The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Terrorism

  • Stand up against terrorism, Aregbesola urges Muslims

    Stand up against terrorism, Aregbesola urges Muslims

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged Muslims to stand against the notion that Islam is a religion of terror, massive alienation and mindless killings.

    This was the governor’s message to an Islamic organisation, Jama’atu Izalatil-Bid’ah wa Iqamatis-Sunnah, when its representatives visited him yesterday in Osogbo, the state capiital.

    Aregbesola said Islam, by nature, rejects the force, compulsion and violence that some characters are now impugning to it with their behaviour.

    He said the best way to attract people to one’s faith is by good deeds, good character, love and accommodation, rather than by violence and compulsion.

    The governor said it is wrong for anyone to believe that he should punish another person because of a difference in faith, saying such a person is trying to play God, as God alone can reward or punish his creatures.

    He said: “Islam rejects force, compulsion, killing and maiming and violence in all its forms. Islam encourages piety, good relation and nice character, a combination that attracts people to Islam.

    “The absence of these qualities brings hatred and rejection by the society. The message Islam brought to the world is that of peace, love, justice, tolerance and accommodation.

    “So, any form of unilateral killing is wrong. Those who think they can punish others for whatever reason are playing God, because it is only God that rewards and punishes.”

    Aregbesola urged Islamic clerics to preach peace, unity, good neighbourliness, tolerance, accommodation and humanitarian services.

    The leader of the group, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, praised the governor’s performance in the state, particularly in education and information dissemination.

    He urged the governor to always lead his people with trust and dignity, adding that the group is proud of his achievements.

    Sheik Lau said: “We are highly impressed with your performance. We congratulate you on the physical development, transformation and progress in the state.”

    He advocated religious and ethnic harmony across the country.

     

  • Terrorism: Lagos community tightens security

    The traditional ruler of Ayoobo Town in Alimosho Local government Area of Lagos State, Oba Arole Idowu Kadunmise, has called on house owners in his domain to be vigilant and mindful of the activities of their tenants.

    He said they will henceforth be held responsible if any of their tenants is caught indulging in terror acts.

    The paramount ruler gave this warning when the Oba-in-Council hosted the CDC/CDA, concerned citizens, stakeholders, Hausa community and religious leaders on security in the community at the weekend.

    Kadunmise said Governor Babatunde Fashola has called all traditional rulers in the state to a meeting where the threat of Boko Haram was discussed.

    He started that Fashola advised them to go back to their various domains and instruct their subjects on the need to pay serious attention to strangers, especially those from the northern parts in their midst.

    This, the Alayobo of Ayoobo land, said is based on security reports indicating members of the sect are planning to strike in Lagos.

    The monarch disclosed that the Oba-in-Council had already taken some steps to improve security in the community.

    He called on religious leaders, especially imams to thoroughly check worshippers in the midst and upgrade security.

     

  • Kabiru Sokoto faces terrorism charge

    Kabiru Sokoto faces terrorism charge

    … Arraignment stalled

    The State Security Service (SSS) on Wednesday failed to arraign an alleged Boko Haram member, Kabiru Sokoto before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    This was due to the failure of the prosecution to serve the charge on the accused.

    The court was also amazed when the accused told the court that he does not understand english very well, so would need an interpreter.

    Clad in a brown jalabia and bathroom slippers, Sokoto was brought to the court under a heavy security in a Peugeot 406 with registration number Abuja, BR 867 RSH.

    Specifically, he was accused of withholding information on the plan to bomb St.Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State and failure to disclose it to law enforcement officer as soon as practicable, an offence contrary to Section 7(1) and punishable under Section 33(1) of Terrorism and Prevention Act 2011.

    He was also accused of supporting the act of terrorism by training 500 men and inciting them to commit a terrorist act, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) and punishable under Section 33(1)(b) of Terrorism and Prevention Act 2011.

    The accused allegedly facilitated the commission of terrorist act to wit: by planting and encouraging some boys (now at large) at Mabira Sokoto, in Sokoto State with the intention to bomb the police headquarters and some other government agencies in the state.

    The alleged offence is contrary to Section 15(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under the same Act.

    At resumption, Justice Adeniyi Ademola observed that the charge had not been served on the accused person.

    Prosecution counsel, Chioma Onuegwu prayed the court to allow the accused take his plea, adding that all the other applications would be served on him before the next adjourned date.

     

  • NEMA, US strategises against terrorism

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun a tabletop simulation exercise as a strategy on counter-terrorism at the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja.

    It is aimed at improving the capacity of stakeholders in rescue operation whenever terrorists attack.

    The exercise, organised in conjunction with the United States government, centres on the use of vital assets as independent protective devices and chemical pollution level detection instruments.

    The Director-General of NEMA, Mohammed Sani Sidi, declaring the exercise open in Abuja, said emergency rescue exercise has become necessary now that terrorism is on the rise in Nigeria and West Africa.

    He said: “The simulation exercise will identify capabilities and gaps inherent in the preparations of relevant agencies to meet the exigencies of terrorists’ strikes.”

     

     

     

  • ECOWAS vows to rid region of terrorism

    ECOWAS vows to rid region of terrorism

    ECOWAS leaders have vowed to tackle the issue of terrorism headlong.

    They made the commitment during the 66th session of Heads of states and government of West African states on Mali and Guinea Bissau in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivore

    According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting on Thursday, ECOWAS leaders endorsed the Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Implementation Plan as well as the Political Declaration on a Common Position against Terrorism.

    On the Security and Political Situation in Mali, the ECOWAS authority strongly condemned the on-going suicide bombings and guerilla attacks by terrorist and extremist groups in the north of Mali.

    It also urged the allied forces to take all necessary steps within the framework of the counter-insurgency operation to neutralize them and ensure the prosecution of collaborators.

    Meanwhile, ECOWAS leaders at the meeting endorsed the revised Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for African Forces in Mali and urged both the political leadership and Commanders of the allied forces to ensure improved coordination among themselves for a harmonious and effective operation.

    They also endorsed the recommendations of the meeting of the Chiefs of Defence Staff regarding the urgent and other identified needs of AFISMA.

    In this regard, the leaders directs the ECOWAS Commission, in close collaboration with the AU Commission, to ensure that these needs are met without further delay, in particular the deployment of troops and the provision of additional logistics.

     

  • ANPP urges Nigerians to be patriotic, shun terrorism

    ANPP urges Nigerians to be patriotic, shun terrorism

    The All Nigeria Peoples Party has advised Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used by any foreign interest to entrench terror and insecurity in the country.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the ANPP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, on Friday in Abuja.

    ANPP, however, called on the good people of Nigeria not to allow poverty to befuddle their nationalistic vision and resort to terrorism.

    “Truly there is hardship in the land, but we should place the country above any other interest, if we are to live peacefully in the country.

    “ANPP received the string of kidnapping and terrorism news making the rounds in the media with sadness.

    “Last week gunmen kidnapped six workers, including two foreigners at a Lebanese owned construction site in Bauchi,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the party as saying in the statement.

    According to the statement, some suspects were arrested recently for spying on some foreign targets in Nigeria for the purpose of future attacks.

    “Our great party is worried over these cases of kidnapping and terrorism for their potentials to throw a spanner in the works of our burgeoning democracy.

    “ Therefore, we condemn these acts of kidnapping and espionage, for they are unpatriotic and detrimental to our growth and development as a people,” it said.

    It commended men of the State Security Service for their professional and patriotic jobs, they gave Nigerians the hope that intelligence gathering was the key to fighting insecurity in the country.

    “ We also encourage the nation’s security agencies to do more in order to stem the spate of kidnappings in the nation.

    “They should apply more inter-agency intelligence sharing, and also network effectively in order to respond quickly to threats and to intervene at potential flash points,” it said.

    Emeka

  • Terrorism: Ndume asks court to ‘stay proceedings’ on trial

    Terrorism: Ndume asks court to ‘stay proceedings’ on trial

    Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has asked a Federal High Court, Abuja, to stay proceedings in his trial pending the determination of an appeal he filed against a decision of the court.

    He is challenging the decision of the court to admit in evidence the DVD’s containing call data records as well as findings of investigations carried out by a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) of the State Security Service.

    Ndume is accused of hoarding information on planned terror attacks and providing logistics to the convicted spokesman of the Boko Haram sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga (alias Usman AI- Zawahiri).

    He is also charged for allegedly giving telephone numbers of certain public officers to Boko Haram for the purpose of communicating terrorist messages.

    The alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 3(b), 4(1) (a) and 7(1) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011.

    Although, Thursday was slated for continuation of trial, Ndume’s counsel, A. O. Jolawo, informed the court that his client had filed an appeal against the December 11 and 14 ruling of the court.

    Prosecuting Counsel Thompson Olatigbe confirmed receipt of the notice of appeal but said the motion for stay of proceedings has not been served.

    He, therefore, urged the court to proceed with cross examination of its witness since the motion for stay was not ripe for hearing.

    Adjourning till February 19 hearing on the application however, Justice Gabriel Kolawole said he feels rather hesitant to insist that cross examination of the prosecution witness should continue.

    It would be recalled that a prosecution witness had told the court that there were 73 communications between a Nokia E7 which allegedly belongs to Ndume and Konduga, who allegedly owns the Nokia 2700 that was tendered in evidence alongside the Nokia E7.

    The witness, Aliyu Usman, a forensic examiner attached to the SSS, had told the court that in the cause of analyzing the mobile phones given to him by the chairman of the SIP, James Ene Izi, it was discovered that the duo had exchanged text messages, multi media messages and placed voice calls between October 3, 2011 and November 3, 2011.

     

  • Terrorism: Jonathan to meet Cameron, Hollande

    Terrorism: Jonathan to meet Cameron, Hollande

    President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to jet out of Abuja on Tuesday night to meet with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron and French President, Mr. Francois Hollande over terrorism in West Africa.

    A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said that the President, who will be accompanied by the First Lady and other government officials, will also discuss trade and economic relations with the British prime minister.

    The President is also expected to stop over in Egypt to attend the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

    The statement reads: “President Goodluck Jonathan will leave Abuja tonight for London and Paris to confer with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron and the President of France, Mr. Francois Hollande on matters of vital interest to Nigeria, Britain and France.

    “The President’s talks with the British Prime Minister in London are expected to focus on the expansion of trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Britain as well as the enhancement of cooperation between both countries on the war against terrorism.

    “In Paris, President Jonathan will confer with President Hollande and French Government officials on the ongoing deployment of Nigerian and ECOWAS troops to Mali to support the current military action against insurgents and terrorists in Northern Mali.

    “On his way to London, President Jonathan will stop over in Cairo, Egypt to participate in the conference of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) scheduled to open there tomorrow. He is also scheduled to attend the launching of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation in London on Friday.

    “The President who will be accompanied by the First Lady and relevant government officials is due back in Abuja on Monday.”

     

  • Ransom money fuelling terrorism in Africa, says Jonathan

    Ransom money fuelling terrorism in Africa, says Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday attributed the increasing incidence of terrorism in Africa to the huge funds received by kidnappers as ransom for hostage taking and drugs trafficking.

    Speaking in Switzerland, Jonathan said the terrorists would always want to instigate crises because of the money they make out of it.

    He said the Libyan crisis is fueling terrorism in the continent.

    Jonathan, who spoke on the theme, “De-Risking Africa”, as one of the panelists at an interactive session at the World Economic Forum, said Africa needs the cooperation and support of the International community to deal with terrorism on the continent.

    The President explained that deployment of Nigerian troops in troubled Mali was to prevent it from spilling over into other West African countries.

    If not properly handled, he said, Africa is at risk of being run over by terrorists with the potential of increasing investment risks in the continent.

    He said: “One fundamental problem in Mali is the issue of governance and religious extremism. The terrorist aspect and issue of hostage taking for the purposes of ransom and drug trafficking happened because of the crisis in Libya and, of course, the terrorists will always want to instigate crisis because they make money from it.”

    “If we do not contain the problem of Mali, definitely it will affect other African countries and that is why Nigeria had to move fast and we thank the government of France.”

    Jonathan spoke alongside South African President Jacob Zuma, CEO of Bharti Airtel Limited, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Executive Chairman of SAB Miller, Graham Mackay, and President of International Crisis Group, Louise Arbour.

    On the theme, Jonathan said that Africa was not the only one facing risks, stressing that there are generally risks involved in any business venture anywhere in the world, depending on the circumstances.

    Jonathan said: “Before this time, African states were quite politically unstable. We have had military intervention and where government is not stable and where the political system is not stable, it is a big risk in terms of investment because laws could be changed arbitrarily.

    “Over the period, most of the African states now have stable political systems. Presently, about 33 African states have conducted successful elections two times, where one civilian administration has handed over to another. In Nigeria, we have done our elections four times. In the past, we never experienced that.

    “In terms of political stability, African countries have been reasonably de-risked because government has become stable and because the political system is stable, it also affects economic planning,” he added

    “The growth rate had been stagnant before this time, but over the period the growth rate in most African countries is significantly above the world averages,” he said.

    Jonathan said Nigeria was diversifying her economy from overdependent on oil as a source of revenue.

    “In terms of oil income, any country that depends on one major commodity is a big risk because anything that affects oil production or global oil price also affects us. That is why we are looking at different areas and one of the key we want to market in Davos is our agriculture transformation, solid minerals and others, and those with the potentials. The country before now was not politically stable and if you take over power, what you want is quick money to satisfy the people. So there was no investment in other areas,” he said

  • Terrorism: Okah found guilty in South Africa

    Terrorism: Okah found guilty in South Africa

    A South African court found a suspected former Niger Delta militant guilty on Monday of masterminding two deadly car bombings in Nigeria in 2010.

    Henry Okah, who denied he ever led the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, moved to South Africa after Nigeria issued an amnesty for MEND members in 2009, lifting charges of gun-running and treason against him.

    The South African court convicted him on 13 counts, including conspiracy to commit terrorism and detonating explosives, in the 2010 bombings that killed at least 10 people during Independence Day celebrations in Abuja – a verdict welcomed by Nigeria.

    “This conviction is a warning that there is no hiding place for terrorists,” Marilyn Ogar, spokeswoman of the State Security Service, said by telephone. “Wherever you are, the law will catch up, as it has with Henry Okah.”

    MEND’s attacks on oilfields and pipelines across the swampy region that is home to Africa’s biggest oil and gas industry cost Nigeria $1 billion a month in lost revenues at its peak, according to the central bank.

    Reuters reports that the South African court, which tried Okah under counter-terrorism laws that cover crimes committed outside the country, is due to sentence him on January 30.

    Some Niger Delta residents said they thought Okah was a scapegoat and questioned why he had been convicted while many other bombers in Nigeria – including members of Islamist sect Boko Haram who have killed hundreds – walk free.

    “This is a conspiracy … there have been so many other bombings, yet nothing has been done to prosecute anyone – like the bombings of churches in the north,” said Nengi James, 29, a youth leader in Yenagoa.

    “We think Henry is not guilty and God will judge. Some Nigerian officials just wanted him jailed.”