The Enugu State Police Command has arrested 25 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, with dangerous weapons in Enugu.
Police sources said they were arrested at Okpuje Community, near Nsukka town on Friday with 27 different guns wrapped in fertiliser bags as well as axes, daggers, acid and other dangerous weapons.
The bus in which they were travelling had the inscription, ‘Zamfara State Government’, and registration number XA 581 MRD.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The burial of the 12 Adazi-Nnukwu citizens killed in Mubi Adamawa State yesterday threw up another round of calls for Ndigbo to stand up and take their destiny in their hands. Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ra;ph Uwazuruike who was present at the funeral, told newsmen that Nigeria would hear from Ndigbo as soon as Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu is buried.
Uwazuruike who was in tears beholding the bodies of the 12 innocent citizens of Igbo land said, “You see am here, am not happy that this has happened to Ndigbo. I have to show presence, I have to show the solidarity the Igbo people have for the fallen heroes. I want to say that when we finish burying our leader Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, we shall come up with the position of Ndigbo regarding the massacre of Ndigbo in the Northern states.â€
Also speaking to newsmen, the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh said what would solve the present problem of Nigeria is a national conference.
He said, “What happened is very unfortunate, Igbos have continued to take the major number of all casualties in matters like this principally because our people live everywhere in Nigeria. We have listened to the homily by the Bishop, he said it is not for us to choose when we will die or how we will die, the only thing we will do is to accept what has happened to this community and to the Igbo race with total submission to God.
“But people who are alive must take steps to protect themselves. We have continued to ask for national conference; it is only through a national conference that all the problems facing this country can be discussed.
A national conference is not about breaking up Nigeria, some people think is about breaking up Nigeria, it is not. It is an opportunity for all parts of Nigeria to come together and air their grievances, so that the government of Nigeria will find a lasting solution to the bickering and spate of violence engulfing this country from time to time. “We the Igbos we are the most oppressed in Nigeria, apart from the fact that we are killed the most every time in all parts of Nigeria, we are suffering the gravest injustice in this land.â€
In her own comment Hon. Uche Ekwunife said Ndigbo must wake up and put something on the ground to tackle what was happening to them in Nigeria. She said, “This is monumental loss we must look into what is happening, this thing is not going to stop. Where are we as Igbos, how prepared are we? Must we continue to loose our beloved ones? So if we say no, what plans do you have to maintain the no? It is more than saying no. When the time comes our stakeholders in the South-East must show us the way.â€
Secretary of the Alliance of Igbo Youths (AIY), Mr. Emeka Muoneme warned that Igbo youths have resolved that the blood of Ndigbo should no longer be sacrificed for the stability of the federal government where Ndigbo benefit nothing.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
(Codewit.com) -The violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has denied reports that his spokesman Abu Qada, has been arrested by the State Security Service.
The denial came even as the confusion set off by initial reports of Qada’s arrest on Tuesday deepened.
Qaqa, known for granting interviews and issuing statements on behalf of the group, was reportedly arrested in Kaduna by the SSS, early on Wednesday.
However, speaking with journalists from an unknown location on Thursday, a man who claimed he was Qada said the militant arrested was one Abu Dardaa.
“The person that was arrested was Abu Dardaa and not Abu-Qaqa. I am Abul Qaqa, the spokesman for the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnati Lidda’awati Wal Jihad. Abu Dardaa is the head of the Lagina (Dept) of public enlightenment and not the spokesman,†the man said.
The militant went on to say that Dardaa was asked by the sect to meet with government officials after the group had decided to respond to the government’s call for dialogue.
“The arrest of Abu Dardaa is an outright deception and betrayal by the Nigerian government and security agents. They proclaimed dialogue and are doing the opposite. His arrest has proved to us that they were waiting for us to avail ourselves so that they can arrest us.
“We purposely sent Abu Dardaa to Kaduna to discuss with some key government functionaries on the issue of dialogue. Indeed, he had started talking to them but unknown to him, they (had) directed some security agents to trail him and arrest him.
“This is exactly what happened. He volunteered to present himself for the dialogue but was betrayed. Everybody knows our capability and tactics of operation. It is evidently clear that none of our members could be caught on a platter of gold and without confrontation.â€
He added that their plan was to hold further meetings with government after the exploratory talks.
He said, “We initially thought that the much talked about dialogue was true and we actually resolved that after the initial meeting with Dardaa, we would send five representatives to stand for us.
“Part of what we told him to discuss with the government representatives was the unconditional release of our members as pre-condition for any further discussion.â€
Qada urged government to release all their members in detention, adding that it was the only panacea for peace.
“I want to reiterate that we want all our members to be released for peace to return and for dialogue to hold.â€
Qada spoke on the heels of reports on Thursday that security agencies had not confirmed if the man arrested on Tuesday was the sect’s spokesperson.
Sources in the security service have been reluctant to confirm the identity of the suspect arrested, saying he was being interrogated to confirm his identity.
A source in one of the security services told Reuters that the suspect had been flown to Abuja for interrogation.
“He is under interrogation,†the source said on condition of anonymity, declining to provide further details.
However, the spokesperson for the SSS, Maryln Ogar, had told the AFP that she was not aware of the arrest.
“When you have an ongoing operation, a lot of people are brought in, and until you are able to put a face to a name nothing can be confirmed,†Ogar reportedly said.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
“Most of them (Northern governors), pay us monthly to leave their states aloneâ€â€¦that was one of the spokesmen for Boko Haram, Saidu Umar aka Usman Al Zawahiri.
For eternity these lunatics have unleashed terror on the Nigeria state and its people. As at last Friday, death toll, policemen, soldiers and civilians’ hovers between 950 and 1200…and still counting.
While The Federal Government and its security chiefs have perfected how to write condolence speeches, the deadly sect continues to grow in strength, employing sophisticated tactics reminiscent of Al Qaeda modus operandi.
They have several times boasted about their ‘exploits’ and often reveled why they remain invincible. Top guns like Umar Sokoto, Baba Kuwa Fugu, Imam Abubakar, Sanda Umar, Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf (late), Uzairu Abba Abdulahi (late) and Zawahiri, have at different fora dropped hints about those behind them.
They have fingered governors, members of the national assembly, security operatives, emirs, etc. Today, we present the faces of those who have given financial and moral support to Boko Haram, right from the days of the Jos crises, and also give you snippets into their mindsets, or a brief profile. This is the first installment. As time goes on we will continue to put faces to this sponsors and sympathizers.
Speaker Aminu Tambuwal says “ There is need to forgive them ( Boko Haram). We should bring them to the table and discuss with them to see how to end these problemsâ€
Adamu Ciroma asked about moves by the Federal Government to seek the intervention of northern elders he said “ I won’t talk about thatâ€â€¦asked about Boko Haram he said “ Boko Haram is a product of bad governance and it is the duty of government to try to ensure things are done properlyâ€
Sacked IGP Hafiz Ringim allegedly, in concert with his lackey, Zakari Biu, ensured Umaru Sokoto, arrested in Abuja, varnished from Abaji. He ensured no photo or fingerprint was taken of such a high profile operative believed to have masterminded the bombing of the church in Madalla. It was learnt that Sokoto had to be allowed to ‘escape’ because he had information on top sponsors including members of the Federal Executive Council.
Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano. In August 2011, ordered the release of all Boko Haram suspects in the state by security agencies. He had said, “there is no justification for their continued detention. If there is any member of the sect in detention, I am hereby calling on security agencies to release them. The Governor paid N10 million to the sect and provided training ground for them in the woods.
Former Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi pays N10 miliion per month, for protection, provides training ground in the back woods. According to him “ Boko Haram is not against Nigeria society, but protesting Social injustice, it is just a pressure group. Yuguda who minimized the murder of several NYSC members by jihadists also apologized to the sect fro the 2009 crackdown. “ I apologize to members of Jamatu Ahlussunnah Liddawati wal Jihad for injustices caused them, “ he said last year.
Former Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sherriff had a Boko Haram representative in his cabinet. He was Fuji Foi who was later sacked and subsequently murdered under dodgy circumstances. He sponsored a militant group made up of Boko Haram operatives. The militant group was tagged ECOMOG. He also apologized to the sect for the crackdowns, and made substantial financial contributions.
Former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau administration in Kano made a monthly N10 million donation to the group. It was alleged that the Shekarau administration reached an agreement as far back as 2004 to be paying a monthly support of N5 million to the group which was later raised to N10 million sometime in 2009.
Senator Ali Ndume currently being prosecuted for ties to the sect. He, according to members of the sect help put together threatening text messages to prominent Nigerians.
He also made huge financial donations to the sect. Former Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe, Sheidu Pinda, killed recently in a car crash, was a huge financier. He made millions of naira available for logistics and purchase of arms and ammunitions.
New IGP, M.D Abubakar was indicted twice for aiding jihadists in the strings of crises that engulf Jos, the Plateau state capital. The Justice Nikki Tobi recommended dismissal and warned that such a character could not be commissioner of police, which he was then.
Zakari Biu who was top gun at Zone 7 Abuja where Sokoto was initially locked up has ties to the sect. He was, during the Olusegun Obasanjo regime recommended for dismissal for misconduct and ties with militants, but he was suspended, and 10 years after smuggled back into the police by Ringim. He aided the escape of Sokoto.
Emir Of Suleja , Awalu Ibrahim, is a prominent sponsor and spiritual father of the sect. After the deadly bombing of a church in his domain, madalla, he refused to show up at the scene to condole with victim’s families.
He was subsequently queried by the state Governor, Babangida Aliyu. According to the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulahi Bawa Wuse, the government found out that despite the retinue of people and frontline Nigerian leaders that had visited the victims and the bomb sites from across the country to express their sympathy with those involved, the traditional ruler neither sent words of sympathy nor visited the area.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Security agents on Tuesday killed Uzairu Abba Abdullahi, a textile merchant suspected to be a leader of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, during a five-hour gun duel.
His pregnant wife, who was at his residence in Hotoro, Nassarawa Local Government Area when the team stormed the building, was also shot dead. After the battle, the security men reportedly arrested one of the late businessman’s sons..
A family source described Abdullahi as a 2002 Mass Communication graduate of Bayero University, Kano, but security sources described him as one of the planners and executors of last Friday’s multiple bomb blasts and attacks on Kano.
Our correspondent gathered that the team that killed him comprised soldiers, policemen and security personnel drawn from other forces. The team reportedly stormed the suburb at about midnight following a tip-off that members of the sect were there in large numbers.
THE PUNCH learnt that on reaching the house, Abdulllahi and his men opened fire and the team returned fire. A senior security official told our correspondent that the gunfight raged from 12.30am-5.30am.
Our correspondent reports that while the battle lasted, residents were kept awake for hours as guns boomed. The scene of the incident is close to the farm and horse stable of Chief Deinde Fernandez, who is also Garsan Fulanin Kano, a traditional title in the Kano emirate.
A security official said an army officer who was part of the security operatives was shot in the leg. He was said to be the only victim on the side of the security agents.
The source said, “We had trailed this man for some time. We placed surveillance on him as soon as we received a tip-off that he usually conducted himself in a suspicious manner. So, we decided to pick him up.
“Unfortunately, in the course of the exchange of gunfire, he and his wife were killed. But we captured his son alive.
“The order we got from our Oga (higher authorities) was for us to catch him (Abdullahi) alive so he could be useful in our investigation of Friday’s multiple bomb attacks on security forces and innocent Nigerians. Unfortunately, his resistance led to his death.â€
THE PUNCH gathered that before the operatives swooped on the Boko Haram leader, the security authorities had ordered the 9th Squadron Mobile Police, which is close to the scene of the operation, to be on standby.
The early morning Muslim prayers could not be said in the area until about 6.30am, instead of the usual 5.30am.
Efforts made to confirm the incident by newsmen were rebuffed by the army and police authorities who refused to give details of the attack.
The late Abdulahi’s cousin, Alhaji Ali Abdullahi, confirmed the death of the suspect and his wife to reporters.
According to him, the late suspected Boko Haram leader hailed from Gaya Local Government Area in the state. However, he claimed he was an easygoing man who related well with his neighbours. He described the incident leading to his death as “very unfortunateâ€.
Ali also lamented that all the efforts made by the family to recover his cousin’s corpse and that of his wife, for the purpose of prompt burial, had proved abortive.
Our correspondent gathered that most residents of Hotoro have relocated from the area to safer zones within the metropolis out of the fear that the security agents might return.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has organised a mass burial for unclaimed bodies from the Friday attacks. THE PUNCH gathered that about 50 bodies were buried in Kalebawa village, along Kano-Danbatta road on Tuesday.
A source at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, who pleaded anonymity, said the corpses, which had been at the hospital since the attack, had started to decompose.
Our correspondent saw two vehicles of the mortuary unit, filled with the corpses, leaving the hospital. He later learnt that corpses that had been properly identified remained in the mortuary for their loved ones to claim.
There was no official confirmation of the actual number of the corpses taken for mass burial, however, as all efforts to contact the hospital officials proved abortive.
Also on Tuesday, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, led other emirs on a sympathy visit to the the victims receiving treatment at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.
Emir Bayero went in company with the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Adamu; Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad; and the Sardaunan Kano and immediate past governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
A British-based arms dealer helped organise the shipment of thousands of guns from China to Nigeria without the necessary licence, a court has heard.
BBC reported Thursday that Gary Hyde was accused of partly arranging and organising the shipment in 2007 of 80,000 rifles and pistols and 32 million rounds of ammunition.
Southwark Crown Court heard he did not receive permission from the relevant government department.
Hyde, from Derwent near York, denies the charges. The court was told the shipment involved 40,000 AK47 assault rifles, 30,000 rifles and 10,000 9mm pistols.
Prosecutor Mukul Chawla QC told the jury his actions were a “deliberate and calculated breach of the lawâ€.
“In order to ensure that his criminality, his illegal activities were not drawn to the attention of the UK authorities, he placed and thus concealed profits from his illegal trade into his bank account in Liechtenstein,†he said.
Chawla said the shipment required permission from the relevant government authority because it had been partly arranged and organised from the UK by Hyde.
The prosecutor told the jury Hyde had made a statement through his solicitor in November 2009 which said: “I do not believe that I engaged in any activity in the UK which I understood required a licence but where instead I decided to ignore that obligation.â€
Chawla said: “The prosecution case is that the claim that he made in November 2009 is palpably false and that Mr Hyde deliberately engaged in activity within the UK which required a licence.â€
Hyde carried out his part in the deals with his business partner Karl Kleber, a German national based in Germany, the court was told. The pair acted as middle men between two Polish companies acting for the Nigerian buyers and Chinese companies, the court heard. Chawla said commission payments for the deals totalled around $1.3 million.
The trial continues.
Just last Tuesday, Ghanaian security agents seized a truckload of arms and ammunition believed to be on its way to crisis-torn Nigeria and arrested five people.
“The vehicle with Coca Cola inscription was loaded with the consignment which included pump action guns, double-barrel guns and a large quantity of cartridges,†Accra Regional Police Commander Rose Bio Atinga told AFP. Police, acting on a tip-off, arrested two Nigerians and three Ghanaians.
“After a check was conducted, we realise that the vehicle with a (Nigerian) registration number, was loaded with ammunition covered by a metal plate,†said Atinga.
“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed that the consignment was on its way to Nigeria,†she said.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Boko Haram sect has cited the stoppage of its monthly financial support for the recent attacks on northern states, claiming that the group was until recently being bankrolled by some northern governors.
The claim by the group came as it also alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was in its firing range last September but was spared because of his tolerance of the sharia Islamic code during his presidency.
An unnamed high ranking official of the group alleged that the Ibrahim Shekarau administration in Kano made a monthly N10 million donation to the group while the Bauchi Governor, Alhaji Isa Yuguda besides financial commitments was also an admirer of the military prowess of the group.
The group has, nevertheless, dismissed any personal grouse with President Goodluck Jonathan, alleging that the problems with the administration were carryovers from what it claimed to be the callousness of the Yar‘Adua administration in waging war against the group.
The allegations were made by a high ranking official of the group to the online publication 247ureports.com.
Mr. Michael Ishola, Chief Press Secretary to the Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, however, debunked the claim as a “very, very strange allegation.â€
The newly appointed Special Adviser (Media) to the Kano State Governor, Mallam Halilu Dantiye on his part, claimed ignorance of any monthly payment to the group by the Ibrahim Shekarau administration which the present administration succeeded as he claimed that there was no such issue contained in the handover note.
Noting that the attacks on Kano and Bauchi arose from the stoppage of the financial support to the group by some northern governors, the official in the disclosures to the publication said that the entire northern governors have ongoing relationships with the group.
“Most of them pay us monthly to leave their states aloneâ€. It was alleged that the Shekarau administration reached an agreement as far back as 2004 to be paying a monthly support of N5 million to the group which was later raised to N10 million sometime in 2009.
The agreement also reportedly included infrastructural support. The support was, however, allegedly stopped at the inception of the Kwankwaso administration in May 2011.
The publication alleged that the Kwankwaso regime also turned against the group dismantling its infrastructure in the state.
“We warned the Governor of the consequences. We concluded on Kano in December 2011,†the source said. Shekarau’s spokesman, Sule Yau did not respond to the allegations yesterday as he did not respond to a text message sent to him. Mallam Dantiye Special Adviser to Governor Kwankwaso claimed ignorance of the alleged support saying that nothing like that was contained in the handover note received from Shekarau.
On Bauchi, the publication reported that Governor Yuguda reached a similar agreement with the leadership of the group for the payment of N10million monthly to the group alongside the provision of training grounds on the many mountains scattered in Bauchi State. The governor it was reported also promised to give them security against arrests by the federal government. The agreement was supposedly reached in June 2008 but mid 2011, the governor reportedly stopped the disbursement of the funds.
Mr. Michael Ishola, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Yuguda also refuted the allegation against Governor Yuguda. “It is a very, very strange allegation, because the Isa Yuguda I know cannot be involved in such an allegation. We in Bauchi have been living in peace. We are not involved in that,â€.
Why we didn’t kill Obasanjo — Boko Haram
While noting the group’s reservations on the mediation initiated by President Obasanjo with the group through Babakura Fuggu, in-law of Mohammed Yusuf, the slain founder of the group, the publication disclosed that the new leader of the group, Imam Abubakar Shekau, had considered priming Obasanjo for assassination as the September 15, 2011 exchange approached.
According to the publication: As Obasanjo concluded his secret meeting the previous day at the Green House with three other religious group [Jamatu Nasirl Islam, JNI and CAN] in Jos, the capital of Plateau State on the Wednesday of September 14, 2011, and took off the following day to Borno State, the terrorist group, according to the source, marked the former President within their ‘firing range’ from the moment he landed in Borno State at minutes after 11am till he departed the State in the late afternoon of the same day. According to the source, “we were not sure of himâ€.
“He was going to be a big catch†said the source who explained that the leadership halted the operation as Obasanjo went inside the residence of Babakura.
“Obasanjo was good to us. We had no problem with Obasanjo. We had him. We could have taken him outâ€, as he recalled that the sharia movement took off during the period when Obasanjo was president. “The problem started during the late President Yar’Adua regime. Goodluck only inherited the problem. We have no problem with Goodluck. But his Ijaw people around him are deceiving himâ€.
JTF kills 4 Boko Haram members in Maiduguri
In a seeming fight back, the Joint Task Force (JTF), “Operation Restore Order†in Maiduguri, Borno State claimed success in gunning down four operatives of the Boko Haram sect in the town. The four were reportedly killed yesterday in Pompomari ward of Maiduguri , the Borno State capital.
According to a Press statement signed by the Field Operations Commander of the JTF, Col. Victor Ebhaleme the quartet was apprehended along with bomb materials.
He said: “Four members of the sect involved in the killings in Maiduguri metropolis and its environs and have been under the surveillance of security agencies were shot deadâ€.
The statement further claimed that, various Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) materials prepared for detonation were equally recovered from their Golf Saloon car.
The statement further warned those still harbouring the sect members to desist from such acts, urging them to report all suspects to security agencies for prompt action
Nigeria, US join forces against Boko Haram
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s effort to combat the activities of the Boko Haram sect received a boost yesterday as it resolved to collaborate with the United States in the fight against the group.
The meeting between the two countries held under the aegis of the US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission had US Deputy Assistant Secretary, Mr. William Fitzgerald leading the American side, while the Nigerian side was led by the Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Martins Uhomoibhi in company of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Azazi (Rtd.)
Both the Nigerian and US officials met in Abuja to formalize a response to the general insecurity in the northern part of Nigeria. Before retreating to a closed door meeting, Fitzgerald disclosed that, due to the intensity of the insurgent activities in the North, the security working group was split into two, with one group focusing exclusively on tackling the Boko Haram menace, while the other would focus on security of the Niger Delta region.
He said: “Today marks a new beginning, security issues in the North have taken up new significance, so we have chosen to split the regional security cooperation and the Niger Delta. The regional security cooperation has its own working group which will meet today (yesterday) and tomorrow (today).â€
“I bring on behalf of the US government, the deepest condolences on the heinous attacks that have taken place during the past few days first in Kano and then Bauchi State. We deplore swiftly the reign of terror that has existed in the north of the country for many months. And we stand with you to work together to find a way to bring peace to the north,†the US envoy added.
Ambassador Adefuye was quoted as saying that “the United States government has proposed that the Niger-Delta and regional security component of the commission be split into separate entities and the first meeting on regional security should hold immediately on 23 and 24 of January. We have agreed to this proposal.
“We are receiving adequate support and assistance from our international friends without compromising our independence and freedom of action.â€
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
I am writing this piece strictly as Joe Igbokwe and I am speaking strictly for myself only. I was born in 1956 in Nnewi, Anambra State. It means that I was 10 years old when the crisis that led to the civil war started in 1966. I saw it all and witnessed the evils of civil war. Women became whores, girls became mothers, lizards became meat, every leaf of any plant became vegetables, one meal a day became a luxury, food without salt became the norm etc.
Civil war does not start overnight. It comes as a result of provocation, humiliation and disgrace of fellow human beings. It comes as a result of arrogance, impunity and selfishness.
Now hear this: An Igboman from Adazi Nnukwu in Anambra State was killed by Boko Haram in Mubi and the kinsmen gathered to plan how to take the corpse home. The same Boko Haram people returned and killed 11 of those that gathered to mourn their loved one. As plans were in top gear to move the bodies to the East, government officials seized the bodies to avoid a reprisal attack. Just imagine what would have happened in Onitsha if the 12 bodies were seen as gifts from the North in any of the motor parks. Now what will you call this? Are they telling Igbo that they have monopoly of violence? Are they telling Igbo that they cannot fight? Are they telling all Igbo men that they are all women? Have they forgotten about the civil war they called POLICE ACTION which lasted for three years? This is provocation and anger is choking me.
I want to appeal to Northern leaders to rise up now to avert a civil war. Every bonafide leader in the North must stand up to save the North from itself. The Northern Nigeria is now a war zone soaked with the blood of hundreds of innocent men and women. The Northern Nigeria is now a disaster zone, a no-go area, the land that devours its inhabitants, Thomas Hobbes State of Nature where life is brutish, nasty and short, the land without focus, direction, hope or future, the land of murderers!
I wrote the books: Igbos: 25 Years After Biafra in 1995, Heroes of Democracy in 1999 and jointly wrote 2007: The IBB Option in 2004. They are all war Books just to show you that I have seen it all to know that war means destruction of lives and property. It has led to disintegration of nations. Civil War is imminent in Nigeria but God forbid!
Boko Haram is all about politics not religion and there is a limit to this politics of stupidity. When former President Obasanjo came to power it was Sharia politics and today I do not know what has become of it. As soon as Dr Goodluck Jonathan became the President, the Boko Haram madness came on board. My take is that if General Buhari had won the 2011 Presidential elections, Boko Haram would not have surfaced to continue to terrorize Nigerians today. But the truth remains that if South South crude oil has been good for Nigeria for 62 years, their son, President Goodluck Jonathan should be good for Nigeria as well.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Kano State chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged governors of the five states in the Southeast to evacuate their indigenes in the North.
The group, in a statement, said this has become necessary since the Boko Harm insurgent group appears bent on destroying the country.
It said: “There is no gainsaying the fact that our people are now are living with naked fear and apprehension. Though there are few of us who may like to stay and defend ourselves, the majority of us, particularly, women and children, numbering over three million are jostling to leave the North (Kano), because unfolding events indicate that the North (Kano) is no longer safe for easterners.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Kano, thereby, calls on the governors of the Eastern States and Igbo speaking States in the Southsouth to provide means of transportation with adequate security to evacuate our brethren who would want to leave because human life is precious and should be protected as such.â€
The statement, by its president, Chief Tobias Idika, reads: “In about a month ago, the dreaded Islamic terrorist gang called Boko Haram issued a threat message ordering all Southerners to vacate the North or face annihilation. Though the three day ultimatum they gave had elapsed with some pockets of attacks in Borno, Niger, Yobe States etc. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Kano foresaw the wreckage that took place in Kano on Friday.
“If we can recall, Kano was the first base of Boko Haram insurgence following their first onslaught in April 2007 when the Boko Haram elements invaded Kano through the Panshekara axis and engaged security agencies in a series of attacks that claimed lives and government properties.
“Since then, they have continued to put an eye on Kano with malicious concentration on non-natives. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Kano can also state without fear of contradiction that the January 20, 2012 attack on Kano remains the only biggest coordinated attack by the Islamic terrorist group where about nine locations were bombed and lives (including one Mr. Ibe, an insurance broker was killed) and property lost!
“In this light, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Kano is convinced that there is a planned Jihad on non-natives in Kano, particularly, the Igbos. Security report reaching us indicates that there is a serious plot by the Islamic terrorist group to invade Sabon Gari Kano, an enclave pre-dominantly dominated by the Igbos.
“We are also aware that this Islamic group serving the interest of some Islamic clerics, Northern traditional rulers and ruthless politicians, have a big plan to bomb churches, public places, hotels and selected private homes within Sabon Gari Kano.
“For the fact that in the January 20 attack on Kano, even journalists were not spared with the killing of the Channels reporter, Eneche Akogwu, by the Boko Haram terrorists, means that nobody’s live is protected in Kano. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Kano, with a deep heart, uses this opportunity to commiserate with the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Muhammed Garba and all journalists in Nigeria. The killing of Eneche Akogwu brings to two innocent journalists who have fallen victim to the wicked attack and agenda of the Islamic Boko Haram in recent times.â€
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Seriki Hausawa of Lagos State, Alhaji Aminu Idris Yaro has expressed sadness over the nonchalant attitudes of Nigerians towards the activities of the dreaded sect, Boko Haram leading to the death of many people and destruction of property worth billions of naira. The Seriki, who doubles as the Chairman of the Arewa Traditional Council in the state wondered why people refused to hit the street the way they did against fuel subsidy recently.
According to him, it was a painful realization that people put their comfort far above the collective comfort of the Nigerian masses as was demonstrated recently by the protesters against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. “In Nigeria when subsidy was removed on petroleum, people protested and shut down every activity and some patriots even died during the protests.
But when hundreds of people were killed by sects using bombs, nobody stages protest or condemned it because it didn’t happen in their vicinity, none of their relatives are affected or because they are afraid to speak and get bombed too,†the monarch queried. He asked rhetorically further: “Where is Occupy Nigeria? Where is El-Rufai? Where is Pastor Tunde Bakare? Where are the Celebrities, artistes and musicians?
Where are the Opposition Parties? Where are Nigerians? Were they all in the blast that rocked Kano city? Why is everyone keeping mute now? Or is Kano State not part of Nigeria? Is this not a more serious issue for all Nigerians to wear black rags and truly ‘occupy Nigeria’ with peaceful protest against mass killings of innocent ones?
Do we have energy and strength only on subsidy removal issues? Everyone seems to be afraid now. What a big shame?â€
While expressing grief, Yaro could not understand why, “when hundreds of people were killed senselessly in the past few months, all toothless bulldogs can’t even bark any more let alone bite because money is not involved for them to fight for,†warning Nigerians to be guided not to be used by self seeking opposition, but join hands together to build a great and united Nigeria.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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