The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mike Omeri

  • Boko Haram: FG denies hiring Davis as negotiator

    Boko Haram: FG denies hiring Davis as negotiator

    The Federal Government has denied hiring Australia’s Stephen Davis as a Boko Haram negotiator.

    The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, who disclosed government’s position on the issue in Abuja on Friday, said the government has no plan of prosecuting any Nigerian for now following the allegations made by the Australian.

    Davis has insisted that former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika are Boko Haram sponsors.

    He also mentioned an unnamed senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria and an Egypt-based man as those funding the sect.

    Davis, who refused to disclose the identity of the CBN official, said his allegations were informed by discussions he had with several Boko Haram field commanders.

    But Omeri insisted that government has not hired anybody to negotiate on its behalf with the Boko Haram.

    “For now nobody has been hired by the government to negotiate on its behalf with Boko Haram. Anytime the government decides to do so, it will make it known to the public.

    “The government is still investigating the allegations made by the alleged negotiator. However, the government has no plan to question anybody because of those allegations made by the Australian,” he stated.

     

  • Chibok girls: Disallow your kids from 100 days’ rally, govt tells parents

    Chibok girls: Disallow your kids from 100 days’ rally, govt tells parents

    Few days to the proposed rally by the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners to mark 100 days of the abduction of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls, the Federal Government yesterday cautioned parents and guardians to disallow their children from participating in the rally.

    National Information Centre (NIC) Coordinator, Mr Mike Omeri, spoke in Abuja during the routine briefing on the government’s mission to rescue the schoolgirls and the security situation in the country.

    Omeri said: “The information available to us is that some groups are planning to mobilise children across the country to hold rally to mark 100 days since the Chibok schoolgirls were abducted from their school.

    “It will be wise for parents not to allow their children to participate. If they want to, they should be conscious of who they are releasing their children to for the rally.”

     

     

  • ‘FG has classified information on abducted schoolgirls’

    The Federal Government on Monday said it has classified information on the abducted schoolgirls.

    The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, who stated this in Abuja at the daily briefing, said the government is moving closer to rescuing the girls.

    Omeri said with the arrest of three female terror suspects and the Boko Haram’s Chief of intelligence last week, the girls’ rescue will no longer be delayed.

    “The Federal Government is working assiduously to secure the release of the girls and to restore peace to all parts of the country.

    Mr. President has heard what Nigerians are saying and working seriously to secure their release.

    “We are getting closer to rescuing the girls and Nigerians should bear with us till we achieve our target,” he stated.

     

  • Insecurity: FG wants Nigerians to install CCTV in homes, offices

    Insecurity: FG wants Nigerians to install CCTV in homes, offices

    As a way out of the lingering insecurity in the country, the Federal Government yesterday advised Nigerians to imbibe the habit of installing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in their homes and offices as it is being done in other countries

    The Coordinator of the National Briefing Centre, Mike Omeri, who spoke on the security situation in the country, said the persistent bomb attacks in various parts of the country is a wake up call to Nigerians to be more vigilant and security conscious.

    He reaffirmed that the CCTV on the Banex Street in Wuse 11 where last wednesday’s bomb blast occurred is still functioning while the FCTA is also making efforts to improve on its functionality.

    Omeri said: “The activities of the insurgents, which is now targeted at some major cities in the country, is a wake up call on all of us to be more vigilant and cautious of our environment, and to resolve more than ever before to stand and unite as a people to end insurgency in the country.

    He said: “The Federal Government commends the security agencies for their prompt action, which led to the arrest of one of the attackers and the killing of another who was almost using his gadgets to detonate the second and possibly the third deadly device.”

    Omeri also said that the Federal Government has noted with concern attempts by some persons who are working assiduously to demoralise the security agencies, particularly the military personnel involved in the fight against insurgency in the North East.

    He said: ”While we do not want to go into details of the operations currently taking place, it is advised that the pratice in which some persons just bandied figures of casualties on either the side of the military or insurgents should be discourgaed and checked.

    “The truth remains that the military is winning the war and the nation shall surely triumph in this fight.”

    On the planned terror attack on some private schools in Wuse 11, Abuja, Omeri said: “This Federal Government is aware of false alarm and rumours in form of text messages being circulated in the social media with a view to create panic and anxiety among the populace to the effect that some schools are being targeted for attack.

    “While we urge parents and school management to be calm, cautious and more vigilant, we wish to state that security agencies are working round the clock and have taken measures to ensure that schools are safe and academic activities (are) unhindered,” he said.

     

  • ‘Boko Haram plans to bomb Abuja with petrol tankers’

    ‘Boko Haram plans to bomb Abuja with petrol tankers’

    The Department of State Security Services on Wednesday said the Boko Haram sect has devised plans to bomb the nation’s capital with petrol tankers.

    The DSS said the information was obtained through intelligence reports on the sect’s activities.

    According to the agency, the sect will seize petrol tankers at gunpoint and fill it with improvised devices and that will be used to bomb the FCT within the next few days.

    The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, who spoke at the daily briefing in Abuja alongside the Deputy Director of the DSS, Marilyn Ogar, urged the public to be on the alert, particularly when they see any tanker driving dangerously.

    Omeri said: “The Nigerian Security services had received intelligence report to the effect that insurgents intend seizing petrol tankers and plant improvised devices in the tankers and drive them to crowded places in Abuja.

    “Against this backdrop, we hereby call on the Petrol Tankers Association to be on the red alert and advise their members to report any attempt or seizure of their vehicles to security agencies.

    “In this wise, Nigerians are also advised to report any broken down tanker in any part of the territory to security agencies. Similarly, we are using this opportunity to appeal to the public to be on the alert particularly when they see any tanker driving dangerously.”

    Omeri added that the screening of 486 travellers in Abia State on Monday was not targeted at any group of persons or individual but aimed at ensuring the general security of the country.

  • SSS arrests Boko Haram impersonator

    SSS arrests Boko Haram impersonator

    •Army kills 50 insurgents in Adamawa, Borno

    The Department of State Security (DSS) yesterday confirmed the arrest of a person, claiming to be a member of Boko Haram.

    The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, who spoke at the daily briefing on the security situation, said the suspect has been extorting money from some influential Nigerians as a source of protection.

    “The Department of State Security (DSS) has apprehended someone masquerading as a front for the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

    “The suspect, who is being interrogated, has been  extorting money from some influential Nigerians as protection money,” Omeri said.

    He advised Nigerians to be vigilant.

    Omeri said the Army has killed over 50 terrorists and averted a massive raid in parts of Adamawa and Borno states.

    He said the terrorists were on their way to attack selected communities.

    Omeri said 30 rifles, 36 hand grenades, seven machine guns and 11 rocket propelled grenade tubes were recovered.

    “No fewer than 3,500 rounds of ammunition, six smoke grenade canisters  locally made guns and motorcycles were also recovered.

    “During the operation four soldiers were killed and some injured.

    “The attack was launched on the terrorists as they filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at  10pm on Saturday.

    “Over 50 terrorists died in fierce encounter that ensued,” he said.

    He said the injured soldiers are receiving treatment in the military medical facility.

  • Govt deploys more troops in Northeast

    Govt deploys more troops in Northeast

    Thirty-five days after the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered yesterday the deployment of more troops to reinforce the military operations in the Northeast.

    The Coordinator of the National Briefing Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, spoke on the deployment at a routine daily briefing on the current and developing trends in the country, particular on the search and rescue operations by government forces on the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

    He said the action became necessary following the regional alliance to end the activities of the Boko Haram sect.

    Omeri said: “President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the deployment of additional troops to reinforce the ongoing military operations in the Northeast.

    “This action came in the wake of regional alliance to checkmate the activities of Boko Haram in the region and also to strengthen the President’s avowed resolve to rescue the missing girls and his commitment to providing total security for all Nigerians.”

    Defence headquarters’ spokesman Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said operation rooms, where the activities will be shared, had been set up at the operation zone.

    He said troops were in active operations in the area, besides the regional alliance.

     

  • Fed Govt: Release of 100 abducted girls speculative

    Fed Govt: Release of 100 abducted girls speculative

    •Journalists to get safety information before visiting Chibok

    The Federal Government has said last weekend’s reported plan to release 100 of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram sect is speculative.

    The Coordinator of the National Crises Information Centre, Mike Omeri, told reporters yesterday in Abuja that the government would not rely on media reports in its investigation of the abduction saga.

    He said: “We will not rely on newspaper reports in our investigation. The Federal Government is probing the statement and we will make our findings known as soon as possible.”

    The agency chief urged the media to seek guidelines on safety before visiting Chibok.

    Omeri said: “While the Federal Government appreciates the efforts of the media at adequately informing and educating the world on the current security problems in the country, we wish to inform all media organisations that the security situation around Chibok is still fluid. Presently, the affected location is an active crime scene and a military operational area.

    “Therefore, as much as the centre does not intend to restrict the activities of the media in the performance of their duty, it is strongly advised that media organisations must not take steps that will jeopardise the safety of their staff or compromise the crime scene.

    “Any media organisation wishing to visit Chibok should approach the appropriate authorities for guidance and advice in the interest of their safety.”

    The agency chief described the threat by the Boko Haram sect to attack a secondary school in Benue State as the handwork of mischief makers.

    He said the report was being verified.

    Omeri said: “This report has been confirmed in Benue State. But there are grounds to suspect that the reported threats issued by the sect to schools in Makurdi must be the handiwork of mischief makers.

    “A copy of the handwritten letter sent to schools is being investigated; security forces are not taking chances on the threat.

    “However, the security authorities have been alerted and necessary personnel deployed to the appropriate locations within the metropolis.

    “Security has already been tightened in the state; the safety of the residents and the students in the state is guaranteed.”

  • Nyanya blast: Terror suspect Ogwuche’s father arrested

    The Department of State Security (SSS) on Thursday said a retired Army Colonel, Agene Ogwuche, has been arrested.

    He is the father of the fleeing Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, suspected to be one of the masterminds of the April 14 blasts in Nyanya, Abuja.

    No fewer than 75 persons were killed in the blasts, with over 100 injured.

    The Spokesperson of the DSS, Ms. Marylyn Ogar, who disclosed this in Abuja, said the retired Colonel had secured the son’s bail in 2012, promising to produce the suspect on demand.

    The terror suspect was described as a British born Nigerian from Benue State who was in November 2011, arrested at the Abuja airport on his arrival from the United Kingdom, in connection with terrorism.

    Ogar had stated at a previous briefing that Ogwuche was released on bail to his retired Colonel father in October 2012, following intense pressure from the human rights groups who alleged violation of his human rights.

    The DSS added that the fleeing Ogwuche deserted the Nigerian Army in 2006 after serving in the Intelligence Unit of the Army at the Arakan Barracks, Lagos.

    Ogar stated at Thursday’s briefing that the father was arrested because he failed to produce the son on request by the Federal Government following his suspected involvement in the bloody April 14 blast.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, who was also at the briefing, said the retired Army Colonel would be made to answer for his inability to meet the bail bond, which he signed, pledging to produce his son when needed for questioning.

    The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri , who initiated the briefing, said the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to ascertain the veracity of claims by Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, who said he has information on the girls’ location.

    Shettima reportedly said he had cited the location of the over 200 schoolgirls, abducted from their hostels by the Boko Haram sect on April 14.

    Omeri added that government would not drag issues on the abduction with anybody on the pages of newspapers.

  • Boko Haram video: FG cautions against religious crises

    Boko Haram video: FG cautions against religious crises

    Following the release of a Boko Haram video showing the abducted school girls and the revelation by the sect leader, Abubakar Shekau that all the girls have converted to Islam, the Federal Government on Tuesday urged religious leaders to caution their followers against involving in religious crises.

    Also, the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters has issued an international red alert for arrest of fleeing Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche.

    The Christian Association of Nigeria had said in a statement issued in Kaduna on Monday that forceful conversion of the girls to Islam was a clear indication that the sect was waging war against Christianity.

    The National secretary of CAN, Rev Musa Asake, said the conversion was unacceptable and called on the government and the international community to act fast to save the situation.

    He said the reported forceful conversion of the girls was a confirmation that the sect has a religious agenda, adding that it was now clear that they are waging war against Christians and Christianity in the country.

    But the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, who made the government’s position known on the issue at the National Briefing Centre, said the government will do everything possible to rescue the girls alive despite threats by the group.

    “The Federal Government strongly appeals to religious leaders especially the Christian Association of Nigerian and the Jamaatul Nasril Islam to restrain their members from being misled by unscrupulous persons into reducing the current situation into religious conflicts.

    “Government is still monitoring issues and will do everything possible to rescue the girls alive.

    “The Government wishes to commend all Nigerians for the support and understanding shown since the government began its operations to restore peace and normalcy in some parts of the country,” Omeri stated.