Happy New Year 2012

Few hours to go, and New Year 2012 will be here.
With the advent of new year, a new era begins and with it comes new hopes and new possibilities.
Every year teaches us some of life's most important lessons, and with that learning we put our step forward into the new year.
And, when we celebrate this very special occasion with our loved ones, the happiness just doubles.
For this very purpose, we bring to you our latest collection of new year wishes, messages, quotes.
Dig a little deeper, and you will know that how new year is celebrated in different parts of the world.
For avid travelers, we are also providing information about places to visit this new year.
For working individuals we have list of bank holidays and public holidays in different countries. And, last but not the least, we are also giving you useful horoscope advice for the coming year. So, get ready and welcome the year 2012 with a bang."

FRSC BOSS

FRSC honours 3 for declaring N2.7m recovered from accident scene.

The Osun Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has honoured three officers for their outstanding display of honesty in operational matters.
The officers; Messrs Elijah Adesina, Adeola Segun and Isaiah Owoh were honoured for declaring and handing over to the command, the sum of N2.7 million which they recovered from an accident scene.
They were presented with plaques and certificate of commendation for their honesty on Friday during the end of the year party organized by the sector for its officers.
In a message to the occasion, the FRSC Corps Marshal Osita Chidoka lauded the officers’ honesty.
Chidoka, who was represented by Commander Emmanuel Abe, the Head of Motor Vehicle Administration, Headquarters Abuja, noted that such action had further demonstrated that officers of the commission were credible and reliable.
Earlier, the Sector Commander, Aderonke Daniel, extolled the officers’ virtue of honesty and charged all officers of the command to sustain their diligence, hard work and honesty.
The spokesman of the recipients, Marshal Adesina, said they were happy with the recognition and the award.
"We never expected to be honoured for what we did. It is beyond our imagination. We were only carrying out our duties and never thought we would be rewarded for it," Adesina said.
The money was recovered on Dec. 13 from a Honda Accord car involved in a lone accident at Ede Junction on the Gbongan- Osogbo road.
The command on Dec.15, handed over the money which comprised N2.65m in cheque and N61,500 in cash to the wife of the victim, Mrs Alaba Adedunye whose husband was still in the hospital at the time.
Other items recovered and handed over to Adedunye included an analogue camera and two black bags containing personal materials of the victim.

Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha

Security: Imo govt to demolish hard drug outlets.

The Imo government has concluded arrangements to demolish all buildings where Indian hemp and other hard drugs are sold in the state in 2012.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Anthony Anwuka, said the action became necessary because of the link between youths’ consumption of drugs and crimes in the state, especially armed robbery and kidnapping.
The SSG re-echoed similar warning earlier handed down to traditional rulers in the state that any of them in whose domain kidnappers operated freely would be dethroned.
``They don’t have to harbor criminals unless they want to go down with them. We have no time for unnecessary bailing of criminals or any form of rigmarole.''
The Imo House of Assembly on Dec. 15 passed a motion urging Gov. Rochas Okorocha to suspend two traditional rulers -- Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and Eze Cosmas Onyeneke, for allegedly committing crimes.
The passage of the motion followed the adoption of the report of the five-man ad hoc committee set up by the House to investigate allegations leveled against the two traditional rulers by their subjects.
While Ilomuanya, the Obiof Obinugwu in Orlu Local Government Area was alleged to be an ex-convict, Onyeneke, the traditional ruler of Lagwa in Abo Mbaise Local Government Area was alleged to have been involved in kidnapping.
The governor had on Thursday in Ogboko, Ideato South Local Government Area, his country home while giving account of his stewardship so far, admitted that there were 130 kidnappers in the state.
Allaying people's fears, however, that the rate of kidnapping was rising in Imo, the governor said: “I don’t really believe that it is in the increase. 130 kidnappers cannot hold a state with five million people to ransom.''
He assured the people that measures had been put in place to protect lives and property in the state, adding that “I cannot discuss these measures in public.''
Meanwhile, newly promoted Brig.-Gen. Kalu Egwuagu had urged wealthy individuals in the state to endeavour to train unemployed youths in their communities in various trades.
Egwuagu, who spoke at a reception organised for him in Owerri by the Ogbako Ohaoma socio-cultural organisation said that the measure was one way of reducing crimes in the state.
The brigadier-general, who is attached to the Army Headquarters, Abuja, urged youths not to engage in crimes simply because they had no jobs.
He urged them to shun crimes and engage themselves in useful ventures, while thanking the organisation for honouring him.

Hamza Umar

NDLEA intercepts N100m drugs from Brazil, Pakistan.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) last weekend foiled two major attempts by suspected drug syndicates to import 4kg of high grade cocaine from Brazil and 5.1kg of heroin from Pakistan.The seizures with an estimated street value of over N100 million were recorded in two separate operations at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Three prime suspects arrested in connection with the illegal importation are currently being quizzed by anti-narcotic officials. A total of 9.800kg of narcotics was intercepted; 4kg of cocaine was hidden inside bed sheets and engine pistons; 700g of cocaine was ingested while 5.1kg of heroin was concealed in a false layer of a luggage.Confirming the arrests and seizures, the NDLEA commander at the MMIA, Hamza Umar, said that the crackdown occurred last weekend when preparation for the Christmas celebration was at its peak. Three prime suspects by name Akakpo Kossi James, 49, and Nwanchukwu Chukwuma Ferdinard, 42, who were on board Emirate flight from Brazil, as well as Okonkwo John Oforma, 38, who had an emergency travel certificate on his way from Pakistan on board Qatar Airline flight, are currently undergoing interrogation in connection with the drug seizures," Hamza stated. Akakpo allegedly smuggled 4kg of cocaine from Brazil in bed sheets and engine pistons. Nwanchukwu Chukwuma Ferdinard ingested 58 wraps of cocaine weighing 700grammes also from Brazil, while Okonkwo imported 5.1kg heroin from Pakistan, hidden in a luggage. The suspects were said to have made very useful statements that are fast tracking investigation.Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, described the seizures as another victory in the country's anti-narcotics crusade. He said: "This is another victory in the battle to eliminate illicit drugs from our society. We are poised to tackle drug syndicates notwithstanding their shrewd modes of drug concealment."Akakpo Kossi James, a 49-year-old bachelor, told investigators that he got involved in drug trafficking in order to be married and live a settled life. "I have worked as an event planner in Brazil since 2008. I dropped out of secondary school in Class 3.

Boko Haram

Activities of Boko Haram.

Boko Haram’s attacks in 2011 started on Friday, January 28, with the assassination of Borno State governorship candidate of All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP), Modu Gobi. He was killed alongside his brother, four police officers and a 12-year-old boy. They also killed the Gomari Islamic cleric, Ahmed Ibrahim Abdullahi on March 13 at his mosque. On April 1, they attacked a police station in Bauchi. The attack, however, came in less than 24 hours to the National Assembly elections.A polling centre in Maiduguri was bombed on April 9. The Maiduguri office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was bombed and several people shot on April 15.On April 20, a Muslim cleric was killed and several police officers ambushed in Maiduguri.The Islamic sect freed 14 prison inmates during a jailbreak in Yola, Adamawa State. The Democracy Day celebrated on May 29 witnessed a serious stain with the killing of about 15 people in northern Nigeria.The sect also bombed the Police Headquarters in Abuja on June 6, killing many in the process.On June 26, members of the sect killed 25 people at a drinking joint in Maiduguri, when they threw explosives into the place and zoomed off on a motorbike.In a bombing incident in Maiduguri on June 27, three Customs officials were wounded and two girls killed.The sect killed about 20 persons on July 3 in another bombing in a drinking joint in Maiduguri.A church, All Christian Fellowship, was bombed in Suleja, Niger State.Another prominent Muslim cleric, Liman Bana, was shot dead on August 12 while returning from mosque after his prayers at the main mosque, Ngala.On August 26, the headquarters of United Nations in Abuja was bombed by the sect’s suicide bomber, and about 21 people died, while many others sustained serious injuries. On September, former President Olusegun Obasanjo met with the family of the slain founder and leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, to discuss how to make peace. Less than 72 hours after, Yusuf’s brother-in-law, Babakura Fugu who hosted Obasanjo during the visit, was killed by a suspected faction that was not comfortable with the negotiation. Another politician, Modu Binbute, was shot dead outside his home in Maiduguri on October 26.A journalist with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Zakariya Isa, was killed by Boko Haram. He was accused of being a government informant.It is on record that a total number of 67 people lost their lives in a series of Boko Haram’s attacks in Bornu and Yobe States on November 5. Police headquarters and government offices were also burnt.Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members killed three Air force officers and injured other in Kano. People, numbering 15, stormed the Nigerian Air Force Comprehensive Secondary, Kwa along Kano-Katsina road where a heavy exchange of gunfire ensued at about 8.30pm. They attacked the officers on guard in an attempt to gain entry into the premises to massacre JSS1 students in the hostel. The Commandant of 339 Base Services Group (BSG), Nigeria Air Force, Kano, Air Commodore Sani Ahmed confirmed the story.Anti-Terrorism experts under the aegis of Global Counter Terrorism Forum met on November 17 to discuss ways of preventing the financing of armed militant groups, focussing on North Africa’s Sahel Desert region. Boko Haram, which has claimed the responsibility for series of bombings in Nigeria, was one of the issues the group discussed. Coordinator of European Union Strategy in Sahel, Manuel Lopez said Al Qaeda’s North Africa branch known as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Meghreb (AQIM) and Boko Haram had a shared-agenda and operational tactics. Experts from 30 countries participated in the two-day forum which was co-sponsored by Turkey and United States. It was chaired by Canada and Algeria and Coordinated by an Ambassador at large for United States Department, Daniel Benjamin. On Monday night, November 21, some residents of Maiduguri were feared dead in a clash between Boko Haram and Joint Task Force (JTF). The incident, which took place at Bulumkutu market and Gomari area capital city, started when the JTF vehicle distributing refreshmentd to soldiers attached to worship centres and other strategic locations was ambushed by members of Boko Haram and a gun battle that lasted for about three hours ensued. Three JTF Soldiers were killed and members of Boko Haram abandoned their Volkswagen car that conveyed them to the area when they were overpowered by the soldiers and JTF men. Also two churches, Holy Trinity and EYN hurriedly closed with members attending evening prayers scampering for safety. Traders also closed their shops. Members of Boko Haram attacked and bombed St Patrick’s Catholic Church in November.The embattled Borno South Senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume currently in Kuje prisons was granted bail for N25million and two sureties in the like sum, by the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja on December 1, after one month in detention. This depends on how soon he would fulfil the stiffer bail conditions reeled out by Justice Gabriel Kolawole after refusing objection raised by Prosecution Counsel and Director of Public prosecution (DPP), Mrs Olufemi Fakunle against his bail application.Former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff curtailed the activities of Boko Haram when he outlawed the group. The group started 14 years before Sheriff became governor but he insisted that they should stop their militant approach to issues.An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court on November 22 convicted the spokesman of Boko Haram, Ali Sada Konduga who pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him by SSS. He was docked before Chief Magistrate Oyebola Oyewumi. Konduga, in his confessional statements to the SSS, named Ndume and the late Ambassador Saidu Pindar, former Nigeria’s envoy to Sao Tome and Principe as some of the financial backers of the group. Konduga said that Pindar sometime in July 2011 was on his way to deliver the sum of N5million as part-payment of a total donation of N10million he pledged in support to the activities of the sect when had a car crash and died.On November 24, a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mohammed Ndume was named as a co-sponsor of the dreaded Boko Haram. He was arraigned before Abuja Magistrate Court where he was being tried for felony. Ndume was fingered by Umar Konduga, who claimed to be the spokesman of the Islamic fundamentalist group. Konduga alleged that apart from rendering financial support, Ndume was the composer of all the anonymous test messages Boko Haram members were sending to certain authorities in the country. While he (Konduga) pleaded guilty and was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison, Ndume is still standing trial. Sometime in November, suspected members of Boko Haram struck, killing a top Borno protocol officer, Kala Boro and a herbalist, Garba Abdullahi in Maiduguri. In Yobe, they also launched an attack on Geidam, hometown of Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam, bombing a police station, a bank, INEC office, local government secretariat and five churches. They invaded the place on the requests of some Islamists in the area to come and assist them in the Islamic Jihad in their own interest. The attack lasted from 6 to 9pm.Three policemen were killed sometime in December in a fresh clash with Boko Haram at Darmamunawa quarters in Kano municipality, four members of the sect also died, while 14 were arrested with explosives. Three posh cars were recovered during the incident. On December 17, Joint Task Force discovered bomb factory in Borno and arrested three members of Boko Haram.On Sunday, December 25 at about 8am, thee sect bombed St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla near Suleja in Niger State. At least 35 people were killed while hundreds were injured. The three suicide bombers were accosted by policemen on duty and they claimed that they were on their way to worship at the church. They incidentally succeeded in bombing the church while worshippers were trooping out of the church at the end of the early morning mass.

Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim

No Boko Haram in Lagos.

The Lagos State Police Command on Friday has denied speculations that members of the Boko Haram sect are in Lagos State.
Samuel Jinadu, the command's spokesman, urged residents to disregard such speculations.
He said the police and other security agencies in Lagos were all prepared and on top of the situation.
Jinadu, however, admitted that some Nigeriens were arrested on Thursday at the Berger area, tressing that nothing incriminating was found on them.
"The Nigerian Immigration Service is liaising with its Nigerien counterpart on ways of repatriating the arrested persons," he added.
The spokesman called on the public to report any strange movement and gathering to the police.
Lagos Police Command declares army officer's son wanted
The Lagos State Police Command have arrested two suspected armed robbers, and declared wanted a son of an army officer, believed to belong to the gang, operating in Ikorodu area of the state.
The army officer's son usually leave Ikeja cantonment, where his parents reside, to carry out robbery operations in Ikorodu.
The suspect had also been named in some other robbery operations within Lagos metropolis, and that he was always running to the cantonment to escape arrest.
The State Police Public Relation Officer, Samuel Jinadu, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects, said investigation was ongoing to ascertain the involvement of the army officer's son.
Jinadu said two suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 5.30 a.m. at Lasuwon Lambo, opposite Lagos State Polytechnic, along Sagamu Road, Ikorodu, stressing that the police were on the trail of other members of the gang.
He said one shotgun was recovered from them, stressing that they were arrested after a tip-off, while they were planning for another robbery operation.
In another development, the Homicide Section of the Lagos State Police (CID) has begun investigation into the murder of one Shola (other names not known), whose hands, eyes and private parts were cut off, apparently for ritual purposes.
Jinadu said the incident was reported at Amukoko police station on Thursday at about 5.30 am, stressing that the incident happened at No. 16, Alafia St., Amukoko.
According to the police spokesman, preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased was allegedly abducted by some unidentified persons in his friend's house, and he was later found dead, while some parts of his body were removed.
Jinadu said that the State CID was investigating all the cases.
Crime Rate Drops In Kwara
Kwara State police command said it recorded a 4.6 per cent decrease in crime rate in 2011, when compared with 2010 in the state.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Peter Gana, said 2,983 cases were reported in 2010, as against 2,528 cases reported in the outgoing year.
The police boss also said the two categories of crime cases reported were offences against persons and property.
He said the three most prevalent crime against persons were grievous harm, assault and culpable homicide, adding that the command recorded 382 cases of grievous harm cases in 2011, as against 437 in 2010.
According to Gana, 320 assault cases were recorded in 2011, against 237 in 2010, explaining that the political campaign clashes between rival political parties cauised an increase in 2011.
He also said 27 cases of culpable homicide were recorded in 2011, against 31 in 2010.
Under crimes against property, Gana said 173 theft cases were reported in 2011 as against 710 in 2010, adding that 331 cases of house breaking were also recorded in 2011 as against 321 in 2010.
Arson and mischief cases were 138 in 2011, as against 181 in 2010, he said.

Boko Haram Bomb

Five killed as Boko Haram strikes again.

Three explosions, a market raid and a gun attack on a private house in Maiduguri yesterday by suspected members of Boko Haram left residents lamenting another bloody day.
Three members of an Islamic cleric’s family were reported killed in the gun attack while two died in the market raid.
The explosions were said to have occurred close to the market shortly after the Jumat service but caused no casualties.
However, the Joint Task Force (JTF) denied any explosion.
The raid sparked pandemonium in the market with buyers and sellers running for their lives.One person was injured and was taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The armed invaders were said to have gone from one shop to the other robbing traders of cash and other valuables.
Men of the JTF, who were dispatched to the market, succeeded in chasing the Boko Haram members away.
Spokesman for the JTF, Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohammed confirmed the market raid. He said the task force was contacted at about 3pm and it reacted promptly.
They subsequently cordoned off the area and embarked on a search for the suspects. No arrest had been made at press time.
In the other attack, gunmen reportedly stormed the residence of the Islamic cleric simply identified as Modu close to the Railway Quarters.
“The Boko Haram sect members came this morning looking for Modu, but as he had already gone out, they opened fire on members of his family, killing three of them,” a witness, Baba Lawan, told Reuters.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Bombings: Jonathan meets security chiefs again, gives fresh orders

For the second time in 24 hours, President Goodluck Jonathan held an emergency meeting with the nation's security chiefs, tasking them on the need to immediately fish out the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect.

The meeting, which held at the Presidential Villa, was without the service chiefs.

The President was said to have challenged them to put an end to the violence being foisted on the nation by members of the sect.

Those at the meeting wore forlorn faces as they emerged from the venue. The National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi, was not in the mood to entertain questions from reporters as his driver zoomed out of the premises after banging the car door.

Others who were present at the meeting include Vice President, Namadi Sambo, the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, Director General State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpenyong, and Director-General, Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Olaniyi Oladeji.

The President reiterated his earlier warning that any security chief who fails to act on information would bear the brunt as the country would no longer tolerate a situation where such negligence would lead to the deaths of the citizens.

Speaking with reporters, Rimgim said the meeting was convened to appraise and evaluate the security situation on ground.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Boko Haram: Jonathan seeks support of neigbouring countries.

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on neighbouring countries to cooperate with Nigeria in the effort to stop Boko Haram, because “the perpetrators pass through borders at will and we have to ensure that there are no safe havens for them in the sub-region”.
This is even as he has again given assurance that federal government will fight Boko Haram, the “group of evil-minded people who wants to cause anarchy to the end”.
He gave the assurance when he had audience with the Deputy Prime Minister of Niger Republic, Mohame Bazoum, who brought a condolence message for lives lost during the Christmas day bombings and solidarity message from President Issoufou Mahamadou to State House, yesterday.
He said both Muslims and Christians were victims of the explosives planted by Boko Haram, and called for a concerted efforts by all well-meaning Nigerians to bring this problem under control.
President Jonathan agreed with President Issoufou that this was not a religious war, adding that “no religion asks its followers to throw bombs to kill people they don’t even know”.
He thanked the Nigerien president for the message of condolence and solidarity. Earlier, Mohame Bazoum, had said president Issoufou was concerned about the violence and loss of lives, and assured president Jonathan of the Nigerien president’s support in the efforts to check the activities of Boko Haram.
He urged Nigerians to emulate the tolerance exhibited by president Jonathan in handling the affairs of the nation.

Mrs. Funmi Falana

Service chiefs must resign.

Lagos lawyer Mrs. Funmi Falana has said service chiefs should resign following their failure to stop the Boko Haram menace in the country.
She condemned President Goodluck Jonathan for showing less compassion for the victims of the Christmas Day Bombings which claimed several lives.
Funmi Falana, who is wife of Lagos-based Lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, also said it was wrong for the Boko Haram members to vent their anger on innocent people.
Mrs. Falana spoke at the annual Children’s Party with the inmates of Erelu Adebayo Motherless Home in Iyin-Ekiti.
She said: “What is happening across the land is a sign of government’s insensitivity to the plights of its citizens .
“The people have lost confidence in the government and that is why they take laws into their hands whenever anything happens in this country.
“Our President is not even wearing a mournful look.I expect him to have appeared in black .Can he act in such a manner if a close relation of his had been involved in the attacks.”
The apparently enraged Falana said “As far as am concerned we don’t have an Inspector-General of Police in this country. The IG should have resigned because he had betrayed his own conscience too.”

VICTIMS

Church death toll hits 43.

The cleric in charge of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, the Very Rev. Isaac Achi, yesterday confirmed the death of 43 parishioners and unidentified persons in the Christmas Day explosions at the church.
He also said 73 others are receiving treatment in 12 hospitals in Abuja, Madalla, Suleja, Zuba, Kwamba and Kubwa.
Rev. Achi, at a briefing in Madalla by the Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, the Most Rev. Martin Igwe Uzoukwu, said the census of victims continues.
Rev. Achi said: “Up till yesterday when I found it uncomfortable, I moved into a community and I was able to identify 20 parishioners that died in the explosions. This morning (yesterday), they brought in a list of 23 others confirmed to have died in the blast.
According to the list released by the church, 27 parishioners and others died; 73 are in hospitals.
Of the 27, five are unidentified.
The dead are: Anthony Okoronkwo; Comrade Dike A. Williams, Emmanuel Dike, Richard Dike, Lilian Dike, Lynda Chioma Ubiukwu, Uche Queen Obiukwu, Chidinma Cynthia Obiukwu, Linderlin Ifeoma Obiukwu, Ann-Chinedu Aigbadon, Chiemeri Nwachukwu, Cecilia Ebeku; Oluebube Faustina Pius, Chidera Sylvia Pius, Florence Nwachukwu and Eucharia Ewoh.
Others are: Joseph Daniel, Inspector Titus Eze, Obasi Jonathan Onyebuchi, Ehiawaguan Peter, Uche Esiri, Sgt. Kadiri Danjuma and five unidentified Persons.
Rev. Uzoukwu noted that the death toll is more than 40.
He said: “Reflecting on the ugly and unfortunate but avoidable incident in Madalla, I stare at the fact that we have lost more than 40 people with many others wounded, maybe maimed forever. They are in different hospitals in Suleja, Abuja Main Town and Gwagwalada.
“I look at the destruction of St. Theresa’s Church edifice, which cost us millions of Naira and the surrounding buildings that cost their owners a lot of money and efforts to build. What a loss, a big loss indeed to all of us, irrespective of tribal, religious, economic or cultural affiliations. What wrong have we done to merit this treatment?
“We join all people of goodwill to strongly condemn the ugly and barbaric act which was targeted at innocent and peaceful Nigerians. I call this an act of terrorism levelled against my people who went to church to celebrate the Holy Day of Christmas, a day that Christians all over the world commemorate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Divine Mercy Incarnate, the Prince of Peace and Love(Is 9:6, Jn 1: 14).”
The Bishop pleaded with Moslems to address the challenge posed by Boko Haram to the nation’s security.
He added: “I call on all my peace-loving Muslim friends to condemn publicly this act against us. I call on all our religious leaders, traditional rulers and custodians of the land in Niger State to stand up strongly against this Boko Haram group, who have claimed responsibility for this dastardly act against the good people of Niger State.
“Together, we will root out the evil that is coming among us. We all must put our hands on deck to take more proactive measures for the good of our people and our nation.
“We need to restrain our people from acts of violence against other groups in our communities. According to the words of the Sultan of Sokoto, this is not a fight between Islam and Christianity, but a fight between good and evil.”
He pleaded with the Federal Government to be more pro-active in preventing crimes.
He said: “I direct my plea to the Federal Government to listen to the cries of Nigerians. Let them realise that it is the blood of innocent citizens that is shed on a daily basis.
“It is a known fact that the security agencies in Nigeria are trying their best. But their best is only determined by their training, equipment and modes of operation. These have been proved to be ineffectual in preventing violent crimes in the country.
“They need to be more proactive in preventing crimes before they are committed rather than their belated reactions to criminal activities. Effective crime management falls under three stages: prevention, detection and prosecution.
“Offenders should be arrested, prosecuted and punished - if proved guilty. That will go a long way to reducing the escalating wave of criminal activities in our country.
“Prevention is always better than cure, hence it is better to detect and forestall a crime from being committed. We request our governments at all levels to go the extra mile to fish out criminals at all levels, bring them to book and prosecute them.”
Responding to a question, the Bishop said: “We need to go beyond words and move into action to ensure that our people live together in harmony and peace.
“My hope is that the Federal and State governments will take care of the medical treatment of those injured either here in Nigeria or abroad. I hope that they will help to compensate those who lost their relatives and their property during the ugly incident.”
On the burial of the victims of the blast, he said: “It is not going to be a mass burial. We are going to bury our people after due consultations. I cannot tell you the date right here, but you will hear from us.
“You cannot just go and bury people like that. They have families; we need to find out where the families are; we need to contact them on the burial programme.”
The Bishop urged the parishioners not to be afraid to come to church to worship God, in spite of the explosions.
He, however, announced a modification of church service in the Kwamba Dinary (including St. Theresa’s Church) for the New Year’s Eve.
The Bishop said: “If you run away from God, where will you run to? Come back, come back.”
“We have cancelled the midnight Mass for the New Year for all the churches in the Kwamba Dinary .Our tradition has always been to sleep overnight in the church for the New Year.
“But for the eve of the coming New Year, there is no sleeping in the church until January 1, 2012 in Kwamba Dinary. On December 31, you should come to the church at 4pm for service and by 6pm, it will be over. The church should make sure you talk to the appropriate authority so that they can bring back the curfew.
“But in the morning of Sunday, January 1, 2012, you should come back for normal service.”
Amid emotion from parishioners who were at the briefing, the Bishop asked them “not to seek vengeance”. “Let us forgive them and pray for peace and unity in this country,” he said, adding:
“Let us spend one hour daily to pray for unity and peace in this country. Use the first 15 minutes to read the Bible, the second 15 minutes to use Rosary, the third for meditation and the fourth for Divine mercy and prayers.
“And if you are a Muslim, spend one hour also daily. The first 15 minutes to read Quran and Hadith, the second for Takbir, the third to reflect and the fourth Divine mercy from Allah.”
Asked to reconcile the conflicting death toll figures, the Bishop said: “I went to the hospitals; I did not count them. My people have been killed and you are still worrying me. If you go to the mortuaries, you will see. I cannot count.”
On what the Catholic Mission is doing about security in churches, the Bishop said: “God is our security; unless God builds, the builder builds in vain. God is our safety; God is our security.”

SSS DIRECTOR

Security agents grill 17 bomb suspects.

Security agencies are questioning 17 suspects arrested in connection with last weekend’s bombings in Damaturu, Yobe State.
The suspects, who were flown from the state to Abuja, are undergoing interrogation at a secret location, The Nation has learnt.
But it could not be immediately ascertained whether the suspects, who are said to have made “useful statements”, will be tried in Abuja or Damaturu.
According to a source in Damaturu, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, the suspects are between the ages of 17 and 30 years.
A list of 16 of the suspects. They are: Usman Mohammed; Ismaila Bukar; Ahmadu Usman; Abdul Abubakar; Danladi Umar; Ali Bello; Mohammed Ibrahim; Suleiman Mohammed; Bashir Bukar; Suleiman Rabiu; Adamu Magaji; Abubakar Sidiq; Hassan Adamu; Umar Hassan; Ibrahim Abdullahi and Adamu Adamu.
The source added: “We have started interrogating the 17 suspects in our custody over Damaturu bombings. Some of them were actually caught during the crossfire between them and security agencies.
“The interrogation is a joint collaboration at all security agencies and the military. The inter-service synergy is being enhanced to tackle this violence once and for all.
“From those arrested so far, we have discovered that they have entrenched and experienced hands within Boko Haram who are indoctrinating and training them. Their age range is between 17 and 30 years.
“That is why the Police, the Army and other security agencies are determined to unmask the sponsors of these suspects.
“They have made useful statements which could assist our operation to get to the root of the Boko Haram menace.
Responding to a question, the source said: “They are being kept at a secret location. We cannot tell you how long the interrogation will last.
“The truth is that we have launched a manhunt for other key suspects and some of the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect. They are taking advantage of the desert-like terrain to hide but we are not relenting.
“Contrary to insinuations, the police and the military were able to curtail the Boko Haram sect in Yobe State. That is a good sign that our security agencies are up to the task.”

President Goodluck Jonathan

Jonathan to security chiefs: Go after Boko Haram sponsors.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday ordered security chiefs to go after Boko Haram sponsors.
Jonathan gave the directive at an emergency security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President specifically instructed his security team to fish out the sponsors of Boko Haram (Western Education is a sin), the group that has claimed responsibility for the series of bombings across the North.
The President tells the security chiefs: “Go after those involved in his heinous act. We must stop this Boko Haram madness.”
The President’s action followed his promise to the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at a meeting on Wednesday night, that he will step up action against the Boko Haram menace
The President also directed the NSA and the other security chiefs to embark on a thorough overhaul of their operational strategies in dealing with the Boko Haram violence, the State House source added.
Jonathan warned that the government will not spare any security officer who fails to act promptly on any information concerning the activities of the sect.

Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin

Jonathan set to overhaul security system.

An insight was given yesterday into what the overhaul of the country’s security network promised by President Goodluck Jonathan will look like.
Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin said the operational restructuring will likely take the form of movement of personnel and total overhaul of security network system to make them more proactive and responsive.
He spoke after a security meeting at the Presidential Villa. It was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The CDS said the President had taken a decisive decision that will be made public soon.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hafiz Ringim appealed to Nigerians to bring up evidence that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of sponsors of Boko Haram.
He said most of the arrested Boko Haram suspects are foot soldiers and not the sponsors.
Ringim appealed to Nigerians especially Christians not to allow themselves to be frightened by the threats of Boko Haram to bomb churches on New Year’s Eve.
He said those who want to attend cross over night services should not take the threat seriously, adding that his men are on top of the situation.
He said efforts made by the Police in Yobe, Kano and Kaduna prevented the catastrophe that would have taken place if they had not acted swiftly.
He pleaded with the public to volunteer information and cooperate with security agencies to curb the menace of the extremists.
Ringim said the meeting reviewed “where we were, where we are now and where we need to be.”
He added: “We are all worried, terrorism is not an easy matter at all. Terrorism is everywhere all over the world, but as you are aware, it is a very new phenomenon here.
The IGP explained that “the arrest of these terrorists has been going on for a long time. Many of them have been arrested and many of them are in detention.
Ringim appealed to Christians not to resort to self help over the latest rounds of bombing, saying, “Definitely, people are agitated and these Boko Haram terrorist groups are not attacking only Christians, they attack everyone that is on their way including members of the armed forces, the police and other security agencies.
“From among us there are Muslims and there are Christians. I don’t think it is a case of Muslims versus Christians against Muslims, that is why I am urging everyone of us to come together to lend a hand so that we can fight this scourge,” he said.

NDLEA BOSS, AHMADU GIADE

NDLEA arrests 102 suspects, seizes 4,388kg of hard drugs.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kogi made a seizure of 4,387.820kg of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) and arrested 102 suspects in 2011.
State Commander of the agency, Idris Bello who paraded two suspects and the seizures made in December, on Thursday at the Command’s headquartres in Lokoja, said 13 vehicles of various were also impounded during raids and interceptions.
The Commander added that 25 out of the 102 suspects were tried accordingly convicted by various courts.
Bello also said that 46 drug-dependent persons were counselled.
He said the command had inaugurated a Rehabilitation Centre in Ajaokuta, Okene Area Command, for the rehabilitation of drugs dependent persons.
He called for the assistance of government, corporate bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to make the centre fully functional and more efficient.
The state commander commended security agencies and the NYSC in the state for their assistance in the arrest of drug peddlers.

CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

Chief of Army Staff, Ihejirika, says life should be valued.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, said on Thursday that life should be valued more than ever in the country, especially in the season of love.
Ihejirika, who spoke through the Director, Nigerian Army Chaplaincy (Catholic), Col. Charles Iroegbu, said that the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ should have a positive effect on the society.
``The birth of Jesus Christ should bring peace, love and reconciliation, especially now when people think of violence,’’ he said
He said people should learn to value one another and show love.
The army chief's message was delivered during the annual choral competition of the army which had nine groups drawn from army formations across the country.
Ihejirika said the essence for the choral competition was to celebrate music and have closer ties with God.
The Director, Nigerian Army Chaplaincy( Protestant), Colonel Dawuk Danfulani, said the essence for the competition was to build love among the youths.
He said it was designed to empower youths by engagiing them and taking them away from crime.
Danfulani said the love of music by the youths was being used to enagge them positively.
The Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji Choir, 3 Division, Jos, came second and the third position went to Apapa Group of churches, Lagos.

FRSC BOSS

FRSC boss suggests documentation of Ojukwu’s thoughts.

Osita Chidoka, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), has called for the documentation of the thoughts of the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Addressing reporters in Enugu on Thursday, Chidoka said the idea would be the best way to immortalise the late Biafran leader.
The corps marshal, who spoke after paying a condolence visit to Ojukwu’s widow, Bianca, also said it was the only way the future generation would remember him.
Our role as young Igbo men is to immortalise him; Immortalising him will be beyond monuments or physical structures but by documenting his realm of thoughts.
Let his story be told for generations unborn,`` he suggested.
Chidoka described Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s transition as ‘a triumphant exit,’ saying that he fought a good fight and kept his faith with the Igbo.
The corps marshal promised that the commission would make the roads safe during the burial of the late Ikemba in February.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Security: Jonathan summons service chiefs to emergency meeting

Concerned about current security challenges, President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday summoned service chiefs and other heads of security agencies to an emergency meeting at the State House, Abuja.

Emerging from the meeting which lasted for more than four hours, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin, told State House correspondents that key decisions were taken.

Speaking in the same vein, the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, said they were summoned by the president and the meeting reviewed the current security challenges and the way forward.

Ringim said the security agencies, just like every other Nigerian, were worried about the spate of terrorism in the country.

Ringim said security agencies had made a lot of gains in combating the menace and called for the co-operation of every Nigerian to join in the fight against the terrorism.

Ringim said security agencies had made hundreds of arrests, but would need the co-operation of members of the public to get to get to the leaders and sponsors of the terrorist groups.

He appealed against possible reprisal attacks noting that it was only by collective efforts by Christians, Muslims, traditional rulers and every other member of the society that the scourge could be tackled.

Others at the meeting were, Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Air Staff: Air Marshal Mohammed Umar; and the Director-General, State Security Service, Ita Ekpenyong.

Also in attendance were the National Security Adviser, retired Gen. Andrew Azazi and the Minister of Police Affairs, retired Capt. Caleb Olukolade.

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

Police record peaceful Xmas celebration in Mararaba

The just concluded Christmas celebration has been rated as very peaceful and crime free in Mararaba, a densely populated settlement in Nasarawa State.

The Divisional Police Officer `A’ Division in Mararaba, Malam Aliyu Haruna,said there was no record of any breach of the peace in the area during the period.

``I often went out with my men on night patrols to make sure that the Christmas was celebrated in a peaceful and crime free atmosphere.’’

The DPO added that the peaceful and orderly experience was recorded through the special mercy of God, not just by the police’s human efforts.

He expressed the hope that this record would be maintained or even improved upon during the forthcoming New Year celebration and beyond.

The DPO reiterated that the police had zero tolerance for crime and that people with criminal tendencies should relocate from Mararaba in their own interest.

``We don't take chances in promptly confronting any security and crime related matters."

He said a robbery suspect, impersonating a police officer, was arrested recently during operation and had been charged to court.

Police, again, ban motorcycles for 2 days in Plateau

As part of efforts to ensure safety during the New Year festivities, the Plateau Police Command has announced a ban on the use of motorcycles for two days.

The Command said in a statement on Thursday that the ban would begin from Saturday, Dec. 31, to Jan. 1, 2012, both days inclusive.

The statement signed by the Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Ayeni, said the step was one of the measures agreed upon by stakeholders at a meeting with executives of the Motorcycle Riders Association.

It also advised parents to warn their children/wards against the use of knockouts during the festivities, pointing out that the ban against it was still in force.

The police assured Plateau residents of adequate security of lives and property, but advised them to be vigilant and report to the command any suspicious move around their vicinities.

The police had outlawed the use of motorcycles for three days during the Christmas, a decision many residents applauded.

Police parade fake pastor in Nsukka

Ebere Amarizu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Enugu State, on Thursday in Nsukka paraded one Chinedu Nnaya, the alleged founder of a fake deliverance ministry.

Nnaya was alleged to have established the ``True Vine Ministry” which he used to extort money from people in order to conduct family deliverance for them.

Amarizu said that luck, however, ran against the fake pastor when his last victim Mr Prince Divine, a contractor with in Nsukka, alerted the police after N60,000 was allegedly extorted from him

He said, ``The fake pastor used tortoise, chains, padlock and a bag of salt to deceive people into beliving that he was conducting deliverance.

``The last victim alerted the police, our men were put on surveillance, when the last victim on arrangement with the police invited him to another family for deliverance. It was there he was arrested on Wednesday.''

Amarizu said, ``It was in the process of the deliverance that we discovered that the tortoise and padlock, he claimed were buried in the compound by enemies, were actually planted by him.

``They were planted when he sent all of us out from the room at a point during his fake prayers.

``He was paid N60,000 for the job and his flight ticket, as claimed to have come from Abuja.

``It was later discovered that he is living in Nsukka. He even told us he is working with the Adoration Ministry, Enugu. But we also discovered that he is a liar.''

NSCDC BOSS

Oyo NSCDC Commandant urges Nigerians to embrace peace

The Oyo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Stephen Bello, on Thursday called on Nigerians to embrace peace during the New Year celebration.

Bello, who made the call in Ibadan while addressing officers of the Oyo State command, said there was need to maintain the peace against the background of the spate of bombings in the country.

``I urge our people to use the period in expressing love to one another. We should continually pray for the peace and unity of our great nation,’’ Bello said.

While commending the officers for their efforts in tackling vandals in the state, Bello solicited the cooperation of residents in the fight against crime.

He also implored parents and guardians to ensure that their wards desisted from exploding firecrackers during the celebration, saying hoodlums could take advantage of this to perpetrate crime.

Bello further said that residents would be well protected during the period as NSCDC personnel would be deployed all over the state, especially on New Year Eve.

``Measures have been put in place for adequate security. I will also add that to prevent fire outbreaks, petroleum products should not be hoarded in the house, considering the dry season,’’ he said.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Bombinig is terrorists’ tactics to pit Christians against Muslims.

Ahmed Gulak, the Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday in Abuja said the recent bombings were tactics by terrorists to pit Christians against Moslems.

He told newsmen that the consultations with religious and other stakeholders by the presidency were meant to put an end to the crises.

``This is where some mischief makers are trying to cash in to create a scenario where people will feel as if there is conflict between Islam and Christianity in Nigeria.

``But this is just a terrorist’s tactic to stir up the society against one another and luckily enough, Nigerians have already known this tactic and will not buy it, ’’ he said.

Gulak recommended a faster judicial system to enable quick prosecution of suspects to serve as deterrent to others who may want to engage in the act.

He noted that the ratio of security personnel were not commensurate with the population, making it a difficult task to follow up on threats by the terrorists.

He explained that the N921.21 billion budget for security in the 2012 budget was ``was based on an informed position that we really need to increase our security personnel.’’

Gulak added that offers from international quarters to help tackle the menace would be welcomed.

The presidential aide advised Nigerians not to panic but to be at alert especially at public places so as not to be caught unawares and to be patient while the problem was being tackled.

``Nigeria is not a failed state, Nigeria is not at war, we are just passing through a phase of our life as a nation and these challenges are global.

``It is acknowledged globally that terrorism needs caution, courage and resources to attack.’’

FRSC CORP MARSHALL OSITA CHIDOKA

Road accidents claim 280 lives in Kano State

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 280 persons were killed and 2,433 others injured in road traffic accidents in Kano State between January and December.

The Sector Commander, Ahmed Kogari, said in Kano on Thursday that the figures resulted from 770 accidents during the period under review.

He said there was a reduction in the accident figure this year compared with last year's figure, which he did not give.

``We are able to achieve this through intensive public enlightenment campaigns, enforcement of traffic rules and regulations as well as continuous surveillance, monitoring and patrol activities.''

Kogari blamed most of the accidents on wrong overtaking, over-speeding, overloading and reckless driving, and advised motorists to always obey traffic rules and regulations to reduce the carnage on the highways.

7 dead in 13 yuletide crashes

The Federal Road Safety Corps in Oyo State said seven persons lost their lives in 13 road crashes during the yuletide period.

The figure was contained in a report released by the command in Ibadan through its Head of Operations, Femi Adekanye.

Adekanye said the crashes, which occurred at various points in the state, involved 138 people.

He said about 65 people were injured within the period, adding that inter-states commercial vehicles accounted for 66 per cent of the crashes.

He said the accidents would have been prevented if the drivers of the affected vehicles had exercised patience.

Some of the vehicles were involved in head-on collisions while trying to overtake other vehicles, Adekanye explained.

``We are always in a rush which should not be. Care must be taken at all times to abide by road traffic rules.

``Some drivers are always eager to overtake any vehicle they see ahead of them; such drivers endanger their lives and those of the people commuting with them.’’

Adekanye appealed to motorists to always ensure safety on the road and refrain from being a threat to others.

He advised commuters to always caution drivers who engaged in unnecessary over-speeding and report those who failed to heed their advice to the appropriate authorities.

GOVERNOR BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Lagos To Ban Okada, Fashola’s Committee Endorses Plan.

The Lagos State government may soon ban commercial motorcycle operators, also known as okada riders, in the state and restrict them to rural areas following their alleged involvement in armed robbery attacks and other vices.

The 32-member committee set up by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State to look into the menace posed by okada riders in the state has passed a vote of no confidence on them.

The committee submitted its report yesterday and came out with a damning report on okada riding, saying that its disadvantages far outweigh its advantages.

The Chairman of the Committee, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Olusegun Kazeem, was about to read the full recommendation of the committee to the governor and others present when Fashola passed a note to him to stop.

Kazeem noted that while a recommendation for an outright ban of operators in the state seemed to be the best bet to address the menace posed by operators, the challenges of transportation the development would pose in some parts of the state was to be taken into consideration.

The chairman, who did not read the committee’s recommendation, has given signal that okada riding might be ban outrightly from the city and restricted to rural areas where there are transportation difficulties.

He stated that research had shown that the vibration caused while riding on okada could lead to impotence in men and that the helmet worn by several people was a source of spreading diseases and had serious health implication.

According to the chairman, “Economically, okada has become a lucrative business for its operators who have in turn become very reckless and impossible to control with flagrant disregard for law and order.”

He said the committee also discovered that undue influence and interference was always brought on law enforcement agents by some influential people, thus thwarting attempts to enforce the law.

Kazeem stated that because the majority of the commercial motorcycle operators were migrants from other states who have no accommodation or shelter before coming to Lagos State, they have constituted nuisance in several neighbourhoods.

He said the operations of the commercial motorcyclists had security and health implications, adding that 17 out of every 20 robbery cases are carried out by commercial motorcyclists.

“Between January and November 2011, 492 robberies were committed by commercial motorcyclists while in the month of November alone, 79 armed robbery cases by okada operators were reported.”

The chairman disclosed that 1,908 commercial motorcycles were apprehended in October for traffic violations while in October and November 179 cases of accidents were recorded at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja with 170 of them being passengers on okada.

He said records at the Accidents and Emergency Centre at the Lagos Ibadan Toll gate showed a total of 41 cases of Okada accidents between the same period while in the 20 General Hospitals across the state 1,039 accidents cases involved okada riders.

He explained that the engines of the commercial motorcycles are a source of noise and air pollution which is also contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer, stressing that there is a need to embark on quick action to reduce the pollution level.

Kazeem said the committee was convinced that the disadvantages of the operation of the commercial motorcyclists far outweighs the advantages since the injuries and crimes associated with its operation could not be compensated for.

“The incalculable cost of loss of lives, injuries and crimes cannot in any way be compensated by its economic benefits. It is the contention that the government must be ready to forgo the revenue accruing from issuing licenses and riders’ cards to operators in order to seriously confront the menace of motorcycle operators,” he stated.

Receiving the report, Fashola said the State Executive Council would deliberate on it and implement the recommendations of the committee, while appealing to residents to be vigilant, watchful and to report all suspicious movements to the security agencies.

Members of the Neighbourhood Watch must remain vigilant to notice and report unusual happenings and occurrences in the various communities which may signpost major problems,” Governor Fashola advised, adding that his administration would do its best to ensure that law abiding people in the state go about their businesses without any form of molestation.

General Muhammadu Buhari

Buhari to Jonathan: you are ruling Nigeria with sweet words

Former Head of State and Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court verdict that gave victory to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Buhari, said it is painful to concede victory to the President.
“As in 2003 and 2007, the Supreme Court this morning rejected CPC’s appeal against the Lower Court verdict that the rigged Presidential election of 16th, April 2011 was properly conducted.
All who witnessed the conduct of the 2011 elections would know that this decision of the Supreme Court is politically-motivated and has little judicial content.
This Supreme Court has proved no better than the Supreme Courts of 2003 and 2007.
For the records, let me refresh the public memory about what happened in the litigations after the 2003 and 2007 rigged elections. In 2003, we presented a cast iron case before the Court of Appeal citing several major infringements of the Electoral Act 2002.
In particular, we subpoenaed INEC to furnish the Court with proof of the “result” they declared.
They did not, because they could not. The Court still declared the result as valid. Worse still, the Supreme Court upheld this dubious ruling of a dubious election.
“In 2007 I and my Party the ANPP produced copious proof that the presidential election was rigged in the most blatant fashion.
For one, ballot papers were distributed to polling stations on blank sheets of paper, making it impossible to carry out an audit trail.
Secondly, during the process of tallying the result, the egregious Professor Maurice Iwu, then Chairman of INEC, excused himself from the collation venue (after only 11 states and Abuja of the 36 states were tabulated) and announced the “result”.
At the time he made this announcement, voting materials had not even fully arrived in some states.
Only in Nigeria and only under a government like PDP’s would these criminalities pass the sanction of the Judiciary.
Yet on appeal, the Justice Idris Kutigi Supreme Court after a long adjournment, declared the election valid, with three justices dissenting. In both elections, local and international observers condemned the elections in no uncertain terms.
“What happened in this year’s 2011 elections eclipsed all the other elections in the depth and scope of forgery and rigging.
Initially there were high hopes that after 2003 and 2007 a semblance of electoral propriety would be witnessed.
The new chairman of INEC, Professor Jega, was touted as competent and a man of integrity. He has proved neither. After asking for -and getting – close on N100 billion for the election including biometric data with all ten finger prints to conduct a thorough electoral exercise, he botched it.
When our Party, the CPC, demanded forensic material, finger printed ballot papers to prove colossal and widespread multiple voting throughout the country rendering the election invalid in at least 25 out of the 36 states of the federation, INEC refused to provide them in Court, citing national security.
A laughable excuse if ever there was one. The national and international monitors having seen their work wasted and ignored this time took the line of least resistance and declared the elections as o.k. Who can blame them? Yet the Justices of the Supreme Court have now seen nothing wrong in this.
To nobody’s surprise therefore, that spontaneous violence broke out in parts of the country after the announcement of the “result”.
The Lemu Panel has come up with detailed causes of the riots and given lie to those who wanted to label the riots as my handiwork.
The facts are that people were deeply angered and deeply provoked at the wanton conduct of the elections: the snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes, violence unleashed on opposition supporters, use of the police and elements of the army to intimidate, injure and kill opposition supporters and flagrant change of results, after collation such as in Niger, Bauchi and Kaduna states.
Moreover the declaration of 86% - 90% of votes registered and cast in most parts of the Southeast and Southsouth states was highly implausible given the general turn-out of 50% - 60% in the rest of the country.
No election is credible where 100% of votes cast were for one candidate in many constituencies and 90% in some states. This is plain fraud.
No election can be validated if 100% of those registered all cast their votes in favour of the same candidate.
It is for these reasons INEC refused to release the biometric data. The Supreme Court has turned a blind eye and deaf ear to these gross irregularities. That is the theme running through all three elections since 2003.”
The statement which reviewed the state of the nation says: “The country now is in an emergency situation. Law and order can break down at any time.
Those in charge of the country should be warned that promises and sweet words are no substitute for practical action.
To avert the looming chaos in the New Year, immediate steps should be taken to drastically reduce the cost of governance in the three tiers of government.
Salaries and especially allowances, should be drastically reduced; security votes should be abolished – not increased as the 2012 Budget has done.
Votes for the Armed forces, Police and Security Services should be transparent and accountable; foreign travel and estacodes should be stopped for at least six months other than for the Presidency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and medical emergencies.
“Government House expenses in all the states should be drastically reduced, foreign travel suspended for a while.
The National Assembly should give a lead in reducing their allowances substantially and stopping their foreign travels.
These savings should be applied to education, infrastructure and agriculture with emphasis on youth employment through meaningful and practical emergency programmes.
The public will see through any cosmetic or token gestures and will not tolerate a continuation of status quo. Corruption and plunder are the root causes of unemployment, insecurity, violence and unrest.
“If all hands are on deck to help save our country from imminent collapse, we should stabilise.
When that happens, Nigeria should take a close look at the country’s structure in a calm and unemotional atmosphere. Hopefully, we may come to a better form of government to see Nigeria through the next 50 years.”
Nigeria, according to Buhari, now has to live with the consequences of the actions of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), police and security services over the last 10 years adding that: “A country on the brink of developing into the major continental Power in 1999 is now a fractured society. Corruption everywhere, violence everywhere, a sense of helplessness and hopelessness nearly everywhere.
While the country is sliding into this chaotic state, PDP governments at the centre and in the states are engaged in massive and mindless plunder of the country’s resources in total disregard of the suffering masses.

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

Way out of bombings

Former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), a Senior Advocate of Nigeria yesterday proffered solution to the rising state of bombings.

Akeredolu said it can be solved through state police, and the use of what he called Homeland Security Agency, comprising major security agencies.

he said security agencies need to invest in the confidence of Nigerians to give them information and not fear being betrayed, arrested, or detained.

He said a situation where whistle-blowers are arrested, detained or forced to disclose the source of their information does not inspire confidence in people with information to pass it to the police. He said it requires community effort to ensure security.

Akeredolu said: “The government is clueless on how to find abiding solutions to the myriad of challenges, in particular grave security challenges, facing the people of this country.

“The last series of attacks perpetrated against innocent worshippers on Christmas morning must compel deep introspection on the state of our security. Even the most incurable optimist is now forced to accept what has always been my position -

“After the gruesome murder of scores of Christian worshippers in the cowardly attack, government officials have been regaling us, once again, with a litany of deceitful and empty assurances to the effect that Nigerians should go about their businesses while they await yet another event of horrendous proportion.

This is the time that all patriotic Nigerians must insist on some urgent security measures.

“The government must be made to inaugurate a Homeland Security Agency, comprising all established security outfits as a matter of urgency.

In addition to this, the issue of community policing must be given a serious consideration. It is time the National Assembly passed a bill on the creation of State Police for effective and efficient security.

“Anyone who still wallows in self-delusion that once a stupendous chunk of the expected revenue from the sale of the national resource, a consuming pastime of the profligate, is appropriated for security, everything will be solved is mistaken.

Now is the time to wean such political office holders of destructive mediocrity,” Akeredolu said.

The government is required under human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which it is a state party, to keep its citizens safe, ranging from the threat of communal violence to sectarian violence.”

“It is the duty of the government to protect human life against unwarranted actions by public authorities as well as by private persons. The right to security includes how the government protects the physical integrity of its citizens from abuse by other citizens.”

“We are concerned that the constant and widespread killings and lack of security in the country constitute a gross violation of human rights, and may amount to crimes against humanity.”

Cardinal Okogie

Why bombings will continue.

Archbishop of Lagos Anthony Cardinal Okogie has said bombings in Nigeria would continue because of the country porous security network.

Okogie spoke with reporters in Awka, Anambra State on Tuesday, during the inauguration of the Saint Peters Catholic Church at Nkwelle Awka, built by the traditional Prime Minister of Awka kingdom, Ozo Austin Ndigwe.

He said: “When Musa Yar’Adua was alive, he came with Point Agenda and people said no it was too much. This man, Jonathan has he even mentioned any agenda”.

“Now, if you were to be a wise man, you will take the agenda, look at it and pick one or two or three and try to fulfil it but nothing, what are we are hearing are lies, lies, lies and lies. To me, it is useless.

“Again, on the Boko haram issue, if you look at how Nigeria is handling this thing, they seem to be handling it with kid gloves. It is not the thing you handle anyhow, our Heavenly father is on the side of the poor.

“A good number of times, he has shown us the people doing this thing, our government, those in power they know these are the people but what have they done, nothing.

“A senator was caught and you journalists brought it out, another minister was equally mentioned as those financing Boko Haram, what did they do to them. They went and granted them bail but look at that Nigerian boy Mutallab, he is still under lock and key with the Americans.

“He has not been released. What they are doing is to extract knowledge from him to know those behind the bombing; now how can you release a criminal because he is a rich man. If they were to be poor men, they would say hold him. Is that the kind of country you will love to have.

Ayo Oritsejafor

God save us from terrorism’

The Christians talked tough again yesterday over the attacks on churches and their members by suspected Islamic fundamentalists.

“Protect yourselves,” Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Ayo Oritsejafor charged them.

He spoke at the premises of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, during his visit to the Church that was bombed on Christmas Day by suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers.

Yesterday in Madalla, Pastor Oritsejafor warned against a recurrence of attacks on churches.

He said: “We want to pray to God that this will be the last, this is our prayer, and this is our desire. God should save us from all forms of terrorism.”

Oritsejafor was accompanied by CAN executive members to the church where scores were murdered after the Mass of Nativity.

Oritsejafor said: “As CAN President, I will not encourage revenge, but I will ask all Christians to protect themselves anyway they can. Why should anybody come and kill you in your house, protect yourself, protect your place of worship, protect your property.”

He described the bombing as “pure madness” adding, “normal people don’t behave like this, even animals have value for each other, so we condemn it completely, it’s not normal.”

Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi decried the attack on the church.

He narrated the experience of a nine-year old who was thrown up by the bomb explosion only to land on the roof of the Anglican Church some meters away.

THE President told Nigerians last night to remain calm in the face of the country’s security challenges.

Dr Goodluck Jonathan assured all that the government is on top of the situation. Some arrests have been made and suspects will soon be prosecuted, he told a Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) team, led by its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

Some countries facing similar attacks have offered help to Nigerians, the President said.

Besides, he spoke of plans to restructure and re-adjust the security system to produce a team that will meet the challenges. He gave no details.

To the Christian leaders, the attacks on churches, including the Christmas Day bombings in Madalla, Niger State, Jos, Damaturu and Maiduguri is a declaration of war on Christians.

The death toll in the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja incident has been put at 34. A suicide bomber drove into worshippers as they filed out after the early morning Mass, setting off explosives.

Pastor Oritsejafor, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja meeting last night, blamed the attacks on Islamic, religious and traditional rulers, who, he said, are not publicly condemning the deadly Islamic sect, Boko Haram (Western education is a sin).

The CAN president, who stressed that Christians have lost confidence in the government’s ability to protect Christians, however, assured President Jonathan of CAN’s continuous prayers and support for his administration.

DR ONA EKHOMU

Federal Government Advised to Change Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Federal Government has been advised to change its Counter-Terrorism strategy from the current law enforcement (reactive) model to a security model (pro-active) in order to minimize the loss of lives that occur after each Boko Haram attack.
The government was also asked not to aim at arresting and prosecuting Boko Haram fighters after they commit acts of mass murder, but prevent terrorist attacks from occurring in the first place.
Nigeria's first chartered security expert, Dr.Ona Ekhomu said despite the abundance of intelligence on the intentions of Boko Haram to attack churches on Christmas Day, the terrorists could not be stopped prior to unleashing their catastrophic attacks on Madala, Jos, Damaturu and Gadaka Town in Yobe State.
Ekhomu warned that since Boko Haram struck on Christmas Day this year, they may likely strike on New Year's Day 2012.
He based this prediction on the fact that the terrorists struck on Christmas eve in 2010 and New Year's Eve in 2010. However,the suicide terrorists changed to Christmas Day this year.
Since past is prologue to the future and the AQN masters of Boko Haram tend to strike on anniversaries and on celebration days in order to maximize fatalities, they will probably carry out more spectacular attacks on New Year's Day 2012", he added.
Ekhomu who is also President of the Association for Industrial Security and Safety Operations of Nigeria described the Madala attack as a hellish act of pre-meditated mass murder, saying the combined and coordinated bombing signature of AI Qaeda network and its affiliate Boko Haram.
Ekhomu said the deliberate targeting of churches in the Xmas day bomb was designed to spark religious crisis in the country. "If Christians engaged in reprisal attacks, then the unity of our nation can no longer be guaranteed".
He advised Christian to disregard the devilish plot of the Bokites to set them against Muslims, explaining that Boko Haram has been bombing mosques and killing Muslims since the inception of their campaign of terror.
The Security Expert urged the Federal Government and it s security agencies to aggressively tackle the Boko Haram threat as it was capable of undermining the confidence of people in the government.

Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, with President Goodluck Jonathan

Sultan meets Jonathan over security situation.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over the security situation in the country.
Emerging from the closed-door meeting which lasted more than two hours, the Sultan condemned the Christmas day bomb blasts at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, Church of Mountain of Fire and Miracles in Jos, Plateau the SSS headquarters in Damaturu, Yobe.
``We are totally against what have been happening, we totally condemn all these. Nobody can take anybody's life, its un-Islamic, its un-Godly.
``Nobody can take anybody's life, all lives are sacred and must be respected and protected by all,’’ the Sultan said.
He said he was in the State House to commiserate with the President over the incidence, to discuss on various ways to ensure the stability of the nation so as to move the country forward.
The Sultan noted that the acts of violence were perpetrated by evil people in the society and did not translate to conflicts between the Moslems and the Christians.
He said both Moslems and the Christians would work in harmony to overcome the challenge and ensure the unity of the nation.
It is a conflict between evil people and good people and the good people are more than the evil ones. The good people must come together to defeat the evil ones and that is the message.
``We want to assure all our Christian brothers and Christian leaders that we stand on the path of truth according to our religion; that we will continue to work In sha Allah, for the greatness of this country.
``As I said, there is no conflict between Islam and Christianity and I want to assure that we will do all we can in the best of our ability to solve the numerous problems confronting our country’’.
As a way out, the Sultan said that government should review past reports of all crises in the country and call for a meeting of a larger body including religious leaders and traditional rulers.
He also emphasised the need for both Christians and Moslems to close ranks and work together to fight any form of violence.
The Sultan dismissed the claim that Moslems leaders were in support of the attacks but came out in pretence to condemn.
``I speak as a Moslem leader and you know that we do not say what we do not mean.
``It is distasteful in the eyes of Almighty Allah, but we are quite aware of Almighty Allah's instruction to always speak the truth because we will go back to Him to give account for what we have done on earth.
``So whatever we say to anybody or any group at any time, we wholly mean so,’’ he said.
The meeting was attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo and the National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi.

National Security Adviser, Retired General Andrew Azazi

Azazi rules out changes in leadership of Security Agencies.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired General Andrew Azazi has said changes in the leadership of the nation’s security agencies are no solution to the spate of violence in the country.
The general stated this in an interview with the State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa.
Azazi who was at a meeting of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, on the nation’s security, said what was needed was improved security.
Azazi said agencies were working ahead of the security situation but that it is difficult for them to man every point simultaneously.
He emphasised the need for security awareness among members of the public and the need for public participation and cooperation with security agencies.
The NSA also ruled out any possibility of reprisal by Christians against Moslems over the Christmas bomb blasts at churches in Niger and Plateau states.
``We can’t have a situation where we think that one bad turn deserves another.
``We are Nigerians and like we always say, I don’t see any major conflict between the Christian community and the Moslem community.
``You will find a situation where certain individuals for whatever reasons are causing these problems.
``Retaliation is not the answer because if you retaliate, at what point will it end? Nigeria must survive as a nation, that is the key thing, ’’ he said.
On why government has not entered into dialogue with the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, which has claimed responsibility for many terror attacks, Azazi said it was impossible to discuss with a faceless group.

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor

Christian leaders to meet to review security situation.

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has said that Christian leaders would meet soon to review the security situation in the country and fashion out an appropriate response to the menace of terrorism.
Oritsejafor said that the meeting would address the current sectarian violence across the northern part of the country .
Reacting to the Christmas Day attacks which have left several people dead, the CAN President urged well-meaning Nigerians to await the outcome of the proposed ``crucial'' meeting.
"I am extremely angry. This is a barbaric and most uncivilised action of human beings in a civilised world. Even animals have respect for each other. It is inhuman, it’s barbaric! It’s satanic.
"I wonder why certain characters are sponsoring these acts of violence on fellow human beings, and go home without any feeling of guilt. I am not talking of people who are used to carrying out the dastardly acts but those who sponsor them.
"Let us not deceive ourselves, as good as religion is, religion can be a terrible thing because it is only religion that can give a man the conviction to do this kind of thing. It is incredible.
"Christmas is a day when over 80 million Nigerians join billions of fellow Christians across the globe to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, wouldn’t you just respect that?
"It is totally barbaric and unacceptable. I am short of words to describe how I feel, because I finished the first service in my church and came to the office when I began to receive calls from different parts of the country of the shocking news of the attacks,” the statement quoted Oritsejafor as saying.
The CAN President dismissed insinuations that the current incessant terrorist attacks in different parts of the country, had ethnic coloration.
He also said that he would not accept the theory of poverty as being the motivating factor.
There is a section in the North that is not happy and that is where we are not bold enough to face the truth. The truth is that, it is not the North that is not happy; it is a section of the North that is not happy," he added.