Africtv - News Summary...
- Jonathan on Monday met behind closed-doors with service chiefs over Sunday’s bomb blast in Kano, Kano State.
- The President calls on Nigerians to remain united against the al-Qaeda of West Africa alias Boko Haram and all enemies of the state.
- Olukolade, told journalists in Abuja that air surveillance was being conducted by the Nigerian Air Force only.
Africtv - Mail News... Report
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday met behind closed-doors with service chiefs over Sunday’s bomb blast in Kano, Kano State.
His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who disclosed this on his Twitter handle, said Jonathan directed the security chiefs to thoroughly probe the incident that led to the death of some people and destruction of property in Sabon Gari area of the city.
The meeting was held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly after the President’s arrival from Lagos in the early hours of the day.
The President had landed in Lagos on Sunday morning from Paris, France where he attended a regional summit on security.
The meeting which lasted over three hours was also attended by the Inspector-General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, and the heads of the Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency.
The National Security Adviser, Ministers of Defence, Police Affairs and Foreign Affairs also attended.
Vice-President Namadi Sambo joined the President at the meeting which was also used to review efforts aimed at rescuing the over 200 girls abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State on April 14.
Abati quoted Jonathan as having called on Nigerians to remain united against Boko Haram and all enemies of the state.
The Presidential spokesman wrote, “Kano Blast: President Jonathan summoned meeting of security chiefs today (Monday) on arrival in Abuja after Paris summit.
“President Jonathan today(Monday) ordered thorough investigations and security chiefs to act quickly.
“President Jonathan calls on Nigerians to remain united against the al-Qaeda of West Africa alias Boko Haram and all enemies of the state.”
Police avert another blast in Kano
As the meeting ended with none of those in attendance speaking with State House correspondents, news spread that the police in Kano averted another blast in the city.
It was learnt that police operatives, acting on intelligence, tracked and recovered an ash Mitsubishi station wagon marked AE 756 GSW loaded with Improvised Explosive Devices and fuel.
The vehicle which was recovered at the Tafawa Balewa Street was rendered safe by police bomb disposal experts.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderenle Shinaba, who confirmed the development said, “A Mitsubishi car ash in colour was discovered by our men along Tafawa Balewa road in the city, primed with two gas cylinders wired with 25 litres of petrol.”
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said that security agencies in Kano had commenced investigation into the aborted blast.
While commiserating with the families and friends of the victims of the blast, the IG, called for the cooperation of all in the fight against terrorism.
“He promised that the law enforcement agencies will continue to do their best towards winning the ongoing war against terrorism,” Mba said in the statement.
Mbah said also that “five persons were confirmed dead in the Kano blast while seven others were injured. Four were treated and discharged and six vehicles were damaged.”
Fact-finding committee meets with Shehu of Borno, military chiefs
The fact-finding committee on the abduction of the schoolgirls met with security chiefs in Borno State.
Its Chairman, Brig.- Gen. Ibrahim Sabo (retd.), had during an earlier meeting with the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, said that they spent the past weeks in Abuja having interactive sessions with sources and contacts.
He said, “We also met with the newly-appointed United Nations Secretary General Special Representative on the Chibok abduction, as well as foreign experts and officials, who are in the country as part of the support pledged by some foreign countries to the Federal Government’s efforts to rescue the abducted schoolgirls, and to deal with the insurgency.
“We are now in the main theatre where the Chibok schoolgirls were taken away against their will. The whole world is mobilised against the abduction, and we cannot be happy while our daughters remain in captivity.”
He added that while in the state, the committee would engage with a broad spectrum of stakeholders to enable it to have a holistic appreciation of the matter at hand.
El-Kanemi,who in his remark described the abduction of the schoolgirls as unfortunate, said the leaders of Boko Haram were not indigenes of the state.
“What is happening now is unfortunate. It’s entirely new to us. None of the leaders of Boko Haram is from Borno. They cannot claim to be from here. The problem was brought to us from elsewhere,” the Shehu said.
The military chiefs that the committee met included the Acting GOC of the 7 Division, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, the state director of the DSS and heads of air force, customs, and immigration.
US yet to deploy surveillance aircraft – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters has however said the United States had yet to deploy surveillance aircraft in Nigeria in search of the the abducted pupils.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen.Chris Olukolade, told journalists in Abuja that air surveillance was being conducted by the Nigerian Air Force only. But he said that US aircraft in neighbouring countries could easily be deployed for the purpose.
The Telegraph of London had on Monday reported that the US had already deployed aircraft in Nigeria.
Olukolade said, “We are in discussion. We are in collaboration. We are discussing various issues. At the moment, the main surveillance that is ongoing is the one being done by the Nigerian Air Force.
“That does not rule out the fact that, for instance, the American Forces have their aircraft in neighbouring countries. That will give you a message. If they are needed for this operation; when we have sorted out issues, we will let you know.”
Asked if the Federal Government had begun talks with Boko Haram, Olukolade replied, “Gentlemen, what you must know is that there are efforts in different directions because Nigerians and the international community are interested in having our girls back and the concerted efforts could be goodwill.
“When we are sure that government is in discussion, we will be glad to let you know but if somebody is interested and is initiating something, we will not disown it completely.
“Patrols are ongoing in the entire North-East with special focus around where we believe we can secure our girls. Active patrols are going on in the air and on the ground and beyond that, our partners are already discussing with us as we speak to you. There is constant exchange of briefs which have started in furthering the commitment to have partners support our efforts.”
No talks yet with Boko Haram –FG
The Coordinator of the National Information Centre and Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri, categorically said that the government had not started any discussion with Boko Haram.
“We have repeatedly said that we would do everything possible to secure the release of the girls but there are no talks so far,” he said.
On the purported threat by Boko Haram to some schools in Benue State, he said there was sufficient reason to believe that the threat was the handiwork of mischief-makers.
But Omeri added that precautionary measures had been taken to forestall any possible attack.
Don’t expect end to insurgency soon – NSA Director
But as the President and the security chiefs discussed the way out of the security challenge , the Director of Policy Strategy in the office of the NSA, Ambassador Layiwola Lasehinde, said that insurgency in the country might not end soon.
Lasehinde stated this in Abuja on Monday at a symposium organised by the United Nigerians Forum with the theme, “Nigeria of our dreams.”
He said, “It took America 10 years to locate Osama bin-Laden and when you are talking of resources, the US government spent huge amount of money in search of the man who was sitting in a house close to a military station in Pakistan.
“America could not solve the terrorism problem in Afghanistan and they were there for years, spending $1m every day. They were also in Iraq, spending $1m every day.
“We are not saying that we will not get to the end of terrorism in Nigeria, but dont expect a quick resolution. It(terrorism) is a virus that has entered the body politics of the country and it will be extremely difficult to remove it because there are many disgruntled people all over supporting the insurgents.”
He, however, said that the Federal Government remained focused despite the security challenge posed by Boko Haram .
For instance, Lasehinde said the office of the NSA had started a programme to protect critical assets of the country by compiling a comprehensive list of their current locations and condition.
A senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, who also spoke during the symposium, urged Nigerians to pray for the quick release of the abducted schoolgirls by Boko Haram .
He said he had been having positive thinking recently that the girls would be released and that their freedom would end insurgency in the country.
B’Haram not formed to frustrate Jonathan’s govt –Aliyu
The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, on Monday faulted claims that Boko Haram was created to frustrate the Jonathan government.
He also said it was worrisome that the Federal Government had not been able to apprehend the sponsors of the sect five years after their destructive activities started.
Aliyu, while playing host to the Minister of State for Works, Mr. Bashir Yuguda, added that the insurgents could be crushed in three months.
Aliyu said, “Boko Haram did not start with the Presidency of Goodluck Jonathan. Maybe that is why we have not been able to nip this in the bud because there is this belief by some people that the sect was essentially created to stop Jonathan from being President. I do not think we should continue with that belief.
“In this country, we must be bold to say that we must fight extremism in whatever nature, whether political, religious or social. We must fight it. .
“It used to be like a rumour but I saw an interview in the print media that ‘ they are killing their people, let them continue to do it.”’
Aliyu, who also warned that foreign countries supporting Nigeria in the fight against terrorism should not stay for long, stated that it was wrong for anyone to compare Boko Haram with the Niger Delta.
He said after arresting many members of the sect, the government should have been able to establish their sponsors.
The governor said, “We all know that the militants of Niger Delta were fighting for a particular purpose, which is actually a branch of the politicians who were using other people to fight to ensure that they win their elections. “My argument has always been that after arresting so many members of Boko Haram, it should not be difficult for us to know who their sponsors are.
“Whatever arrangement we are going to have with any foreign country, we must have time and target. We must not allow a situation where foreign countries will come into Nigeria and stay two years or three years and contribute to discrimination in our nation.
“If I am to set the target, three months would be enough to really crush Boko Haram; not only to secure the release of our girls, but to completely crush the sect. Now that we have the cooperation of our neighbours, it will be possible.”
ECOWAS parliament laud Paris summit
The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States has commended the Paris summit in France, aimed at tackling the Boko Haram insurgency.
The Parliament, through its Speaker, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, called for a full implementation of the resolutions and strategies adopted at the summit.
It described terrorism as a transnational phenomenon and decried the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, as “the height of cowardice and depravity.”
Also, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President John Mahama of Ghana, said the ECOWAS Parliament had serious roles to play in ensuring regional stability.
He said, “It is unfortunate that the Boko Haram group has continued to unleash acts of violence and terror on many Nigerians. The abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Borno State is one act of terror that has created global concern.
“Unless we are able to overcome Boko Haram and its ideology of criminalising the rightful quest for education, the future of our sub-region could be badly affected.
“I am urging West Africans to rally together to overcome this threat.”
No comments:
Post a Comment