for all kinds of rituals.

    “If the bill is passed into law, it will take care of such acts”.

    The bill was subsequently passed after the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara called for a voice vote, and read for the second time.

  • Buhari regrets accidental bombing in Borno

    Buhari regrets accidental bombing in Borno

    • …Condoles with families of the dead

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness and regret over the accidental bombing of a civilian community in Rann, Borno State, by the Nigerian Air Force, engaged in the final phase of mopping up insurgents in the North-east.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari also condoled with families of the dead and wished the wounded divine succour, leading to full recovery.

    The President also sympathised with the Borno State government.

    He pledged federal government’s help for the state government in attending to what he described as “this regrettable operational mistake.”

    Buhari also pleaded for calm, as he prayed God to grant repose to the souls of the dead.

  • Army offers N500,000 reward on suicide bombers

    Army offers N500,000 reward on suicide bombers

    ‎The Nigerian Army yesterday announced a reward of the sum of N500,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of a suicide bomber, the guide to the suicide bomber, or discovery of the transit house or factory of the suicide bombers.
    Following the spate of spate of suicide bombings in the North East and in particular, Maiduguri and Madagali metropolis which is assuming a disturbing proportion, Army Director of Public Information, Brigadier General Sani Usman said the reward is‎ to further encourage law abiding citizens to actively join the war against terrorists and our collective security.
    General Usman also revealed the official numbers of contact persons in the Operation Lafiya Dole as follows: Theatre Commander, Operations LAFIYA DOLE, Maiduguri- 09064823221, General Officer Commanding 7 Division Maiduguri- 09078599985, Commander, 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri-08022375305, Commander, 28 Brigade, Mubi-08065504576,   Commander,  26 Brigade, Gwoza-+234 809 721 1700 (WhatsApp), Director, Army Public Relations, Abuja-07080217992, Commander, 7 Division Military Intelligence Brigade Maiduguri-09021668444.
     Usman: “We would like to reassure that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality and acted upon with despatch.
    “While we appreciate the cooperation of the members of the general public so far, there is the need to be more vigilant and security conscious to save lives and apprehend Boko Haram terrorists and their sponsors.
    “Once again we call on all law abiding citizens to provide useful information to security agencies towards a quicker apprehension of remnants of terrorists still bent on unleashing mayhem on Nigerians.”
  • Southern Kaduna: Reps summon security agencies’ chiefs

    Southern Kaduna: Reps summon security agencies’ chiefs

    Heads of security agencies in the country have been directed to brief members of the House of Representatives at plenary over the security situation in the country, it emerged yesterday.

    The invitation followed the adoption of a motion on violent terror attacks on the people of Kaura Federal Constituency of Southern Kaduna by unknown gunmen.

    Though the date of the appearance of the security chiefs has not been fixed, the meeting would be held behind closed doors, Speaker Yakubu Dogara said.

    The lawmakers said it was high time security and intelligence agencies take responsibility for the escalation of attacks in conflict-prone areas around the country.

    The lawmakers also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to deal decisively with the masterminds of the attacks, be more proactive in identifying the exact areas of the attacks and carry out a comprehensive security mapping to identify the base of the attackers in order to combat the menace.

    Mover of the motion, Gideon Gwani (APC, Kaduna) noted with grief the violent terror attacks of 6th – 9th January 2017 at Tachirak, Adu and Tsonje villages of Kagoro town in Kaura Federal constituency of Southern Kaduna which led to the death of 13 people.

    He, however, regretted that despite the 24 hours curfew imposed in the area and the presence of men of the Armed Forces and the Police, gunmen continued to attack villages and unleash mayhem, while the security personnel deployed remained in the township.

    Gwani, who recalled the resolution of the House on Wednesday, June 24, 2015, in which the executive was urged to set up a high-powered committee to comprehensively address the incessant killings in Kaduna State and other parts of the country, regretted that it has not been complied with.

    During the debate, lawmakers wondered why it was impossible for security agencies to identify masterminds and perpetrators of crises in Southern Kaduna that began in the early 1980s.

    They said the intelligence community has failed in identifying the perpetrators and preventing the breakout of hostilities as they are more visible running errands rather than performing their primary responsibility of covert gathering information.

    While noting that there have always been reports and recommendations by Committees set up by governments to investigate each attack, the lawmakers regretted that none has been implemented citing Gen Martin Luther Agwai-led Committee that probed one of the crises in Southern Kaduna.

    The lawmakers urged Nigerians to support the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to find a lasting solution to the crisis rather than condemn it considering the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government failed to nab the mastermind of the crisis in its 16 years rule.

    The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara assured that the government is not relenting in efforts to find an enduring solution to the Southern Kaduna crisis.

    “I have the opportunity of discussing the issue with Mr President and he assured that steps with a lasting solution are being taken and will soon begin to manifest.

    “It is also our duty to support and monitor those steps and if they are not working, it is our responsibility to also do something about it,” Dogara said.

    While the Federal government was urged to provide relief material to victims of the attack,  Committees on Army, Airforce, Police Affairs, Interior and National Security and Intelligence were mandated to analyse the situation and proffer solutions to the security challenges in the area and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.

  • Senate fails to stop closure of Abuja airport

    The Senate on Tuesday failed to stop the planned closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for the rehabilitation of the runway of the airport.

    At a resumed hearing on the proposed closure on Tuesday, the Senate said that it would have preferred segmented repairs of the runway to avoid a total closure of the airport.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided over Senate plenary told the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola and Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika that although “Senate prefers segmented repairs of the runway to avoid total closure, the Ministry of Aviation could take a decision based on advice by stakeholders.”

    Ekweremadu added, “Final decision is yours and you will also take responsibility. While you take final decision, endeavour to take note of our concerns and the concerns of other stakeholder.

    “Also take into consideration the position of local and foreign airlines that they would have preferred continued use of the airport while repair is going on.”

    While Sirika and Fashola insisted that there was no alternative to shutting down the airport to ensure proper rehabilitation of the runway, the Nigeria Society of Engineer (NSE) disagreed.

    The NSE said that its meeting with the relevant agencies confirmed that it is possible to carry out the proposed reconstruction of the runway without shutting down the airport.

    Julius Berger, scheduled to handle the repair works, backed the government’s position that the airport be shut.

    The construction giant told the Senate that the only way to ensure holistic repairs was to shut down the airport.

     

  • ‘Why we abandoned N8bn CCB building project’

    ‘Why we abandoned N8bn CCB building project’

    Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Chairman, Sam Saba, yesterday told a Senate panel that they abandoned N8 billion CCB building project to purchase another build worth N4.5 billion because of lack of diligent work by the contractor handling the N8 billion project.
    The CCB chairman told the Senator Dino Melaye Committee investigation the abandoned project that there was nothing wrong in the process the CCB took in the purchase of the project.
    The Senate Committee was mandated to probe alleged misdeeds in the abandoned N8 billion building project by the CCB.
    The committee insisted that the CCB violated the Public Procurement Act.
    It also accused the CCB of engaging in wasteful expenditure.
    In November, 2016, the Senate asked its Committees on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the Federal Capital Territory and Public Procurement to, as a matter of urgency, carry out a holistic investigation into an alleged corrupt practice by the CCB.
    The upper chamber accused the CCB of mismanaging funds in the procurement of its headquarters building in Abuja.
    It claimed that the Bureau abandoned its N8 billion headquarters building project and sought to procure a completed building worth over N4.5 billion.
    The resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion by Senator Dino Melaye, (Kogi West) who claimed he was in possession of documents regarding the alleged misdeed.
    During the hearing, Saba told the joint committee that the actions of the Bureau were lawful.
    The committee insisted that due process was not followed in the procurement.
    Saba explained: “The Contract for the construction of the Code of Conduct Bureau Headquarters Building was initially awarded on 1st September 2010 in the sum of 3,509,327,405.00 in favour of Burnel Engineering Limited with a completion period of twenty six months. . 
    “Shortly after the award, a new government policy on the Central Business District/boulevard corridor of the Abuja Master Plan came in to force. This policy being enforced by the Department of Development Control of Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency made it impossible to commence construction as designed and awarded.” 
    On the purchase of the new office building, Saba said:
    “During the defence of the 2016 budget at the National Assembly, the Committee reviewed the issue of inadequate funding of the Headquarters building project on one hand ‘and lack of diligent executive of the project by the contractor on the other hand and resolved to appropriate fund for an outright purchase of office building.‘ Considering that it would take a longer period to actualize the building and what is required to make an outright purchase is about half of the cost”
    “This was to put an end to an age long predicament of the CCB as the only anti-corruption agency without its own office block.
    “The National Assembly, therefore appropriated the sum of N4,430,001,179.00 in the 2016 CCB budget for the purchase of office building.
    “The CCB is still awaiting the release of the funds.”
    The joint committee which seemed not satisfied with the explanation of the CCB boss, gave him 48 hours ultimatum to submit more relevant documents to it.
  • Nigeria, China agree to uphold policy

    Nigeria, China agree to uphold policy

    Nigeria and China have signed an agreement upholding one China policy.

    Recently, Taiwan officials claimed that it has opened a consulate office in Nigeria, a move which infuriated China.

    Wednesday’s signing by Nigeria was seen as the country’s solidarity with China, as the country has recently become one of Nigeria’s most dependable partners.

    The agreement was signed yesterday by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries in a ceremony which took place in Abuja.

    Mr Geoffrey Onyeama signed on behalf of Nigeria while his Chinese counterpart, Mr Wang Yi signed for his government.

    Both countries reaffirm their respect for each other’s sovereignty.

    Nigeria said one China policy is at the core of its strategic partnership with China. Adding that the People Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China territory.

    Nigeria government noted that it does not have any official engagement with Taiwan and also support the Chinese in the efforts towards realising national unification.China welcome Nigeria’s position

    China welcome Nigeria’s position and recent measures taking recently by the Nigerian government and also reaffirm it’s commitment to actively develop China/Nigeria strategic partnership across board.

    The duo also discussed other Bilateral issues ranging from infrastructure to transport.

    [news_list display=”tag” tag=”China” count=”6″ show_more=”on”]

  • N400m fraud: Metuh tells court to subpoena Dasuki as witness

    N400m fraud: Metuh tells court to subpoena Dasuki as witness

    A former National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to subpoena former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to testify in his trial.

    At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Counsel to Metuh, Mr Emeka Etiaba (SAN), reminded the judge, Justice Okon Abang, of a pending subpoena before the court to invite Dasuki as the next witness.

    Abang, however, advised that both the defence and prosecuting counsel liaise with the authority holding Dasuki to release him to appear in court.

    He said that it was only after the defence and prosecution had approached the relevant authority and the authority refused to release Dasuki to them that they should come back to him.

    Counsel to the second defendant Tochukwukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) however said it was the duty of the court to issue a subpoena to anyone to appear in court.

    The defence team filed the subpoena on Dec. 2, 2016.

    It was premised on the grounds that since the allegation against Metuh revolved around Dasuki, it was important for Dasuki to be a witness in the matter.

    Meanwhile, following the stalling of the case on Tuesday due to the ill-health of Metuh, the defence, at today’s sitting presented a medical report from the National Hospital with details of his health condition.

    The defence team told the court that Metuh was unable to appear in court because he was admitted at the National Hospital for complications arising from spinal cord injuries.

    Etiaba said that the medical experts handling the defendant’s ailment were unable to give the specific date for his full recovery due to the nature of the ailment.

    He asked the court for a three-week adjournment for the defendant to recuperate and also seek further medical attention.

    Onwugbufor, for his part, told the court that he had seen the medical report and that he was suffering the same ailment as the defendant.

    He said he was able to get the right medical care only in London, and urged the court to look at the defendant’s case with compassion since his condition was even more critical than his.

    According to him, what Metuh is suffering is excruciating and requires expert attention to ensure full recovery.

    Prosecuting counsel, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, said that he was not opposed to an adjournment, adding that the prosecution sympathised with the defence and wished the defendant quick recovery.

    “We have been served with the medical report of the defendant and we have little or nothing to say since the record speaks for itself. All we can say is that we extend our sympathy to the defence.

    “With regards to the request for a three-week adjournment, we are taking them by their word since the medical report did not give an indication about how soon the defendant will be discharged.

    “It only says his management will continue until he gets well and I am not opposed to the adjournment,’’ Tahir said.

    Abang adjourned continuation of hearing in the matter till Feb. 21 and Feb. 24.