Jonathan vows to expose sponsors of Boko Haram

The Federal Government yesterday said he will soon exposed politicians who are sp0nosring the activities of the Boko Haram sect in the Northern region.

The government took this step following the acceptability of a report submitted by the Presidential Committee on Security challenges in the Northeast.

The government has been urged by the committee to deport all illegal foreigners, stressing that they have been behind the evil that befall the nation.

The report also exposed that ammoniums used by the dreaded Islamist group are being imported into the country through a routes in a Northern state

The report also linked the springing up of Boko Haram as the failure of the government to punish the police who allegedly killed their leader, Mohammed Yusuf in 2009.

The report submitted by the committee read in parts “The report traced the origin of private militias in Borno State in particular, of which Boko Haram is an offshoot, to politicians who set them up in the run-up to the 2003 general elections. The militias were allegedly armed and used extensively as political thugs. After the elections and having achieved their primary purpose, the politicians left the militias to their fate since they could not continue funding and keeping them employed. With no visible means of sustenance, some of the militias gravitated towards religious extremism, the type offered by Mohammed Yusuf.

“It recommended that the Federal Government should direct the security agencies to beam their search light on some politicians who sponsored, funded and used the militia groups that later metamorphosed into Boko Haram and bring them to justice.

“Government accepts this recommendation and directs the national Security Adviser to co-ordinate the investigation of the kingpins and sponsors to unravel the individuals and groups that are involved.”

“It was reported that  members of the sect have transformed themselves into dreaded criminal groups recently and were now known by various pious sounding Islamic names.

“The groups, which had hitherto employed the use of crude and locally made arms with few automatic weapons, are now linked to highly sophisticated weaponry and explosives imported or smuggled into the country.

“Equally, their modus operandi had drastically changed from mere confrontation with security agents to modern day terrorism with a high precision rate.

“Politicians in the country have employed the services of thugs and other groups and associations with large youth membership to intimidate their political opponents during electioneering activities.

“The roots of terrorism, especially in Borno, Gombe, Yobe and Bauchi states could be traced to groups or associations, such as ECOMOG, Yan Kalare and Sura Suka which have links to prominent politicians in these states.

“However, similar to the militant groups in the Niger Delta area, the groups usually grow out of control and become a threat to the politicians that supported and financed them.

“States where sect members thrive should exercise the necessary political will to deal with this problem, notwithstanding the perceived implications to their sponsors.

“Government accepts this recommendation and directs the security agencies to work with the state governments to deal with this matter.

“The immediate cause of the escalation of the sect’s violent activities is the extra-judicial killing of the sect’s leader and his followers in 2009 and the failure of Police authorities to bring the culprits to justice. The killing of Mohammed Yusuf, which was captured and circulated by video clips, was described as horrific, barbaric and unprofessional.

“Although late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua later ordered an inquiry into Police handling of the case, no Government White Paper was issued on the outcome of the enquiry. The Boko Haram sect members believed that their leader and members were unjustifiably killed.

“It recommended that the trial of the Police personnel responsible for the extra-judicial murder of Mohammed Yusuf and some of his followers should be expedited and publicised.

“Government notes that the late President Yar’Adua did not order any enquiry into this matter, rather he directed the Police to investigate the matter and the result of that investigation had led to the on-going trial of the suspects.”

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Man arrested with bomb claims It belongs to his late brother

John Akpabu the Suspected bomber arrested in Abuja on Monday has claimed the explosives found in his possession belonged to his late brother.

Akpabu who is said to hail from Nasarawa state, was arrested by security operatives at the entrance to the Radio House, venue of the Ministerial Platform, with three live grenades and 37 rounds of ammunition.

He was claimed that the explosives among the belongings of his late brother, Aliyu Clement who was a corporal with the Mobile Police unit of Nigeria Police Force before his death.

He said: “They transferred him to Bayelsa. When he died, I went to Bayelsa. He was living in Isepe in one local government in Bayelsa. My late elder brother’s name is Aliyu Clement.”

“He was serving in Bayelsa State. He came to see his family in Abuja but when he was returning he followed village [sic]. When he got there he fell sick and he died.”
“We now send signal to Bayelsa which when we reach there they couldn’t get it. The signal stopped on the way. They now gave us another paper. I went there with the wife to bring his properties.”
“My mission here? I’m bringing this thing here because I found it in his property. When I went to go and pack the property down to Abuja, when we reach Abuja, as we were checking the property, we now saw these grenade and the bullets.”

He claimed that after consulting with the late brother’s wife on what to do with the items as they both don’t have license to keep them, they both decided that he should keep it “since I’m a man and anytime I feel like, I should take them to the police.”

“I’m bringing it here so that we can get his benefit for him. If I had taken it to the police, I might not get it. I am here because of the benefit I have not been paid.”

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Pandemonium in Benue State over bomb blast threats

Otukpo Local Government Area, one of the most popular towns in Benue State, and the hometown of the Senate President, David Mark and the presumed headquarters of Idoma land, was yesterday thrown into serious confusion as security reports indicated the intention of some Islamist sect to bomb the ancient Idoma town

Fear griped the entire residents of Otukpo when text messages were received, threatening to bomb some places in the town. Targeted for the operation as indicated in the threat letter were St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Otukpo Police Station, Otukpo main market and others.

The alleged text message, threatening to bomb the aforementioned areas in the state,  was sent to the security operatives in the state,  As a result, stringent security measures have been put in place as security men are seen patrolling the town alongside other well meaning Otukpo towns.

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Jonathan lacks what it takes to stop Boko Haram – El Rufai

Former Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nasir el-Rufai has affirmed that the presidency lacked what it takes to stop the Boko Haram menace, stressing that its fight against the Islamic fundamentalists have been “unorganised and fruitless”.

El-Rufai stated this while delivering a lecture, ‘The Challenge of Internal Security and Implications for National Development,’ organised by the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association on Saturday in Ile-Ife.

According to him, “It is now obvious that the more money the government throws at (solving) Boko Haram (menace), the more Boko Haram attacks.”

While attributing the sect’s insurgency to social and economic injustice, el-Rufai said provision of employment, education, hospitals and roads would help stop violence in the country.

He said, “The political class has distanced itself from the masses. There is mounting unemployment, rising poverty and social inequality.”

The former minister insisted that President Goodluck Jonathan lacked what it takes to solve the Boko Haram crisis.

 “A good government must not tell lies. The Federal Government has no such standards; it tells lies.”

He also condemned the FG’s recent attack on Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), who said the 2015 general election would be bloody if the Peoples Democratic Party rigs.

The former minister said said, “Gen Buhari made a conditional statement. If they are planning a good election, why are they worried? The PDP must not rig the 2015 election. If the 2015 election is rigged, there will be unintended consequences.”

Source: Daily Post

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Government to release list of Boko Haram sponsors

A list comprising of names of suspected backers of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram has been prepared by the federal government.

A local newspaper reports that the list was compiled by top security chiefs at a meeting on ending the the ceaseless attacks unleashed by  the sect.

The security chiefs were said to have worked on an intelligence report highlighting that “some top politicians are financially backing backing up the Islamic sect so as to de-stabilize the present administration.”

One of the security officials disclosed that the decision to compile the list was born out of the belief  that the anti-terrorism battle could be won sooner than expected if people linked with violence were exposed.

According to the official,”this confirms the claims of the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi, that some undemocratic practices within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the build-up to the 2011 general elections fuelled the violence…the alleged politicians include those who don’t want Nigerians from outside their region to rule the country.”

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Dozens killed by attackers in Nigeria

At least 34 bodies "deposited at hospital" after raid on a cattle market in the country's northeast.

At least 34 people have been killed by armed men after an attack on a cattle market in northeastern Nigeria, an emergency source says. "Thirty-four bodies were deposited at the hospital," the official said, adding that the toll is likely to climb. Emergency workers say the attackers used explosives in the attack on Wednesday night in the city of Potiskum. The attack was believed to be in reprisal for an incident earlier in the day, when a gang sought to rob the market but was fought off by traders who caught one of the attackers, police said. The man who was caught was doused in petrol and a tyre was placed around his neck before he was burnt to death, according to police and residents. "A group of gunmen armed with around 20 explosives and assault rifles attacked the Potiskum cattle market," Toyin Gbadegesin, a police spokesman, said. "They threw explosives and shot indiscriminately, setting fire to the market, killing lots of livestock and wounding many people, mostly cattle dealers." Higher toll expected Officials said the toll was likely to be more than 50 dead because families were also burying relatives' bodies without bringing them to the hospital. Residents described a terrifying scene at the market usually crowded with traders, with scores of cattle burnt, the market razed and dozens of people killed. One resident said firefighters were at the scene on Thursday morning searching water wells out of fears that residents had fallen in and drowned while trying to flee. Residents crowded a local hospital to determine if their relatives were among the dead. Gangs often seek to provoke panic at markets, forcing traders to flee so they can steal their wares. Source: Al Jazeera

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