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Tag: boko haram

  • Enemies of Nigeria behind ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest to please political losers

    Following the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last presidential and national assembly elections, some persons have concluded plans to stage a protest under the theme Occupy Nigeria.
    According to Coalition for Defence Democracy in Nigeria, the paid miscreants have been mobilized by some politicians who are not pleased with the outcome of the polls to shutdown the nation.
    Addressing newsmen on Sunday, Okpokwu Ogenyi, who spoke on behalf of the BoT, claimed that the planned protest is being championed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.
    His text below.
    Gentlemen of the press, since the announcement of the results for the presidential election held on Saturday February 23, 2019, those that lost in the election have been reacting to their losses. Some of these reactions have been by way of intellectual engagement in which the candidates and their supporters express their improved understanding of how democracy and political dynamics operate in the Nigerian context.
    The more sincere ones among them have admitted the near impossibility of unseating a performing president through the ballot hence the overwhelming win of President Muhammadu Buhari who won on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.
    Some losers have, however, been sore in defeat. They denounced the result with the worst choice of words possible. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar are in the forefront of this collection of aggrieved losers.
    What must be given to them however is that they have been creative enough to limit their bellicosity to inciting utterances and body language, which they possibly expect their supporters to decode and descend on the streets with violent protests.
    This development is the reason that the Coalition for Defence Democracy in Nigeria, CDDN, is not aligned with those that have been asking Atiku to call and congratulate President Buhari. There is no basis for that because it will amount to creating a situation where the loser in an election must validate the victor’s win.
    It is enough that the home nations of the international observers once misled by the PDP have sent their congratulatory messages to Nigeria and President Buhari. While Nigeria does not rely on their endorsement to validate its electoral processes, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, the African Union, scores of African countries and other friends of Nigeria have congratulated President Buhari, which they would not have done had the election failed to meet the minimum threshold for acceptability.
    The PDP is being backed by several ethnic jingoist organizations that present as socio-cultural organizations, religious bigots as well as pro-corruption groups and individuals.
    Like their client, these people have limited themselves to threats and incitement without actually backing their threat of violence and destabilization with actions. This restraint on the part of PDP and its supporting organizations has now been found to be a Trojan as they have outsourced their violent protests through a consultancy to “Occupy Nigeria”.
    “Occupy Nigeria”, a misappropriation of the slogan under which Nigerians resisted PDP misrule in 2012, is now being used by these protest consultants to threaten the peace of the country. The group that now goes by the name has threatened to shut down Abuja on Monday and what we have found out is that they plan to spread the protest to other cities if the Abuja legs proves successful.
    CDNN finds this attempt at using the result of the election to cause mayhem when the international community, including countries that were initially apprehensive of the conduct of the election, has accepted the outcome.
     We observed that Occupy Nigeria is now expressing disappointment in the endorsement of the polls by the international community when its clients where euphoric at the time these same foreign countries were harassing the Nigerian government on the basis of lies told against the administration of President.
    It has not been able to been able to present any compelling evidence to support why it is rejecting an election adjudged to be free, fair and credible by all stakeholders except the PDP and its lackey groups.
    We further observed that the demands that Occupy Nigeria is hinging its protests on bear uncanny similarities to the demands that Atiku and PDP allegedly presented to the National Peace Committee, which they have all denied anyway because they have seen that these requests are criminal in nature and intent.
    The protests planned by Occupy Nigeria are therefore provocative, irresponsible and an attempt to create conditions that will degrade security in the country while providing excuses for those earlier mobilized by Atiku to attempt a forceful takeover of the government.
    They represent a stubborn progression of Atiku and the PDP with their original plot to force their way into government even when they know they have been rejected by Nigerians.
    CDNN is therefore warning Occupy Nigeria to behave within acceptable parameters defined by Nigerian laws as any attempt to provoke crisis would be met with disproportionate citizens’ response. Other measures include laying bare the relationship that exists between it and PDP as well as Atiku.

    Read also: Oil rises above Budget 2019 benchmark

     If they persist on trying to destabilize the country we will expose to Nigerians the specific associates of Atiku that contacted them, phone calls and SMS logs, and details of financial transactions of the payment made to procure Occupy Nigeria’s services.
    Occupy Nigeria must take note that nobody has the monopoly of mischief and violence. It is receiving money to hold its protests but there are millions of Nigerians that will counter those violent outings on the streets out of patriotism and their love and appreciation for the leadership he is providing to the country.
    Any attempt to destabilize the peace of the nation will therefore be decisively rejected by Nigerians. Occupy Nigeria will fail worse that Boko Haram and other defunct terrorist groups that had attempted to destroy Nigeria.
    The practice in Nigeria is for anyone aggrieved by the outcome of elections should approach the Election Tribunals up to the Supreme Court to seek redress. If Occupy Nigeria is eager to be of use to the PDP they should then encourage Atiku to go to court and fight his case there especially now that the Judiciary is being purged of corrupt judges.
    Instead of holding questionable protests, Nigerians should task the organizers of this charade to come forward with workable initiatives to help President Buhari deliver on his promises to Nigerians. Part of the progress we should make as a nation is for the youths not to be misled by agents of destabilization that are bent on triggering copy-cat revolution in a country where it is least needed.

     

     

  • Boko Haram major threat to polls, says CAN

    The resurgent activities of Boko Haram terrorists may pose a threat to the forthcoming 2019 general elections, the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) warned on Thursday.

    The CAN leadership urged the federal government to tackle the attacks before the polls.

    This was part of the resolutions at the first quarterly meeting of CAN in Abuja.

    The Christian body also pointed out efforts of the government in providing security is “not yielding the needed results as wanton killings have continued, especially in some States in the northern part of the country.”

    CAN urged Nigerians to pray for the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: Boko Haram: Elections’ll be restricted to 3 centres in Madagali

    A statement by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle said: “Boko Haram appeared to have resurrected again, decimating communities in Borno and Yobe States in particular, not sparing soldiers.

    “This resurgence of insecurity in the Northeast portends danger for the forthcoming general elections if efforts at curtailing it are not increased. Many voters might be disenfranchised from voting.

    “The Association commends President Muhammadu Buhari for the continuous reassurance that all will be done by the government to make the forthcoming general elections free, fair and credible.

    “We at the same time implore Mr. President to make sure that all these promises are transformed into reality through concrete efforts that would prevent violence and other electoral malpractices.

    “The Association calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police and other security agents not to make themselves available to be used for rigging or any form of electoral malpractice by the politicians.

    “No voter or election observer must be intimidated or harassed throughout the period of the election.

    “We equally urge politicians to run away from vote buying while the electorates should not allow anybody to buy their votes. If you sell your vote, you sell your future.”

    The body added: “We reaffirm our support for all efforts of government geared towards stamping out corruption from our country.

    “We, however, caution that efforts geared towards stamping out corruption from Nigeria must follow due process of the law while the independence of each arm of government for peace and harmony in the society must be well maintained.

    “Wisdom and caution should be applied by those in government and other Nigerians in all that we do so that our actions and speeches might not set our nation on fire at this crucial period of election.”

  • Boko Haram: Elections’ll be restricted to 3 centres in Madagali

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to restrict voting to only three centres in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State in the coming general elections.

    The state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kassim Gaidam, who disclosed this, said the decision was informed by security advice, but that election will hold at all polling centres in neighbouring Michika LGA and the rest of the state.

    Election did not hold in both Madagali and Michika LGAs in 2015 due to the violent activities of Boko Haram which had seized both LGAs earlier in 2014, and even after the LGAs were liberated in January 2015, the effects and fear of Boko Haram remained dominant up to the period of the 2015 elections and fleeing residents were availed opportunity to vote at special centres in the state capital, Yola.

    Gaidam spoke at a ‘Prevention of Election Violence and Education for Inclusion in Nigeria (PEV-EDI) programme, a programme of the European Union Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) at internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Malkohi and Fufore, through the state INEC Head of Public Affairs, Mrs Rifkatu Dukku who later specified, in a telephone interview Thursday, that voting in Madagali LGA would be restricted to Gulak Central Primary School, GSS Madagali and GSS Shuwa.

    Read Also: Air Force strikes Boko Haram in Borno

    “Right now what we have for IDP voting in Adamawa State is only in the Madagali LGA. Voting in the whole of Madagali is going to take place in Gulak Central Primary School; GSS Madagali and Shuwa. These are the only approved centres for the council,” she said.

    At the IDPs camp in Malkohi, in Yola South LGA, and in Fufore, headquarters of the Fufore LGA, the European Centre for Electoral Support had taken to the IDPs the campaign for electoral participation, in line with the goal of PEVI-EDI, which is to “increase marginalised groups’ participation in, and contribution to, electoral process through violence prevention and mitigation, voter education and inclusion, thereby supporting the successful conduct of the electoral process.”

    The ECES Senior Electoral Advisor, Dominique Werts and Inclusivity Advisor/ECES PEV-EDI Representative in Nigeria, Cathy Latiwa, both enjoined the IDPs to use their voting power in the scheduled general elections to elect the people who would give them the benefits they desire.

  • Buhari to Imo monarchs: I have delivered on my campaign promises

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday told the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers that he has fulfilled his 2015 campaign promises to Nigerians.

    The President who met with over 500 monarchs at the Palace of the Eze Imo in Owerri, said that his administration has fought corruption headlong, decimated Boko Haram and revived the economy.

    According to Buhari who was in Imo State for his campaign rally, “We should recall where we used to be in 2015 before we came to power and today we know where we are and what we have been able to do with our resources. Although the challenges of corruption and insecurity are still prevalent today, we have made significant success”.

    He continued that, “Before we came to power, Boko Haram was holding 17 Local Government Areas captive but today, there is no LGA that is under the control of Boko Haram. We have also through the leadership of the militants reduced the sabotage on oil installations we have also scored one hundred percent in food production. We introduced the Treasury Single Account (TSA) where all government money goes into and all money going out can be traced. We are trying to put infrastructure in place so that Nigerians can move about freely”.

    Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Agunwa Ohiri, commended the President for tackling corruption, which he said is the nation’s greatest challenge.

    Read Also: Imo electorate task INEC on credible poll

    In his words,  “the last we saw you was four years ago and I remembered vividly that I told you were going to be the President  because we needed change and you are a man of strong character who can bring the change the country needs”.

    He continued that, “The biggest problem is corruption and we saw you as the person that can fight it, I want to commend you, we know that your action is raising dust but that is corruption fighting back. Let me tell you that we trust you to continue to fight corruption, we are happy that you’re strong and fighting insecurity and corruption”.

    However the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, in his statement, urged the President to shift his attention to the Southeast, adding that he has focuses more on other zones in the last three years.

  • Buhari to Nigerians: I have fulfilled my promises

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said he had fulfilled his campaign promises to Nigerians.

    The President, who spoke at a mega rally of the All Progressives Congress in Osogbo, Osun State capital, ahead of the February general elections, reminded Nigerians of the condition under which he came into office in 2015.

    Buhari spoke to thousands of the APC, chieftains and party supporters including the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former interim national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Osun State governor, Mr. Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, and his deputy, Gboyega Alabi, immediate past Osun state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Ameachi, and the national women leader of the APC, Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, among others.

    Buhari said his administration on assumption off office in 2015 met the terrorist group, Boko Haram, occupying seventeen local governments in Yobe and Borno States and other parts of the North East but said no single council today is in the control of the insurgent group, adding that “except where they have soft targets market places and motor parks.”

    According to him, his administration had significantly improved on agriculture.

    Buhari, who also said had done his best in fighting corruption, assured that whoever that is found to be corrupt will not be spared, adding that “they will be prosecuted and brought to justice.”

    Acknowledging people’s support for him, he expressed gratitude to the people for “trooping out and lining up the streets in the scorching sun to wave him and his entourage.”

    Asking the people to vote for him and his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in the February poll, he also appealed to them to vote for all candidates under the platform of the APC in the general elections, assuring that they would not let them down.

    Also, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said those contending power with the APC never meant well for this nation. In their resolve, they are determined to draw us back but by the grace of God we are moving on and higher.”

    Earlier, the Osun State governor, Mr. Oyetola, advised the people of the state to return Buhari for the second term, saying his administration had done so much for the state in the area of social investment and youth empowerment, road construction, health, agriculture.

    The governor said votes for Buhari will provide an opportunity for the people of the state to continue to enjoy good and quality programmes of the Buhari administration.

    He advised the people not to allow corrupt politicians to over power in the interest of the future of the nation, saying “the APC is a party of today and the future.”

    In his welcome address, Chief Akande thanked President Buhari for his love for the people of Osun and Nigeria.

    Also, Asiwaju Tinubu said the People’s Democratic Party had deceived Nigerians for sixteen years and therefore must not to be allowed to return to power.

    Tinubu, who spoke in Yoruba language, said the PDP’s “misrule” had denied the youths and many Nigerians jobs.

    He pleaded with Nigerians not to allow the efforts of the progressives for 15 years to protect nation’s democracy go in vain, adding that Buhari had re-established importance of agriculture, which he said older Nigerian generation had utilized to train their children and contribute to the national development.

    He thanked Buhari for recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day, for honoring it symbol, late M.K.O Abiola, as also for putting many people from the South West in position of authority.

    Read Also: Imo AA to deliver one million votes for Buhari

    For Aregbesola, who only sang to pass his message across, he enjoined the people to vote for the broom symbol, which he said staid for progress and development.

    The APC national chairman, Oshiomole, who said the forthcoming general elections will be determined by the people, noted that “with the people’s enthusiasm today to identify with Mr. President is enough proof that all is well.”

    Meanwhile, President Buhari had earlier met with Osun State traditional rulers at the Government House, Okefia in Osogbo, the state capital, to solicit their support for his re-election bid.

    The President also called for the support of the traditional rulers for improved security in the country.

    He explained that his administration had made positive progress in the area of security, economy and  also fought bribery and corruption in the country.

    The President said his administration intervention in agriculture had made the country to achieve food security.

    Buhari said his administration wanted to engage more people in agriculture by providing soft loans to farmers.

    He said: “With our intervention in agriculture,  we have achieve food security. We now produce what we eat. I have also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, not to provide foreign excahnge for anyone who want to import for into the country except those who want to invest in the country.

    “Since 2013 till date,  I always request to see the traditional rulers in any state I travel to because of their closeness to the people. And I always appeal to them to secure the society by securing their communities.”

    On the issue of security, Buhari urged the traditional rulers to  assist government to secure the society by securing their communities.

    The President said since the traditional rulers were closer to the people,  their support for improved security was important.

    Buhari appealed to the traditional rulers to ensure that their subjects eschew violence during the election.

    In his remarks, Gov. Adegboya Oyetola, said people of the state would vote massively for President Buhari come Feb. 16.

    Oyetola said in the same way people of the state voted for Buhari in 2015, they would repeat the same in Feb. 16.

    He commended the president for his support for the state.

    Oba Wahab Oyedotun, the Orangun of Ila,  who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers, promised that they would deliver the state to  the President.

    Oba Oyedotun said the good work of the president was enough to ensure his victory .

    “Mr President, you dont have any problem in Osun,  you are winning. You dont need to campaign because tge good work you have done in the state and the country will speak for,” Oba Oyedotun said.

    In attendance was the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Adedotun, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrashed Olabomi, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Dokun Abolarin, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Adekunle Magbagbeola, among others.

     

  • Army confirms loss of personnel, equipment in Yobe Attacks

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday confirmed that it lost vehicles, personnel and equipment to the recent Boko Haram terrorists’ attacks in Geidam, Yobe State.

    It however asserted that troops of 159 Battalion responded to the attacks with a show of gallantry leading to the routing of the insurgents in the area.

    The insurgents, according to a statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations in charge of Sector Two, Lt. Njoka Irabor, took advantage of the market day in Geidam to loot foodstuffs.

    Lt Irabor said the troops handled the situation with professional acumen to prevent civilian casualties for which they were commended by the Acting Commander of the sector, Brig General Mohammed Dala.

    Lt Irabor said :”Troops of 159 Battalion deployed in Sector 2 of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in Geidam , Yobe state, have been lauded for their display of gallantry at containing Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT), who infiltrated the serene  town of  Geidam on Wednesday, 23rd  January 2019, at about 5:30pm, shooting sporadically, thereby creating panic and causing unnecessary apprehension.

    ” The Acting Commander Sector 2, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Brigadier General Mohammed Dala, gave the commendation today, during an on the spot assessment visit to Geidam.

    Read Also: Police, Army, others in show of force in Lagos

    “He commended the troops for their gallantry and deliberate effort in protecting the civil populace in the town, particularly at the Geidam market.

    “He directed the immediate replenishment of the troops’ supplies, assuring them that issues of their welfare will always be a top priority.

    “The BHTs, who came to loot foodstuffs and other items, took advantage of the market day in Geidam to infiltrate the town and attacked the military base.

    “The troops displayed a high sense of professionalism by discretely engaging the terrorists with less sophisticated weapons in order to minimize collateral damage with the attendant civilian casualties.

    “Sadly however, the troops, in the process suffered some casualties in vehicles, equipment and personnel.

    “The Sector Commander seized the opportunity to pay a visit to the Emir of Geidam and afterwards had a meeting with officials of other security agencies, where he sued for their cooperation and synergy in sharing timely information that would enhance the pro-activeness of  troops.

    “He further reassured them, that troops will continue to carry out aggressive patrols and offensives to deny Boko Haram and other criminal elements freedom of action.

    “He further urged the good people of Geidam and Yobe state in general, to go about their lawful businesses, as the troops are committed to the protection of lives and property, as well as working round the clock to forestall any attempt by groups or individuals to cause breakdown of law and order in the state.

    “The Commander however warned that anyone identified as a BHT collaborator will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.   “

  • Air Force strikes Boko Haram in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Saturday that scores of Boko Haram insurgents have been neutralized in their hideouts in northern Borno.

    The spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that air strikes were conducted against the insurgents following credible intelligence reports establishing their presence in the area.

    Air Commodore Daramola said :”The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a terrorists’ hideout and neutralized some terrorists at Kaicungul, a settlement about 100Km Northwest of Monguno, in Northern Borno State.

    Read Also: Air Force strikes terrorists in Damasak

    “The operation was conducted Saturday, 25 January 2019, on the heels of credible intelligence indicating that the village was being used as a staging area from where the terrorists assemble to launch attacks against own troops’ locations.

    “The ATF therefore detailed an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform for confirmatory surveillance of the location, which observed significant terrorists’ activities in the settlement.

    “Accordingly, 2 Alpha Jet aircraft were scrambled to attack the hideout. The 2 aircraft took turns in attacking the location, recording successful hits on the target leading to the destruction of some of the structures as well as the neutralization some terrorists. “

  • Boko Haram: Michika district head returns to palace five years after attack on community

    The District Head of Michika, Ngida Zakawa Kwache, Michika LGA,  Adamawa State, who was kept out of his palace for five years after his election, has formally taken over the palace.

    Ngida Kwache won election which kingmakers  conducted for the office of district head on December 31, 2013; but Boko Haram seized Michika in September 2014 and it remained a Boko Haram territory until federal forces reclaimed it on January 29, 2015; but fear of Boko Haram reigned long afterwards and the district head office which was vandalised, remained locked up until the Thursday afternoon event.

    Read also: Governor Lalong pays Musa condolence visit

    The Michika District comprises Michika 1 and Michika 2, which together constitute the heart of Michika, a principal town and headquarters of the Michika Local Government Area overseen traditionally by the Emir of Mubi.

    The Chairman of the Michika LGA, Hon Mathew Vendi Favandzaer, said at the official opening of the palace that he had been authorized by the state government to hand over the district head office for Ngida Kwache’s use, as Kwache had fulfilled the requirements of the office.

  • Troops neutrilise four terrorists in Borno

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have neutrilized four Boko Haram Terrorists in their hideout in Makinta Meleri, Borno State, the Nigerian Army announced yesterday.

    According to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Ado Isa, the troops also recovered arms from the terrorists.

    A statement signed by Colonel Isa reads : “Troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army in Operation Lafiya Dole,  based on credible information today conducted a clearance operation on suspected Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) hideout along Makinta Meleri in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

    Read also: Buhari group to Nigerians: don’t toy with your destiny

    ”During the operation, the gallant troops neutralised four terrorists and recovered 4 AK-47 rifles with registration numbers 58012289, 565240898 and 58006027, respectively.

    ”They also recovered 3 rifle magazines containing 32 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 3 Bicycles.

  • Troops neutralise four terrorists

    Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have neutralised four Boko Haram terrorists in their hideout in Makinta Meleri, Borno state, the Nigerian Army announced on Friday.

    According to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Ado Isa, the troops also recovered arms from the terrorists.

    A statement by Colonel Isa reads: “Troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army in Operation LAFIYA DOLE based on credible information today conducted a clearance operation on suspected Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) hideout along Makinta Meleri in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “During the operation, the gallant troops neutralised four terrorists and recovered 4 AK-47 Rifles with registration numbers 58012289, 565240898 and 58006027, respectively.

    “They also recovered 3 Rifle Magazines containing 32 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 3 Bicycles.

    Read Also: Troops neutralise 58 bandits, rescue 78

    “While commending their gallantry, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole, Brig Gen Abdulmalik Bulama Biu told them the Chief of Army Staff is proud of their doggedness and they should sustain the offensive until the BHTs are flushed out and total peace and security restored

    “We wish to solicit for more information on suspected Boko Haram terrorist hideout”.