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Tag: Chibok

  • AU joins search for Chibok girls

    The African Union is involved in intensifying efforts to find  the more than 200 students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, kidnapped by Boko Haram two months ago, its Ugandan ambassador said Friday in New York.

    Asked what the AU was doing to help, Mull Katende said it was engaged in “quiet diplomacy, because some of this information, we don’t want it to reach those who abducted the children.”

    “We look forward to their recovery as soon as possible, and all heads of state of the African Union have offered their support,” he said after talks between AU and UN counterparts in New York.

    The Ugandan diplomat said Nigeria could learn a lesson from his own country’s 20-year war against Lords Resistance Army rebels, “on how to isolate Boko Haram from the population.”

    Asked how negotiations for the girls’ release could be advanced, Katende told reporters: “There are intensified efforts and a number of countries are helping Nigeria.”

    “Now some of those efforts cannot come into the public, but these efforts are there, and we are hoping that these girls can be recovered very soon,” he added.

    He said the African Union wanted to strengthen its institutions and intelligence cells devoted to terrorism and was “employing a wide range of measures,” without going into specifics.

    Nigeria’s response to the mass April 14 abduction has been widely criticised, and the crisis has brought unprecedented international attention to Boko Haram’s extremist uprising.

    Washington recently began surveillance drone flights over northeast Nigeria to try to track down the location of the kidnapped girls.

    France also has forces in Chad, and Britain and the United States have sent small teams of specialists to Nigeria to assist President Goodluck Jonathan’s government in the search.

     

  • Photo: Prayer for #ChibokGirls

    Photo: Prayer for #ChibokGirls

  • Comment

    Comment

    For Olatunji Dare

    Re: Matters Miscellaneous. Thanks for the indictments. I have been wondering where our press has been, no investigative journalism on this Chibok. None of them reported from Chibok. The press does not give the terrorism we are facing the coverage it deserves, especially the television houses. Most of what we know from local media are from newspapers but you cannot underestimate the power of images. When the foreign media showed us Chibok and the people, we could relate to them and the issues better. Everybody dropped the ball on this one. Thank you. Anonymous.

    Everybody knows that we are a nation of beggars. Every month we go cap-in-hand for our share of the oil money. Ibadan where I live has only one industry – government fuelled by oil money that trickles down to the rest of us. Even with the oil money, Osun State struggles to pay salaries – and Fani-Kayode talks about “give me Oduduwa Republic or give me death”. Claptrap! Please, give him death. Northerners and South-westerners are beggars. Please, stop whipping up nationalistic notions that will put us all in trouble. When “katakata” bursts, you, would have flown the coop leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves. Anonymous

    Why the difference in body language is clear, while the leadership challenges faced by the US are external, Boko Haram is homemade like sharia to pull down the government. At last, Boko Haram and its sponsors, local and International, have bitten off more than they can chew like Bin Laden’s ill-advised attack on the World Trade Centre. Whether you accept it or not, JEG was at his best, we could not have had a better advocate in organising an international coalition against the international terror we are facing as a nation. Give JEG a break. From Fabian, Enugu,

    Your column would have greater credibility if it was running on a medium other than THE NATION, a hysterical partisan opposition mouthpiece. Why do you never address the truth? Is yours a case of the puppet and the puppeteer? Anonymous

    Re: Matters miscellaneous.   There was nothing wrong in the PDP postponing its Ekiti Governorship rally that was to take place on 22 May, 2014. If anything, it portrayed more sensitivity to deaths in Jos bomb blasts of the previous days! However, what does the public have to say of the APC that held its own on 21, May, 2014, having accused  its rival of insensitivity with the PDP’s Kano rally. Nigeria is a complex country where accusers of wickedness perpetrate same and rejoices in it. In Chibok’s saga and the allied unfortunate incident of bombings and kidnappings, we all have learnt lessons – Mr President, key governors, journalists, key ministers and law enforcement agencies plus the public. May God Almighty sanitise Nigeria, Amen. From Lanre Oseni.

    On Matters miscellanous, it is suicidal to compare the mode of governance in America with that of Nigeria. The only thing our leaders are good at is promoting corruption and poverty. This is our bane. Our leaders are also good at looking the other way when crisis knocks at the door. Our president and his likes are good at pumping millions of naira into fighting Boko Haram without success; this is too shameful. I am sure God will rescue us from all these problems very soon. From Ojo A Ayodele, Emure Ekiti

     

    For Gbenga Omotoso

    When did National Flag start bearing our Logo? Is it part of Reflections on May 29 or part of Nigeria’s present confusion? The patriots like you should always reflect the TRUTH for up-coming generations. From L.O .David, Abuja .

    I believe Jonathan meant well when he made those promises during his electioneering campaign of 2011. It is rather the obstructing challenges thrown up all over the place in his government that tend to make the fulfilment impossible. We don’t need extra-sensory perception to know this, if we are sincere. Nobody runs a race with his legs and hands heavily manacled and poisonous darts thrown at him from all directions and is still expected to perform maximally under that condition. Jonathan’s problem becomes more intractable and pathetic when even the very machinery he should have deployed to tackle the strange developments have themselves become part of the major challenges facing him alongside (conspirators). In this case, how then could he have easily banished the problems overnight as his critics would want us to believe, even with the entire state apparatus at his command. A tree definitely can’t make a forest. From Emmanuel Egwu 

    I read your piece Reflections on May 29. One point continues to baffle me, not just because you said it today, but millions of people hold that belief, which I consider flawed: that Abacha denied our esteemed MKO his mandate. The general truth is that IBB annulled that election, not Abacha. Secondly, no matter the sentiment, there was a Head of State in power when our MKO declared himself president in Lagos. That was treason. Abacha didn’t kill MKO. He even died before Abiola. Abiola attacked the wrong man. I think that, for posterity, it’s important that the right facts be put out there…always. It was never Abacha’s place to restore a mandate he didn’t steal to begin with. Anonymous

    Your article Reflections on May 29 would have won my heart except for your choice of words on the late Gen Abacha. Why mock the dead? The Yoruba respect elders and the dead. Please, retract your words. From Nurudeen Babatunde

    Fifteen years of our democracy is a waste. The common man on the street is dying of hunger while those in the corridor of power are living in affluence. Unemployment is on the rise; insecurity, stealing and politics of hate are now the language our leaders understand. Those who are celebrating Democracy Day are celebrating evil because, everyday, people are dying. A good leader celebrates good happenings not evil. From Hamza Ozi Momoh  Apapa Lagos.

    I started reading The Nation six years ago now, but the criticisms without giving a solution to the present administration is getting unbearable, I think it is a time to search for a newspaper that discharges its work without political sentiments. From George

    You are too humorous with your style of writing. ‘Ara’ [wonder] can never end in the bowel of “Alara”. At times, I wonder if you are the architect of the famous Awada kerikeri. You deserve ‘Awada’ award because you use your native intelligence to drive home your points. A country deserves the type of leader she gets. How come that OBJ is still relevant in our political history today? From Wole Adediran, OdeOmu, Osun State

     

    For Segun Gbadegesin

    Sir, this is journalism par excellence; balanced reporting. From Bayo Ogunsanya

    Oh my goodness! What an analysis, how i wish all our nationals  are literate and opportuned to read through the article. Keep writing as inspiringly as you can. The Abatis of this world and the rest of them at the presidency need the re-orientation. Thanks From Henny, Awka

    Why can’t you journalists write something good about your country and president, for once. My brother, we are wiser. Anonymous

    You seem to be reading my mind when you wrote your piece “Denial & the blame game”.  Kudos for calling a spade a spade. From Somnazu Francis, Asaba.

    It is not right to say we voted Jonathan into office when Obasanjo insulted us all by writing a public letter saying he put Jonathan there. Protests about Jonathan’s failures should be taken to Obasanjo’s doorstep having admitted to organising a charade that brought him to power in Nigeria. Anonymous

    You see this is Nigeria for the PDP. They always think they are on the right path since the birth of Boko Haram. They rely on negative information always and dump the positive information. Kashim Shettima was right by saying the Boko Haram are well equipped than the multi-million budget Nigeria soldiers are. It is a shame for us and our army. It’s also a shame for the PDP to rule this fine country again. We are watching and we will continue watching. From Tuta

    Mr. President, I want you to take heart. In due time, Nigeria will pass away from all the terror problem. Anonymous

    Had it been you have the power over military, we would have asked you to grant them power to act to end the Boko Haram conduct. From Oguamanam Evans .C., Imo State.

    The West and its allies carry a heavy moral burden as a hoard of stolen wealth. It’s time for BRING BACK OUR WEALTH!!- From h.s. faseesin  

    Well done for your analysis. The Presidency is not totally wrong to say, there is politics in Boko Haram. You remember during 2011 election, some politicians said, if they did not win, they would make the country ungovernable. It is what is happening now. Anonymous

    It isn’t proper to think that Jonathan should have approached the abducted Chibok girls issue exactly the same way President Obama or any other leader would, to live. Every leader has got his method. Besides, security matter isn’t one a leader should hastily dash to the stage to discuss just to impress it on the general public that something is being done. No, it has more to do with a behind-the-door action plan, which must be decisively followed with practical but silent implementations of the strategies adopted for effective result. In government, you have Secrets, Confidential Matters and Top Secrets the cases are usually treated accordingly. But, where the President has actually lagged behind on the issue, let our cooperation make up for that. As it requireds the votes of the people for him to become the president, so, too, it calls for the cooperation of the people for the President to succeed. From Emmanuel Egwu  

    It is, indeed, shameful that our government is playing politics with the lives of these VIRGIN ROSES.  Anonymous

    In your editorial of Friday, May 30, 2014, entitled: Denial and the blame game, you really exposed the progressive encumbrance to GEJ’s administration. That’s just an articulated summary of his (GEJ) inactivity and failure as could be seen in a speech by the Chairman of Nigeria Governors at an international conference at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, recently. How I wish other editors are like you to help deliver millions of ignorant and corrupt Nigerians with parochial vision. May God help us. Form Henry, Nsukka.

    Re: Denial and the blame game.  You have said it all. The menace of Boko Haram insurgents continue to devastate and give everyone sleepless nights and, so far, we have not been able to find a solution to the menace. They continue to kill, abduct and maim innocent souls, indiscriminately daily, and, nothing has been done to bring them to justice, other than play bitter and dirty politics against the opposition. It is surprising and irrational to read some time ago the accusation levelled by the Minister of Information against the APC of sponsoring Bring Back Our Girls campaign. This is the level to which the government has degenerated. They have been in power since 1999, and yet, there is nothing to show for it. Infrastructural development is still at zero level. How to stick to power perpetually and rig the forthcoming elections in Ekiti and Osun States are their pre-occupation at the moment. The Yoruba says: A king that rules in a town and there are peace and tranquility, is a king; his name will not be forgotten. On the other hand, a king that reigns and there are chaos and desertion, is a king; his name will not be forgotten as well. This is why all the security challenges are bad omen for the PDP-led administration and their name will go down in history as a bad government. From Princce Adewumi Agunloye.

    For Tunji Adegboyega

    Re: Akpabio, Akpabio. As far as I am concerned that bill passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly regarding the governor and his deputy’s exit package was/is outrageous and selfish. Unfortunately, the house members also joined in the madness by their approval. I am always amazed what makes Nigerians roar in joy with this civil rule. And the NLC could not go on strike over this bogus retirement package. From Lanre Oseni.

    You say Akpabio’s pension law is okay, when last were primary school teachers paid? Do you know the level of poverty and hunger in the state? Anonymous.

    Nice article on the Akpabio pension issue, except to say, as you and I know, today is not the Sabbath Day; today is the first day of the week , Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, Saturday as ordained by the Holy Bible. Once again, nice work. From C. Ogwo, Esq. Umuahia. 

    You Yorubas are fighting tooth and nail to bring Jonathan’s government down because you are not in power. When you vote in the Hausa man, you’ll continue to agitate and form another NADECO. What a pity! From Fortune, Port Harcourt.

    Governor Akpabio is a wise man. He knows that outside the government house, life is hellish, especially when one has no other means of economic survival. To people like him, the future is for those who prepare for it. This is why he is not leaving anything to chance, even if it means creaming off the whole treasury of Akwa Ibom State to Secure his own tomorrow. This is the remarkable difference between the’ government’ of Sambisa Forest and what we have in Nigeria as democracy. In the former, funds are being judiciously used to achieve the purpose for which they are earmarked. That is why the leaders of that enclave could plan and unleash maximum terror on us all at will. But in the latter, they are criminally pocketed by an individual with legal backing. Anonymous

    To think that a man of humble beginning  like Akpabio  who should thank God for His grace to survive acute poverty in life would want to earn these unbelievable benefits is mind-boggling. Akpabio was just hustling to survive in Lagos when former Governor Attah took him and made him commissioner … Anonymous

    The fear of the unknown is the beginning of wisdom in Akpabio’s mind. If he has no skeleton in his cupboard, then, I must tell you, he is afraid of his shadow. Somebody who ruled for eight years as governor and deputy governor in Nigeria would still be hustling for allowance after leaving office; this is selfish. It is now clear to everybody that most of our leaders are self-centred. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

    Governor Akpabio should have continued to keep his good name as one of our performing governors; unfortunately, this issue of N100million medical allowance after leaving office for governors which is against the will of the citizens of the state who are suffering from hardship and neglect  is uncalled-for, the citizens should resist the scam. Are there no human right activists, NLC and TUC to protest against the backdrop of these bogus entitlements? From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

    How much did Aso Rock bootlicker pay you. Your ilk are Nigeria’s problem. You are a ragtag hungry writer! From Dr Mike, Delat State.

    Your column of May 25 refers. Fifteen wasted years indeed. Fifteen years of uninterrupted democracy yes; but when are we having 15 days of uninterrupted power supply? Can anybody say? From Mark, Kogi State.   

     

  • ‘Our Girls’ ‘Mubi; Psychologists and terrorists; Political gifts; Federal might Vs State right

    ‘Our Girls’ ‘Mubi; Psychologists and terrorists; Political gifts; Federal might Vs State right

    Our Girls’ kidnapped in Chibok are still missing in action since April 15. The media reports show that there is far too much political hot air and malicious accusations across politics since the kidnap. All this political manoeuvring could be curtailed and concentrated towards ensuring the safe release of ‘Our Girls’. In spite of their abhorrence of ‘western education’ be sure that Boko Haram is reading the Nigerian press and must be laughing to their stomachs in the Sambisa Forest. The evil ones must be very happy with the altercation between the political parties. This is exactly what Boko Haram want –to fragment the polity. Just this last Sunday there was another bombing of a football viewing centre in Mubi, Adamawa claiming between 18 and 40 lives. The Nigerian public is sickened by the pettiness of cheap political gimmicks surrounding Boko Haram’s horrific activities. Certainly the terrible ‘Our Girls’ issue is a security and political issue. But more importantly, it is also a traumatic personal issue to all Nigerian families especially the parents. They will be daily disgusted by the disgraceful political bickering displayed in the media. We are ashamed and are shamed as a nation by these outbursts which must be stopped. This is the time for unity, one voice and one motive –to get ‘Our Girls’ back.

    The psychologists when they are employed in the military will tell us about the psychopathic and megalomaniacal profiles of the Boko Haram leadership and the meek and fearful or blackmailed or paid follower-ship willing to put on armed vest and blow themselves up for religious fanaticism or hatred of other people, their religion and even their tribe. Most fanatics you cannot change. They have to be dealt with, confronted and defeated militarily, socially and politically. Can they be negotiated with?

    Many Nigerians would really like to see any negotiation with someone who wants females to be treated like dirt, wants a ban on western education and has planned and executed the strategies which resulted in hundreds being blown up, shot and kidnapped. There are of course many other Boko Haram idle ‘follow-follow’, rent a crowd hangers-on with no ideology who will need reorientation, re-education. Our psychologists must plan and speak out now to prevent a bloody tomorrow from our youth by reducing the youth becoming terrorists and potential Boko Haram members tomorrow. How do we today take actions to reverse the train of events which creates a Boko haram person in the future? Current assessment results in the belief that Boko Haram is the result of a complex evil mix of place, lack of opportunity, background, political thugs declaring their independence of political masters, political failures, religious bigotry, western education failures, the Libyan war and weapons spilling into the Sahara and Sub-Sahara and the ready receptacle of social insignificance and political incompetence at LGA and State level where the millions meant for development, especially of the youth, are stolen every single month.

    Every effort must be made to make today’s’ path of youth development smooth so that they will not be attracted by the rumoured $3000 per recruit, or intimidation to join Boko Haram et cetera. He who steals from children and the youth should be fearful of God’s pronounced judgement.  Good full rounded education including exposure to good books, role models and sports equipment must be in every school.

    The huge wage bill of political officeholders allows them to ‘give away’ generators and sewing machines and scholarships. Is this not government money? All that should stop; the money trail cut and re-routed through normal government channels. Name one country where the political office holders dish out such items. They are not dividends of democracy but demonic demonstrations of a misguided democratic experiment high-jacked for personal financial gain. Does Obama’s wife dish out free bags of potatoes? For every bag of rice, generator, exercise book, motorcycle the political donor keeps much more back. It must be stopped.

    The federal government has created a new group to man the federal highways particularly in Lagos. Is this another effort by federal to undermine Lagos?  The question is ‘when will the federal government see itself as servant and guardian of all and work complimentary to the efforts of each state in helping the citizens to survive? The federal government should not destroy selected states because they are not from the ruling party. Young men in a brand new uniform will not add value to the traffic in Lagos. They may just harass citizens. What the federal government can cunningly do to win the hearts and minds of the citizens is to repair, replace and pay contractors to do those decayed roads so boastfully called federal roads.

    It is sad that the true federalism of our founding fathers, a ‘true partnership between federal and state’ appears to be totally lost by the arrogant, selfish post-militarised federalists of today. Abuja federalism is the problem with Nigeria. Has the Non Sovereign National Conference 2014 lost the battle with the false federalist elite on true federalism? Instead of supporting states, federalists often usurp states actions. The politically greedy federal ‘anti-state’  stand on the budget, waterways, federal highways and mining in states must be countered if Nigeria is to survive as a happy, not master-servant, country. Enough of the unpopular boxing match ‘Federal Might Vs State Right to life!’ let us all run side by side.

  • Chibok schoolgirls: Outrage over police ban on protests

    Chibok schoolgirls: Outrage over police ban on protests

    ‘It’s tyrany of the highest order’

    Ezekwesili, Keyamo, others condemn Mbu’s action

    The police have banned public protests in Abuja for the release of more than 200 schoolgirls seized by Boko Haram since April.

    Federal Capital Territory Police commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu said the rallies were “now posing a serious security threat”.

    The protests have been going on almost daily for the government to take firmer action to rescue the girls.

    In a statement, Mbu said public protests had “degenerated” and were now a security threat.

    Mbu told reporters at a news conference that the protests were posing a serious security threat.

    “Accordingly, protests on the Chibok girls are hereby banned with immediate,’’ Mbu said.

    He said after a group under the aegis of “Bring Back Our Girls’’ protested on April 28, another group, “Release Our Girls’’, emerged.

    Mbu said information at the disposal of the command indicated that “dangerous elements’’ were about to hijack the protest, hence the ban.

    “As the FCT police boss, I cannot fold my hands and watch this lawlessness.

    “Information reaching us is that too soon, dangerous elements will join groups under the guise of protest and detonate explosives aimed at embarrassing the government,’’ he said.

    Mbu said a situation where the ‘Fountain of Unity’, venue of gathering for the protest, was being turned into a place for “cooking and selling’’ was embarrassing.

    According to him, many diplomats live in that area of the territory.

    He called on the people of the territory to encourage the security agencies in the war against terrorism and criminality by appreciating the sacrifices they had made.

    Asked whether the ban would not violate the freedom of expression and assembly, the commissioner said that one person’s freedom should not affect another person’s freedom.

    “People have been protesting over a month now…it is the issue of terrorism, it is not solved in one day.

    “Then, when you continue to do it persistently, it becomes nuisance to the government,’’ he said

    The commissioner also announced the revocation of permits earlier issued for tinted glass vehicles in the territory.

    ‘Yes, there is a period when permits were granted but the recent security challenges have made the police authority to revisit the issue and have resolved to revoke same.

    “The permits issued so far remain revoked. You are hearing this from my mouth.

    “The only authority to grant tinted glass permit is the Inspector-General of Police himself under his hand and signature,’’ he said.

    The commissioner also redeployed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the FCT and directed them to hand over to the next senior police officers in their respective divisions.

    FCT Police spokesman Altine Daniel, said the decision was taken after the commissioner met with the DPOs.

    “The Commissioner of Police has directed the redeployment of all Divisional Police Officers; they have to hand over to the next senior person in the various divisions.

    “The commissioner of police was not satisfied with the conduct of the Divisional Police Officers,’’ she said

    A core group that is part of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign has accused the government of sponsoring a new group, known as Release Our Girls.

    The new group shifts the responsibility of the kidnapping from the government to Boko Haram, the militant group which has killed thousands in its campaign to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria

    The Federal Government has been facing growing pressure both at home and abroad to do more to tackle the group and bring about the girls’ release.

    A deal for the release of some of the abducted schoolgirls in Nigeria was close to being secured when the Nigerian government called it off late last month. It was learnt..

    Some of the girls were set to be freed in exchange for imprisoned Islamist militants

    It was not clear why the police took the action but President Goodluck Jonathan said the protests were calculated to bring down his government.

    Minister of Information Labaran Maku also accused the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) of being behind the protests.

    He said the protesters were being sponsored by the opposition against the government.

    The ban was immediately condemned by Lagos lawyer Festus Keyamo, who described the action as illegal and a violation of the constitutional rights of the people.

    Former Minister for Education Dr. Oby Ezekwesili took to Twitter to condemn the ban.

    Ezekwesili who has been the arrow head of the protests in Abuja tweeted last night.

    “The FG would do well to send its officials who wish to roll back our Democracy by infringing on Citizens Rights to my #Democracy101 Class.

    “There is no BASIS for and no POWER of FCT Commissioner of Police to ban peaceful assembly of any group of persons in in the city. None @ ALL

    “We of the AbujaFamily of #BringBackOurGirls have in the face of harassment by both the Nigerian Police &hired thugs maintained our CIVILITY

    “What Commissioner Mbu should do is REPRIMAND their sponsored thugs who attacked us, WOMEN at our peaceful gathering. He can. He hired them.

    “When their thugs attacked us while Mbu’s POLICEmen stood aloof, we refused to engage wt their gutter conduct. We figured this was their PLOT

    “Predictably, Mbu has proven by his latest ill advised statement of repression of Citizens Rights that he and his bosses HIRED those THUGS.

    “If Mbu’s daughter were one of 200 Daughters of Nigeria held captive by terrorists & We came out to STAND 4 their CAUSE, he would do this??

    “Our AbujaFamily of #BringBackOurGirls diverse women, men and young people STANDING with our #ChibokGirls SHALL never abandon them. Never!

    “No matter how DIRELY they want to take our FOCUS off our #ChibokGirls, We shall not permit them that LUXURY. All WE are SAYING………!!!”

    Keyamo said Mbu’s statement is against the spirit and letters of section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

    All the above, Keyamo said, guarantee freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association.

    According to him, “It is shocking that the Federal Government, hiding under the facade of the Police, has finally openly displayed its disdain for the public outcry over the kidnap of those innocent souls. The Federal Government would really have wished that we all went about our normal businesses and live in denial like it did for many weeks.

    The Government has shown that it is more concerned about its image and self-preservation than the safety of those girls.

    “At a time when Government has not shown a capacity to protect lives and properties, it is even denying the citizens the basic right to cry out about Government’s inaction. It is like beating a child mercilessly and choking the child at the same time to prevent the child from crying out. It is inhuman, it is degrading and it is humiliating. That order by the Commissioner of Police should be rescinded immediately or else the Federal Government should be prepared to arrest and lock up all Nigerians. Even the military did not succeed in muzzling Nigerians like the Federal Government wants to do by this feeble Order,” he said.

    Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on House Compliance Hon Moruf Akinderu-Fatai said the statement is a desperate attempt by an ineptitude administration that has failed to meet up with concerns that is now global.

    He said: “If you are stopping people from converging, where is the democracy? Are we back in Abacha era? All progressive forces must resist this and we must encourage more people to violate this dictatorial directive. As Peoples representatives, they are our employers because they voted for us and they can and must ask questions when they have concerns. We, as government must bring back the girls hale and hearty and it must be now. The president should lead properly and provide directions at all times. All well meaning Nigerians must resist this directive either in Abuja or anywhere in the country.

    Lagos State University (LASU) senior lecturer Prof Lakin Akintola described the action as tyranny of the highest order.

    “This is not military regime; Mbu is ignorant of the constitution and several court judgments had said protest is legitimate. Where did he get his constitutional order to ban protest in Abuja. Mbu will go down in the history as the most tyrannical police commissioner in Nigeria. We are yet to forget his escapades in Rivers State,” he said.

    University of Lagos Senior lecturer Dr Ismail Ibrahim described Mbu’s statement as grave encroachment on fundamental rights of Nigerians.

    Dr Ibrahim said Mbu is using strong Army tactic which is alien to democracy.

    “I am not surprised by the statement because Mbu is known for disregard for rule of law; he has no right to restrict fundamental human rights of Nigerians. Even, if he succeeded in prevent people from physical gathering, he cannot stop the use of social media, which has been proven to be effective in bringing the world attention to issues,” he said.

    Mbu’s statement, Dr Ibrahim said, portend great danger to democratic institution.

    “There is reason justifying this reckless order; Nigerians should not be deterred in exercising their rights,” he said.

     

  • Governor: girls to be back in schools in Lagos, Abuja

    Governor: girls to be back in schools in Lagos, Abuja

    •25 parents, three pupils undergoing therapy

    The Borno state government unveiled yesterday its plan to relocate the abducted Chibok schoolgirls to otherschools in Zaria, Abuja or Lagos to complete their secondary education and remove them from the stigma of the abduction.

    It also said American counseling experts on “trauma and counseling” will be invited to Maiduguri for the 57 schoolgirls, who escaped from custody as the parents do not want to part away with their children and wards, during the counseling sessions.

    Many of the schoolgirls who were at the Government House, Maiduguri declined to speak to reporters. Their parent also kept sealed lips.

    Governor Kashim Shettima spoke yesterday after a meeting with the parents, Chairman of Chibok Local Government Area, Mr. Bana Lawan; and the schoolgirls. There were 32 parents and 27 schoolgirls at the meeting.

    The governor said: “The abduction of Chibok schoolgirls by the Boko Haram gunmen, does not only affect parents here present in this Council Chamber, but all of us, including my humble self and other stakeholders of Borno state. I have daughters too; and as a leader, people’s lives and property must be protected, including the rehabilitation of traumatized girls and their parents.

    These girls have no any other place to go.

    “We have also no plans to politicize the abduction of over 200 innocent schoolgirls from their school on April 14, 2014 by suspected Boko Haram gunmen.”

    Shettima added: “If any person that doubts the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls; let him or her go to the affected town and meet the parents.

    “We are taking these girls here in this council chamber to a school in either Zaria, or Abuja or Lagos, but we will not disclose the name of the Secondary Schools in which they will complete their secondary education, as it has been interrupted by their abductions since last April.”

    He added that each of the girls complete the secondary education at the cost of N1.5 million.

    “Parents of abducted schoolgirls; are also to be consoled and sympathised, until the remaining schoolgirls held hostage, are rescued by the military and other security agencies. I will travel to Chibok to condole with the affected parents to sympathise with them, before their children and wards are rescued.”

    He also directed the council chairman to meet all the affected parents in Chibok and condole with them. He gave undisclosed amount of cash to the parent.

    The Chibok Council Chair said they were at the Government House on the instance of the governor, but only 27 students and 32 parents could come.

    He added that some of the pupils and parent had relocated by their parents to their relations outside the state.

    No fewer than 25 mothers of the schoolgirls abducted by insurgents from Chibok, Borno State are currently receiving intensive therapy in an undisclosed location in Lagos.

    Also with them are three of the girls who escaped from Sambisa forest following the abduction of over 200 girls from the Government Day Secondary School in Chibok.

    The girls and mothers are in Lagos courtesy of three non-governmental organisations led by Omoluabi Network. The two others are: Chibok-based Gabassawa Women and the Unlikely Heroes, based in Los Angeles, California.  They arrived in Lagos on Saturday.

    The founder of Omoluabi Network, Pastor Ladi Thompson, said his group, in collaboration with the others, decided to take up the responsibility of caring for the girls and their families because the culture of caring is alien to many Nigerians. He said the proper thing to do now is to have extensive therapy for the victims to aid their recovery from the shock and the pains of the abduction, but which has not been done by the Nigerian government.

    Thompson also said the three organisations had started a campaign called, “Care For Our Girls,” which will focus on bringing the girls and their parents back to the pre-abduction mental, psychological and physical state of being.

    The Nation gathered that the mothers and girls were released to undergo the intensive care by their fathers and husbands.

    “These women you see here are brave. It was very hard to bring them to Lagos; they had faced several dangers on the road, but because they have faith they are here, the experts have made us to understand that caring is the solution and we have to learn that in Nigeria,” Thompson said.

    He also said part of the reasons for bringing the women and girls is to prove that there was indeed the girls were abducted.

    It was authoritatively gathered that when the women arrived in Lagos, they were in terrible physical and mental shape with many of them crying uncontrollable and others physically sick. According to Erica Greve, a trauma therapist and coordinator of Unlikely Heroes, the victims are in terrible need of physical and mental therapy.

    “We must realise the severity of the trauma the women, girls and the community are going through. When they arrived here for treatment, you could see the grief on their faces; they have risked their lives to come here for treatment,” she said.

    The trauma counsellor also disclosed that the women were given immediate medical care, with comprehensive tests conducted on them,while their immediate medical and physical needs met.

    The Nation also gathered that the three girls who escaped from the insurgents’ enclave had been subjected to series of medical test and the result is expected tomorrow. It was also gathered that the health of many of the women have deteriorated and some of them have been experiencing fainting spells.

    “From a clinical standpoint, both women and children are experiencing shock, with many of them in denial. Many of them are experiencing physical symptoms too, and our goal is to help relieve them of the stress and help them deal with the loss,” Erica said.

    Thompson also called on the government and other nongovernmental organisations to step up the campaign to care for the people of Chibok. He said access must be given to trauma counsellors to have access to the families, saying there is need for the parents to undergo therapy and the children too.

    “Care for our girls must start with care for their mothers. The girls will be released and when they arrive, they must not be thrown back into the society just like that. They must be debriefed and taken proper care of in a safe location to enable them reintegrate into the society. Also, Chibok must not be left alone; we must help the community get back to its feet and defeat this terror,” he said.

    Kucheli Balami, founder of Gabassawa Women, thanked the Omoluabi Network for coming to the aid of the mothers, noting that it had been a traumatic experience for her. “Since the abduction,  I have not been able to eat or sleep properly, it has been hard, but we are trusting God that our girls will come back,” she said.

    She also revealed that the women were suffering emotional trauma. “These women are suffering, we were preaching that the girls should go to school and when they did, it is a different story.”

    Also throwing another permutation into the case, Ibrahim Bangalu who has worked extensively in Chibok revealed that the community is praying for members of Boko Haram. “I want us to continue to pray for members of Boko Haram because they are our children who are being used by the devil for negative things. The Bible teaches we should pray and when we say God should bless Boko Haram it is to change their hearts. When that happens, all Nigerians will be happy so I therefore bring a message of hope,” Bangalu said.

    Another resident of Chibok who was present at the event, Philip Madu said the community which is predominantly Christian has lived peacefully with the Muslims. “ I can clearly say that 95 percent of Chibok is Christian but we have lived peacefully with our Muslim brothers without any discrimination. On my wedding day, my best man is a Muslim and we are still good friends. Everybody is accepted irrespective of your religion in Chibok, we are still united even now in our grieve, “Madu said.

    He denied that Boko Haram targeted Chibok because it’s a Christian community, “They targeted a school and some of the victims are also Muslims, religion is not discrimination in Chibok.”

  • DHQ: we haven’t seen new video on Chibok schoolgirls

    DHQ: we haven’t seen new video on Chibok schoolgirls

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said it has not received or seen any new video on the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, purportedly released by the Boko Harm sect.

    Speaking at the National Information Centre yesterday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said the DHQ could not comment on the video because it had not received, seen or watched it.

    He said: “The video is not feasible for Nigerians to see yet. Nobody has seen the video. We will try and see if we can get a copy of the video, after which we will be able to respond to it.”

    The new video shows the abducted Chibok schoolgirls speaking about their ordeal, for the first time.

    The pupils said they were suffering and not getting enough food. It was reported to have been received by a British newspaper, Mail on Sunday.

    The footage, which has not been released publicly but seen by the newspaper, was taken in a jungle.

    It shows the girls, who were abducted by Boko Haram gunmen on April 14, “bravely speaking out about their ordeal,” according to the report.

    The newspaper said the girls in the footage look healthy, but several others have fallen ill, including one with a broken wrist.

    Also, Gen. Olukolade confirmed 18 persons dead in the Sunday bomb blast in Adamawa State.

     

     

    He said the number of the injured had risen to 19, as against 12 earlier confirmed by the police.

    The spokesman said the injured were receiving treatment at some hospitals.

    Gen. Olukolade said a suspect, who was said to have been identified with the car used in conveying the bomb device, had been arrested by troops in the area.

    “He is being interrogated while further investigation is ongoing,” he said.

     

  • DEMOCRACY DAY: Mama G sheds tears for abducted girls

    DEMOCRACY DAY: Mama G sheds tears for abducted girls

    OBVIOUSLY concerned about the plight of the abducted schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, a number of Nollywood stars took to the streets on Thursday in protest.

    Led by actress Patience Ozokwor, popularly called Mama G, the thespians all came out to join other several professional bodies in a rally advocating the release of the abducted girls.

    The rally, which kicked off from Allen Avenue, Ikeja, ended after the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, had addressed the Nollywood stars.

    Mama G couldn’t fight back tears, while advocating the release of the Chibok girls.

    Also, actresses Ejiro Okurame and Mercy Aigbe-Gentry broke down in tears, as they joined the call for the release of the girls.ac

  • Chibok: Sagay, Falana caution on use of force

    Constitutional lawyers, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) and Femi Falana (SAN) on Thursday called for caution on the part of the government in the attempt to rescue the abducted schoolgirls from Boko Haram sect.

    The lawyers who were reacting to the Democracy Day speech of President Goodluck Jonathan counseled him against the use of force on Boko Haram while the girls are still in their custody.

    However, Prof. Sagay noted that President Jonathan’s speech on Democracy Day has given Nigerians a ray of hope in the fight against terrorism and the decision to rescue the abducted schoolgirls currently in Boko Haram custody.

    The President in his speech said, “It is now 45 days since the horrifying abduction of the college girls of Chibok. I share the deep pain and anxiety of their parents and guardians and I assure them once again that government will continue to do everything possible to bring our daughters home.”

    “I am determined to protect our democracy, our national unity and our political stability, by waging a total war against terrorism. The unity and stability of our country and the protection of lives and property are non-negotiable. I have instructed our security forces to launch a full-scale operation to put an end to the impunity of terrorists on our soil.”

    But Sagay, posited that it will be dangerous to talk about the use of force in crushing the insurgency when the abducted girls are still in Boko Haram custody.

    According to him, the use of force may endanger the girls’ lives.

    “I am happy the President has finally made up his mind that he is going to deal with the matter with vigour. I am only worried about the girls because there are some contradictions about the use of force and securing the safety of the girls. If the girls had been secured and had been released and he is talking about the use of force, then I will support him 100 percent.

    “But with the girls still in captivity, their lives will be put on the line and this is the only reservation that I have and I want to assume that the President is aware of this fact,” he stated.

    Falana agreed, saying use of maximum force will endanger the girls’ lives.

    “Boko Haram militants are using the girls as shield, so we are likely to lose those girls if maximum force is employed.

    “It will be dangerous to pounce on them and the essence of the rescue operations will be defeated if those girls are wasted. That is why all efforts must be made to have those girls rescued alive,” he said.

  • House of Reps holds special session

    House of Reps holds special session

    The House of Representatives yesterday marked the 2014 International Children’s Day with a special session, even as members lamented the inability of the security forces to rescue the abducted schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Chibok, Borno State, over a month ago.

    The House thereafter urged the Federal Government and all the security agencies to step up effort at ensuring security of lives and property and specifically free the abducted girls. The House leader, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, while leading the debate at the session, expressed sadness over the inability to found the missing girls. “Even though we are supposed to celebrate children today, it is very sad that up till now, we are yet to know where our children kidnapped in Chibok are. We cannot celebrate when the condition of over 200 girls remains unknown. The security personnel needed more hands on this and we (lawmakers) agreed to extend emergency rule. We also agreed and passed a motion for us to be receiving periodic briefing from the service chiefs,” she said.

    ”Children and women are the worst hit during conflicts,” Hon. Nnenna Elendu Ukeje (Abia/PDP) Chairperson, House Committee on Foreign Affairs said. She added that all hands must be on deck to ensure the safe return of the girls. Members at the session agreed that there is need to support the efforts of the government in the fight against terrorism and expressed willingness to support all efforts at fighting the scourge.