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Chibok girls: More females rescued, Boko Haram commanders killed

As the battle to clear out Boko Haram camps inside the vast Sambisa Forest continues, Nigerian troops have killed several field commanders of the terrorists, destroyed more of their training camps and rescued more women and children. Vanguard cannot ascertain if there are Chibok girls among the rescued.

Acting Director Public Relations of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sani K. Usman said: “troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army cleared several terrorists strong points and training camps within Sambisa forest, Borno State, Nigeria.

“The troops have also rescued additional women and children. They have been evacuated to a safety zone for further processing.

“During the encounter unfortunately we lost a soldier, while four others were wounded in action.”

The Army’s spokesperson also mentioned that armoured vehicles and ammunitions were also recovered from the terrorists.

“Meanwhile, the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade would today provide updates on the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in North-Eastern Nigeria”the statement said.

6 Reasons We're Impeaching Governor Dakingari -Kebbi Lawmakers

12 out of 24 members of the Kebbi state house of assembly have served Governor Saidu Usman Dakingari an impeachment notice.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the 12 lawmakers in the impeachment notice listed 6 sins the governor has committed. Dakingari's sins include;

•That Governor Sa’idu Dakingari committed grave violation of the provision of Section 5(1)(a) of the Kebbi State Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Bureau Law,2006 in that the Chairman of the Bureau is to be a retired Civil Servant, but the Governor appointed a serving Permanent Secretary/Solicitor General of the State Ministry of justice, Barr Aminu Usman as Chairman of the Bureau;

•That the governor committed gross misconduct by accessing and obtaining a loan facility to the tune of N2 billion from Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Support Fund set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) allegedly without obtaining the necessary confirmation of 2/3 majority of the Assembly, which was opposed by nine of 24 members;

•That the Governors continues work with unelected Local Government Councils in the State whose tenure in office already expired on or about the 18th September,2014, two years after Oath of office as provided by Section 18(1) of Kebbi State Local Government Law, 2008 and thereby committed a gross misconduct;
•That between the period of January 2015 – April 2015, the governor allegedly misappropriated the sum of N1,800,862,672.00 from the State Government funds in the name of General Election 2015 even when there is no provision for that expenditure in the Appropriation Law 2015;

•The Governor,alleged misappropriated the sum of N965,000, 000.00 in the name of the official visits of Mr President, Vice President and First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between November 2014 to March, 2015 and that Mr Vice President and First Lady did not make any official visit to Kebbi State within the said period thereby committed gross misconduct;

•That the governor issued the renovation and furnishing of the Presidential Lodge and other government lodges at the cost of N558, 560, 416.00 to unknown contractor in September 2011 and thereafter within two months period that was between October 2014 – November, 2014, the governor alleged wrongly inflated the cost of renovation and furnishing to the tune of N1, 347, 373, 906.54k.That the contract sum was increased by the sum of N788, 813, 490.54k thereby committed misconduct

Audit Report Says NNPC Actually Overpaid Nigeria by $750m

The PwC audit report on the finances of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, says the state company remitted an excess $750m into the federation account during the period being audited, Reuters reports.

President Goodluck Jonathan had released the audit days after Gen. Muhammadu Buhari had pledged to issue the report and crack down on corruption in the energy company once in office.

Details in the PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) audit said NNPC actually overpaid by $0.74-billion in the period between January 2012 to July 2013, after remitting $50.81-billion to federation accounts of the $69.34-billion it had received.

The balance of $18.53-billion was accounted for through various operational costs, unremitted revenues by a subsidiary and gasoline and kerosene subsidies, it said.

The probe of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) books was instituted last year after former central bank governor Lamido Sanusi said the firm had withheld $20-billion in oil revenue from government coffers, jeopardising the country’s finances

APC suspends zoning

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the zoning of offices, especially in the National Assembly, reports New Telegraph.

The suspension is to defuse tension following the jostling for positions by lawmakers from both chambers.

All deliberations on the zoning formula have been suspended till after May 29 when the new government would have been inaugurated.

The decision to suspend all deliberations until after May 29 was taken after the President- elect, Muhammadu Buhari intervened.

Buhari was said to be disturbed by the dangerous media slant the issue has taken.

Read more at New Telegraph.

Alleged Nigerian drug dealer bust in SA

A Nigerian national, Chijioke Okoli (43) has appeared at the Durban Magistrates Court in South Africa facing charges of dealing in drugs.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS)'s Durban Flying Squad Narcotics Task Team, which conducted investigations, found Okoli with flat six packets of cocaine and three mandrax tablets with a street value of R25 000.

The Nigerian national was arrested on Tuesday at around 16:30 local time at a flat on 6th Avenue in Essenwood, Durban.

Okoli was remanded in custody for further investigation.

Commenting about the drugs, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, congratulated the members of the Flying Squad for capturing the alleged drug dealer and removing the drugs off the streets.

"We also wish to applaud those members of our community that support this project by continuously informing police on the activities of drug dealers in the province. We will persist regardless of obstacles that may come our way, knowing that we enjoy the support of law abiding members of our communities,

FULL LIST -Buhari's 19-Member Transition Committee

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria's president-elect today inaugurated a 19-member transition.

See full committee list :

1. Mal. Ahmed Joda – Chairman

2. Dr Doyin Salami – Vice-Chairman

3. Mr Boss Mustapha

4. Mal. Muhammad Hayatuddin

5. Alh. Abubakar Malami SAN

6. Brig. Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa

7. Sen. Hadi Sirika

8. Sen. Audu Ogbeh

9. Barrister Dalong

10. Mrs Bola Adesola

11. Mr Wale Edun

12. Mrs Nike Aboderin

13. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu

14. Mr Festus Odimegwu

15. Chief John Oyegun

16. Gov. Rotimi Amaechi

17. Dr. Tam David West

18. Alh. Lai Mohammed

19 Mal. Adamu Adamu – Secretary

AIT Chairman to Buhari: You Are Powerless Here, Old Dictator

Daar Communications chairman, Raymond Dokpesi has stated that General Muhammadu Buhari lacks the power (constitutionally) to stop the TV station from covering his activities.

Daily Indepedent reports this story, saying that Buhari's decision to bar the radio station on Monday was like Nigeria going back to the Decree 4 era, which was enacted by Buhari's junta back in the day as a muzzle on the press of his time.

Dokpesi said: “I am sure that the President-elect needs to be reminded of Decree 4, and he should be clearly reminded that Section 32 of the constitution makes it mandatory for the media to hold public officials accountable to the people.

“The president-elect said that he does not want to be covered by AIT, but AIT has a responsibility to the Nigerian public to report the things that are happening.

“There are three national networks available for national coverage in Nigeria, the NTA, AIT and Silverbirds. You cannot stop a foremost private station from reporting in Nigeria, it brings us back to Decree 4 era.”

He said that AIT is a private entity and is therefore free to air what it feels like:

“If they had produced their own documentary to say this is what we want and AIT did not publish it, then that is another matter.

“What is obviously very clear is the fact that AIT believes that the historical information about the President-elect that were ran, were factually correct.

“Nothing was done to defame him or impinge on his character or integrity."

I Was Not Walked Out - Mu’azu

The National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, has denied reports that he was walked out of a meeting by governors of the party at Akwa Ibom governors lodge in Asokoro.

Reports circulating in the media speculated that Muazu was evicted from a governors forum meeting by angry governors who accused him of betraying the party at the just concluded presidential elections.
Reacting to these reports, the party chairman on Wednesday, April 29 said nothing of such nature occurred.

However, the dismal outing of the PDP in the 2015 general elections has seen Mu’azu lose popularity among several PDP bigwigs.

The plot to unseat him has thickened as he has been blamed for the inability of the party to do well at the polls in the north in particular and the nation in general.

But the spokesman of the national chairman, Tony Amadi, told Leadership that Mu’azu was not bundled out of the meeting.

He said “If they said he was bundled out of the meeting where was his security details? If they attempt to bundle out the chairman there would have been a shoot out between the security details of Mu’azu and the governors and nobody wants that. Don’t forget you are talking about a former governor and a national chairman of a political party.

“What we are doing in the party now is how to restrategise and bounce back.”

He further lambasted those calling for Mu’azu to resign, noting that most of them failed to deliver their states at the polls.

Michael Igbinedion convicted, to be sentenced April 30

The Federal High Court in Benin City, the Edo State capital, has convicted Michael Igbinedion, the younger brother of Edo State former governor Lucky Igbinedion of three and seven count charges bothering on money laundering, misappropriation of funds and abuse of office.

Michael, together with Eboigbodin and their companies; Gava Corporation Limited; Romrig Nigeria Limited; PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 81- count charge.

According to reports, the judgement was read for close to four hours, after which the presiding judge, Justice J. Liman, called for a recess. The sitting was later called a day.

Their sentencing has however been scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2015.

Protesting workers lock out Anyim over N1.2b allowances

THERE was a protest yesterday at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The workers are demanding the payment of N1.2 billion allowances.

The staff who had earlier planned the protest for Tuesday postponed it till yesterday as SGF Anyim Pius Anyim was away from the office.

The angry staff blocked all the entrances around 2pm when Anyim arrived the office.

The staff said they had petitioned Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chair Ibrahim Lamorde over the matter.

The EFCC Chairman, it was said, visited the SGF after receiving the petition. This could, however, not be confirmed last night.

The angry civil servants gave Anyim a 24-hour ultimatum to pay the allowances.

When contacted on telephone last night, the Special Adviser on Media to the SGF, Sam Nwabasi, told The Nation that the office was surprised with the figure being thrown up as no money has been mentioned in the earlier discussions between the unions and the management.

According to him, the union had earlier demanded for 18 items, including erecting an ATM machine and a canteen in the office.

He said that management had looked into their demands and communicated back its responses to the union. They have been waiting for them to make their views known to management on the proposals.

But rather than come back to the management, he said that they took the action and made the spurious monetary allegations.

Buhari not aware of AIT barring order' - party says

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari has instructed that all his aides must only operate within the space their official role stipulates.

As contained in a statement released in Abuja, on Wednesday, April 29, by Mallam Garba Shehu, the Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Buhari was not consulted or informed before the statement barring the African Independent Television (AIT) went out.

“I would like everyone to henceforth stay within his or her defined area of responsibility,” Buhari was quoted as saying.

The statement said the President-elect only knew about the story of him barring AIT from covering his activities after it had generated public racket.

“The time of change has come, and we must avoid making the same mistakes that the outgoing government made,” Buhari said.

According to Shehu, the retired Major General has however instructed all his staff to desist from all matters relating to the media. He said only his official media team should handle media-related issues.

FG demands corpses of executed Nigerians in Indonesia for decent burial

The Federal Government has described the execution of four Nigerians by Indonesian authorities over drug offences as a disappointment.

In a statement on Wednesday, April 29, by the Public Communications Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, the government has requested the immediate repatriation of the corpses of the executed persons in order for them to be given a decent burial in their various communities.

The government extends its condolences to the families of the deceased.

The statement says, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has received with deep disappointment, news of the execution of four Nigerians, Messrs Martin Anderson, Okwudili Oyatanze, Jaminu Abashin and Sylvester Obiekwe by the government of Indonesia for drug-related offences.

“These executions have taken place despite spirited pleas for clemency made at the highest level by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and more recently Ambassador Aminu Wali, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on April 21, 2015, during the 10th Anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership Summit, which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia,

“The Federal Government wishes to express its condolences to the families of the deceased. It has asked the Indonesian Government for the repatriation of the remains of the executed persons, so that they can be accorded decent burial in their various communities.

“The Federal Government seizes this opportunity to once again, warn all Nigerians to desist from drug trafficking and other offences that attract maximum punishment in several countries of the world. The Federal Government will continue to promote the welfare and protect the lives of Nigerians abroad, no matter their circumstances.

“Furthermore, government is committed to engage the government of Indonesia and other friendly countries regarding the conclusion of Prisoner Transfer Agreements and other bilateral means of safeguarding the interest and welfare of Nigerians.”

In EnuguTwo men kill mother, father in separate incidents

Two unrelated sons have killed their parents in separate incidents in Enugu state.

The state Police Command is said to be investigating what could have led to the murders, which occurred in the space of two days - Sunday, April 26, and Monday, April 27, 2015 at different locations of the state.

It was reported that the first killer, identified as Chijioke Onyeke slashed his father’s head with a machete around 6.00 pm that day, following a yet-to-be known argument at Umuaina, Umuogboagu village, in Igboeze North Local Government Area of the state.

Pulse gathered that family members who were at the scene at the time rushed the man to St. Mary’s hospital, Ogurete, Enugu Ezike, but later died due to severe injury sustained from the cuts.

Chijioke has however been arrested, and his father’s corpse deposited in the morgue of the General Hospital, Ogurute, Enugu Ezike, for autopsy.

In the same vein, another son, Chidi Agbo, from Ette Center in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State beat his mother to death. The reason for his abominable act is also yet to be ascertained.

Chidi has also been arrested.

Buhari, AtikuTwo leaders hold 'private' meeting in Abuja

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, April 29 met with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the Defence House in Abuja for a ‘private’ meeting.

It is believed that the two leaders met over issues surrounding the zoning of offices, but Atiku said the discussion was private.

“We just discussed private matters,” he said while addressing newsmen after the meeting.

On the zoning of offices, Atiku said, “That is too early. This is something the leadership and the party is handling. I believe it will be resolved before the House is reconvened (in June).”

Atiku stressed that Nigerians should not expect the Buhari government to effect the changes the country needs overnight, noting it will be gradual.

“Really, changes will come. The President-elect has assured the people that, but it will not just come overnight; it has to be gradual. Definitely, there will be positive change in that matter but it will be gradual,” he said.

Shettima, Chibok community: hope rises for Chibok girls

Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima said yesterday that the news of the rescued women is gratifying even if they are not the Chibok schoolgirls.

In a statement by his spokesman Mallam Isa Gusau, the governor said: ”The lives, safety and well-being of all citizens of Borno are of equal importance to me. I celebrate news about the rescue with so much excitement in a manner I would celebrate when the military succeeds in freeing the Chibok schoolgirls.

“I was so full of excitement, gratitude to God almighty and commendation to our gallant armed forces for this great humanitarian feat. For me, the lives, safety and welfare of all citizens of Borno State are of equal importance. These rescued women are daughters, sisters and perhaps also mothers whose lives are important not just to their loved ones but also to me as Governor of Borno State whose mandate is to cater for the welfare of all those living in any part of Borno State regardless of who they are, their faith, gender, age, geopolitical origins and other background elements.

“They are important to us and words cannot explain how pleased we are. We are very particular about Chibok schoolgirls because of the peculiar manner in which they were kidnapped and how that kidnap has redefined the Boko Haram insurgency. The Chibok schoolgirls are very dear to my heart because they were kidnapped while they were in school. Their kidnap is very symbolic because their kidnappers are opposed to western education especially female education. The entire world especially myself, is desperate about the rescue of the Chibok schoolgirls in order not to allow the ideology held by the insurgents to thrive and to encourage education which is the foundation of any human or society that seeks to develop. However, this rescue is also very dear to me. I am as pleased as much as I would be when the Chibok schoolgirls are rescued by the special grace of God.

“I am very optimistic, prayerful and supportive of the military’s ongoing rescue and counter insurgency operations. We won’t give up on the Chibok schoolgirls like I said two weeks ago. No sane parent gives up on a missing child. I have daughters and I know the love of a parent to the girl child.

“For now, it is better to allow the military handle things, conduct their investigations and ascertain the identity of those rescued but irrespective of the identity of the girls, we are very happy they have been rescued whether they are citizens of Borno or any where else. I kindly urge the media to refer to the military for updates on the matter so that there are mixups at any point. I kindly call on all citizens of Borno and other fellow Nigerians to pray for our armed forces and volunteers to succeed so that good will triumph over Evil.”

The Director of Publicity for Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), a pan organisation of Chibok people worldwide, Dr. Allen Manasseh, told our correspondent in Maiduguri on telephone that the rescue of the 293 women had cleared doubts about the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls.

Dr. Allen who expressed hope that the Chibok girls will also return someday said:

“What happened yesterday is cheering news for all of us. It has given us hope that the Chibok girls too will be rescued one day. The incident has also helped to clear the mind of some doubting Thomases that there was no abduction of the girls.

“At least it has shown that apart from these girls, there are several other women that were kept in captivity by the Boko Haram.

“The Chibok community is also happy with the families of the released victims and it is our hope that they will be rehabilitated and reunited to their families as soon as possible,” Dr. Allen informed

Fayose pays labour for prolonged strike to stall impeachment process' - APC alleges

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has alleged that the state government is planning to talk the state civil servants into embarking on a prolonged labour crisis, in order to frustrate the impeachment proceedings instituted against the governor, Ayo Fayose, by the APC lawmakers in the state Assembly.

Speaking in a statement on Wednesday, April 29, in Ado Ekiti, Taiwo Olatubosun, the Publicity Secretary of the party cautioned the organised labour not to sacrifice general interest for selfish interest.

It was also alleged that some labour leaders have received huge sum of money from the government for various solidarity rallies in the last six months.

Olatubosun said plans for a politically-motivated industrial action that will last till the middle of June is in the works by the compromised labour leaders.

He said two options were put before the labour leaders at a meeting with Fayose on April 27 – they were to either choose to force a prolonged holiday from May 29 till the first week of June or for the government to trigger workers’ anger through half payment of April salary, that will force workers to embark on indefinite strike. He said the leaders chose the second option.

“To set the planned strike in motion, the governor has offered to pay half salary for April, which labour would reject, leading to a disagreement that would spark a strike action,” Olatubosun further said.

Military evacuates rescued girls, women

The military yesterday evacuated the 293 women and girls rescued from Boko Haram camps in Sambisa Forest to the hilly border town of Gwoza, as it seeks clues to the whereabouts of the Chibok schoolgirls whose abduction last year provoked international outrage.

The 200 girls and 93 women were freed from four camps during an army operation in the forest, believed to be Boko Haram’s final stronghold.

The military said on Tuesday that initial enquiries suggested the freed women did not include the 219 Chibok girls.

A military spokesman said the rescued girls would be transported for final checks in Abuja or Maiduguri.

“We will take them to Abuja or Maiduguri for further investigation to determine whether Chibok girls were among them and where they come from.

Colonel Usman said many of them were traumatized. The military is flying in medical and intelligence teams to examine them, he added.

On Tuesday night, he had indicated that none of the 219 Chibok girls were among the rescued females. But yesterday he said he was not categorically saying none of the Chibok girls was among the rescued females and that they still needed to be questioned to determine their identities.

“Most of them are traumatised and you have got to put them in a psychological frame of mind to extract information from them,” Col. Usman said.

Women abducted by the group have been forced into sexual slavery or combat, Amnesty International said in a report to mark the anniversary of the Chibok kidnapping.

For parents of the missing Chibok girls, news of the liberation of hundreds of women fired hopes of seeing their daughters alive.

“Since I heard the news it’s like I’m in heaven,” said Esther Yakub, whose daughter Dorcas was kidnapped. “I’ve never doubted the possibility of getting her back despite the news that has been flying around about all manner of dangers that could have befallen them.”

“I’m just waiting for the moment when they hand her over into my arms.”

Amnesty International described the ‘rescue’ of the women as an encouraging development but only a small step in securing the safety of the thousands of women and girls abducted by the armed group since 2014..

The organization urged the authorities to ensure that the trauma of those ‘rescued’ is not exacerbated by lengthy security screening in detention.

“This development is just cause for celebration and undoubtedly an immense relief to the women, girls and their families. But this is just the tip of the iceberg; there are thousands more women and girls, and men and boys who have been abducted by Boko Haram,” said Netsanet Belay, Africa Director, Research and Advocacy.

According to a recent Amnesty International report, more than 2,000 women and girls have been abducted by Boko Haram. Drawing from interviews with those who escaped, the report reveals how civilians were executed, tortured, raped and forced into marriage in camps and towns controlled by Boko Haram.

In previous cases where women and girls have escaped from Boko Haram they have been detained for weeks on end for security screening. Amnesty International is calling on the authorities to ensure that their physical and psychological well-being is paramount.

“The trauma suffered by the women and girls is truly horrific. Some have been repeatedly raped, sold into sexual slavery or indoctrinated and even forced to fight for Boko Haram,” said Netsanet Belay.

“What they need now is medical and psychological care and support and privacy. The government must now ensure that it doesn’t add to their suffering with lengthy detention and security screening which can only add to their suffering and plight,” he added.

Nigeria: I'm President Until May 29 -Jonathan Warns Buhari Against Parallel Govt

President Goodluck Jonathan today reminded Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria's president-elect that he is still President till May 29.

The President also warned Buhari against running a parallel government. According to DAILY TRUST, the National Planning Minister Abubakar Sulaiman disclosed this to State House journalists after today’s the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The minister said the Federal Government took exception to some of the terms of reference of the transition committee set up by Buhari. He warned that President Jonathan’s magnanimity should not be misconstrued as cowardice.

APC Blames PDP For Aregbesola's Failure to Pay Osun Workers' 6 Months Wages

The Osun Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC has fingered the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Governor Rauf Aregbesola's failure to pay state employees for the past 6 months.

PUNCH reports that spokesperson of the APC in Osun State, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said this in a statement.

He said, ''The long and difficult battle to defeat the forces of evil that have squandered the nation’s wealth has just ‎been won comprehensively. This has now paved the way for a new, progressive and responsible APC government to take over the affairs of the country and end the suffering which PDP’s corruption, mismanagement and treasury looting have brought on Nigerians including workers in the state of Osun.

''This is a pleasant transition moment that requires sober, intelligent and calculating responses from all stakeholders in the state of Osun, so that we do not turn victory into sorrow by engaging in actions that will create more problems than solutions.

''Alhaji Mohammadu Buhari has promised to solve this problem, it is our duty to exercise patience and trust the integrity of the new President to deliver on his promise. Labour and civil servants should give the new leader a breathing space to demonstrate his integrity and progressive credentials, which is not in dispute, except in the evil consciousness of the PDP leadership in the state.

Permanent Secretary Suspended For Embarrassing President Jonathan

Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been suspended for embarrassing President Goodluck Jonathan.

The part of the embarrassment involved his alleged role in the controversy over the invitation of Nigeria’s envoys from South Africa few weeks after the diplomatic row between Nigeria and Morocco on issue of telephone conversation between Jonathan and King Mohammed VI.

A Source who spoke anonymously on the suspension said, ''The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been suspended and queried for embarrassing the President by not clearing from him before inviting the Charge d’Affaires. The President on Monday directed the Head of Service to query him and he has 24 hours to respond to the query.

''You will recall that that was the second embarrassment, this one came shortly after the Morocco saga. The permanent secretary was to be dismissed immediately, but for the civil service rule. Even at that, there will still be further consequence.

''As at now, a new permanent secretary has been redeployed to the ministry to replace him.”