Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba Nation activist, has responded to the terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which killed scores of people
Remember that gunmen were said to have thrown an improvised explosive device before beginning to shoot sporadically.
In response to the unfortunate incident, Igboho said in a viral audio clip, “I pray to God that we do not experience such again.” I beseech God to console the victims’ families.
My fathers and mothers, can you see that I have been vindicated? I was not in a battle with any Governor or Senator. But what I envisaged, you didn’t see it. Now, can you all see? Many were saying I wanted to create a crisis and foment trouble, but can you all see it now? Well, the situation can still be redeemed. I want Yoruba people to be united before it is too late.
I want South-West leaders to support me and other courageous Yoruba sons and daughters so that we can guard against these wicked acts. Please, If I offend anyone, I ask for pardon,” he 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.
Security agencies in Anambra State have reportedly busted nine camps belonging to ‘unknown gunmen’ in the Anambra South Senatorial District.
Nine shrines used by the hoodlums for oath-taking were also raided by the joint task force on security in the state.
A police source said natives who acted as informants to the hoodlums were also in detention and making useful statements.
Some areas raided by the task force included Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area; Ebenato community in Nnewi South LGA; Ezinifite community also in Nnewi South LGA; and Ichi, in Ekwusigo LGA.
Other areas include part of Osumoghu, Lilu and some parts of Ukpor in Nnewi South and Ihiala LGAs.
The source said most native doctors had fled from their homes because some of their colleagues who were arrested had been providing names of those involved in killings and kidnappings in the state.
The Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said it was too early to begin to count the successes in the war against terror in the state.
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 more worrisome thing here about the killing in the South East is that nobody is taking responsibility. And intelligence is not providing any Suspicion.
The minders of the IPOB group through their mouthpiece which existed even before Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
was detained by the name Emma powerful have repeatedly denied involvement. Even dissociating themselves from the ‘Sit at home’ – ‘Holy Monday’ order.
Radar shifted to one Finland Based Simon Ekpa, who refers to his new group as Autopilot ….. Mr Ekpa through his recent broadcast also denied the involvement of his group in the killings and has rather diverted attention to some failed or disgruntled politicians.
Since no one has been taking responsibility….the term Unknown gunmen became convenient. Our concern and worry are, how come no valid and reliable Intelligence has unambiguously identified who the Unknown Gunmen are, both intelligence from the state actors and non-state actors ‘security’ networks?
Only accusing fingers are being pointed here and there, and the Unknown Gunmen are on a rampage. Then IPOB / ESN (Emma powerful group) used to claim they got all deep information about everything and anybody in Nigeria and outside Nigeria and also claim their intentions is to secure Biafra land, what’s happening now? No Intelligence again.
Then we were shown video clips of escapades in the forests against invading Fulani herdsmen, how they were chased away with their cows and all that. What is happening now? Have all the forest invaders, been chased away from the forests now invaded the towns and roads? If so, why have they not been pursued and chased away from the towns as they were chased away from the forests?
We used to have Intelligence from them about Buhari’s plastic ears, Buhari’s death, and Buhari’s body double. How come we can’t have credible Intelligence about the perpetrators and masterminds of these killings in our own Land?
Did these slaughtered people also disobey the sit at home order? Is the IPOB power only for and against the hapless traders, common struggling folks and fellow kinsmen?
Who is this Enemy that has refused to be unmasked, defined and isolated? Even with the strong Intelligence of IPOB/ESN?
Will this situation not provide a true test of the strength, the power, ‘sincerity of purpose’ and ‘needfulness’ of the so-called security outfit and the organization?
What is really happening here?
Also, the Ekpa group claim to have the objectives of defending the Biafra Land….how can you be defending the Land and not defending the lives of the people of the Land?
Is the Biafra Land now more important than Biafra Lives?
What’s going on here ??
It is obvious that criminals have taken over, but what needs to be found out is – which groups do these criminals belong to?
Do they have any affiliation?
Which/ what affiliation is that?
This is no longer an Agitation, this is cheer criminality and wickedness. It is a killing spree!
Serial killers are on the loose.
The Biafra Land is desecrated. And huge atonement would be required. For me what is critical is for the Governor Soludo security team to go underground and first identify who the real murderers are, what is their motive, and who is beating them. The drum for them ??
Then the criminals can be targeted.
Uncommon, unconventional methods and approaches can be deployed.
Anambra had faced daunting security challenges before, Onitsha was on many occasions very notorious and many times a theatre of crime.
Anambra overcame all of that and was acclaimed the safest state in Nigeria at some point recently.
Boyz Oye ! Happened
Bakassi boyz ! Happened.
Some other movements happened.
Don’t know which will happen this time around.
But something must definitely happen soon….very soon. The blood of the innocent is complaining bitterly to God.
Anambra can’t give up her spirit and is being tested once again.
The dimming light will shine bright again, to dispel this gloomy darkness.
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.
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged communities in Adamawa and Borno to play active role in security of their localities.
This is contained in a statement signed by Malam Shehu Garba, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, on Saturday in Abuja.
The statement quoted Buhari as making the call through a powerful delegation sent the two states to condole with the governments and people over the increased bombing activity by Boko Haram terrorists.
The leader of the delegation according to the statement is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal.
The president appealed to the people concerned to share in the responsibility of securing their communities.
He advised communities in the country to revert to old practices by which new arrivals in their neighbourhood were taken note of by local chief and security agencies.
The President recalled that this was the practice that worked well in past, in securing neighbourhood and local communities.
The president said that in the past, village head and the local police knew about new entrant into their community.
Buhari urged the people to go back to those rudimentary acts of local policing to detect traits of criminality before evil-doers got the chance to act against their common interest.
He also called on the people to assist security agencies, saying “the job of securing life and property is too important to be left to security officials alone.
“The responsibility of detecting criminals lies with all of us.
“In this new phase of the war, all of us are generals; all of us are foot soldiers and intelligence officers,” the president was quoted.
He promised the full support and the determination of his administration to end the menace of the Boko Haram terrorists by the end of the year.
The statement said that Lawal read Buhari’s message at hospitals, emirs’ palaces and Government Houses visited in the two states.
Buhari said that the security situation in the North East remained a great source of concern to his administration.
“Although there are clear indications that the military is recording great successes in the theatre of operations, the enemy has been able to carry out his murderous campaign by attacking soft targets.
“The intention of the enemy is to create widespread fear amongst the civilian population since he cannot subdue our armed forces,’’ he said.
He said that the sporadic tactics used by the criminals was a sign that they are under intense pressure in the forests and in the countryside where they previously enjoyed a lot of freedom of action.
“The sheer tenacity displayed by our troops in the last three months has resulted in degrading the capacity of the enemy significantly’’.
Buhari assured that the government would do everything humanly possible to bring to a swift end the suffering and loses occasioned by this insurgency. The president, therefore, expressed his sympathy with the families of those who died through the attacks.
“We hope all displaced communities will be returned to their towns and villages,’’ he said.
The statement also quoted Gov. Bukar Shettima of Borno while receiving the delegation as commending President Buhari’s efforts to end Boko Haram attacks in the country.
Members of the delegation included the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Alhaji Mala Buni; Shehu, and Bukar Maina, a Permanent Secretary in the office of the SGF
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.
Dozens of worshippers were killed Thursday when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in a mosque in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, witnesses said.
“All the people in the mosque died. Not a single one escaped,” said Muhtari Ahmadu, a trader near the scene.
“We counted 42 dead bodies outside the mosque,” added Amadu Marte, a vigilante supporting the security forces in the fight against the Islamist Boko Haram group, which has carried out repeated attacks in the region.
Borno state police confirmed that the mosque was hit by twin bombings but gave a lower toll of about 14 dead.
Following the explosions, the mosque collapsed and injured “many people praying”, the police said in a statement.
“Casualties have been evacuated to UMTH (University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital) and specialist hospitals in Maiduguri,” it added.
The bombers slipped into the mosque disguised as worshippers, witnesses said.
One of the attackers set off the first blast when he entered the mosque, they said. The second bomber detonated his explosives soon after, when many had rushed to the scene to help the first victims.
“When rescuers and sympathizers gathered in front of the place, the second one went off, killing many of them,” Marte said.
The blasts occurred around 6:30pm (1730 GMT) in Molai, in the western suburbs of Maiduguri, where worshippers had gathered for evening prayers, the witnesses said.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack but suspicion fell on Boko Haram, which was founded in Borno’s state capital Maiduguri in 2009.
The city has been hit repeatedly since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power on May 29 with a vow to crush the insurgency.
Boko Haram claimed responsibility for three suicide attacks in the satellite towns of Kuje and Nyanya outside Nigeria’s capital Abuja on October 2, which killed a total of 18 people and injured 41.
Nigeria’s military claims the Islamist militants are a spent force and that troops have driven them from their camps and occupied territory in the remote region.
But guerrilla-style attacks have continued, including across the border. At the weekend, 41 people were killed in triple explosions in Baga Sola, on the Chadian side of Lake Chad, where Nigeria meets Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
The four countries have launched a joint offensive against the Islamists.
Their mission received a boost on Wednesday when US President Barack Obama said he was deploying up to 300 military personnel to Cameroon for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations against Boko Haram insurgents.
At least 17,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5 million made homeless since Boko Haram began its bloody campaign
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.
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have burnt down houses, including the family home of the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in his village in Borno State.
At least, two people were killed and eight injured during the attack on Buratai village on Tuesday, sources told our correspondent in Abuja.
It was learnt that the terrorists killed two auto mechanics and torched some houses during the attack on the community.
“What really happened was that Boko Haram went there. They killed two motorcycle mechanics and torched some houses. It is not a massive attack. It was an isolated opportunistic attack, but the Army is on top of the situation. Troops are on the ground now,” a source stated.
Meanwhile, additional roads have been cleared of landmines by troops for use by commuters in compliance with the directive by the CAS to troops in the 3 and 7 Divisions of the Nigerian Army.
The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement that the road linking Biu-Sabon Gari to Damboa in Borno State has been cleared of landmines.
“The public are encouraged to use the road as adequate security measures have been put in place for their safety,” Usman 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.
MAIDUGURI—The Islamic sect, Boko Haram, yesterday, slaughtered 74 men and 20 children at Njaba Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State for refusing to join the insurgents.
There was, however, no official confirmation from either police or military authorities on the claims by residents of both Damboa and Chibok, where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted early last year.
Vanguard gathered from some security operatives that some of the insurgents, led by a commander, Sidi Babangida, also known as Abu Sid, who had been on the wanted list of security operatives, was said to have attempted taking Damboa town on two occasions, but failed and had been recruiting more fighters for the sect in and around Damboa and Gujba Local Government areas in Borno and Yobe states.
A security source, who spoke on grounds of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the issue, said they received the news of the attack and killing of 74 men and 20 children, but added that there was no official report on the incident as security operatives had been detailed to Damboa area to authenticate the claim by locals.
The source said: “At times, when reports like these come to us, it turns out to be true because the locals naturally tell security operatives of happenings around them.
“They have been very helpful. There was report earlier by some local traders that they saw the sect members holding a meeting after they had been dislodged from Gujba and Damboa is next to Gujba, along Yobe and Borno border.
“So it may be true. But try to speak with the commissioner. He may oblige you more on that.”
When Vanguard tried calling the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jibril, his phone was busy and when this reporter visited the police headquarters in Maiduguri for confirmation, the PPRO and Police Commissioner were said to be out on assignments.
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.
Bauchi — A suspected female suicide bomber was yesterday burnt by an angry mob in Mudal Lawal market in Bauchi, Bauchi State. The incident, which occurred at about 7:00 pm attracted residents who rushed to the market area to behold the burnt body of the lady.
An eyewitness told Codewit on phone that the alleged bomber refused to be screened and attempted to escape, sensing that she could not achieve her mission.
“A female, wearing a long hijab wanted to enter the market, but was stopped at the entrance to be searched. “The security team at the market started to suspect that she was carrying an Improvised Explosive Devise, IED, which made her to refuse the screening at the market. “Sensing that she could not achieve her mission, the suspected bomber attempted to escape but the angry mob went into action and set her ablaze.”
Confirming the incident, state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said: “The lady was attacked by irate mob who took the law into their hands and set her ablaze. “As a result, she died on the spot before rescue could come. Police patrol teams, including Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit rushed to the scene, dispersed the crowd and restored normalcy to the area.”
The PPRO said the case was under investigation and that intensive patrol was ongoing in the area to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further breakdown of law and order. He then warned members of the public against taking the law into their hands, adding that anyone arrested would face the full wrath of the law.
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.
YOLA—President Goodluck Jonathan made a brief visit to Adamawa State yesterday to see for himself some of the recaptured towns from Boko Harm in the state.
Jonathan was accompanied on the visit by the Service Chiefs including the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Air Staff, the Inspector of General of Police and the National Security Adviser among other military top brass.
On arrival at the Yola Airport, Jonathan was flown to Mubi for inspection of the town which was reclaimed from the Boko Haram insurgents after being renamed an Islamic state and occupied for almost two months.
While in the area, the President and his entourage visited the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isah Ahmadu, where they held private talks and sympathized with the people.
Jonathan later visited Michika and Vimtim, the home town of the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief Air Marshall Badeh. Vimtim, Badeh’s home town and Michika the home town of the former Military Governor of Lagos State, Mohammed Buba Marwa and the former governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna were also the strongholds of the Boko Haram before there were retaken by the Military.
The President had earlier paid similar visit to parts of Borno State which were recently recaptured from the Boko Haram insurgents.
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.
General Sirwan Barzani is the Commander of Pesmerge Special Forces – the Black Tigers – battling the terror group, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISL), alongside allied forces. In e-mailed interview with Sunday Vanguard, Barzani speaks on the reason for the successes recorded so far by the group against the terrorists, adding that they have no problem of saboteurs because Pesmerge is not just any type of army but a liberator of Kurdisitan.
Excerpts:
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am General Sirwan Barzani, the Commander of Pêsmerge Special Forces – the Black Tigers – in frontline of South of Erbil and East of Mosul. At the same time, I have been one of the leading businessmen in Kurdistan including founding Chairman of Korek Telecom in Iraq. Because of this war, I had to return to the frontline to defend my country against terrorist Islamic State assault. I was a Pêsmerge and Commander during the liberation war and the 2003 war that removed the Saddam Hussein dictatorship.
Do you think the removal of Saddam Hussein led to the state of things in Iraq today?
No, Saddam had killed or caused the killing of more Iraqis than any foreign power and any other Iraqi regime. Unfortunately, the international community had been silent on Saddam’s crimes particularly during the 1980s; therefore, there is some misconception about Saddam’s era of terror and genocide. Furthermore, since the removal of Saddam, those who have been igniting sectarian and ethnic conflicts are mostly Saddam’s followers, including many leading members of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Note: Levant includes Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Jordan.
For example, in the 1980s, 182,000 Kurds were killed under the pretext of Islam in Arabic it called Anfal, a reference to a Quranic verse. During that period, 4,500 villages among 5,000 Kurdish villages were vacated or burned. Saddam systematically used chemical weapons including infamous attack against the Kurdish city of Halbja.
Is it true that many of the Pêsmerge soldiers are women because ISIL terrorists fear them?
Some of the Pêsmerge units are women and historically, women have always participated in the Pêsmerge movement. We are very proud of Kurdish/Kurdistan women’s participation in liberation and freedom for all people in Kurdistan. The Kurdish women in Kobani are a great example of their engagement in Kurdistan liberation and freedom movement.
The Kurdish Pêsmerge seems to have been successful in the fight against ISIL. What lessons do you think Nigeria could learn from them in the fight against Boko Haram?
You are right about Pêsmerge success in this war but every country’s condition is different. However, there are very serious similarities between Boko Haram and ISIL. For example, both of them are against women, the minorities, diversity and basic freedoms. We certainly wouldn’t mind to share our experience and knowledge with other countries that have been subject to this kind of terror.
Some people believe that terrorism is as a result of poverty. Do you think that is true?
This is a simplistic approach. Even in some cases, poverty could be abused and used for these kinds of things but most poor people around the world are decent people. Often, these kinds of movements have multiple social, political, and economical causes but I will leave these to the academic to discuss.
Many would want to know if the USA and its allies really cannot decisively deal with ISIL or is it about diplomacy or collateral damage?
As is known, USA estimated this war will take at least three years back in July. What is important for us is that we have to defend our people against ISIL. It is very important that USA and allied forces are helping us with their air force. ISIL has much more advanced weapons than Pêsmerge forces but, despite this, Pêsmerge has defeated them in most territories in Kurdistan and still defending it. We certainly need advanced weapons for the final defeat of ISIL.
To what extent is the claim that ISIL is more about prostitution ring, drug business and crude oil than politics and religion, true?
The ISIL ideology is the source of its criminal activities and behaviours, there is no other way around. That is why they have been able to spread fear all over the world because it strives for a global empire and willing to do everything to reach this goal. ISIL already occupies territories of three countries namely: Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and their political map shows their desire to become the global power.
What attributes do you think have helped the Kurds in this war, vis-a-vis, unity of purpose?
Having a visionary leadership and well organised and disciplined Pêsmerge force that is committed to protect freedom and diversity of Kurdistan is very important. These attributes contributed to international communities’ cooperation and support against ISIL.
How have you been able to keep your soldiers motivated and focused?
Kurdistan Pêsmerge has a long history of defending its land against foreign invaders and oppressors. Pêsmerge knows very well why it is fighting and for what. They know the entire Kurdistan support them. President of Kurdistan even before the war, always said he is proud to be a Pêsmerge.
Do you have the problem of saboteurs within the army, if yes, how have you been able to handle it?
Until now, we have never encountered anything like that in our forces and we do not expect any among Pêsmerge because Pêsmerge is not just any type of army but it has been a liberator of Kurdistan.
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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