Police Authorities Angry With Biafran Agitators, Move To Apply Force

December 2, 2015

The Nigeria police authorities are now angry with Igbo people who have been agitating for the realization of the Biafran Republic, even as they are set out to exert some force to stop the agitation.

The authorities asked the agitator, comprising members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra to stop threatening public peace or face the full weight of the law.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, said that the move by the police to arrest the situation followed the increasing resort to acts of brigandage by sets of misguided individuals who apparently are hiding under the cloak of MASSOB and IPOB to threaten national security and public peace in parts of South East and some other states.

Kolawole said the latest manifestation of this threat was the attempt to block the Onitsha end of the Niger Bridge yesterday.

She said the action caused major hardship to innocent and law abiding motorists and citizens.

The act, she added, also occasioned serious dislocation of business activities.

“The Inspector-General of Police notes that the increasing resort to acts of brigandage of this nature is pointing to a clear attempt by the brains behind these protests to test the will of security agencies to restore order and guarantee internal cohesion. For the avoidance of doubts, the IGP further notes, the restoration and maintenance of law and public order, and protection of lives and property remain sacred and statutory Mandate of the Nigeria Police. This Mandate, according to him, shall be fully executed in the overriding interests of the nation and vast majority of citizens and residents of the South East geopolitical Zone.

“Consequently, the Inspector-General of Police has directed the mobilisation and deployment of Police Mobile Force (PMF) across the country to reinforce security in the State Commands that MASSOB and IPOB are currently attempting to utilise as launching pad for their sinister intentions. The Assistant Inspectors – General of Police Zone 5, (Benin); Zone 6, (Calabar) and Zone 9 (Umuahia) as well as all Commissioners of Police in the affected States in the South East and neigbouring States have also been directed to henceforth maximally exercise their statutory Mandate in relation to prevention and disruption of any gathering that threatens public order and national cohesion. Any person or group of persons so arrested in furtherance to the enforcement of this order will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“To this end, the Inspector-General of Police advises parents and guardians to call their children and wards to order as the patience of the Force is being stretched to the limit. He firmly affirmed that no individual or group interest can override the interest of the nation and that democratic values provide for exploration of rule of law to advance any concern, not the resort to endless and misguided acts of brigandage, unless there is an ulterior motive as the extant instance tends to dictate. He concluded by asserting that the Nigeria Police Force will not fold its law enforcement arms to allow few misguided elements to continually force hardships on fellow Nigerians either in the South East or any other part of the nation for that matter.” [myad]

Customs Boss Threatens To Dismiss, Jail Corrupt Officers

Greenbarge Reporters

December 2, 2015

The Nigeria Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Retired Colonel Hameed Ali, has warned that he would discipline, dismiss or jail any officer found guilty of corrupt practices.

Ali who gave the warning while addressing officers and men of the NCS in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, said that there is the need for them to be of good conduct and show professionalism while carrying out their duties.

The Customs boss said that he would have zero tolerance for corruption, hence the need for officers and men of the service to shun all forms of corruption.

“I want to make it clear to all of you that I have zero tolerance for indiscipline and corruption.

“I will dismiss and jail any officer found guilty of such. Indiscipline will no longer have a place in the NCS.

“We must have officers and men with impeccable character to promote the image of the service.

“Anyone caught falsifying any documents or compromising with fake imported goods will also be dismissed and jailed.

“The NCS has resolved that anyone caught in an unprofessional conduct, no matter the circumstances, will be dismissed and jailed for the offence.”

According to Ali, dismissal and jailing of erring officers will serve as a deterrent to others and result in the reformation of the service.

“I am determined to undertake reforms and reorganize the service so we can generate more revenues into the Federal Government’s coffers.

“We have been seen as the most undisciplined para-military organisation because we have refused to obey the laws that govern us.

“Para-military is all about discipline and we must operate on that basis.

“We must also work in line with the law establishing the service.”

Ali assured officers and men that just as the NCS would discipline erring officers, it would also reward those seen to be hard working.

On welfare for officers and men of the NCS, the comptroller-general assured them that arrangements were ongoing for the provision of suitable accommodation for them.

He said: “We are aware of the accommodation challenges you are facing in your command.

“We will try our best to provide better accommodations for you all.” [myad]

Banker Allegedly Steals Customer N90 Million

Greenbarge Reporters

December 2, 2015

A 32-year-old female banker, Adejumoke Anthony, has been accused of stealing one of her customers to the tune of N90 million.

Anthony has therefore been arraigned in an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Anthony, who resides at Lekki area of Lagos State, is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Coupler Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in March 2013, at Lekki, Lagos.

Odugbo said that the accused allegedly conspired with others still at large, to fraudulently obtain N90 million belonging to one Mr and Mrs Babatunde Oduewu, a customer at her bank.

The prosecutor said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded innocent of the charges.

Section 285 provides three years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of stealing, while Section 409 provides two years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of conspiring with others to commit felony.

Counsel to the accused, O. A. Ojo, urged the court to admit the accused to bail on liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mrs. A. O. Awogboro, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Awogboro said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and the sureties must have reasonable means of livelihood and must be tax payers.

She also said that the sureties must be resident in Lagos State and their addresses verified by the court.

The case was adjourned till Jan. 26 for mention. [myad]

Nigerian Army Set To End Boko Haram In The Next 28 Days

Greenbarge Reporters

December 2, 2015

The Nigerian Army is now putting measures together to finally crush Boko Haram insurgents in the next 28 days remaining before this year ends.

It would be recalled that President Muhammdu Buhari has given December 31 as the deadline to wipe out insurgency from the country.

The army said that its troops are now in pursuit of fleeing insurgents and are working towards preventing any incursion from terrorists in the North Eastern part of the country.

Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Col. Sani Usman who said this in a statement in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital today, said that the locations recently attacked by terrorists have been reinforced and the troops were poised to squash any eventuality.

Usman said that the coming weeks would be critical in the operation geared towards destroying all known harbours of isugency in the North Eastern part of the country.

”As we enter the month of December, it is important to state that we have also entered a very critical part of the fight against terrorism in our country.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate its total commitment and determination to the war against the Boko Haram terrorists.

“Consequently, we solicit for the continued support, cooperation and understanding of all Nigerians in this regard.”

The Army spokesman said troops, during a recent operation in Gulak recovered a Toyota Hilux, several arms and items from the insurgents.

“Some of the arms include one PKM gun, one General Purpose Machine Gun, three AK-47 rifles, one Rocket Propelled Grenade tube and one Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb.

“Other recoveries include one charger, seven boxes of 7.62mm link, one GP 340 Hand Held Radio, four boxes of 7.62mm X 54mm ammunition, three Anti Riot Hand Held Grenade, as well as 30 Cleaning Kits, two Packets of Artillery Primers and 97 pieces of Zela fuse,” Usman said. [myad]

Yes I Collected N2.1 Billion From NSA, But It Was For Publicity – Dokpesi

Greenbarge Reporters

December 2, 2015

Dokpesi explained to the EFCC officials that the N2.1 billion that he collected from the former NSA was payment for publicity and media political campaigns during the 2015 General Elections.

Founder of Daar Communication, made up of Ray Power and AIT, Aleogho Dokpesi, has admitted that he actually collected the sum of N2.1 Million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Desuki but it was payment for for publicity and media political campaigns during the 2015 General Elections.

Dopkesi, in a statement signed by the management of DAAR Communications Plc, said that Dokpesi “made his statement on the various media exposures and campaign transactions which were dutifully carried out based essentially on contractual obligations/relationship.”

The statement however did not explain how the office of the National Security Adviser became the cashier office for the payment of campaign expenses and the source of the money.

The management explained what transpired yesterday, December 1, saying that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Dokpesi at about 2.00pm through a phone call.

The statement said that on getting there, he was requested to, “shed more light on some payments that were made to him through the office of the erstwhile NSA”

“Dokpesi explained to the EFCC officials that the N2.1 billion that he collected from the former NSA was payment for for publicity and media political campaigns during the 2015 General Elections.”

A special panel and the EFCC are probing how trillions of naira budgeted for defence were spent in the last eight years. An interim report by the panel already reported phoney contracts in excess of $2 billion. [myad]

This Is Time To Change Bayelsa, Buhari Campaigns For Sylva

Greenbarge Reporters

December 2, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the people of Bayelsa State to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the December 5 governorship election in the state and bring the state to the change that is sweeping across the country.

Buhari who spoke at the grand finale of the APC campaign in the state, through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, promised that the party would create jobs for Nigerians.

He said the party would ensure good governance, peace, infrastructure development and offer a new era for the people of Bayelsa State, urging them to vote for the APC’s candidate, Timipre Sylva.

“In Bayelsa, Sylva is the new era for peace and prosperity. This is the time to change Bayelsa. This is the time to pave way for job creation, security and development.

“I urge you to do the right thing on the Election Day. This is time to vote out under-development.

“Let us move from the Peoples Democratic Party to APC.

“On the Election Day, go out and cast your vote for the change that you need.”

Sylva, who was one time governor of Bayelsa State, restated his readiness to move the state forward if elected, saying that he would diversify and deepen the state’s economy.

“We have campaigned from community to community and I have promised my people that youth empowerment and job creation will be my priority.

“APC does not stand for darkness, backwardness and under-development.

“I promise you once again that when I emerge as governor, I will also strengthen the state’s workforce.”

The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, asked the people to vote for the party that would guarantee development for Bayelsa State.

Odigie-Oyegun said: “APC is the party that will take Bayelsa to the Promise Land. Vote for the party and be free from darkness and backwardness.” [myad]

We Believe In War Against Corruption But Don’t Arrest Our Members, PDP Tells Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

December 2, 2015

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it believed in the war against corruption which President Muhammadu Buhari has since launched, but queried the arrest, yesterday, of the former Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi in connection to the arms purchase acandal amounting to $2.2 billion.

Dokpesi was said to have benefitted from the money disbursed from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col Sambo Dasuki, running into billions of naira.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said in a statement in Abuja that the arrest of Dokpesi was government’s plan tailored to decimate the opposition and cow the media in Nigeria.

“While the PDP is not against the war against corruption, we insist that the crusade must be carried out within the limits of the law and not as guise to persecute and torture opposition elements.”

Metuh demanded an open and public trial of all those arrested so that all issues and charges against them as well as their defence therein would also be in the public domain. [myad]

Researchers Discover Drug To Make Human Being Live To 120 Years

Greenbarge Reporters

December 1, 2015

An elderly woman sits on the ground in the recently retaken town of Damasak, Nigeria, March 20, 2015. Soldiers from Niger and Chad who liberated the Nigerian town of Damasak from Boko Haram militants have discovered the bodies of at least 70 people, many with their throats slit, scattered under a bridge, a Reuters witness said. REUTERS/Emmanuel Braun — An elderly woman

Researchers and Scientists were said to have discovered a drug that will let human being live for over 120 years.

Reports from the table of the researcher in the United States of America said that they are pretty sure the diabetes drug, called Metformin can extend human lifespan to 120 years and prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The researchers said that they have already proven that the drug extends the life of animals, saying that mice treated with Metformin saw their lifespan increase by nearly 40 percent with their bones being stronger.

“That is why the Food and Drug Administration in the US has given the green light to a trial to test if these effects can be replicated in humans. Last year, Cardiff University found that patients with diabetes who were prescribed Metformin lived longer than others without the condition (even though they should have died eight years earlier on average). That makes the human trail even more promising.

“If all goes well, a person in their 70s that takes the drug will be as biologically healthy as a 50 year old.

“I have been doing research into ageing for 25 years and the idea that we would be talking about a clinical trial in humans for an anti-ageing drug would have been thought inconceivable,” said Professor Gordon Lithgow of the Buck Institute for Research on Ageing in California. [myad]

We Know Who Bombed Our People, It Is Not Boko Haram – Sheikh Zakzaky

Greenbarge Reporters

December 1, 2015

Leader of the Shiit Group in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has said that he knew those who detonated explosion that killed members of his group who were in procession from Kano to Zaria last week.

Elzakzaky, who was reacting to the bomb attack on participants in the Arba’een symbolic trek in Kano, which led to the death of over 24 per sons and more than 60 injured, said that the attack was manipulated to make the public believe that a certain faceless group named Boko Haram launched the attack through a suicide bomber.

Zakzaky who spoke at the end of Nahjul Balagha study session held at Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria, Kaduna State said: “there is nothing like a suicide bomber. They tortured and drugged unsuspecting captives and made them carriers of the explosives, which they detonated amidst people.”

According to him, after the Friday attack, the perpetrators were sighted on Monday in two Hilux vans burying explosives along Kano route, but it was averted.

“We know the names of the contractors and those contracted to commit the massacre. Their identity is not hidden from us. Therefore we cannot be cowed by an imaginary Boko Haram tale. Let them tell it to the fools and ignorant. They should know that they are dealing with those with foresight, wisdom and intelligence and above all with the real religion.”

He said that the announcement by the Department of State Service (DSS) that there were going to be attacks on places on mosques and churches by female insurgents have given them away, adding: “how did they know about it and where it will happen? It clearly means they are accomplice to the atrocity.

“The perpetrators of the Kano bomb attack were the same people that seven years ago in broad daylight attacked us and killed two people, attacked Ashura procession and killed people in Potiskum and killed 34 people during Quds Day procession in Zaria in 2014.

“In most cases, these killers carry out the offensive under the watchful eyes of security operatives, sometimes escorted by tinted glass vehicles.”

According to Zakzaky, last year’s bombs were buried along routes of the trek, while a similar episode was planned to be repeated this time around.

He pointed out that mass massacre of Muslims has become a vogue across the world, saying: “Reason with this: Who is carrying out senseless killings in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon? They are the same people carrying out attacks here and we know them. We cannot be cowed.”

Shaikh Zakzaky said Arba’een as a mass movement of the people based on faith is now instituted and ever increasing and there is nothing anybody can do about it.

He prayed to Allah to send his wrath on those contractors of the killings and those carrying out the killings, adding: “may they not reap the proceeds of the contract. In Allah we depend and He will protect us.” [myad]

Of Faleke, Master’s Whistle And Dog, By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Yusuf Ozi-Usman

December 1, 2015

If one wants to put the above title in proper perspective in accordance with the popular saying, one would say that a dog that is destined to loss on the hunting ground would not hear its master’s whistle. This is becoming true about one man called James Faleke.
This is a man who was never known, not even in his local government, before he was picked as running mate to the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 21 inconclusive governorship election in Kogi state, late Prince Abubakar Audu.
Just like former President Goodluck Jonathan was catapulted from small state of Bayelsa to national limelight, Faleke became known simply by that act of being picked as running mate.
Throughout the campaign period, Faleke was still a back-stage actor, just waiting to thankfully occupy the position that God, in His wisdom, was planning to bestow on him. He was a humble and obedient party man back then.
But, the same God, without seeking to alter his destiny, turned the table the way He wished, probably to test Faleke’s faith. And Falake is now fighting anyone, any party, any system to finish, just so that he would be Kogi state Governor; which destiny never prepared for him in the first place.
The fate that smiled on Jonathan and saw him to the seat of Presidency was definable in the constitution, even though some processes were still followed to actualize it. And Jonathan waited patiently, for God’s will to manifest.
But, in the case of Faleke, the constitution never envisaged a situation where a winning candidate would die before the election is concluded, and what would happen to the running mate.
As a matter of fact, the fact that the National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not announce late Prince Audu as the winner of the November 21 election shortly before he gave up the ghost threw not only Faleke into confusion but the nation and more importantly, the party.
As earlier observed, the constitution as it is now, did not indicate how to factor in dead candidate’s running mate, who of course, might have, in most cases, been handpicked.
When it became obvious that the constitution is silent on the issue, even worse, that the INEC guidelines are never in favour of a running mate like Faleke to slip into the main candidate’s position from the out-of-blue, and with time too short to conduct party primary to pick another candidate, the leadership of APC settled for Yahaya Bello.
Bello, to be sure, came second in the validly conducted primary of the party which produced Prince Audu, ahead of the November 21 poll.
It is to be made clear that the INEC recognizes governorship candidate who emerged only through the conduct of primary. And that Faleke did not directly participate in the primary, and therefore, was not known to have scored any vote thereto. Until another law or guideline, in a special situation such as we are contending with is reversed or amended, this is the existing law.
Indeed, APC leadership has even admitted that in the many options that were available to take to meet INEC deadlines and guidelines, forwarding Bello’s name to replace late Audu was the most viable. The party did not claim that it was the perfect arrangement even as it is not spelt out in the constitution.
But, Faleke, who had enjoyed the support of the leadership of the party all along, and who was even present when Bello’s name was announced at the party’s headquarters, threw caution to the wind and developed muscle which he is flexing against the same party.
It is disturbing that when he was asked to continue as running mate, which of course, he was gladly working hard with late Audu to take, Faleke failed to see reason. He organised his supporters, most of who were political thugs, to embarrass the national leadership at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
What example is Faleke showing to the people of Kogi as a man that wants to rule the state? What manner of a man is Faleke that would be so blinded by sharp ambition that he would risk losing everything: the deputy governorship, party membership, respect of reasonable members of the society, and above all, God’s further favours? Or does he even believe in God and what He can do?
One even wonders what manner of Governor he would be for Kogi if, by a stretch of imagination, court declares him governor eventually.
Does Faleke wants to be a governor without a party? The party he had derided and scorned?
Habba Faleke! [myad]

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