The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Saudi Arabia

  • Boko Haram Ceasefire Offer: FG accepts Saudi Arabia for talks

    Boko Haram Ceasefire Offer: FG accepts Saudi Arabia for talks

    • Awaits composition of sect’s negotiation team

    The choice of Saudi Arabia for the proposed peace talks with the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, is sitting well with the Federal Government following consultations over the last 48 hours, The Nation can disclose.

    However, government is keen on the sect inaugurating its own team of negotiators including former military head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari before making fresh commitments.

    And with the weekend murder in Maiduguri of civil war hero, Major General Muhammed Shuwa by gunmen suspected to be members of the sect, it is understood that the Federal Government is not disposed to the withdrawal of the Joint Task Force (JTF) from Borno and Yobe States in the foreseeable future.

    Boko Haram had on Thursday offered to dialogue with the Federal Government through eminent Nigerians like Gen. Buhari, a former Governor of Yobe State, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Ambassador Gaji Galtimari and Aisha Wakili and her husband, Justice Zanna Wakili.

    General Buhari-led Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) denounced any attempt to link him with insurgency or insurrection in the country.

    The Nation gathered that President Goodluck Jonathan and top government officials have been consulting in the last two days on the conditions set by Boko Haram for peace to reign.

    Although the consultations were held in confidence, sources said government has decided to dialogue with Boko Haram especially after openly declaring in the past of its readiness to discuss with the sect as long as the faces behind the mask of the sect can come out.

    A top government source said: “In principle, we agreed that there is nothing wrong with dialogue. After all even in war you still find time to come back to the table to negotiate peace.

    “What has been a major challenge borders on the criticisms and protestations that greeted some of those nominated by the sect to lead the peace talks. Some people (mostly outside the government) are uncomfortable with Buhari because he had been threatening violence.

    “A few others faulted Bukar Abba Ibrahim for having not done much to address unemployment (as a three-term governor) which is one of the factors behind the violence in the North-East.

    “Although Amb. Galtimari once headed a panel on the crisis some stakeholders in the North-East still begrudge him in one way or the other. I think so far, no one has raised any eyebrow against Zanna Wakil who appears to be the most acceptable. His wife was once targeted by the sect.

    “The attitude of President Jonathan is that those selected are first and foremost Nigerians who should be supported to facilitate the proposed dialogue with Boko Haram. He has adopted a large heart attitude to this offer. During consultations, he believes members of the sect are Nigerians who should be encouraged to make the dialogue work.

    “So, the Federal Government is looking beyond sentiments or personal scores in holding talks with Boko Haram.

    “The government believes that Boko Haram has its reasons for choosing these eminent Nigerians.”

    Asked how the government will approach the dialogue, the top source said: “We have accepted the choice of Saudi Arabia as convenient for the sect. In dialogue, you choose the most secured and safe place. We have good ties with Saudi Arabia too.

    “But the government is looking forward to Boko Haram to inaugurate its committee, led by ex-Head of State, Gen. Buhari, as a sign of its readiness for the dialogue. Once these eminent Nigerians accept this onerous role, the Federal Government will also define a course for the dialogue.

    “We are really watching whether these facilitators would be ready to serve or not. Their acceptance will be a major breakthrough and a defining moment.”

    Responding to a question, the source gave insight into the thinking of the government on how to approach the ceasefire thus:

    *When will these killings stop?

    * What is the take-off point for dialogue when some eminent people like Gen. Mohammed Shuwa are still being killed?

    *If you want to negotiate, how do you control some armaments with these boys?

    *Must all the conditions be accepted at all cost for peace to reign?

    *Will the JTF still be allowed to remain in the North-East until the ceasefire is concluded?

    The source added: “The Federal Government is not in a hurry to withdraw JTF from the Borno-Yobe axis. The killings have continued and the government cannot abdicate its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.

    “The killing of Gen. Mohammed Shuwa has reinforced the position of the government. We will retain and strengthen the JTF until the peace talks have been held and all the parties show commitment to peace.”

  • Electrical fire ‘kills 25’ in Saudi Arabia

    At least 25 people have died and 30 others injured in a fire at a wedding in eastern Saudi Arabia, BBC reports.

    Hundreds were inside the courtyard of a home in the village of Ain Badr, in the Abqaiq region, when the blaze began.

    A high-voltage power line reportedly fell down and sent sparks flying after it was hit by celebratory gunfire.

    The power line is also believed to have touched a metal door at the only exit from the courtyard, which lead to many of the victims being electrocuted.

    Civil Defence Directorate sources told al-Arabiya that most of the casualties were women, though men and children also reportedly died.

    Survivors have been taken to the ARAMCO and Central Abqaiq hospitals.

    Civil Defence spokesman Col Mohammed al-Ajami said the governor of Eastern Province had ordered the authorities to investigate the incident

     

  • Hajj: Saudi Arabia deports another seven female pilgrims

    Hajj: Saudi Arabia deports another seven female pilgrims

    Saudi Arabian Authorities on Tuesday deported another seven female pilgrims for alleged incomplete travelling documents, barely two days to the Arafat.

    The pilgrims arrived the country through the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport at about 4:30am aboard a Boeing 747 Kabo Aircraft.

    An Airport official told the News Agency of Nigeria on condition of anonymity that, the pilgrims were deported from Saudi Arabia for not having complete travelling documents.

    He said the identities of the pilgrims could not be ascertained immediately.

    Effort to contact the NAHCON officials in Kano failed as they were said to be in the Holy land for the Hajj.

    It could be recalled that two weeks ago, the Saudi authorities also deported about 20 Nigerian pilgrims through the same airport for similar offence.

     

  • 3 Nigerian pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia

    Three Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have died, Dr Bello Tambawwal, the Head of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria Medina Mission, said.

    Tambawwal made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) in an interview in Medina, saying the pilgrims were from Kebbi, Kano and Katsina states.

    He said the first was a pilgrim from Kano State, who died aboard the plane conveying him and others in the inaugural flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

    He said the others died in Medina from illnesses but added that ” both of them were in their ripe age at the time of their death.’’

    Tambawwal said the Nigerian mission was working hard to ensure that medical services were available to the pilgrims always by operating two clinics in Medina, which rendered services for 24 hours.

    He said the commission was working with the medical teams of state pilgrims’ boards to ensure that priority attention was given to the health- care of pilgrims.

    He commended FCT, Edo, Jigawa, Osun and Kogi states for their zeal and commitment to the health-care of their pilgrims and urged others to emulate them.

    Tambawwal also commended the states for the thorough screening of intending female pilgrims, which resulted to none carrying a pregnancy unlike in the past.

    ”Last year we had nine cases of pregnancy cases, resulting in still birth or safe delivery of the babies but we have no pregnancy cases this year”, he said.

  • FG delegation to meet Saudi Authorities

    FG delegation to meet Saudi Authorities

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the constitution of a Presidential delegation to interface with the Saudi Authorities over the detention of Nigerian female pilgrims at King Abdul-Azziz International Airport, Jeddah

    The approval is contained in a statement signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

    The statement listed members of the delegation to include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, who would lead the team; Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, Minister of State 11, Foreign Affairs.

    Other members are Ambassador Shehu Galadanchi, Sheikh Sherif Saleh and Muhammad Bello, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the delegation will depart for Saudi Arabia as soon as appointment is finalised with the appropriate authority.

     

  • 3,000 FCT pilgrims head for Saudi Arabia

    Three thousand pilgrims in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. They boarded Kabo and Max airlines.

    Of the pilgrims, over 530 went through screening at the permanent camp and were taken to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the mass transit buses provided by the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

    The Director of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Surajo Ado Faskari, who addressed reporters at the permanent camp, said the exercise would be concluded on October 4.