The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Terrorism

  • Austria strengthens Police intelligence to counter terrorists

    Austrian parliament has adopted a new security bill giving the police intelligence service broader powers to investigate potential terrorists and extremists.

    A report on Wednesday in Vienna explained that under the new law, investigators would be allowed to preventively collect communication and telephone data based on the mere suspicion that someone might plan against Austria’s constitutional order.

    It said apart from terrorists, the law also extended to incitement to violence, as well as the formation of armed ideological or religious groups.

    The report disclosed that the law was supported by legislators from the ruling coalition of Social Democrats and the centre-right People’s Party.

    “The Greens and the far-right Freedom Party opposed the legislation.
    Meanwhile, the privacy activists said the law contains no adequate oversight mechanism to control investigators.”

  • ‘We must be firm against terrorism’

    ‘We must be firm against terrorism’

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Eldoret, Kenya, said the global community must  act with  more  determination and vigour against radicalisation and extremist ideologies, which encourage terrorism.

     Speaking at a memorial service in honour of Kenyan soldiers, who were killed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia, President Buhari said peace-loving nations must come together and deal with the threat posed to global security by terrorism with greater zeal and cohesion.

     In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said: “Terrorists should not have a place in our communities, villages, towns, cities and countries. We must all rise against the culture of intolerance, hatred and extremist ideologies, which drive terrorism.

     “We must also act with more  firmness against radicalisation and those who promote values and principles that threaten our unity and cohesion as a people.

     “Nigeria is willing to work with Kenya, other African countries and the global community to defeat these undesirable elements.

     “We must take the battle to the terrorists whoever they are and wherever they are. This requires commitment, sacrifice, resources, collaboration and a realisation that no country uis immune to the scourge, as terrorists do not respect national boundaries, race, colour, religion or creed,” Buhari said.

    He paid special tribute to the Kenyan soldiers, who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on their base in Somalia.

     He said: “I pay tribute to the fallen heroes of the El Adde attack and pray for the repose of their souls.”

  • UNHCR seeks US$545 million for Nigeria, CAR crises

    UNHCR seeks US$545 million for Nigeria, CAR crises

    The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and its partners have called on donor nations for more than half-a-billion US dollars this year to help hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee conflicts in Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR) and the host communities providing them with shelter and other basic services.

    The two Regional Refugee Response Plans (RRRP), presented at a donor briefing in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Monday include US$198.76 million for 230,000 Nigerian refugees and another 284,300 members of host communities in Niger, Chad and Cameroon as well as US$345.7 million for 476,300 CAR refugees and some 289,000 people hosting them in Chad, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Republic of Congo.

    Both RRRPs cover needs in sectors such as protection, education, food security, health and nutrition, livelihoods, shelter, basic aid and water, hygiene and sanitation. The CAR appeal is being made by 25 organizations, including UNHCR and other UN agencies as well as NGOs.

    The Nigeria appeal is made by 28 organizations. UNHCR alone is seeking US$189.54 million under the Central African Republic RRRP and US$62.33 million for Nigeria.

    “These two humanitarian crises must not be forgotten; they are not going away. The suffering is great and the needs acute among both the displaced and host communities,” said Liz Ahua, UNHCR’s Regional Refugee Coordinator for the CAR and Nigeria situations.

    Ahua said violence occurs on almost a daily basis in North-East Nigeria and CAR, generating fear and new displacement in the region, citing as examples suicide attacks, kidnapping, indiscriminate killings and massive human rights abuses.

    “There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we won’t see it unless there is a much stronger commitment from African governments and the international community to help re-establish stability and peace,” Ahua said, urging donors to give more generously.

    In 2015, the Nigerian RRRP received 52 per cent of its financial requirements whilst the Central African Republic RRRP received just 27 per cent.

    Despite important steps towards restoring peace in both North-East Nigeria and CAR, there were also reverses and continuing significant population displacement in 2015. In Nigeria, the government rolled back Boko Haram gains, but the insurgent group turned to terror tactics that spread into neighbouring countries.

    In CAR, relative peace was punctuated by waves of violence that triggered flight within the country and into the DRC, but the first round of the presidential election passed peacefully in late December with the participation of tens of thousands of refugees in Chad, Republic of Congo and Cameroon. The second round is due in February.

    The crises in Nigeria and CAR will continue to provide major challenges throughout 2016 in countries such as Cameroon, which provides sanctuary and assistance to refugees from both Nigeria and CAR.

    For just this country, the appeals seek US$130.8 million to help 234,500 CAR refugees and almost 216,700 host community members and US$56.36 million for 100,000 Nigerian refugees and 20,000 hosts in Cameroon.

    Highlighting some of the needs, Ahua said: “We need funding to prevent malnutrition among children; to run schools, build up proper sanitation systems and provide clean water; and to make sure that families have shelter over their heads.”

    The Nigeria and CAR regional response plans are part of the wider 2016 humanitarian appeal, asking for US$20.1 billion to reach 87 million people around the world, launched last December.

  • Saudi Arabia executes Shi’itte cleric, 46 others for terrorism

    Saudi Arabia executes Shi’itte cleric, 46 others for terrorism

    •Angry Iran says Riyadh will pay ‘high price’ for action

    Riyadh – Saudi Arabia yesterday executed a prominent Shi’ite cleric alongside dozens of al Qaeda members stirring a rise in sectarian tensions across the region.

    Most of the 47 executed were convicted of al Qaeda attacks in Saudi Arabia a decade ago, but four, including prominent cleric Nimr al-Nimr, were Shi’ite Muslims accused of shooting policemen during anti-government protests in recent years.

    The executions took place in 12 cities in Saudi Arabia, four prisons using firing squads and the others beheading. The bodies were then hanged from gibbets in the most severe form of punishment available in the kingdom’s Sharia law.

    Riyadh’s main regional rival Iran and its Shi’ite allies immediately reacted with vigorous condemnation of the execution of Nimr, and Saudi police raised security in a district where the sect is a majority in case of protests, residents said.

    Iran vowed that Saudi Arabia will pay “a high price” for the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

    Spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry Hossein Jaber Ansari strongly condemned the execution, which came after his Shi’ite country repeatedly asked its Sunni-ruled rival to pardon the cleric.

    “The Saudi government supports terrorist movements and extremists, but confronts domestic critics with oppression and execution… the Saudi government will pay a high price for following these policies,” he said, quoted by the official IRNA news agency.

    Nimr, 56, was a driving force of the protests that broke out in 2011 in Eastern Province, where the Shiite minority of Saudi Arabia complains of marginalisation.

    “The execution of a figure like Sheikh al-Nimr, who had no means to follow his political and religious goals but through speaking out, merely shows the extent of irresponsibility and imprudence,” said Ansari.

    The executions seemed mostly aimed at discouraging Saudis from jihadism after bombings and shootings by Sunni militants in Saudi Arabia over the past year killed dozens and Islamic State called on followers in the kingdom to stage attacks.

    The simultaneous execution of 47 people on security grounds was the biggest mass execution for such offences in Saudi Arabia since the 1980 killing of 63 jihadist rebels who seized Mecca’s Grand Mosque in 1979.

    The 43 Sunni jihadists executed included several prominent al Qaeda figures, including those convicted of responsibility for attacks on Western compounds, government buildings and diplomatic missions that killed hundreds from 2003-06.

    Also reacting yesterday,a  top Iranian cleric warned the kingdom’s Al Saud ruling family would be “wiped from the pages of history”. Yemen’s Houthi group described Nimr as a “holy warrior”, while Lebanese militia Hezbollah said Riyadh had made “a grave mistake”.

     

  • Armsgate: Try culprits for terrorism

    SIR: In the light of recent revelations on how our treasury was looted for private gains rather than being efficiently and effectively utilized to crush the Boko Haram insurgency, the federal government has a responsibility to the spirit of our heroes who lost their lives in the battle, their loved ones as well as the Nigerian population, to ensure that the looters are not only tried for corruption, they must also face the music as accomplices/sympathizers of the Boko Haram sect that has brought grief, tears and tragedies upon innocent Nigerians.

    Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, speaking at his pulling out ceremony in Abuja in July, lamented that under-funding had seriously hampered the operations of the armed forces in the fight against Boko Haram under his leadership. Similarly, the late National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi, once held that the rise of Boko Haram is not unconnected with intrigues in the former ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Another major revelation that shows that the last administration definitely had a hand in fanning the embers of insurgency in the country was made by Dr. Stephen Davis, the renowned Australian negotiator drafted in to facilitate the release of the Chibok girls. Davis noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria is not ignorant about the funding of Boko Haram; it is in fact a major player in the process.

    Today, the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) is battling it out with the anti-graft agency – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He is accused of spending $2 billion on ‘phantom contracts’ to purchase 12 helicopters, 4 fighter jets, bombs and other ammunitions for the military as well as misappropriating $300 million and £5.5 million allocated for the purchase of ammunitions, security and other intelligence equipment to strengthen the armed forces in the fight against Boko Haram. Several beneficiaries of this sleazy act have been identified.

    Importantly, individuals who have played one part or the other in sabotaging the efforts of the armed forces in its fight against Boko Haram, those who have also lent support aimed at facilitating the movement of arms and ammunitions for the operations of Boko Haram, all clearly constitute sympathizers of Boko Haram and justice must be done in the end in order for the present administration to etch itself in gold in Nigeria’s history. As promised by President Muhammadu Buhari in his inaugural address on May 29, Nigerians are anxiously awaiting the sociological study and its report aimed at unravelling the circumstances around Boko Haram in its entirety.

     

    • Ishola Ebenezer,

    University of Lagos.

  • Visions and challenges on terrorism and looting

    At  the conference of the National Human Rights Commision to commemorate its 20th Anniversary,  Edo  State Governor Adams Oshiomole called  for the prosecution of the former Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo  Iweala on her admission that she made available 322m dollars  from the recovered Abacha loot to the office of the former NSA Sabo  Dasuki  for the prosecution of the war against  Boko  Haram  in the North  East  of the country.  At  about the same time US  Republican Party front runner in the US  2016 presidential  elections Donald  Trump  called  for a  ban  on the migration of  Muslims to the US  and raised such  a furore that US  President Barak Obama at the  150th  Anniversary  of Slavery in the US cautioned against the rise  of bigotry  even as he called slavery the ‘original sin‘  on that occasion. I  will spice these two stories with the news of the sack of  Nnlalah  Nene, the Finance Minister of S Africa by President Jacob Zuma who  announced that the Minister who  has been largely described as reform minded and fiscally prudent was just being moved to a more strategic position in the cabinet after just  18 months.

    On  the surface,  all these  are quite controversial  issues. But an analysis will  reveal that they are new ways of looking at the problems of governance, leadership and corruption and are evolving in a  speedily   changing world that  is becoming  degraded and dehumanized  by the impunity of terrorism and Islamic Militancy led  by the brutality of Islamic  State and Boko  Haram. The  saying that desperate  diseases  need desperate  cure is bound to evolve from our analysis  of these issues  on discussion today as I ask you to join issues  with  my chain of thought on them.

    Let  us start again  with Adams  Oshiomole’s seemingly  endless grouse with Okonjo Iweala that  she should be prosecuted for approving money for purchase of arms that were not bought and in  which  funds were diverted  for other purposes. The  Finance Minister’s media aide  has been at pains to explain that the Edo  State Governor has an axe to grind with Okonjo  Iweal a because  she did not approve a World  Bank  loan  that Edo state was pursuing. But  the Finance Minister’s  reason for the loan was intriguing. She said that since there was an outcry that the Jonathan Administration was not funding the war effort in the North East enough she prepared a memo for a Committee  approved by the president and gave the money to the office of the NSA. Which  sounds like  an ordinary  housewife’s  defence of why she bought more meat than fish with the feeding allowance given by the husband. Except  that this was  the Finance  Minister  of  Nigeria at her second coming in that office after being recruited from the World Bank by the Obasanjo Administration at her first calling during which  she got paid in hard  currency against the labor laws of  the nation. The  same Finance Minister  was promoted by the World  Bank after her reforms in Nigeria based on the recipe of the Washington Concensus which  emphasizes high interest rates and budget  deficits when it was obvious that these were leading to economic stagnation, high  unemployment  and social upheaval from the ensuing growth of poverty  and  income   inequalities  instead of   real  economic  growth  and   development.

    Governor Oshiomole’s  insistence on the prosecution  of the former Finance Minister is not in any way misplaced. If  anything it is patriotic and salutary.  Has  the  National  Assembly no role to play in the disbursement of funds for war according to our constitution?  Why  should  an educated Finance Minister give the sort of excuse she gave that the government succumbed to public opinion and averted due  process in giving the nations funds behind the door and on the authority  of a kitchen cabinet instead of that of the National Assembly  as  demanded  by the separation  of powers inherent in our Presidential  Constitution? Governor Oshiomole  may  be an insistent  former  labor leader and no  friend of   the  World Bank  because of its  inhuman economic prescriptions  but he certainly knows what  he is saying when he calls for the prosecution of the former Finance Minister on account of conspiracy  in  giving out funds for fighting insurgency illegally  and  making the fraud  of diversion a grim possibility and a huge drain on the dwindling resources  of our nation.

    Equally  intriguing and   definitely  more  alarming was Donald  Trump’s call  for a ban on Muslims going to the US  because  of the rise of terrorism  on the US homeland the latest   being  the killing of 14  people by a radicalized US couple in California. How  Trump  came  about  such  a statement still  baffles me but he insists that what he has said is  popular and has not recanted which is unfortunate. But  then he  has touched a raw nerve and since  he is the leading Republican candidate in spite of all odds  so far,  his party has to look for a way to contain him. If in spite of this he wins  the Republican Party’s  nomination then that party can never be the same again and the nature of the 2016 presidential election will  be quite unpredictable though it  will be  quite exciting as usual. However l do  not subscribe to the view that Trump’s antics may give Hillary Clinton an easy presidential election next year. Clinton will have to react to these dangerous things that Trump  has been dishing out and the way she does will determine her presidential  fate and that of the Democratic, Party in 2016. Trump  has been  so bold as to postpone a trip  to Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu  who  has a soft spot  for him as a Republican  candidate,  on the excuse that he will do that trip after he has been elected president of the  US. Already Israel’s President has retorted to Trump’s Islam ban by saying that Israel is not at war  with Islam but extremists who  are wickedly bent on killing innocent people for no justifiable or sane reasons. Really  I  wonder at Trump’s emergence and his staying power which confirms that there is some anger out there against  politics as usual in the US  and established political  parties and politicians had better be on the look  out   for as the saying goes no one can stop  an  idea  whose  time has come. Just  like  no one got  it when a seasoned Democratic Party Convention Speaker  emerged  from no where to thwart Hillary Clinton’s ambition in 2008  to become the  44th and  first black president of God’s own country. The rest is history and this rumbling Trump looks more like an approaching political volcano on the US political arena than an ill wind that will soon  and   readily  blow away.  Americans   therefore and   indeed  the world  at  large   should prepare  like  the Chinese would say,  to live  in interesting times  and so  too should terrorists and those who  kill and maim innocent people globally prepare  for a most unusual foe  and enemy.

    Lastly  the sack of S Africa’ Minister of  Finance, Nnlalah Nene is   a  story  that has parts  and bits of the last two issues on our former finance Minister and Governor  Oshiomole  and of course Donald Trump  and I will illustrate  vividly.  The  first  is tha the Finance Minister  was sacked for  among other things failing to approve the purchase of a presidential jet for the S African  president and  for  failing to approve salary increment  for workers. I  commend the Minister  for having the guts to chop off the presidential jet although he now knows that he who pays the piper dictates the tune. I disagree  with him on the refusal  to increase the workers salary  as Governor Oshiomole would do and vehemently too and my reason is that such  an act smirks of an IMF conditionality for which Finance Ministers like those  of France, Indonesia and Nigeria have  been rewarded with plum IMF jobs after leaving  office  for services  well  rendered  for  IMF even though such measures  bred inevitable social unrest and violence  in the nations  of such  ministers. Perhaps  President Zuma saw through the Minister’s gambit to play to an international audience at the expense of the S African economy although there is no denying that the chopping of the presidential jet was  enough ammunition for President Zuma known for opulent life style to have sacked him. Obviously  the sacked S African Finance  Minister  now knows better that in politics as in religion  you cannot serve God  and  Mammon.  Just  as Governor  Oshiomole  made very clear  in his very public and strident call for the prosecution  of our former Finance Minister.  Again  long live  the Federal  Republic  of Nigeria.

  • Terrorism prosperity

    Certain developments in the country show that official terrorists don’t have a monopoly on terrorism. Evidently, the power of terrorism can encourage power terrorism. People in power can do things that make them no better than terrorists.

    It is unclear to what extent the extension of the anti-terror war was due to fraud-related factors. The multi-billion arms scam in the news is not exactly a revelation although it may have revelatory qualities. It was an open secret in the Goodluck Jonathan presidential era that people in power ironically fuelled the Boko Haram insurgency by fraudulent acts. The anti-terror war became a pro-terror effort because of the weakening of state-capacity by government officials expected to win the war.

    When politically powerful people help to create an enabling environment for terrorists, it is the ultimate tribute to terrorism. It is tragic that the role of former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki in the unfolding picture of official corruption in the country’s terror fight under Jonathan cannot be described as a war-winning effort. Dasuki was a counterproductive terror fighter whose failure has been compounded by his linkage with fraud-related factors that made nonsense of the anti-terror campaign.

    With Dasuki’s December 1 arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) and his grilling by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the stage is set for unmasking political actors who aided terrorism by terror-friendly acts of corruption. A report quoted an EFFC source: “Our investigators have isolated these areas of probe: Were the funds budgeted for? If not, what informed extra-budgetary expenses? How much was actually voted for arms procurement? How were the funds sourced? Who or which agency awarded all the contracts? Who were the contractors? Was there any evidence of delivery of equipment?”

    Terrorism benefited from the corruption of the anti-terror war.  Corruption benefited too.  Diversion of funds for fighting terror meant a prolongation of the battle and a perpetuation of fund diversion.

    When anti-terrorism is not necessarily anti-corruption, there are consequences even outside the theatre of war.  It is now clear that organising fundraisers for the sake of the country’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who are victims of terrorism, might be easy; but it is so damn difficult for funds raised to reach the targets. This is the puzzling picture painted by no less a person than the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III.

    At the opening of the Council’s second General Assembly in Kaduna on November 23, the Sultan said: “When we go into closed session, we will discuss that thorny issue of displaced persons, mostly in the Northeast. It is a very sad situation; people are suffering. Billions and billions of naira have been collected or put aside for their welfare, but what we hear every day and what we see on the pages of newspapers is very bad. It is important that this money be disbursed immediately via the governors.”

    Sultan Abubakar continued: “The billions of naira collected must be utilised now because, when somebody dies, he does not need anything again except prayers. So, since they are still alive, let’s feel for the IDPs; they are our brothers and sisters. We must feel for them; we cannot live a luxury life when our brothers and sisters are suffering. We do not sleep very well when we see things like that.”

    He should be commended not only for speaking truth to power, but also for demonstrating that traditional rulers can play a constructive role in a democratic context. In conclusion, the Sultan said: “So, please, we want the governors to take the issue more seriously; take it up with Mr. President and ensure the release of the funds because I was part of the team when this money was collected for the IDPs during the last government. They should find out where that money is and disburse it immediately.”

    In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting, the traditional rulers jointly highlighted Sultan Abubakar’s concern: “In view of the hardships being faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East with about two million of them in Maiduguri alone, the Assembly calls on the Federal Government to disburse the Billions of Naira raised in support of IDPs and other victims of insurgency to bring succour to them with a view to resettling them back to their homes.”

    To put it as mildly as possible, it is scandalous that this is happening concerning people who are not only displaced, but also distressed, particularly considering that they may be described as innocent victims.

    It is noteworthy that recent statistics by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) put the IDP population in the country’s Northeast at 2.2 million. According to UNHCR’s Representative to Nigeria, Ms Angele Dikongue-Atangana, who gave the figures at its yearly stakeholders’ briefing in Abuja on November 19, “the number is increasing specifically because regaining control of the territory by the military opened further access for the humanitarian officials so they can count many more IDPs, be they old IDPs or very recent ones.” To a large extent, the IDPs in question are products of acts of terrorism by the Islamist guerilla force Boko Haram, which has tormented the country since 2009.

    It is terroristic that these victims of terrorism are being denied the benefits of funds gathered for the purpose of humanitarian support.  Those responsible for this situation are no better than those who enriched their private pockets with public funds for fighting terror. Corrupt conduct that tended to prolong terrorism and probable corrupt conduct that has prolonged terrorism-driven pains are discernible minuses. From the look of things, looking for an answer to the question of the IDPs’ rehabilitation fund may necessitate a probe.

    Terrorism has exposed power terrorists. If Jonathan had achieved his reelection ambition, it would have given corrupt people in power more time to make more money from the anti-terrorism war.  Also, it would have inspired more fundraising events to make more money for exploiters from the plight of displaced persons.

    It would require suspension of disbelief to believe these narratives of terrorism in the corridor of power. Believe it or not, terrorism pays terrifically.

  • Elections, corruption and terrorism

    The  governorship elections of both Kogi and Bayelsa states have shown the different faces of Nigeria in the way we see and perceive democracy   as well  as our commitment to change and the fight against corruption which  the present admiration has shown it is firmly committed to. The  Kogi election has  shown  that in Nigeria we pay lip service  to the concept of joint candidature and that in real terms we  do not expect  the running mate to succeed  the governorship candidate in case  of any mishap including. In  Bayelsa the spirit of former governor Alamieyesagha looms larger than life even in death over   today’s  elections which APC   expects to win without slighting the image of the  former governor whose  main legacy was the opprobrium of corruption for which inexplicably his people still dote and worship him  even in death.

    With  regard  to the fight against  terrorism it is becoming clear by the day that the former Jonathan  Administration could  not have performed better than it did   on   fighting   Boko  Haram  if its NSA was busy diverting funds meant for  arms to campaigns meant to keep the administration and PDP  in power.  Although  the  opposition could attack   EFCC  or   government  of orchestrating a media trial the  fact  cannot  be easily  dismissed  that a clear case of abuse of power and criminal  diversion  of funds had  been exposed and  blown open  even if we must  respect the law and assume that those involved are innocent until  proven guilty on trial  and in open  court. That these   revelations  are  coming at a time  that China through its President at a China – Africa Summit in Johannesburg  in S Africa promised  a loan of 60 bn  dollars to Africa   is   quite  instructive and should   provide  a good   opportunity   on  the  need  for accountability   and  the use  of public funds   for  the  purposes for which they    are  meant.  Which  really  is the problem of African  leaders   in that  they  divert funds  meant for infrastructure  and development  for their  personal  and unproductive uses  thus fuelling corruption   and  stagnating economic development  on the continent. 35  African  Heads  of  states attended  the summit  and one can expect a scramble amongst them  to have huge  slices  of the Chinese  loans which  have zero interest rates and no strings attached like IMF  or World  Bank loans.  Unfortunately   good  examples  of such     diversions   abound in  the ongoing revelations of  diversion   of  funds    meant to buy arms to unproductive  purposes  while  security   matters   on terrorism  were  unattended to.

    These   were   funds    meant for arms to defeat  terrorism  and secure the lives  and properties of Nigerians especially in the North  East where Boko  Haram is having  a

    field day even as the December deadline that the President gave the defence  forces approaches  ominously.

    On  today’s  topic it is clear  that each  isolated  state election shows the face of Nigeria and the fate of democracy  in that part of the world. Again  it  has been  clearly  demonstrated that   the deceased APC candidate’s   running   mate   was  never meant to become governor as even the party   bypassed him   in choosing  another man for him  to be running  mate  to  for  a second  time.  Which  is like   giving  our election laws  a huge  kick  in the ass. That makes a mockery  of democracy  and the rule of law as well as the tenets of our constitution  even  as we await the verdict  of the rule of  the  Supreme  Court  on the matter.

    In  the case  of  Bayelsa it is clear that corruption  can  not  be an issue in that part of the world where the heroes are  larger than life  picture of a former governor  now dead and a former  president whose NSA  reportedly diverted funds meant  to buy arms to  campaigns and advertising promotions  while  soldiers  lacked  ammunition and equipment to fight Boko  Haram at the war  front and we could  not find our 200  missing Chibok  girls who  got  lost  then,  till  now. Obviously  a prima facie  case of treason  in high places is being established  against leaders of the last administration. Yet they  still  dictate the pace and direction  of elections in both Rivers and Bayelsa especially and no one is saying anything yet about the serious security implications of the charges of corruption and diversion  of funds meant to fight terrorism laid  very  much like a huge dung hill  of  opprobrium  at their door steps.  Really  the fight against  terrorism  and corruption  must have  a clear  message of deterrence, and  a policy to  defeat delay tactics in court as well as moves  to make an ass of the law,  which  are  manifest in  the  Kogi election  debacle on running mate as  well as the indifference of Bayelsa  people  to the opprobrium of corruption in their  election at any level of governance.

    Democracy  thrives  on the rule  of law, transparency, accountability and respect  for constituted authority. It  has  no place  for abuse of office and power which the arms diversion  episode has revealed and  no  well  meaning people  can hope  to improve their welfare or their  lot if they  do not frown on those who  feast them from  looted funds.

    Surely  the two elections in Kogi  and Bayelsa have thrown up serious concerns on our practice  of democracy which must  be fine tuned in the overall interest  of the larger Nigerian society  and community.

    We  need  to take our rules on elections more seriously, just as we also  need  to fine tune  our approach  to fighting terrorism. This really  is urgent if we  are  to make  Boko  Haram  a thing of the past in the shortest  possible time. It  was disheartening to read in the media that  Boko  Haram attacked  the hometown of the Army  Chief bearing his name and killed people before separating married women and girls  and making off  with  the damsels. This was painful and the army leadership  in the vicinity must  take full  responsibility for an avoidable lapse. They  should  have protected their boss’ village with greater care to avoid embarrassment to the army and themselves and  to avoid giving  unnecessary psychological  boost  to terrorists  in such  circumstances. Matters  were  not helped by the report that villagers said they warned the army of the presence of Boko  Haram  in the vicinity but the soldiers  reportedly  came to another village and shot into the air and went away till Boko  Haram came to kill  and carry off  innocent  maidens from  the village. The army  must wipe out Boko  Haram but  it must  protect its leaders too and not expose them to unnecessary   dangers and embarrassment such as that  which happened at the army chief’s  village this week.  Once  again  long live the Federal  Republic  of  Nigeria.

  • Terrorism: U.S. mulls security master plan in Nigeria

    Terrorism: U.S. mulls security master plan in Nigeria

    The U.S. says it has concluded plans to begin the implementation of the Security Governance Initiative (SGI), a comprehensive security master plan aimed at defeating terrorism and security threats in Nigeria.

    The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, retired Lt. Gen. Abudulrahman Dambazau.

    The SGI is an initiative of the U.S. Government that offers enhanced approach to security sector assistance beginning with six African countries, including Nigeria.

    The envoy said that a crack team from the SGI would be arriving Nigeria in January 2016 as part of efforts to assist Nigeria in dealing with all forms of security threat to the country.

    “We are ready to partner with you on security. As you know the Security Governance Initiative (SGI) is meant to enhance the security sector, so we will be having a team here in Nigeria by January,’’ he said.

    He explained that the SGI would be implemented in collaboration with the Nigerian Government so as to ensure a holistic and efficient outcome.

    Entwistle also said that the U.S. had concluded plans for the training of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies so as to professionally deal with the threat of terrorism and all other forms of crime.

    “As the situation in the North-East improves, we need to look at issues of the Police going back to the North-East and explore ways we can help with their training, ‘’ he said.

    He, however, stressed that all forms of assistance and support will be at the request of the Nigerian Government as demonstrated by President Muhammadu Buhari when he visited the U.S. recently.

    In his response, Dambazau expressed gratitude to the U.S. envoy for the visit and assured of the readiness of the Federal government to continue to partner with the U.S.

    He said the SGI was a welcome initiative that must involve all stakeholders in the security sector for it to succeed.

    “We want to assure you that on our own part we will fulfill our own part of the partnership (SGI) and we are confident that you will also fulfill your own part of the initiative,’’ he said.

    He described the Ministry of Interior as very crucial to internal security in Nigeria and emphasised the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure peace and stability in the country

     

  • How to defeat terrorism, by Buhari

    How to defeat terrorism, by Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said extremism and terrorism can be defeated, if people take actions against it.

    Speaking on behalf of African Heads of State and Government at the closing Executive Session of the 2015 Commonwealth Summit in Malta, Buhari said he was confident that terrorism would be defeated with greater international cooperation and collaboration.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba  Shehu, said: “We have had the opportunity to discuss, in a serene atmosphere, wide ranging issues of great significance, not only to members of the Commonwealth, but to the global community.

    “Of particular note is the Action Statement on Climate Change, which is expected to herald our commitment to saving the planet for present and future generations.

    “Of equal significance are our deliberations on Radicalisation and Violent Extremism. We are witnesses to the growing phenomenon of terrorism that is affecting us, whether big or small.

    “The reign of terror will only succeed, if peace-loving people choose to remain idle. But I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will defeat this scourge and restore peace,” President Buhari said.

    He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of Nigeria and other African member-countries to the promotion and protection of the core values of the Commonwealth.

    “I came into power via democratic principles and values espoused by this same body. Nigeria as a country will continue to protect and promote these democratic ideals,” President Buhari assured heads of delegations at the session.

    The President thanked outgoing Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma for his exemplary service to the Commonwealth.

    “We, in Nigeria, will not forget his five memorable visits to our country during his tenure. As this is his last CHOGM in his present capacity, I know I speak for my colleagues from Africa in expressing our immense gratitude and best wishes to him,” Buhari said.

    He congratulated the Commonwealth’s Secretary-General-elect, Patricia Janet Scotland, and assured her of the full support of Nigeria and other African members of the Commonwealth.