The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Gunmen raid Borno barracks

    Gunmen stormed a military barracks in Borno State on Friday, spraying gunfire on the troops inside before torching the compound, the army and residents told AFP.

    The military has reportedly deployed fighter jets and ground forces in pursuit of the gunmen, presumed to be Boko Haram members, who have killed thousands in the region during a four-year uprising.

    “There was an attack on the military barracks in (the town) of Bama this morning,” said Mohammed Dole, army spokesman in Borno State.

    He declined to comment on details provided by several Bama residents who said dozens, or perhaps even hundreds, of insurgents swarmed the barracks in a convoy of 4X4 trucks, armed with assault rifles, explosives and rocket-propelled-grenades.

    “It started at around three in the morning with huge explosions and the cracking of gunfire,” said Bama resident Abdullahi Idris. “Later we saw plumes of smoke and fire from the barracks.”

    Bama has become a flashpoint in the insurgency and the scene of several bold Islamist attacks. One of the Islamist rebels’ largest-ever strikes targeted the military in Bama in June.

    According to Idris and other residents, military jets flew over the town after the attack.

    The nearest air force base is in Borno’s capital Maiduguri, roughly 70 kilometres (44 miles) from Bama.

    “A large section of the barracks” had been destroyed by fire, said another resident who asked for anonymity but identified himself as a member of the vigilante force which has been formed in Borno to fight the Islamists.

    He told AFP that fighter jets dropped bombs on the attackers, forcing them to flee.

    Residents and Dole offered no estimates of casualties.

     

     

  • Predictions, forecasts and our youths

    Predictions, forecasts and our youths

    In January 2005, it was widely reported that the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) predicted that Nigeria would no longer be in existence by 2015. The CIA received criticisms and bashing from most Nigerians who rubbished the ‘prediction’. When the Boko Haram (BH) insurgency started, we all suddenly became political and security analysts as we tried to analyse the prediction using BH as a point of reference.

    Since the release of the purported American prognosis, there is hardly any other day you do not have commentaries in leading newspapers and the broadcast media about it. Prominent political leaders even keyed into it, using it when it suits them to showcase their contrived patriotism.

    With the conflation of the crises rocking the PDP (which led to five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aggressive permutations for the politics of 2015, more people are talking about this supposed American prediction. The prediction also came alive vividly during our 12th Campuslife capacity building workshop held last weekend.

    One of our workshop speakers, Mrs. Adesuwa Ifedi, country director of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Nigeria, in her presentation, dubbed the present generation the “Caleb generation”. Borrowing from the story of Caleb and Joshua in The Bible, Mrs. Ifedi pointed out that Caleb, alongside his colleague Joshua, differed from their 10 colleagues who formed the party of spies sent out by Moses to explore the promised land. Because of his boldness, foresight and determination, he was able to convince Moses and the Israelites that they are able to occupy the promised land despite the fact that the inhabitants were more powerful than they were.

    While asking a question, one of our students pointed to the 2015 purported CIA report. Mrs. Ifedi wanted to know if he had also seen the June 2010 report by McKinsey and Co on the potential of African economies – including Nigeria – and how they will grow by 2020. As the exchange between speaker and student went on, it became apparent that the student was more comfortable in believing the CIA ‘report’ than McKinsey’s because he believed that events in the country point dangerously to that prediction coming true.

    I need to point out here that not even the denial by the former United State’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Terrence McCulley in February, this year was able to douse the flame of the report. McCulley had said in an interaction with journalists in Ibadan: “No US government official predicted that Nigeria will break up by 2015. That statement must have emanated from a private agency, but clearly not from the government. I must state at this point that the US is interested in Nigeria as a very important country in Africa. We have been impressed by the role played by Nigeria in the peace process in the sub-region. Let me say a bit about the forecast here. Titled: “Lions on the move: The progress and potential of African economies”, it examined the sources behind Africa’s economic growth acceleration since 2000, analysed the prospects for future growth, and identified some of the most compelling business opportunities ahead. It also developed a framework for understanding of how growth challenges and opportunities will differ for Africa’s 53 individual countries.

    Because of the ruckus it created, I reviewed the document last year. The 17-page report turned out to be a summary of the outcome of a one-day conference of ‘US experts on Africa’ convened in January 2005 and sponsored by the country’s National Intelligence Council to discuss likely trends in Sub-Saharan Africa over the next 15 years. This document titled, ‘Mapping sub-Saharan Africa’s future’ is freely available on the Internet.

    My concern is this: like my student, some Nigerians still use the “report” as the “road map” for the future of our country. Just like the altercation that went on between the speaker and the student, some Nigerians are not taking the McKinsey’s report serious because they are like Caleb’s 10 other colleagues that the Bible did not even mention their names.

    Because of time Mrs. Ifedi did not go into details, but rightly pointed out her fears – which are mine as well – that the forecast may come true, but it would be foreigners that would reap the benefits and not Nigerians.

    Why did the researchers believe things will improve in Africa? They said Africa’s collective Gross Demestic Product (GDP) in 2008 stood at $1.6 trillion, roughly equal to Brazil’s or Russia’s. Africa’s combined consumer spending in 2008 was put at $860 billion and the number of new mobile phone was put at 316 million subscribers. Africa also have 60 per cent share of the world’s total amount of uncultivated, arable land. The number of African companies with revenues of at least $3 billion was put at 20.

    So, what would things look like by 2020? The reports forecast states that Africa’s collective GDP will rise to $2.6 trillion in 2020, consumer spending will rise to $1.4 trillion, there will be 1.1 billion Africans of working age in 2040, 128 million households would have discretionary income by 2020 and 50 per cent of Africans would be living in cities by 2030. Can you begin to see the potential if it materialises?

    Despite this report, most Nigerians are concerned with the purported CIA report about the breakup of the country. But just like our speaker pointed out at the workshop, there are questions we should ask ourselves: why are Nigerians in Diaspora returning home? I make bold to answer that they are seeing the potential we are not seeing because of our cynicism that nothing can work in the country. I’m afraid that her prediction may come true –as is becoming quite evident – with the takeover of the commanding height of our economy by foreign concerns while we look on helplessly.

    Perhaps I need to point out that Africa’s economic pulse has quickened, infusing the continent with a new commercial vibrancy. Agreed, many of the 53 individual African economies face serious challenges, including poverty, leadership, disease, and high infant mortality. Yet, Africa’s collective GDP has been rising since 2008. As I pointed out to the students, it’s high time they started preparing themselves for the future.

    Thank you Coca-Cola Nigeria and NBC Campuslife started as a four-page pull out in August 2007 through the determination and doggedness of an Amazon and initiator/pioneer editor, the late Mrs. Ngozi Agbo. Overtime, it grew to a 10-page weekly pull out that it is today. Through her determination and courage, Ngozi was able to singlehandedly convince Coca-Cola Nigeria and Nigeria Bottling Company to start sponsoring the segment.

    The Coca-Cola System has thus been sponsoring the pages for six years and they deserve commendation for this. Since the pullout made its debut, it has remained the leading national publication amongst Nigerian undergraduates as well as other students, both at the postgraduate and pre-tertiary levels. Campuslife is also a trailblazer. Since it hit the news stand, almost all newspapers in Nigeria now have segments dedicated to campus issue, thanks to the vision and foresight of Ngozi.

    I want to seize this opportunity to acknowledge some individuals who have been at the forefront of this project. I would like to identify Mr. Clem Ugorji, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria; Mrs. Yanju Olomola, External Affairs Director, (NBC); Ms. Yomi Onakoya, Corporate Communications Manager (NBC); Mr. Emeka Mba, Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria and Ms. Bisi Aweda, Communications Officer (NBC).

    Thank you all for providing the platform to positively impacting on a generation of Nigerian undergraduates who would be eternally grateful for your support through the capacity building workshop/Awards held twice every year.

  • ‘Boko Haram may be operating from Cameroon’

    BOKO Haram insurgents may have struck from a new base in Cameroon, following renewed attacks on Borno villages, the military has said.

    It was also learnt that the military seeks to prevail on the Federal Government to reach out to Cameroonian authorities on a bilateral campaign against the insurgents.

    Last Saturday, Boko Haram attacked Arboko village, behind Gwoza Hills, killing five and burning 35 houses.

    Unspecified number of insurgents were killed in a counter-attack by troops.

    But investigation has linked the latest attack to a base being operated by Boko Haram in Northern Cameroon.

    A military source said: “Last Saturday’s attack was not behind Sambisa Forest, but Gwoza Hills at Abroko.

    “From available intelligence, the terrorists came in from Cameroon, killing five civilians and burning 35 houses.

    “When we got the alert, troops were despatched to the locality, where they encountered the terrorists, killing and several of them.

    “Following the superior counter-attack from our troops, the insurgents fled. The area is being searched at the moment.”

    The source added: “We have strong clues that Boko Haram insurgents have shifted base to Cameroon. It is from this base that they have been invading villages and schools in Borno and Yobe states.

    “What the military is doing now is to ask the Federal Government to enter into a pact with the Cameroonian government to rid the borders of insurgents.

    “We are hopeful that with political understanding, it is a matter of time before the insurgents are checked.”

    Defence Headquarters spokesman Maj-Gen. Chris Olubolade said: “Troops have been deployed in the village occupied by the insurgents and they have fled the area.

    “We will also ensure the protection of life and property in the affected area.”

    A statement by the spokesman of the 7 Division, Maiduguri, Col. Muhammad Dole, confirmed the encounters between troops on Maiduguri-Bama-Gwoza Road.

    Dole said the success of air raid had depleted the strength of Boko Haram.

    The statement said: “The air bombardment of insurgents’ hideouts in Mainok and Mada areas of Kaga and Konduga local government areas by the Air Force claimed the lives of some Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The terrorists were seen conducting a funeral for their dead members around Mudube village.

    “Troops of 7 Division encountered Boko Haram insurgents on the Maiduguri-Bama-Gwoza road during which eight terrorists were killed, three vehicles and three AK 47 rifles burnt, while scores of others fled with injuries.

    “Recently, due to increased offensive ground and air strikes, there is serious decimation of Boko Haram fighters.

    “This forced them (Boko Haram) to embark on a forceful conscription of youths and abduction of women. The troops are on their trail to ensure the safe release of these captives.”

  • Shettima, Geidam reject Jega’s proposal

    Shettima, Geidam reject Jega’s proposal

    •Say election must hold in states 2015

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday said plans to suspend election in Borno, Yobe and other insurgency flashpoints in 2015 is a defeatist approach and a setback for Nigeria.

    His Yobe State counterpart, Ibrahim Geidam, said the plan will give Boko Haram a feeling of triumph.

    Their comments followed a statement by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, that election might not hold in flashpoint states.

    But Geidam said the December 28 local government election will go on as planned.

    Shettima said he is hopeful that peace would have returned to states which Boko Haram has been holding hostage.

    He said a special security arrangement for the affected states would have been better than out rightly succumbing to Boko Haram threats.

    The governor stated that Borno is safer now than when the 2011 poll was conducted.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication, Mallam Isa Gusau, the governor said: “One important thing we should not ignore as a sovereign country is that suspending national election on account of Boko Haram activities would amount to making the insurgents supreme over the republic, it will be defeatist on our part as a nation.

    “The goal of Boko Haram is to impose its beliefs on us, subvert our constitution and our democracy and replace them with inhuman laws that support killings and destructions and should we suspend election in any part of the country, the insurgents would be presupposed successful on their part and itching close to achieving their goals and we cannot allow that.

    “We must insist that Nigeria is our sovereign country, we are the majority and a few cannot violently force their views on us.

    “I expect that as a strategy, Borno and Yobe and indeed any place so affected by the insurgents, should be the main focus for conduct of the 2015 elections so that we send a clear message to those who want us to go into extinction that we will not cave in to their violent needs, we will move on.

    “This is why, governance hasn’t for one day, stopped in Borno State. With Allah’s help made through the sacrifices, rooted support and prayers of our citizens, we have continued to rebuild and reinvent our very dear state.

    “I, therefore, call on the Federal Government, stakeholders and friends of Nigeria to look at the issue with analytical mindset far beyond what reasons we might be talking about now.

    Geidam made his position known in a statement through his Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego. He said: “There is no reason why Boko Haram should not be routed out by security forces.

    “The state of emergency in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states, renewed for additional six months last November, is due to expire in April.

    “By INEC’s own estimation, the 2015 general elections will hold in January-February 2015. That’s at least eight months after the current state of emergency would have lapsed. Is the INEC National Chairman therefore predicting that the emergency situation will extend indefinitely?

    “The Yobe State government also believes that there is no reason why Boko Haram terrorists would not be routed, their activities stopped and peace and stability restored within the remaining months of the current emergency rule.”

  • Civilians crucial to war against terror, says NSA Dasuki

    Civilians crucial to war against terror, says NSA Dasuki

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, has said the support of the civilian population is essential to the success of the war against the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The NSA spoke to participants at a strategic communications workshop organised by the National Defence College, Abuja.

    The project coordinator, Albany Associates (UK), will today present a report  of the workshop to the Presidency.

    A statement yesterday by the organisers said: “The workshop is a first of its kind for the Nigerian security services and stakeholders. It is part of National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki’s new strategy for embracing a new discipline – strategic communications –as it steps up its fight against the insurgency that has ravaged parts of northern Nigeria.

    “A major challenge facing the military and other security agencies is the inability to effectively communicate with civilians in their areas of operations and the country as a whole. This rethink demonstrates a new approach on the part of the federal government to win both the war and the peace. As NSA Dasuki said at the opening of the workshop, there must be a more comprehensive spectrum of weapons and technologies developed and deployed against terrorism.

    “The military does not have a strategic communications plan and as such has not fared well in the public domain despite many successes recorded against Boko Haram. It is this lack of a strategic communications plan for the armed forces that the NSA is trying to change. “

    Dasuki and other stakeholders at the workshop said the nature of the conflict has changed significantly.

    The statement added: “Participants at the workshop were in no doubt there are communication challenges between security agencies and the public over military action in their communities. But with this new approach, it appears we may begin to see an improvement in trust and collaboration.

    “Participants were drawn from all the branches of the Nigerian armed forces including the police and their civilian security counterparts from the State Security Service and the office of the NSA. Overall more than 160 senior officers from the Nigerian military, as well as representatives of other government agencies, benefited from the workshop. The media and Diplomatic Corps, bodies closer to the public, were also involved in the deliberations that brought experts from countries that had faced such insurgencies in Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland. The presentations and discussions led by experienced military and civilian communications experts from the United States of America and the United Kingdom gave Nigerian officers the opportunity to exchange experiences with officers who have faced situations elsewhere in the world that are similar to what Nigeria is experiencing in several.

    “Both the office of the NSA and the National Defence College have been working with the US State Department, UK’s Ministry of Defence and strategic communications specialists Albany Associates, partnered in Nigeria by Africa Today, the London-based pan-African news magazine, to promote this strategic communications approach which will, hopefully, lead to a successful and effective communication relationship between the military and the public. The partnership delivered intensive training in different communications disciplines deployed by the US and UK in their operations against insurgencies across the world.”

  • Boko Haram: 1,200 killed in seven months

    Boko Haram: 1,200 killed in seven months

    The United Nations (UN) yesterday said over 1,200 people have been killed as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast of Nigeria since a state of emergency was declared in the region in May.

    According to the World body in a statement, the figure is related to killings of civilians and the military by Boko Haram in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

    It also includes insurgents killed by security forces repelling attacks.

    This is the first time independent casualty figures have been issued since emergency rule was declared.

    Thousands of people have been killed since 2009, when Boko Haram launched its campaign to install strict Islamic law in the north

    The figures do not include those killed during military operations, a spokesman for the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) told French News Agency the (AFP)

    “The humanitarian situation in north-east Nigeria has been increasingly worrisome over the course of 2013,” the UN said.

    There have been 48 separate “Boko Haram-related” attacks in the region since emergency rule was declared, the statement added.

    “Information on the situation is scarce,” with figures of those displaced by the conflict and those who have fled to neighbouring states “hard to gauge”, Ocha said.

    Since the declaration of state of emergency in Borno state, of which Maiduguri is the capital, and Adamawa and Yobe, there has been a massive military deployment in the worst-affected areas.

    Attacks by Boko Haram are continuing despite the big military offensive.

    The military initially switched off the mobile network across the region, apparently to block Islamists from co-ordinating attacks but that has since been relaxed.

  • Re-open Maiduguri Airport, Shettima urges NAMA

    Re-open Maiduguri Airport, Shettima urges NAMA

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has urged the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to re-open the Maiduguri International Airport.

    The governor directed the Secretary to the State Government to visit Arik Airline to discuss resumption of flight operations to Maiduguri from Lagos and Abuja.

    Shettima told NAMA’s Managing Director Mazi Nnamdi Udoh that he was there to appeal for the re-opening of the Maiduguri Airport, which was closed two weeks ago.

    The governor noted the airport is very critical to Borno people as one of its major links to rest of Nigeria and the world.

    He noted that the government, in collaboration with security agencies, has taken measures to ensure enhanced security of the airport and its facilities as well as increased surveillance of roads to secure the lives of both land and air passengers.

    Shettima said the government was ready to support NAMA to ensure successful flight operations.

    He noted that being a transit airspace, the airport is critical to international travellers departing from other parts of Nigeria.

    Udoh said the visit was a testimony to Shettima’s concern and commitment to the progress of Borno State.

    He said NAMA will begin the repairs of some of its facilities at the airport, indicating that the airport would be opened when the repairs are completed.

    The NAMA MD, however, called for security assurance because of the strategic nature of the airport.

    The airport was closed on December 2, following attacks by Boko Haram insurgents on Army and Airforce bases, located metres away from the airport.

    Shettima also met with officials of the Nigeria Customs in Lagos over the clearance of 400 containers of agricultural equipment imported by the state.

  • Boko Haram: NAF deploys more aircraft in Borno

    Boko Haram: NAF deploys more aircraft in Borno

    THE Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has deployed more aircraft in Borno State as a counter-measure against terrorist attacks in various locations in the Northeast.

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, spoke yesterday in Abuja on the aircraft deployment during the decoration ceremony of 39 newly promoted Group Captains to Air Commodores at the NAF headquarters.

    Military formations in Borno State came under terrorist attack penultimate week during which a number of NAF aircraft were destroyed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

    A number of military and civilian casualties were also recorded in the attack.

    Badeh said the NAF suffered minimal damage on the first day of the attack, adding that the damaged equipment and armaments had been replaced.

    He said: “The attack affected us on the first day, but you know you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. We didn’t send everything (aircraft/weapons) to Maiduguri now. When those ones were disabled, we picked up some more (aircraft) and moved on.

    “I have given all the resources required and we have more fire power now than when the attack was carried out. The attack on us was like stepping on a tiger’s tail. That one I can guarantee you.

    “We must be very innovative in whatever we are doing. We can never get enough resources. So, the little we have we try to improve on by being resourceful and innovative.

    “So, we are trying to see how we can get our own arms in Nigeria, as necessity is the mother of invention. “We are looking at a case where we cannot get everything we need outside the country. It is not everything we need that we approach the National Assembly for funding.”

    President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday prayed God to punish sponsors of the Boko Haram sect.

    He said the sect, which started the campaign to Islamise Nigeria, had begun to attack fellow Muslims who rejected its ideology.

    Oritsejafor addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja when the National President of the Hausa/Fulani/Kanuri Christians Association of Nigeria visited him.

    He said: “Boko Haram has affected all definitely. Most people today are refugees because of them. I had to personally send N1 million to buy grains for some of them to feed recently. A woman and her baby were almost dying of hunger because they had been invaded by Boko Haram.

    “Boko Haram, from the beginning, started with the intention of Islamising everybody; churches were burnt and bombed, Christians were killed and properties destroyed. It is still happening up till now. Unfortunately, they are also attacking Muslims now, probably because they are not seeing too many Christians to attack anymore. But there are also Muslims who don’t accept the ideology of Boko Haram and they as well get killed.

  • Caught napping

    Caught napping

    •Boko Haram attack on Borno military base undermined the gains of state of emergency

    Ironically, the eruption of grand-scale terrorist violence in Borno State, so soon after the presidency in November extended emergency rule by another six months, was a devastating blow against the military, the very organisation with the responsibility of quelling the insurgency. It is disturbing that the attack could be an ominous sign of what to expect during the new round of emergency, for if the Boko Haram militants could so audaciously and successfully target military locations, then the already terrorised civilian population could be in for worse times.

    It is a measure of the turbulence, which also disrupted activities at the Maiduguri International Airport, that the state government imposed a 24-hour curfew, compounding the emergency. Equally revealing of the urgent situation is the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan held an unscheduled crisis-management meeting with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa. However, it is important to stress that while such a security meeting may be useful, the situation gravely requires more of effective action than talk.

    Just what the Islamist fighters did, through a pre-dawn offensive, to reinforce the climate of fear, not only in Borno, but also in Adamawa and Yobe states, which are equally under emergency rule initially imposed in May, was authoritatively depicted by the Defence Headquarters. According to a statement by its spokesman, Brig-Gen Chris Olukolade, “Military locations, such as Nigerian Air Force Base and some Nigerian Army locations in Maiduguri, were targeted during the attack. Three decommissioned military aircraft as well as two helicopters were incapacitated in the course of the attack. Two Air Force personnel were also wounded while 24 insurgents died during the exchange of gunfire.”

    However, it is noteworthy that eye-witness accounts by residents painted a broader picture of the destruction, saying that the attack was carried out by hundreds of heavily armed militants who destroyed buildings at the base of 79 Composite Group of the Air Force and at the 33rd Artillery regiment barracks of the Army, and that shops and petrol stations were also razed while women and children screamed in horror. It is instructive that a local government official who survived the onslaught said, “Frankly speaking, if the insurgents had wanted, they could have killed all of us…because they came in large numbers …some with explosives, some with rocket-propelled grenades and some with AK-47 rifles.”

    Intriguingly, there are speculations as to the  possible reasons for this latest expression of bestiality by Boko Haram, perhaps suggesting, rather strangely, that the group’s narrow-minded rejection of Western education and unrealistic campaign for Islamisation of the country were not enough to prompt the mindless mayhem. Doubtless, seeking other justification for the violence is to forget inexcusably that the group has been responsible for thousands of deaths since it emerged in 2009 to promote unyielding fundamentalism.  It is said that the factors behind these fresh acts of terrorism allegedly include the recent military capture of a key commander of the group and the need to fight back in the context of continual air raids by the military to dislodge the rebels. Thinking about the immediate causes of the recent aggression is of little consequence.  The basic fact is that this is a group devoted to destruction; and it must be stopped.

    Certainly, it is worrying that, once again, the episode reflects a failure of intelligence, which cannot be downplayed. It is difficult to imagine the penetration of such security-related areas without wondering how the military was caught napping.  If emergency rule is to achieve the desired result, the role of effective intelligence is key.  Apparently, given the fact that the group remains well-armed, it stands to reason that it must have powerful backers, and central to intelligence is the uncovering of the sources of its weapons. Additionally, one-in-a-while surprise attacks like the last one, designed to achieve maximum impact, may just suggest that the group is re-strategising. It must not be allowed to succeed.

  • Cleric urges Nigerians to pray

    Professor of Medicine and church leader Joseph Otubu has called on Christians and Muslims to unite and call on God to tackle Boko Haram insurgency and other security problems.

    He gave the suggestion while delivering a sermon: Celebration of Spiritual Rebirth: The Future of Aladura Churches, at the adoption service of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, Lagos.

    Otubu emphasised the need for religious leaders to pray to ward off all security problems, including kidnapping, ritual killings, assassinations, robbery and others.

    Otubu advised Christians to go back to their God in order to turn things around for good in the country.

    He added: “Christians must continue to praise God and live a life of praise. We must let God’s goodness to us constrain us to do good to all men.”