Obasanjo To Buhari: "Stop Dwelling In The Past"

The honeymoon between President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Olusegun Obasanjo seems to have ended.

For the one and a half year that Mr. Buhari has been in power, Mr. Obasanjo remained one of his staunchest backers, visiting him repeatedly and publicly defending most of his actions.

But speaking in Lagos Wednesday, Mr. Obasanjo served signal that the era of being soft on the administration Mr. Buhari leads is over.

Delivering the keynote at the First Akintola Williams Annual Lecture, Mr. Obasanjo lashed at the Buhari administration for repeatedly lumping the country’s three previous administrations together and then accussing them of misgovernance.

He also advised Mr. Buhari to stop dwelling on the past, saying since he was elected to change the country, he should concentrate on clearing the mess he inherited.
“Now that we have had change because the actors and the situation needed to be changed, let us move forward to have progress through a comprehensive economic policy and programme that is intellectually, strategically and philosophically based,” Mr. Obasanjo said.

“It is easier to win an election than to right the wrongs of a badly fouled situation. When you are outside, what you see and know are nothing compared with the reality.
“And yet once you are on seat, you have to clear the mess and put the nation on the path of rectitude, development and progress leaving no group or section out of your plan, programme and policy and efforts. The longer it takes, the more intractable the problem may become.”

The former president also criticised plans by Mr. Buhari to take about $30billion loan to fix critical administration.
“I am sure that such a comprehensive policy and programme (that will move Nigeria forward) will not support borrowing US$30 billion in less than three years. It will give us the short-, medium- and long-term picture.
“Adhocry is not the answer but cold, hard headed planning that evinces confidence and trust is the answer. Economy neither obeys orders nor does it work according to wishes. It must be worked upon with all factors considered and most stakeholders involved.
“The investors, domestic and foreign, are no fools and they know what is going on with the management of the economy including the foreign exchange and they are not amused. The Central Bank must be restored to its independence and integrity. We must be careful and watchful of the danger of shortermism.
“Short-term may be the enemy of medium- and long-term. We must also make allowance for the lessons that most of us in democratic dispensation have learned and which the present administrations
seems to be just learning.”

The former president did not spare the National Assembly which he says stinks to high heavens and the Nigerian military, which he said needed to be purged.
More to come…

Jimoh Ibrahim Heads To Supreme court

THE Ali Modu Sheriff-led Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim has reacted to the court of appeal judgement ordering his removal from the INEC list for the Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Ondo state.



Mr. Ibrahim in a statement released shortly after the judgement said he is certain of getting justice at the Supreme Court saying the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko paid for the judgment with the state treasury.


His statement reads: “I have read the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered today. We have nothing to lose as the Supreme Court seat on the same case tomorrow. We shall get justice at the Supreme Court and if PDP wins Saturday election we shall have our four years mandate to rule Ondo State.


"Let me advise you not to abuse anyone or fight over this one day ruling, which was paid for from the state treasury
Mimiko will not succeed himself with Jegede this is too sure.


"We continue with our work and remain in our great party PDP.



I love gterat people of Ondo state and i thank you all for continuous support."



Jimoh Ibrahim OFR, CFR
2016 PDP Candidate for Governorship Election Ondo state.

Ondo People Dancing And Jubilating As Court Declares Jegede PDP Candidate

There was wild jubilation in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Wednesday following the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to declare Mr. Eyitayo Jegede as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Saturday governorship election.

On hearing the court judgement, women in the state trooped to the streets of Akure while some went to the office of the INEC and the PDP secretariat, Alagbaka to jubilate.

Leader of the women group, of the PDP, Mrs. Easter Ebiwonjumi, told our correspondent that the women in the state were happy about the court’s order.

Ondo Election: We Will Replace Jimoh Ibrahim’s Name With Eyitayo Jegede – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Wednesday said factional governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Saturday’s Ondo election, Jimoh Ibrahim will be replaced with Eyitayo Jegede. INEC had earlier replaced Jegede’s name with Ibrahim following the ruling of an Abuja Federal High Court. The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the commission, Rotimi Oyekannmi, said the electoral umpire will obey the ruling of the Appeal court which set aside the Justice Okon Abang’s ruling which ordered the initial replacement of Jegede’s name with Ibrahim, Punch reports. According to Oyekanmi, the ruling of the appellate court should be served on the commission before Friday. Oyekanmi said, “Yes, the judgment as we followed, it shows that we must replace the name of Ibrahim with that of Jegede. “We will obey the judgment because this is an order coming from a superior court. We will abide by that decision. “However, we will expect that the judgment be served on us before Friday to enable us comply. When we are served, we will comply immediately. “But we are not going to shift the date of the election. We have passed that stage. The election is going to hold on Saturday, November 24 as scheduled.”

Jimoh Ibrahim sacked, Jegede now PDP's candidate

– An Appeal court sitting in Abuja has sacked Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) or Saturday’s gubernatorial election – 

The appeal court agreed with Mr Olanipekun, lawyer to Mr Jegede that it is a misnomer for Jimoh Ibrahim to have benefited from the Abang’s ruling as he was not a party to the suit 

 Court as ordered INEC to restore Jegede as PDP’s candidate An Appeal court sitting in Abuja has sacked Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) or Saturday’s gubernatorial election.


The judge, Justice Saulawa ordered INEC to restore Eyitayo Jegede as the true candidate for the party. In his judgment, Justice Saulawa said principle of natural justice demands that all sides are given fair hearing and that Abang had no jurisdiction to order INEC order to publish Jimoh’s name as Ondo PDP candidate. 

 The Appeal Court said principle of natural justice demands that all sides are given fair hearing and that Abang had no jurisdiction to order INEC order to publish Jimoh’s name as Ondo PDP candidate. Appeal court agrees with Mr Olanipekun, lawyer to Mr Jegede that it is a misnomer for Jimoh Ibrahim to have benefited from the Abang’s ruling as he was not a party to the suit. All the objections filed by Mr. Ibrahim and his loyalists at the Appeal Court were also dismissed

Zamfara Basic Education Officials Convicted For Fraud

Justice Fatima Murtala of the Federal High Court Gusau has convicted and sentenced two officials of Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board, Gambo Lawal Tsafe and Kasimu Mohammef for fraud.

The convicts, Director and Accountant respectively, of the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZASUBEB) were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the 12th of June, 2016 on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering. Upon their arraignment, they pleaded ‘not guilty’ but at the resumed hearing on Tuesday November 22, changed their plea, as they pleaded not ‘guilty’ to a two count amended charge. This followed a plea bargain agreement they entered with the prosecution.

In view of their latest plea, counsel for the prosecution, M.S. Abubakar urged the court to convict them accordingly. 

While reviewing the facts of the case, Abubakar told the court that one Nasiru Nahoro, a contractor with the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZASUBEB) was awarded a contract by the board under the chairmanship of one Murtala Adamu who is facing a ten count charge of money laundering before the same court to the tune of over N30,000,000 ( Thirty Million Naira Only) . The contract was for the construction of office block at the board in the sum of N74,000,000. However, it was gathered that the chairman of the board, Murtala Adamu received the sum of N7,400,000 as gratification which is 10% of the total contract sum through the account of the first convict, Gambo Lawal. The first convict after taking his share of N160,000, transferred the remaining N7,165,000 to the second convict. Subsequently, the second convict, withdrew cash in the sum of N7,145,000 and took same to the board chairman. In the process, the second convict retained the sum of N20,000 (Twenty Thousand Naira Only) as his own share.

Justice Murtala today handed various fines to the convicts. The first convict, Gambo Lawal got a fine of N800,000 (Eight Hundred Thousand Naira Only) which is equivalent to five times the amount he benefited (One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira Only), while the second convict, Kasimu Mohammed was fine N100,000, five times equivalent of the N20,000 (Twenty Thousand Naira Only) he benefited.

In addition, both convicts were ordered to refund the proceeds of their crime N160,000 and N20,000 respectively to the Federal Government through the EFCC.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head Media & Publicity
23rd November, 2016
Gambo Lawal Tsafe and Kasimu Mohammef of the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board,EFCC

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission Has No Plan To Postpone Ondo Guber Election, Says Yakubu

The  Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] says it was not contemplating of postponing Saturday’s Ondo State governorship election.

Mahmood Yakubu, the National Chairman of INEC, made the confirmation on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ interactive meeting in Akure.

He said the commission had already put the necessary measures in place to ensure a credible and transparent election.

“We are fully prepared,” he affirmed.  “We see no reason to activate the provisions of section 26 or section 36 of the Electoral Act and there is no other ground in Law to postpone an election.”

He added that INEC would abide strictly by the provisions of the law in the conduct of the election, which has 28 political parties participating.  

“Our responsibility is to ensure that, as a legal process, elections are conducted strictly in conformity with the provisions of the law.

“We have taken every step within the powers of the commission to ensure that the election this weekend is held as scheduled and that it is free, fair and credible.”

SaharaReporters correspondent reported that some aggrieved members of the factional PDP, backed by 16 political parties, have called for the postponement of the election.

The political parties claimed that the call was imperative to avert any political crisis that could occur if the election goes as planned this Saturday.

Mr. Yakubu noted that the commission was aware of the dispute in the nomination of the candidate of the crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], stressing that INEC was duty bound by law and would be neutral in its conduct before, during and after the election.

“Where an intra-party dispute becomes the subject of litigation resulting in specific orders of the court, INEC shall obey such orders until they are set by a superior court,” he said.  “We remain guided by this principle”.

The INEC Chairman further disclosed that there would be simultaneous accreditation and voting on the day of the election, and that the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) would be deployed for the exercise.

“The stage is therefore set for eligible voters to choose the next Governor of this state from the list of 28 political parties participating in the election”.

He also explained that the commission would be partnering with the security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security [ICCES] to ensure the safety of materials and officers.

According to him, INEC personnel, who would be assisted by members of the National Youth Service Corps in conducting the election have already been deployed throughout the state.

He warned that the commission will not condone any brigandage from unscrupulous politicians who might be planning to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the poll.

“I wish to reiterate that no voter entitled to security protection should be accompanied by armed escorts to the polling unit on Election Day,” he added.

Segun Agbaje, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, said a total of 1,659,186 are registered voters in the state.

He explained that 1,280,580 Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) have been distributed, leaving 378, 606 cards available to be collected in the state office of the commission.

He added that the commission had already distributed non-sensitive materials for the election and that sensitive materials are now in the safe custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

 

Grace Mugabe Announces Herself As President

Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe has declared herself the new president that would take over when Robert Mugabe finally steps down. Grace Mugabe said to the ruling Zanu-PF party women’s league that she is already the president, as she has made plans and arrangement with President Robert Mugabe”.

Grace’s announcement comes after the President announced that he is working towards his retirement as the president. 

Mugabe made the shocking announcement to veterans, who came to solidify their support for him. There, he admitted that Zimbabwe is apparently in a financial crisis – which spells doom for the citizens and the country at large. 

According to reports, Mashonaland West Zanu-PF women’s league chairperson Angeline Muchemeyi said Grace, who has been the Zanu-PF women’s league secretary since 2014, told them that there was no point for her fighting to be vice president, a lesser position, when she was already running State affairs. 

“The First Lady said ‘I’m the wife of the president, I’m the president already … I plan and do everything with the president, what more do I want, for now the position of the women boss is enough,” Muchemeyi was quoted as saying. Zimbabwe’s deputy president, however, noted that the first lady’s ambition to lead the country after her husband’s departure, had been “put on hold” after the Mashonaland West Zanu-PF women’s league said the issue of quota system in the presidium should be avoided.

Grace’s new announcement also raised concern that she still influences the president’s decisions, especially in policies that affect the country. Months back, Mugabe himself admitted to being ‘told what to do’ by Grace who forced him to prematurely end his speech during the Zanu PF National Conference in Victoria Falls last year. 

“Mukadzi uyu akutondinyorera kuti ndavakutaurisa (she is writing to me, saying “I’m talking to much). Ndozvandinoitwa kumba (this is what she does at home). Saka ndoteerera (So I listen),” Mugabe ashamedly admitted to his wife’s rule. Read Also: Zimbabwe Is Dead-broke But Is Losing $1 Billion To Corruption Every Year Mashonaland West women’s league chairperson, Angeline Muchemeyi told a gathering over the weekend that Grace was already running State affairs and would not fight for lesser positions like the vice president’s post.


“Grace told an executive meeting that she is ‘already the President’ and would not want to be appointed VP, as it was a lower post,” she said, reiterating that Grace Mugabe is making serious plans to take over as soon as Mugabe steps down.

US-based Nigerians Write Donald Trump, Demand Equitable Treatment

Nigerians based in the United States of America, under the auspices of Nigerian Union Diaspora (NUD), have congratulated the country’s President-elect. Mr. Donald Trump, on his electoral victory and urged him to run an equitable government. 

 The NUD’s congratulatory message was contained in a letter to Mr. Trump. Dated 20 November and jointly signed by Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, Secretary-General, and Mr. Bayo Oluwasanmi, Executive Director (Political Affairs), the letter called on Mr. Trump to remember his victory speech in which he said: “it is now time for America to bind wounds of division”.

“This statement is especially important considering the divisive tone that characterized the long presidential campaign. 

 “We strongly encourage you, henceforth, to capitalize on the post-election goodwill and extend an open hand to all Americans, including minority groups, most of who were frightened by certain aspects of your campaign that were widely viewed with apprehension.

“But with your pledge to ‘be president for all’, Nigerian-Americans are emboldened to stand willing, ready, and able to do all we can to the enormous work of healing the country and building a better America for all its citizens; an America that works well for all the people is a pillar of global peace and stability,” the letter said.

The NUD, the umbrella organization of people of Nigerian descent outside Nigeria, said it has over 2.4 million members in the United States. It further said that Nigerians contribute over $150 billion annually to the US economy. The group added that it would arrange a meeting with Mr. Trump’s to explore opportunities of working together.

  NUD’s letter traced the history of Nigerians in the United States back to over four centuries, during which it said they have made immense contributions in all spheres of US national development. It explained that Nigerians remain the most credentialed immigrant bloc in the United States, as they have demonstrated in the fields of research, education, healthcare, military, engineering, economics and job creation among others.

The NUD added that it hopes that the Trump administration will recognize the significant pedigree of Nigerians and forge lasting relationships them as well as with the Nigerian nation.

 “Aside from being the flagship country of the African continent, Nigeria has the abundant resources to advance strong bilateral relations with the United States on mutually beneficial terms. The well-being of Nigeria on the African continent is the well-being of the people of Nigerian descent in America,” the NUD added.

 It equally called on Mr. Trump to consider his position, on assumption of office, as the leader of the world’s most influential country to run a government devoid of racial, gender, religious and ethnic prejudices, adding that he has a responsibility to treat everyone equally.

“Posterity beckons on you, therefore, to break from the unfortunate past—to finally accord the Nigerian nation as well as the Nigerian-Americans similar attention as other leading countries of other continents and their immigrants in the United States, including but not limited to policies on trade, immigration, terrorism, global security, economic opportunities, social issues, and human rights. Just policies on Africa will go a long way in binding ‘the wounds of division’ that have existed between African-Americans in general and the larger American population,” the letter concluded. Bayo Oluwasanmi

Police Arrest Ex-soldier For Car Snatching In Delta

Officers of the Delta State Police Command have arrested an ex-soldier, Sani Abubakar, for his alleged membership of a car snatching syndicate.

The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, announced the arrest the while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Asaba on Wednesday. According to Mr. Ibrahim, Abubakar, who deserted the Army in 2013, was nabbed after the other gang members had been rounded up.   He hails from Tudun Wada quarters of Zaria, Kaduna State.

"At about 1700hrs, while on stop and search on PTI Road, Effurun, operatives of 51 Police Mobile Force, Oghara, accosted one Toyota Corolla car with registration number EKY 128 DM and was carrying four occupants.               

"Two of the occupants took to their heels as soon as the vehicle was stopped for a search.                             

"One Happy Sunday, a 24-year old male, and Stanley Vincent,  29,  were arrested," said the CP.                                                        

He added that the vehicle was recovered along with two locally made pistols, six AR live cartridges, handsets, and charms belonging to the gang. Mr. Ibrahim also said investigators have identified and contacted the rightful owner of the car, one Mrs. Nwamaka Nwizu of Aka Avenue, Effurun. Mrs. Nwizu, the CP disclosed, said the car and other valuables were snatched from her.

The ex- soldier's arrest was made possible on November 11, following a confession by the principal suspect, Stanley Vincent, that the former soldier usually escorted vehicles snatched by the gang to a receiver in Kaduna.             

A phone call, the CP said further, was made to the former soldier through the suspect and an arrangement made for him to escort a Toyota Avalon car.

He (the ex-soldier) requested that the vehicle be taken to their meeting point in Benin, where detectives arrested him.   "He introduced himself as a soldier and presented a Nigerian Army I.D card bearing Rank: Corporal, Name: Sani Abubakar and P/No. 2005/NA/57/3561.

However, the suspect has confessed to the crime and revealed that he enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 2005, trained at Zaria Depot and was posted to Supply and Transport, 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Jos, Plateau State, but deserted the Army in 2013," Mr. Ibrahim told reporters.

The CP added that a four-man kidnap syndicate was smashed, while several armed robbery suspects were also arrested. The suspects, he disclosed, will soon be charged to court. Accused persons used explosivesOne of the accused persons with guns used in committing crimesAccused persons

Arms Deal: Panel Uncovers N2.175bn Fraud In Defence Ministry

The presidential committee investigating arms purchase to prosecute the counter-insurgency war in the North-East has been given November 30 deadline to submit its report.

There are fears that the deadline came as a shock to members. Reason: The committee has uncovered a N2.175 billion fraud in one of the agencies of the Ministry of Defence.

The money, meant for arms procurement, was allegedly diverted. Members believed the deadline, may have been engineered by powerful forces who were indicted in the alleged fraud. 

The committee which was set up last year, had submitted three reports. Implementation of the report had led to the prosecution of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Alex Badeh (retd).

Similarly, some other top officers are currently being detained for their roles in the illegal diversion of funds meant for military operations.

In its third report submitted in July this year, the committee made up of very senior retired and serving military officers, and headed by Air Vice Marshal J.O.N. Ode, indicted former Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and Kenneth Minimah (retd), top military officers and civilians.

Sources told Daily Sun that the committee during its investigation on the Ministry of Defence had uncovered a whopping N2.175 billion fraud traced to one of the agencies under the ministry for a specific project.

However, rather than embark on the said project, the money was diverted. The committee discovered that the money meant for the project was paid in instalments to some corporate bodies and Bureaux De Change.

Daily Sun authoritatively gathered that the said money was part of the N35 billion the ministry took as loan from the Debt Management Office (DMO) to purchase equipment for troops on international peace-keeping mission with the aim of getting reimbursements from the United Nations.

The committee since its inauguration on August 31, 2015, is said to have so far submitted four interim reports to the Presidency.

Daily Sun gathered that some past defence ministers, permanent secretaries and directors of finance in the ministry have been indicted in the said missing money and recommended for probe and further investigation by the relevant government agencies to get to the root of the matter.

Trouble was said to have started for the committee when a member of the House of Representatives accused the Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Nigerian Armed Forces (CADEP) of deliberately delaying the report of its committee after over one year of its inauguration.

The committee was accused of being biased and indicted those perceived to be enemies of the present administration as culprits in the illegal purchase of arms and ammunition for the military.

On its investigation on the Nigerian Navy which Daily Sun gathered is ongoing, the committee has already sent out investigations to some past Chiefs of Naval Staff, Chiefs of Budgets and Accounts, Chiefs of Training and Operations, Chiefs of Policy and Plans, Directors of Procurement to appear before it.

Although Daily Sun could not ascertain if the committee would be able to conclude its investigation before the November 30 deadline, sources say it will be unfair for the other services where the committee spent months conducting their investigations and openly disgraced them.

To do a through job, it was gathered that the committee needs between two and three months.

Aready, some serving and retired military personnel are accusing the committee members of being biased in their investigation and doing the bidding of government.

The committee probing arms procurement for the Navy began sittings last week. But there was anxiety that the committee may not do a thorough job as was done for the Army, Air Force and the Defence Ministry.

Aside the deadline, the committee has also been barred from requesting for documents and other materials from the agencies under probe.

The deadline will definitely hamper CADEP from effectively carrying out its work, because it has always depended on the documents provided by the organisations, ministries, parastatals and agencies under probe.

There are indications that all may not be well between the committee and the Federal Government after it submitted its fourth interim report indicting persons perceived to be untouchable, about four weeks ago.

14 Policemen Dismissed For Selling Arms To Criminals

The police authorities have dismissed 14 policemen for selling arms and explosives to militants and kidnappers and for aiding them to perpetrate their nefarious activities across the country.

Nine of the dismissed policemen, paraded before journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, were also alleged to have connived with other criminals to engage in cattle rustling and armed robbery in the North-East.

The suspects, who had been stripped of their ranks, include ex-Assistant Superintendent of Police, Yuguda Abbah; ex-Sergeants Habila Sarki, Diphen Nimmyel, Yasan Danda, Abbas Mailalle, Bwanason Tanko, Donan James and ex-Corporals Idris Salisu and Zakari Kofi.

The police spokesman, Donald Awunah, said the interrogation and confessions of the former policemen, led to the arrest of 29 principal suspects and recovery of many arms and ammunition.

Exhibits recovered include 14 AK47 rifles with their numbers intact, three AK47 with their numbers etched out, one pump action rifle, one locally-made pistol, 42 empty magazines, 363 rounds of AK47 live ammunition, 71 K2 live ammunition and 25 live cartridges.

Awunah said that in October, 2016, one Alhaji Hodi Adamu, a notorious armed robbery suspect was arrested by the police in Adamawa State, saying that his confession led to the arrest of two other suspects, Rabo Bello and Oliver Honiol, whose statements led to the arrest of the nine dismissed policemen.

“The principal suspects and the dismissed police officers will soon be charged to court,” he said.

Abbah, in an interview with newsmen, admitted to selling AK47 rifles to criminals, but he was not allowed to elaborate before he was taken away with his disgraced colleagues.

Awunah further said that another set of four policemen, had also been dismissed for aiding and abetting criminal acts in Kogi State.

He said that investigation revealed that ex-Sgts. Musbahu Yahaya, Ugenlo Sylvester, Musa Umar and ex-Cpl. Omale Edicha collaborated with a notorious kidnapper/armed robber, Zakari Isiaka, to carry out various violent crimes in the state.

The police said they recovered various exhibits from the suspects, including one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, a Baretta rifle, an assault rifle, two K2 live ammunition, two AK-47 magazines; three K2 magazines and two G3 magazines.

Awunah said, “On August 16, 2016, four policemen mentioned above, serving with the Kogi State command were arrested for compromising and conspiring with one Zakari Ya’u Isiaka, a notorious armed robber, kidnapper and murderer who has been on the wanted list of the police in Kogi State.

“The suspect confessed to have been actively involved in many armed robberies, kidnapping and murder cases within Kogi and other North-Central states. The dismissed policemen were interrogated and found to have conspired and compromised their call to duty.”

In a similar development, the police alleged that ex-Sgt. Laibi Opakegba was intercepted discussing with one Abiodun Amos (aka Senti) about sourcing and supplying dynamites to militants.

The Force spokesman explained that Amos , a 43 year-old militant and a native of Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, was arrested at the bank of Majidun River in Ikorodu area of Lagos State while in possession of two AK47 rifles.

He added that the suspect named other members of his militant group.

Buhari’s Govt Is Shameless For Talking About 2019 — Junaid Mohammed

Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, has described the government of President Muhammadu Buhari as shameless for saying Nigerians will rally behind the President in 2019.

Recall that the Presidency, Monday, dismissed suggestions that the masses will desert President Buhari in 2019, saying it’s unfounded and utterly ridiculous.

Presidential spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, who was reacting to allegations by a former Congress for Progressive Change, CPC member, Alhaji Buba Galadima that President Buhari would be abandoned by the people in 2019, asserted that “ordinary Nigerians are the backbone of his (Buhari’s) mandate and the only reason he ran for the office is to protect them against the rapacious merchants of corruption, who have held Nigeria back for decades.”


However, reacting, Mohammed, said: “It is very unfortunate and shameless that a government that is yet to do anything is already talking of 2019.

“It is very unfortunate that a party like APC that is fast becoming moribund is already talking of 2019 when they have nothing to show for the four years Nigerians gave them. This development shows they are power-hungry, hypocritical and corruption-ridden.

“This entire 2019 discussion is ridiculous. I believe a government that has performed will rely on its performance before being considered for another four years in office.

“We are not even in the middle of the four-year term given to them and they are already talking of 2019. This is an unfortunate development and it shows the ineptitude of the government.

“For a man that has led us into the worst recession ever and has got nothing to show Nigerians since he assumed office to be talking of 2019, shows how shameless the government can be.”

FG Moves To Rehabilitate Enugu-Onitsha, Enugu-PH Express Roads

RELIEF appears on the way for motorists and commuters plying the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt express roads, as the Federal Government has mobilized contractors to return to sites to rehabilitate the roads that have been death traps for some times. 

Work on the Enugu-Onitsha highway was abandoned over 10 years ago. It will be recalled that eminent citizens from the south east, traditional rulers among others have decried the deplorable condition of the ever busy road that links people from the Northern states to the commercial city of Onitsha to no avail. 

Also, remedial works were done on a portion of one lane on the Enugu-Okigwe-Umuahia-Port Harcourt road, between Okigwe and Umuahia, before it was abandoned early in the year. President Muhammadu Buhar But recently, contactors were seen mobilizing their equipment back to their sites at the 9th Mile end of the Enugu-Onitsha road and on the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway. 

On the Enugu-Port Harcourt road, two contractors have mobilized for work. One of the contractors have commenced clearing the maiden from Awgu axis of Enugu down to Isiagu Junction and Abia State boundary which was overgrown by weeds. It was also observed that the firm has secured and cleared a huge space after Mpu junction and putting structures as camp for its workers and equipment. The contractor, it was gathered, is rehabilitating the Enugu to Abia State boundary axis of the road. 

At the Abia State portion, beginning from Lokpanta in Umunneochi council of area, another contractor, was seen on site filling the dangerous potholes at the Lokpanta Cattle Market which had been a nightmare for the road users. The contractor has commenced tarring of the other lane from the Okigwe-Umuahia axis, having completed one lane earlier before it pulled out its men and equipment from site. 

“We thank God that they have remembered the area again. If you know what we spend to maintain our vehicles, you have pity on us. Whatever amount you make goes back to the maintenance of the vehicle”, a commercial motorist, who gave his name as Ekenna said. 

Army Declares 46 Soldiers Missing

The Nigerian Army has officially declared one officer and 45 soldiers missing in a major Boko Haram attacks five weeks ago, PREMIUM TIMES can report.

Consequently, the Army authorities have formally informed the families of the 46 personnel of the fate of their loved ones and requested that their next of kin forward bank details for onward remittance of accrued payments, military sources told PREMIUM TIMES.

The sources said the declaration and notification were contained in a November 20 notice sent by M. Jimoh, the new commander of the Nigerian Army 145 Task Force Battalion in Damasak, Borno State.

Mr. Jimoh, a lieutenant colonel, sent the signal to the 145 Battalion rear base in Ohafia, Abia State, and copied the Army 7 Division Headquarters in Maiduguri and 82 Division Garrison in Enugu.
Also copied were 5 Battalion in Kano; 20 Battalion in Serti, Taraba State; 103 Battalion in Enugu and 119 Battalion in Malam Fatori, Borno State.

Also in receipt of the signal were 143 Infantry Battalion for special forces in Borno State; 144 Battalion in Asa, Abia State; and 146 Battalion in Calabar.

Each of the battalions copied in the signal had soldiers that were part of the 83 missing, PREMIUM TIMES understands.

Mr. Jimoh recently replaced K. Yusuf, a lieutenant colonel whom PREMIUM TIMES exclusively identified as the commander of the 145 Task Force Battalion who was amongst the missing soldiers.
The admission by the army that 46 personnel are missing came exactly five weeks after the soldiers were dislodged from their base in Gashigar, Borno State, by Boko Haram operatives.

The aftermath of the attack was exclusively reported by PREMIUM TIMES, which included how several soldiers drowned in River Yobe and how at least 83 troops went missing with Mr. Yusuf.

The troops were on deployment in Gashigar, which sits on the northernmost edge of Borno State, as part of the ‘Operation Gama Aiki’ aimed at displacing insurgents hibernating around the Nigerian border with Niger and Chad.

The operation was launched in June 2016.

They were manning the Forward Operation Base there when Boko Haram operatives pushed towards them with superior firepower in the evening of October 16, senior military sources familiar with the encounter told PREMIUM TIMES at the time.

After initial resistance, the troops soon abandoned their base and scampered for safety. At dawn on October 17, the leadership of the Nigerian Army was informed that Boko Haram attacked the troops when they jumped into River Yobe, where the sect opened fire and left unknown number of them fatally wounded.

Twenty-two of the fleeing soldiers were rescued by the Nigerien troops and transported to a hospital in Diffa, southern Niger, for treatment, the Army also learnt at the time.

Yet, for several days, the spokesman for the Army, Sani Usman, maintained that the report was false.

But on the same day that he spoke, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in the northeast, Lucky Irabor, a major-general, claimed only 39 soldiers went missing.

The Army also opened a secret inquiry into the attackafter some brigade commanders raised questions about the conduct of the soldiers.

For instance, the commanders said it was difficult to explain how utility trucks were used to dispossess soldiers of their armoured vehicles especially when the soldiers said they were alerted in their various positions.

Senior military officials also found it curious that some of the soldiers were rescued by their Nigerien counterparts with their bullets still largely unspent.

“If they actually came under attack while they were fully at alert, then they should have exhausted their ammunition before taking to their heels,” the source said. “At least that much should be clear."