President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that members of Boko Haram are still hiding in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State of Nigeria.
He told a high-level meeting of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council, in Addis Ababa today that there is no single territory which members of the Boko Haram are now occupying in Nigeria other than their hide out in Sambisa Forest.
“As at now, there is no single Nigerian territory under the control of the insurgents other than their hideouts in Sambisa Forest.”
The President who said that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) are now being resettled in their respective homes, promised that Nigeria will soon redeem its pledge of $100 Million for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to enhance the operations of the Task Force against Boko Haram.
According to President Buhari, Nigeria had already released $21 Million to the task force in June last year, adding that the balance of $79 Million will soon be remitted.
He assured the Council that Boko Haram’s capacity to conduct conventional attacks has been “heavily degraded.
“This feat totally accords with our promise to Nigerians to rid the country of terrorism and extremism within few months of our assumption of office.
“Our efforts are already yielding dividends and we will not relent until the terrorist groups are totally decimated and wiped out of our country and sub-region,” he declared.
The President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to support measures to end the conflicts in Burundi and South Sudan, including the proposed deployment of troops by the AU to Burundi.
“Let me re-iterate Nigeria’s deep commitment to ensuring durable peace, stability and security on our continent.
“Without peace, there will be no development. It is therefore vital for all of us to join hands in taking appropriate measures to end the conflicts and bring a stop to the incalculable damage being inflicted on innocent citizens in the affected countries.” [myad]
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one of its operatives, a Deputy Detective Superintendent, Abdulrahman Mohammed Biu, for allegedly receiving $150,000 (about N45 million) from some military officers currently under investigation for their involvement in the arms procurement scam.
He was alleged to received the bribe with a promised to give the unnamed seven military officers soft landing to escape probe in the $2.1billion arms scandal.
A statement issued by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said that documents relating to the ongoing arms scandal investigation were recovered from the suspect.
The statement read: “An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrahman Mohammed Biu, a Deputy Detective Superintendent, (DDS) has been arrested for offences bordering on extortion, influence peddling and impersonation.
“The officer was arrested on Monday following intelligence report alleging that he extorted a whopping sum of $150,000 from some military officers on the pretext that he would help give them a soft landing in the ongoing investigation into the arms deal scandal.
“Upon his arrest, a search was executed on his residence in Abuja where the following items were recovered: $20,000 cash, N500, 000 cash, two police uniforms bearing his name with the ranks of Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, Police warrant card No: 27/2014 with the rank of DSP allegedly obtained from Kano Constabulary office, documents relating to military arms investigation and account information of several senior military officers.
“A search of his car parked in the premises yielded the following items: unbranded pistol with a magazine and 10 live ammunitions.
“His modus operandi includes dropping the names of ranking officers of the commission, claiming he was acting on their behalf.
” A paper containing seven of such names was recovered in his house.
“The suspect has made useful statement, while investigation continues.” [myad]
An exhibit keeper with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Okeke Edward, has allegedly impregnated a 19-year-old canteen attendant, Nwokpa Blessing.
Blessing was a canteen attendant at the EFCC premises at the Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos state and was living with Edward.
The girl, who is reported to be 7 months pregnant for Edward, was subsequently thrown out of the house at 23, Akinseji Street, Fadeyi, where she resided with her purported lover.
Blessing said that Edward was the one who offered to accommodate her after seeing her sleeping inside the canteen when her brother, whom she was staying with, had accommodation problem.
She alleged that during the night, Edward would lure her into sex after which she said she was eventually deflowered by him and got impregnated afterwards.
However, when she informed Edward about the pregnancy, he was said to have became angry and gave her N18, 000 to abort it, but that she declined.
Blessing further said that people directed her to Legal Aids Council to complain and seek redress, but when the Legal Aids Council invited Edward to settle the matter, he told them that he would not honour their invitation and nothing will happen.
Frustrated by Edward’s action, she went to his office to request for money for feeding and antenatal care, as she became homeless and could not feed herself after she was sacked from the canteen.
On her arrival at his office, there was a show of shame after Edward was said to have sighted her and allegedly descended on her to a point of collapse, but was later rescued by some senior officers.
Following the assault, Blessing went to the Legal Aids Council of Nigeria to report the matter.
A source at the Legal Aid Council reportedly spoke on the incident, saying they had taken up the case for further investigation. [myad]
Barely two days after his inauguration, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has terminated the appointments of all political appointees and directed them to hand over to the most senior officers in their offices with immediate effect. He also dissolved the boards of ministries and parastals in the state.
The governor, who issued the directive through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edward David Onoja, said the move was aimed at enabling the new government commence the restructuring of the boards and parastatals where necessary.
He said that it would also allow the government to take stock of the state of the boards with a view to commencing the process of repositioning them through new hands for efficiency and service to the people.
The directive, however, excluded three statutory boards and the Accountant General of Kogi State.
Those excluded are the Judicial Service Commission, Civil Service Commission and the State Independent Electoral Commission.
The Governor thanked all the chairmen and members of the boards and parastatals for their services to the people of Kogi State and assured them of the readiness of his administration to move the state forward. [myad]
The embattled former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio has begged the Muhammadu Buhari government to confiscate any foreign account that is traced to him, including even any property he has in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate.
In a statement today by his media assistant, Anietie Ekong, the former Akwa Ibom state governor, challenged the Buhari-led administration to seize any money found in a foreign bank account bearing his name.
Reports have earlier said that Akpabio was making a secret attempt to withdraw $7.2 billion from banks in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, through channels in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Akpabio said that the media report against him was sponsored by his political traducers, adding that the government should investigate the source of such money and also prosecute its owner.
“We challenge these purveyors of falsehood to publish the full details of the purported $7.2 billion account and we urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to seize such sum and prosecute the owner if it does exist. People should learn to accept the outcome of elections and stop this kind of dangerous propaganda in the name of politics.” [myad]
A suicide bomber today struck a Saudi Arabian Mosque, killing two worshipers and himself, and injuring seven others.
The Saudi Interior Ministry which confirmed the attack said that the bomber targetted Shiite mosque in the Eastern part of the country. Mansur al-Turki, the ministry’s spokesman, said in Riyadh that the suicide bomber blew himself up outside the mosque in the province of Ihsa when police prevented him from entering. Al-Turki said that another would-be suicide bomber was arrested after being injured in a shootout with security forces outside the Imam al-Reda mosque. A security official said three worshippers were killed when police exchanged fire with an unidentified gunman, who attempted to break into the mosque in the Shiite dominated Ihsa area. Police spokesman said that the attack occurred as worshipers were leaving the mosque following the Friday congregational prayers. No one has claimed responsibility. In recent months, there had been series of attacks on mosque in the Shiite minority area of Saudi Arabia. The attacks were claimed by radical Sunni Islamic State militia. Sunni extremists regard Shiites as heretics, deserving death. [myad]
Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has said that the 37 per cent recorded last year in the State in external examinations is unacceptable to the government even as she said that the government is now targeting a minimum of 60 per cent success in students’ performance in all external examinations this year.
Adebule said that in order to achieve the target, the state government has directed Principals, Head teachers and administrators of public secondary and primary schools to double their efforts by rededicating themselves to duty and making effective use of infrastructure and instructional materials provided to improve teaching and learning.
She spoke today while welcoming the Executive members of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPS), Lagos State Chapter.
She said that the Government will continue to invest in education, knowing that education is the bedrock of all other development.
Adebule said that apart from embarking on school infrastructure renewal programme across the State, the 17 per cent allocated to the education sector in the year 2016 budget was a further demonstration of government genuine commitment to functional and quality education, urging them to complement the gesture through hard work and professionalism.
She said that the State Executive Council at its last meeting approved the construction of new ultra modern school building to be called IBILE Schools which will be equipped with state of the art learning facilities, in addition to plan to provide and distribute free ICT tablets to students in order to enhance their learning development.
While reassuring schools principals of government’s will to prioritize their welfare both in remunerations and retraining programmes, Adebule urged them to use their position to prevail on their teaching staff to have better attitude to work so that government’s huge investment in education will be justified.
She promised that the state ministry of education under her watch will assist government to implement relevant educational policies that will promote the growth of functional education and rank the State among the best educationally developed States of the world.
Earlier in her address, ANCOPSS President, Mrs. Olayinka Omotunde Lawson explained that the visit was a familiarization visit and to express the support of the association for Government initiatives to improve teaching and learning for better performance.
While commending the State Government for committing resources towards achieving functional and qualitative education, Lawson implored the government to improve the working condition of teachers to engender better performance.
Meanwhile the Deputy Governor has made it clear that the state government would not hesitate to close any recalcitrant private school in the State that failed to meet the basic standard required or abide by stipulated rules and regulations, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has warned.
Adebule, who handed down the warning at a stakeholders meeting with proprietors of private schools in the State, said that it has become imperative to strictly enforce laws guiding the operations of private schools in order to ensure high standard and orderliness in the sector.
She decried the unwholesome practices in some private schools, particularly in the conduct of external examinations, saying that many private schools encourage examination malpractices.
According to the Deputy Governor, who also supervises the State Ministry of Education, things can no longer be the same in the operation and regulation of private schools, hence the call for attitudinal change among all stakeholders.
“Teachers are known for discipline, they are known for high values and moral, so government will no longer tolerate indiscipline in the operations and regulations of private schools in Lagos State.”
She expressed hope of an improved working relationship between the State Government and proprietors of private schools, adding that the present administration is more than determined not only to regulate the sector, but also take keen interest in what is going on in the industry.
The Deputy Governor also said that the Office of Education Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Education has now been split into two for efficiency and effectiveness in order to strengthen monitoring and supervisory roles of the Office.
Adebule said the State Government is already working closely with the Department for International Development (DFID) to maintain high standard in the education sector, while it is also putting modalities in place to undertake a census of private schools operating in the State. [myad]
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has reinstated 15 Local Government chairmen sacked by his predecessor, former Governor Idris Wada, for decamping to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This was contained in a statement issued in Lokoja today by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo. The statement quoted Bello as saying that the action was informed by the need to promote the rule of law and ensure that no one was victimized based on political belief. The statement said the governor directed those that have been occupying the positions in the absence of the chairmen to hand over immediately and revert to their former positions. “Governor Bello expects the normalization to be carried out without rancour, regardless of political differences. “Chairmen who were removed via impeachment are considered to have been removed legally and are bound to the legal status quo.” Bello directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Local Government Service Commission to comply immediately and accordingly. It would be recalled that 15 Local Government chairmen elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were banned from occupying the office after decamping to the APC in November, 2015. [myad]
Six unidentified armed men, in the early hours of today, kidnapped His Royal Majesty, Isaiah Aghaza I in Delta state of Nigeria.
The kidnappers were said to have stormed his palace, heavily armed with AK47s, and ordered him into a waiting vehicle that had no number plates, and zoomed off.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Celestina Kalu who confirmed the incident said: “Olomoro King HRM Aghaza I, was kidnapped in the early hours of on Friday from his palace. His abductors took off to an unknown destination with a dark-green Range Rover Jeep.
“Efforts are being made to track down the culprits.”
It will be recalled that two monarchs and about six others were kidnapped in barely six weeks in the state. [myad]
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Ekpo Nta, has been elected as one of the seven new members of the Board of Governors of the International Anti-Corruption Academy, Austria. Nta was elected into the IACA Board of Governors to represent the African Regional Group during the Assembly of State Parties Conference of the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Vienna, Austria. He is the first African and Nigerian to be so elected. The ICPC said in a statement today that this signals a great honour for him and was an international acknowledgement of upsurge of Nigeria’s prevention activities in the anti-corruption fight. IACA, in a letter dated December 17, 2015, signed by its Dean and Executive Secretary, Martin Kreitner, to Ekpo Nta, said: “With the 4th session of the Assembly of parties of the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) having come to a successful close, I have the pleasure of once again thanking you for your valuable contributions during this session, and to also of formally notifying you on your election by the Assembly-upon a proposal by Federal Republic of Nigeria – to IACA’s Board of Governors. “As you know, the IACA is an international organization basedin Laxenburg, Austria. It is the first global institution of this kind, dedicated to overcoming current shortcomings in knowledge and practice in the field of anti-corruption, and seeking to empower professionals for challenges of tomorrow. The organization was initiated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the Republic of Austria, and other stakeholders. “It became an intergovernmental organization on 8 March 2011. To date, it comprises a constituency of 66 Parties from all over the world, including three international organizations. IACA has permanent observer status to the UN General Assembly. “In view of IACA’s role as a dynamic and consistently growing global anti corruption stakeholder and service provider, we look forward to working with you in curbing preventing corruption by empowering professionals. The next meeting of the board is scheduled for 7-8 March 2016.” Other members elected were drawn from Iraq and Jordan (Asia Pacific Group), Chile (GRULAC), Azerbeijan (Eastern European Group), Brazil (GRULAC) and Thailand (Pacific Group). A report from the IACA’s newsletter stated that delegates at the forum voiced their strong support for IACA and underlined the importance of its global work in anti-corruption, education, research, networking and co-operation. The assembly reiterated that the anti-corruption capacity-building activities provided by IACA could further contribute to the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, IACA signed three Memoranda of Understanding within the framework of the Assembly, with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Law Institute of Lithuania, and the Academy of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. [myad]
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President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that members of Boko Haram are still hiding in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State of Nigeria.
