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Tag: NSA

  • Jonathan: NSA to meet governors over Boko Haram

    Jonathan: NSA to meet governors over Boko Haram

    President Goodluck Jonathan has directed National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki to meet with the governors of the three states mostly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, with a view to evolving a workable solution to the crisis.

    The presidential directive followed the insurgents’ attacks on an Air Force base in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday in which many lives were believed to have been lost and facilities damaged.

    Jonathan yesterday in Gombe at the second North East Economic Summit, restated his administration’s commitment to ending all terrorists’ activities’ and insurgency by employing various strategies of conflict resolution.

    The Summit was attended by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Northern Governors Forum Chairman Aliyu Babangida, who is also the governor of Niger State, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Lamido Sanusi Lamido and the governors of Yobe, Bauchi and Borno.

    There were also notable businessmen and technocrats from all walks of life.

    Although the President said he disagreed with the school of thought that seems to suggest that poverty and illiteracy should be blamed for the growing acts of terrorism in the region, he explained that he was committed to fighting the menace as peace remains a prerequisite for economic development.

    He said Dasuki had been instructed to meet with the Governors of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa, with a view to defining a workable solution that would elevate the region. His words: “We do not believe that poverty and illiteracy are solely responsible for the security challenges in the region. But we believe that without peace, there can hardly be any economic activity. And to show our commitment to peace, we have established the service division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri. Peace is a prerequisite condition for development in the area. “Without peace it will difficult for the private sector to invest in the region. That is why we are pleading with you to use the traditional method to work with the youth to ensure peace. The government will work with any area that peace has returned to rehabilitate the place.

    “I have directed the NSA to meet with the three states mostly affected by terrorism and insurgency to define a shared vision and workable strategy that would elevate the region.”

    Noting that his first priority as a President remains the economy, Jonathan listed agriculture, education and infrastructure as key elements that would propel the troubled region to rapid growth, if the security challenges can be collectively tackled. “We have never denied the need to give the region the support it needs to develop. I reject the characterisation of the region as poor and backward because we believe such characterisation is based on misconception. It’s history is rich, with great leaders for over 1000 years.

    “The Northeast is endowed with abundant natural resources, mineral resources and there is hardly any cash crop that cannot be grown in the region. It is a zone that is blessed and which can produce wealth for this country. We are, therefore, committed to doing all within our power to end the security challenges in the Northeast and help the region to develop to its full potential,” he said. The President advised the six governors from the region to ensure more access to education, in addition to an improvement the quality of education with special emphasis on girl/child education. “The people must be exposed to tertiary education, I was born by poor parents. What makes me to stand before people like you today is because I had the opportunity to receive university education. The statistics quoted now is not recent and I believe the governors in the region have done more and by the time we update the statistics, that would be reflected”’, he noted.

    Chief Host of the Summit and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, praised the President for his passion to develop a region whose development has been stalled by the activities of insurgents. The governor urged the President to develop what he called a Marshall Plan that would help the people of the region, noting that the quantum of resources needed to scale up development in the region is far beyond what the states can raise internally. He said destiny, geography and commerce brought the states together, hence the organisation of the Summit, which seeks a rapid transformation of the sub-region for sustainable economic development.

    “The pervasive security challenges continue to take their toll on the development of the region. All major indices are particularly at the lowest compared to other regions. The quantum of resources required is by far beyond what the states can afford but a reconstruction strategy should be developed to help the youth and resettle displaced persons. There ought to be a Marshall Plan towards helping the people of the region,” Dankwambo said.

  • Brazil, Germany draft anti-spy resolution at UN

    Brazil and Germany have asked the United Nations General Assembly to adopt a draft resolution calling for the right to privacy in the digital age.

    The draft calls for an end to excessive electronic surveillance, noting that the illegal collection of personal data “constitutes a highly intrusive act.”

    BBC reports that Brazil and Germany have both been angered by allegations of large-scale United States surveillance.

    The allegations stem from revelations by U.S whistleblower Edward Snowden.

    The draft resolution, which does not name individual countries, will be debated by a General Assembly committee focusing on human rights.

    The draft calls on the 193-member assembly to declare that it is “deeply concerned at human rights violations and abuses that may result from the conduct of any surveillance of communications.”

    This includes “extraterritorial surveillance of communications, their interception, as well as the collection of personal data, in particular massive surveillance, interception and data collection.”

    The resolution, which will be voted on later this month, calls on all countries to protect the right to privacy guaranteed under international law.

    While General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, they can carry significant moral and political weight if they win enough support.

    The draft follows allegations that the U.S has been eavesdropping on foreign leaders, including Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, angering U.S allies in Europe and Asia.

     

  • Kerry admits NSA spying ‘went too far’

    Kerry admits NSA spying ‘went too far’

    United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, has said that in some cases, the U.S spying has gone too far.

    BBC reports that Mr. Kerry is the most senior Obama administration official to have commented directly on an issue that has upset America’s European allies.

    He said he will work with the president to prevent further inappropriate acts by the National Security Agency.

    His comments come as Asian countries have protested at claims that Australia was involved in a U.S-led spy network.

    China has demanded an explanation of the reports, while Indonesia has summoned the Australian ambassador to Jakarta.

    In his comments, Mr. Kerry also defended the need for increased surveillance, saying it had thwarted terrorist attacks.

    “We have actually prevented airplanes from going down, buildings from being blown up, and people from being assassinated because we’ve been able to learn ahead of time of the plans,” Mr. Kerry told a conference in London via video link.

    “I assure you, innocent people are not being abused in this process, but there’s an effort to try to gather information. And yes, in some cases, it has reached too far inappropriately.”

     

  • ‘U.S bugged Merkel’s phone since 2002’

    ‘U.S bugged Merkel’s phone since 2002’

    The United States has been spying on German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone since 2002, according to a report in Der Spiegel magazine.

    The German publication claimed to have seen secret documents from the National Security Agency which show Mrs. Merkel’s number on a list dating from 2002 – before she became chancellor.

    BBC reports that her number was still on a surveillance list in 2013.

    Meanwhile Washington has seen a protest against the NSA’s spying programme.

    Several thousand protesters marched to the U.S Capitol to demand a limit to the surveillance. Some of them held banners in support of the fugitive former contractor Edward Snowden, who revealed the extent of the NSA’s activities.

    The nature of the monitoring of Mrs. Merkel’s mobile phone is not clear from the files, Der Spiegel says.

    For example, it is possible that the chancellor’s conversations were recorded, or that her contacts were simply assessed.

    Germany is sending its top intelligence chiefs to Washington in the coming week to “push forward” an investigation into the spying allegations, which have caused outrage in Germany.

    On Friday, Germany and France said they want the U.S to sign a no-spy deal by the end of the year.

    As well as the bugging of Mrs. Merkel’s phone, there are claims the NSA has monitored millions of telephone calls made by German and French citizens.

     

  • Boko Haram has raised our security demands – NSA

    Boko Haram has raised our security demands – NSA

    The National Security Adviser, Mr. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, has said that terrorism and other security challenges in the country have forced the military to embark on joint operation with other para-military outfits in 28 states.

    He pleaded with Nigerians to accept military presence in the society which is becoming a routine pattern.

    He, however, admitted that military intervention in internal security is affecting its professionalism.

    He said terrorism has raised the flag of security demands to levels higher than the nation had witnessed since the civil war

    Dasuki, who opened up at a session on National Civil-Military Dialogue in Ajuji Hotel, Abuja, urged Nigerians to assist the military to provide information which could assist in the fight against insurgents, terrorists and all other forms of criminality

    He said: “The past decade has witnessed multiple forms of unrest-from armed robbery, kidnapping, electoral, communal to ethno-religious violence.

    “Currently, we are battling with insurgency and terrorism. This has raised the flag of security demands to levels higher than we have witnessed since the civil war. It has meant that the military are seeing more deployments in aid of civil authority than anticipated.

    “While it is the function of the military to assist civilian authority to handle civil disobedience, it is assumed that such rules would be carried out only when the capacity of the police is overwhelmed. Policing the domestic arena is not the duty of the military, whose training is directed against external enemies of the state.

    “However, our recent history has seen the military in joint activities with other para-military outfits currently in about 28 states. In addition, the military is involved in checking armed robbery and other crimes on interstate roads.

    “From mere intervention to assisting the police quell domestic violence; the military is now fighting the scourge of insurgency and terrorism. Thus, the military presence in our society is becoming routine. While this affects the level of professionalism of the military, it also generates new dimensions of conflicts between the military and civilian populace.”

     

  • Businessman to NSA: save my life

    A businessman has alleged a threat to his life by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba because he is resisting government take-over of his landed property in Asaba.

    New Millennium Investments Limited Chairman Dr. John Jideonwo also accused the state government of having vested interest by revoking the title to the land.

    Jideonwo called on the National Security Adviser (NSE), Alhaji Sambo Dasuki, to safe his life.

    But Aduba has said the petitioner is a blackmailer evading police arrest over his alleged criminal acts.

    Jideonwo, in a petition dated April 3, 2013, addressed to the NSA, stated that his company acquired the property located on River Niger Waterfront from UAC of Nigeria in 1998. The purchase of the property, according to him, was consummated by the issuance of both a Deed of Assignment and an irrevocable Power of Attorney by the UAC.

    Jideonwo said: “At the time of purchase too, UAC issued the sitting tenants – Asaba Sports Club – a notice to deliver vacant possession and my company followed with a quit notice. An appeal was made to me at that time to let them continue use of the Tennis courts and club house until I was ready to develop the property.

    “Sometime in 2005, I discovered that the Club had surreptitiously applied to the Ministry of Lands to allocate the said land to it but the Ministry responded by declaring that the ownership of the property was not in doubt and that they should dialogue with me if they want to continue to stay there.”

    Jideonwo alleged that a senior government official sponsored the incorporation of the Board of Trustees of Asaba, was made Grand Patron and donated N13 million to the club between 2010 and 2011. As a result of his patronage, members of the club have refused to deliver possession of the premises they are occupying as tenant, he said.

    “Sometime in 2011, they became emboldened to openly threaten my life if I ever came to the property. On November 5, last year, part of the club house building on the land was destroyed and the members turned around to claim that I was the one that destroyed it.”

    Two weeks after the destruction, the government official allegedly visited the site and openly assured the President of the Asaba Sports Club that he would revoke the title to the land.

    The petitioner pleaded with the NSA to consider the following actions taken by the police and the state government to actualise their plan: “On 14th August, 2012, the CP Delta sent policemen from Asaba to Lagos with an instruction that they should bring me back to Asaba by all means to face charges of “malicious damage” to property that belongs to me. The men did not come with a letter of invitation or warrant of arrest. This was the first hint that I got that they were indeed after my life. This attempt was stoutly resisted by all others around and we only left for Asaba the next day. I was released on August 16 and after eight days stay in Asaba, waiting to be charged, I was asked to go.

    “When I returned to Lagos, I petitioned the Inspector General of Police who then directed the IGP Monitoring Group to take over the case.

    The case was effectively transferred to Abuja. The CP Delta then stepped into it and using his influence as former DC (Ops) at Force Headquarters, got the case transferred back to Delta, which is totally unusual in view of the fact that our petition was against him.

    Strangely too, we have not been informed of this development. On March 22, Mr Aduba sent people to arrest my lawyer in the court premises in Asaba, a fairly reckless act; they then went to my surety (a 70-year old cousin with very frail health) and continued harassing him until he went into hiding.”

    Aduba has defended his integrity. He said: “Jideonwo has been running from pillar to post to evade arrest. The incident happened before I became Delta State Police Commissioner.”

    He alleged that Jideonwo demolished structures on a plot of land leased to UAC. He said Jideonwo carried out this act when the matter of ownership was still in court.

    “Already, the parties involved are in court over the disputed land. The demolition was illegal. He is not happy the way I handled the matter because I stood for the truth. The IGP has instructed that Jideonwo be charged to court. We have been looking for him to face charges.”

    “We want to declare him wanted. Both he and his lawyer have gone into hiding. They are nowhere to be found. Even the state government is not happy over this matter. He is a common criminal. He went to a former DIG and Police Service Commission, but all the people he ran to asked him to report to the police, and he has not done that yet,” Aduba said.

  • NSA quizzes Rivers commissioner over comment on helicopters

    NSA quizzes Rivers commissioner over comment on helicopters

    RIVERS STATE Commissioner for Information Mrs. Ibim Semenitari was yesterday the guest of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) in Abuja.

    She was invited for interrogation by the NSA on her comment on the cost of the two choppers acquired by the state government.

    After telling the NSA all she knew about the helicopters, Mrs. Sementari said: “I am out. All is well. I will speak when I get to Port Harcourt.”

    She spoke at 2:51pm in Abuja.

    The NSA’s invitation, it was learnt, was through his office’s Special Investigations Unit (ISU), which directed the commissioner to report there at noon yesterday.

    Mrs Semenitari, who left Port Harcourt, the state capital, for Abuja yesterday morning, maintained that the two choppers were acquired for security surveillance and not for 2015 political campaigns, as being insinuated in some quarters.

    At a news conference she addressed on Monday, the commissioner said the two Bell 412 EPI armoured helicopters were bought by the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government through the office of the NSA.

    She gave the cost as $28.4 million.

    Expressing shock at the insinuation by some people that the $28.4 million price was inflated and that the actual cost of the two choppers was $13.4 million, Mrs Semenitari blamed it all on those she called mischief makers who, she said, have turned the state to a battleground.

    The commissioner said the Federal Government paid $15 million. The Rivers government paid the balance of $13.4 million.

    The President Goodluck Jonathan administration granted a duty waiver.

    She noted that the helicopters were being freighted into Nigeria and would be reassembled in Lagos. They will be operated by the police in conjunction with the oil companies that had offered to bear some of the operating costs.

    According to Mrs Semenitari, the choppers would strengthen the battle against illegal oil bunkering, kidnapping and armed robbery.

    She said: “The attention of the government of Rivers State has been drawn to deliberate and repeated attempts by a group of disgruntled and self-serving politicians to engage in a smear campaign against the Governor Chibuike Amaechi-led administration.

    “The latest allegation is that Governor Amaechi has acquired armoured helicopters and private jets ahead of 2015. It is a figment of their imagination. The Rivers State Government is keeping with its promise to render transparent and accountable stewardship to the people of Rivers State.

    “The Rivers State Government has always owned a private jet and has not purchased any new airplanes or does it intend to purchase one. As is typical of Governor Amaechi, such purchases would be openly and transparently done and so would not need to be a matter of conjecturing.

    “The police took delivery of similar choppers in 2012, built by the same company. The 412 four-axis choppers are rated the most advanced civil helicopters in the world. The acquisition, which was done with the support of the Federal Government, is to enhance security of lives and property in Rivers State.”

    She explained that the government has been supporting security agencies by investing in state-of-the-art and up-to-date security equipment.

    She pointed out that the government’s investments were pivotal to the restoration of peace and security, not only in the state, but also in the Niger Delta and, indeed, the Southsouth and Southeast zones.

    The Rivers Government also lauded President Jonathan for his quick action and support, which led to the procurement of the helicopters, stressing that “his commitment to national security and willingness to collaborate with all tiers of government and all sectors to ensure the security of lives and property are worthy of accolade and support”.

    Mrs. Semenitari said the government would not join issues with those behind the allegation, which she described as ridiculous.

    She said: “The Rivers State Government will not take up issues with anybody on the purchase of the two helicopters at $28.4 million.

    “Rivers Government will not want to imagine that the allegation on the amount the helicopters were purchased has a link with the battle for the chairmanship of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

    “The grade of the choppers acquired by the Rivers State Government is more superior than the ones earlier purchased by the Nigeria Police. The two new helicopters will be managed by the Nigeria police in fighting kidnapping, oil bunkering and armed robbery.

    “The two helicopters are armoured-plated and fitted with security cameras. It is wrong to compare an armoured helicopter to aircraft with many accessories for surveillance.

    “The two choppers were purchased after the Nigeria police bought theirs. We went for armoured helicopters because they are for security to monitor oil theft in the Niger Delta region.”

  • Alleged militia training: Akeredolu’s group reports LP to NSA

    Alleged militia training: Akeredolu’s group reports LP to NSA

    RELYING on intelligence reports, the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) yesterday claimed it has uncovered a plot by the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State to attack stalwarts of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state using Israeli-trained militia.

    The organisation – the political platform of the ACN standard bearer in the governorship election billed for October 20, Olurotimi Aredolu (SAN), accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of funding the training in Israel.

    In a petition to the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Major Sambo Dasuki (rtd), by its Director-General, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, ACO named NIRTA Limited as the security outfit training the militia.

    According to the organisation, no fewer than 50 members of the LP had sharpened their skills in the art of weapon handling and bomb making, all which ACO alleged the ruling party plans to use to manipulate the election on Saturday.

    It urged the NSA to direct concerned agencies to swing into action to avert lawlessness, saying the ACN members have been at the receiving end of the terror being perpetrated in the Sunshine State.

    The petition reads: “There are clear indications that things may get worse in the days ahead. At present, a group of people from Ondo State are undergoing training in a security company in Israel known as NIRTAL Limited.

    “They are believed to be sponsored by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo State Governor and candidate of the Labour Party in the October 20 governorship election.

    “The scope of the training, according to our discovery, includes, offensive, tactical training, shooting AK-47 live ammunitions in a shooting range and in dedicated facility. We are also aware that this special squad has been trained in the act of bomb making.

    “According to our findings, about 50 members of the Labour Party have undergone this dastardly training. Many more are said to be there at present.

    “The returnees (Israeli-trained militia) are believed to be strategically distributed in different parts of the state ahead of elections. The predictable consequence of this terrorist tutelage is better imagined.”

    The ACO traced the ownership of NIRTAL Limited to a highly-experienced Israeli ex-military personnel that specialises in security training.

    It said: “We, therefore, appeal to you to direct the appropriate agencies of the state to commence full and fast investigation into this looming threat with a view to averting a major security breach in our state and potentially in the country.”

     

  • What manner of dialogue?

    What manner of dialogue?

    WHERE is National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki? The gentleman seems to be so quiet nowadays.

    When Col. Dasuki got onboard, he launched a bid for dialogue with the Jamaatul Ahlis Sunnah lidaawa wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram (Western education is a sin). The sect has been leading a bloody campaign against its perceived enemies. Thousands are dead; many are injured.

    With a brief lull in suicide bombings, we all thought that, indeed, dialogue was on. How wrong we have been! The eerie, spine-chilling sounds of flying bullets from booming guns are being heard again. Borno State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General Zanna Malam Gana was killed on Tuesday. Former Prisons boss Alhaji Ibrahim Jarma was shot on Monday. He died on Tuesday. The Acting chair of Maiha Local Government, Adamawa State, Lawan Datti, was shot dead on Monday by gunmen believed to be Boko Haram members.

    What kind of dialogue is going on? Dialogue of bullets, bombs and blood?

    But Nigerians, apparently, tired of it all, have resorted to sardonic jokes about the situation. A friend sent this to my mobile:

    “A man was arrested in Lagos by LASTMA officials for driving on the BRT lane. He was fined N50,000. Despite his begging, the officials refused to release the car.

    “Okay, may I know where you are towing my car to?” the man asked.

    “We’re taking it to Alausa,” replied one of the officials. “Ha-ha-ha-ha,” the Fulani laughed. The officials were surprised.

    The man brought out his phone and began to speak: “Abu Qaqa, Ina kwana?(Good morning in Hausa).

    “No sir! In less than 30 minutes, it will explode. The car has been arrested…

    “Only 20 out of those new bombs are inside the car…They are taking the car to Alausa! I am coming back to Yobe alive now. Thank you sir. Greet other faithful for me o.”

    He rounded off his imaginary call. When he looked back, there was no LASTMA official in sight. He entered his car and sped off, saying: “Shege! Dan borouba…Waka!”