Nigeria troops kill Boko Haram terrorists, rescue hundreds

Nigeria troops kill Boko Haram terrorists, rescue hundreds

 – Troops ambush a retaliatory gang at different centres

– Terrorists’ camps destroyed

 – One soldier confirmed injured and is responding to treatment

The Nigerian troops currently battling Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria’s northeast have reportedly made significant successes in the war against insurgency.

 The acting public relations director of the Army, Colonel Kukasheka Usman, who made this disclosure during a press briefing on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, informed that the troops at different locations made sure of victory as they destroyed enclaves of the insurgents, killed some of the terrorists and rescued hundreds of men, women and children.

                                           Boko Haram hostages 1

Some of the rescued hostages after the rescue mission.

He noted that this recent victory was recorded because the insurgents were believed to be on a retaliatory mission following the killing of a suspected Boko Haram Ameer during an ambush by the Nigerian troops at Kekeno.

Some of the equipment used by the insurgents to perpetrated their evil acts.

Another set of hostages being freed from the insurgents..


 “Troops of 7 Brigade Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Multinational Joint Task Force, yesterday inflicted casualties on Boko Haram terrorists, thus causing a major setback to the insurgents.

“This feat was achieved when the troops staged an ambush against the terrorists at Kekeno, Kukawa Local Government Area. During the operation, the gallant troops killed 5 suspected Boko Haram terrorists, recovered one Toyota Buffalo vehicle, 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 knives, a horse and other locally fabricated weapons,” Colonel Usman stated. 

Boko Haram hostages 4

Another batch of the rescued hostages from the insurgents’ camp..


 Boko Haram hostages 5

Some of the rescued hostages being ferried away from the insurgents.

Speaking of other successes recorded by the Army, the spokesperson disclosed that troops of 118 Task Force Battalion patrolling Mile 90-Kekeno general area killed one suspected Boko Haram terrorist and captured 2 other insurgents.

                    Two of the terrorists after being captured by the Nigerian troops. 
  “Similarly, troops of Army Headquarters Special Forces on patrol to Yale came across Boko Haram terrorists camp at Bulagana, cleared the camp and rescued 40 civilians held hostage. Unfortunately, one soldier sustained gunshot wounds during the operation. He has since been evacuated and is responding to treatment.

“In the same vein, 151 Task Force Battalion of 21 Brigade while on patrol encountered Boko Haram terrorists at Budumri village during which they killed 25 Boko Haram terrorists and arrested 8 other terrorists. The troops also rescued 103 civilians held hostage by the terrorists. They also recovered 1 Golf car and quite a number of motorcycles and bicycles,” he added.



 After clearing terrorists’ camp at Bolungu village, the same group of soldiers rescued 181 persons and captured 8 Boko Haram terrorists.

Colonel Usman added that, “among those rescued, were 18 men, 90 women and 77 children. The screening and profiling of those rescued is ongoing before their movement to IDP camps, while those arrested are being interrogated.” 

Dasukigate: Metuh, wife bought N500m property in Banana Island – Witness

Dasukigate: Metuh, wife bought N500m property in Banana Island – Witness

  A prosecution witness, Junaid Sai’d, on Tuesday told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja how the spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, bought N500m property in Lagos.

Mr. Sa’id said the money was allegedly transferred to Daniel Ford International Limited in two tranches of N200m and N300m for the purpose of buying a landed property at Banana Island, Lagos. Mr. Metuh is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly receiving N400million from a former NSA, Sambo Dasuki, who is facing trial for his involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal.

 Mr. Sa’id, a member of the team that investigated the case, gave a blow-by-blow account of the activities carried out since the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) petitioned the commission, which include the following: a correspondence with Diamond Bank Plc to obtain the mandate and statement of accounts for Destra Investment Ltd; correspondences with other banks to obtain mandates and statements of accounts of individuals and companies relevant to the case as well as letters to ONSA and the Central Bank of Nigeria. According to him, responses from the CBN and ONSA confirmed that the former was given the mandate to pay N400m to Destra Investment Limited for the purpose of security services. “After the payment of N400m by ONSA, a further N150m was paid into the same account by one Kabir Ibrahim. “Capital Field Investment Limited paid another N91m and another N82m was paid in by one Eyitoye.

These funds formed the naira equivalent of $2m, which Metuh gave to one Nneka Ararume, in cash. “Amongst the disbursements made were N77.5m paid to one Yomi Badejo through his company, CMC Connect Ltd, to carry out campaign activities for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); N25m paid to one Alhaji Abba Dabo to carry out media activities for the PDP; N21.7m to Chief Anthony Anenih; N5m to Chief Kema Chikwe; N50m transferred to the joint account owned by Olisa and Kanayo Metuh.


“The sum of N500m was also discovered to have been transferred to Daniel Ford International Limited in two tranches for the purpose of buying a landed property at Banana Island by the 1st defendant and his wife,” he said.

Mr. Saí’d, who further stated that the team visited the residence of the first defendant and invited him to the commission during the course of the investigation, told the court how Mr. Metuh shredded his statement.

“After he was interviewed, I asked him if he wanted to volunteer his statement and he answered in the affirmative. “When he concluded writing his statement in four sheets of the commission’s statement form, he handed them over to me.

 I read what had been written and handed them over to my other team members to read. After that, I returned them to him for endorsement. “He endorsed the first sheet and the second sheet. When he was about to endorse the third sheet, in which he stated that the money he received from the office of the NSA were used for PDP campaign activities and to settle his personal debt, to the surprise of the team, he suddenly tore the sheet into pieces.

“The pieces of the torn sheet were then recovered from him and registered as exhibits. “Much later in the day, he requested to volunteer an additional statement, which he did.”

After cross-examination of the witness by the defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, then closed his case. Mr. Ikpeazu prayed the court for adjournment, stating that he needed the certified true copy of the proceedings to open his defence.

 However, Mr. Tahir objected to the motion moved by the defence.

Biafra: SSS applies for secret trial of Nnamdi Kanu.

Biafra: SSS applies for secret trial of Nnamdi Kanu 

  – Kanu’s counsel kicks against secret trial

 – Judge yet to give judgement 


 The State Security Services (SSS) on Tuesday, February 9, applied for a secret trial of the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu.

 File photo of Nnamdi Kanu in court during one of his trials At hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Mohammed Diri prayed that the court allow the SSS protect its witnesses throughout the trial. But in his objection, the defense counsel, Chuks Muoma said it will be wrong to permit a secret trial.

 Muoma said his client is not charged for terrorism and that the court is a public place although he added that sympathizers of the defendants had constantly been restricted from court by security agents.

 He said since there is adequate security in place, the issue of secret trial does not arise. Muoma also applied to the court to release money ($2,200 and N87,000) and two passports – Nigerian and British – collected from the first defendant. 

“My lord, it is undesirable to kill a man and hack his bones, the defendant is in a maximum security prison and these materials are not needed to prosecute this case,” Muoma Said.

 However, objecting, Diri said he conceded for an adjournment for the defense counsel to file his application for the protection of witnesses.
 He Also opposed the application demanding for the release of the money and passports of the first defendant. He said the items listed, if not used in court by the prosecution will be released to the defendant.
 He said contrary to applying to the court, the defense counsel should make a request to the attorney general of the federation for the release of those documents.

“My lord, I vehemently oppose the application by my learned colleague for the release of some evidences by the prosecution the the defense,” Diri said.

“Your lordship, secondly as with as with the passports, the proof of evidence that is before this honourable court indicates that, despite the fact that the first defendant carries Nigerian and Br Diri said the passports as relevant as evidence before the court.

But in his reply, Muoma said attached to the charge are statements of prosecution witnesses.itish passport, he sneaked into the territory of the federal republic of Nigeria without any of them,” he added.
  “My lord, there is no money, no dollars, no naira and no passports attached to this charge,” the defense counsel said; 

 He evidencessaid the in the list of 70  listed under oath, the documents his team are asking for were not listed.  

 He also noted that after charge and arraignment all documents and placed in custody of the court not otherwise He said: “My lord, we cannot be applying to the prosecutor for the release of these documents.”  

  He said it would amount of court to approach the prosecution for the release of those documents. As at the time of filing this report, the judge was writing his judgement on the applications and objections made by the counsels.

New Rules As Lagos inaugurates mobile courts to try traffic offenders

New Rules As Lagos inaugurates mobile courts to try traffic offender.

 
                

 Please READ and be GUIDED accordingly If You Are in Lagos or Coming Into Lagos.

 Lagos inaugurates mobile courts to try traffic offenders.

 Action began yesterday

1. Driving in a direction prohibited by the Road Traffic Law; (that is driving against traffic, popularly known as “One Way” driving) now attracts a 3-year jail term, while a first offender gets one year term and the vehicle forfeited to the state government2. Bullion vans are not exempted from the law as any bullion van driven in a direction prohibited by the Road Traffic Law will be forfeited, while abandoned vehicle on Highway will be fined N50,000.00 or three years imprisonment, or both fine and imprisonment.

3. Riding a motor-cycle against traffic and riding on the kerb, median or road setbacks will attract N20,000.00 for 1st time offenders, while subsequent offenders will get N30,000.00 (thirty-thousand Naira) fine or the riders’ motor-cycle will be impounded.

4. Smoking while driving will attract N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira).

5. Failure to give way to traffic on the left at a roundabout attracts N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira)...

6. Disobeying traffic control is N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira)

7. Motorcycles and Tricycles are prohibited from riding on major Highways in the state. The Highways are Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Apapa-OshodiExpressway, Oworonshoki – Ikorodu, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and Babangida Boulevard Way. Others are Lekki-Epe Expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue, Agege Motor Road and Eti-Osa-Lekki coastal road.

8. Violation of route by commercial vehicles will attract N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira)

9. Riding motor-cycle without Crash Helmet for rider and passenger will attract N20, 000.00 (twenty thousand Naira) or 3 years imprisonment or both.

10. Prohibits under-aged person, under 18 years old from riding a motorcycle and the fine for this is N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira).

11. Operating a motor-cycle in a restricted area on or prohibited route will attract a fine of N20,000.00 (twenty thousand or his motor-cycle will be impounded.

12. Any person driving without a valid Driving License will have his/her vehicle impounded. Learner drivers without permit will attract a fine of N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira) while driving with fake number plate will attract N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira) for 1st offenders and 6 months imprisonment or both for subsequent infractions.

13. Medical Emergency Vehicles can drive through traffic…

   #eko'onibaje

Bukola Saraki and Other Nigerian Senators At  ‘Made in Aba‘ Trade Fair – Photos 

 

 Nigerian Senate President , Bukola Saraki , Read what he Said.

 I had fun today at the ‘Made in Aba’ Trade Fair. It was amazing to see the ingenuity and quality of Nigerian made products. In my remarks, I promised that the National Assembly would work on amending the Procurement Act by changing the word “may” to “shall” to ensure that Nigerian products are given first priority over their foreign counterparts in the procurement process, see photos below. 

 People’s Reaction.  

 Hope the senate will reverse it decision on spending billions of naira on exotic vehicles and patronise made in nigeria vehicles. Lets support the likes of Innoson motors, peugeot etc – Akune
 I am not entirely sure if past Senate Presidents in Nigeria have been this active and engaging as the current President Bukola Saraki. If they are, then the current Senate President sure do know how to carry the populace along and effectively informing them of his activities way more than the past Senate Presidents. Congratulations to the Senate President on this.
- Franklin 
 made in NIGERIA products shld be our PRIORITY nd PRIDE…
we need to encourage domestic manufacturers…
I salute ABA-PEOPLE for being Industrious….
tanx to SENATE PRESIDENT  4 such move…
cct shall all be fun at the end of d day…
SARAKI shall overcome d cct…
#westandwithSARAKI… – Ameen 

 So Mr SP, you are just coming to terms with the ingenuity of the Nigerian? It’s a pity that we have in positions of leadership people that do not know us well! After all, since you were born, you’ve only been used to foreign made products being the son of one of Nigeria’s ‘big man’. However, thank God you’ve seen it yourself. Please help us inform your colleagues in the NA that from henceforth CHARITY MUST BEGIN AT HOME. Relevant laws must be enacted that will de-emphasize patronage of foreign made goods no matter how attractive. Stringent penalties must follow any breach else Nigerians have a way of circumventing the rules and our courts will call same ‘technicalities’. God bless Nigeria! – Njoku  

 

BREAKING: Olisa Metuh's trial adjourned

 

 BREAKING: Olisa Metuh's trial adjourne. 

 

 – Chief Olisa Metuh’s trial has been adjourned

– The case will be heard again on Thursday, February 18. 

 

 The trial of the national publicity secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh has been adjourned.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Okon Abang admitted the close of case by the prosecution and called for the defense to open its case.

But the defense counsel, Onyeshi Ikpeazu called for an adjournment of the matter to enable his team obtain a record of proceedings of the court.

However, Abang said obtaining the court’s record of proceedings cannot delay the trial.

He said the defense and all parties involved ought to recorded all witness testimony before the court.

However, the saving grace for the defense is that this court would be sitting in Lagos during the period the learned SAN asked for an adjournment to deliver judgment on a reserved ruling,” Abang said.

Abang further adjourned the matter to Thursday, February 18 for opening of case by the defense.

However, at the instance of the defense, this court is adjourned to February 18, 2016 at 11 am for the defense to open their case,” he said.

Metuh is facing criminal charges of receiving N400 million from the former national security adviser,  Sambo Dasuki.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the money was diverted from funds meant for the purchase of arms for the fight against terrorists in the northeast.

Corruption: President Buhari drops bombshell in UK

Corruption: President Buhari drops bombshell in UK  

 – President Muhammadu Buhari granted interview in the UK 

  – President Buhari says his administration is prepared to dialogue with Boko Haram

  – President Buhari expresses disappointment in his predecessor for using mercenaries to fight Boko Haram. 

 President  Muhammadu Buhari, who is supposed to be on a five-day vacation in the United Kingdom, has continued his anti-graft war.

 President Buhari in an interview with Daily Telegraph disclosed that Nigeria’s biggest suspects in the ongoing anti-corruption war lives in the UK.


 President Buhari, who declined to give the names of the suspects, also commented on Boko Haram issue. He said his government was prepared to dialogue with the terrorists in order to bring back the over 200 abducted female students from Chibok community, Borno state.

 “One of the biggest corruption suspects is in Britain, although, I am not going to name that person. But, Britain has earned our respect in the way it deals with these matters. 

“Our only problem is that it seems to be too thorough and it takes too much time. If there are obvious cases, like bank accounts, infrastructure, houses and hotels, I would hope they could do it quicker, so that we can claim these things back promptly.

 “As long as we can estsblish the bonafides of the leadership of Boko Haram, we are prepared as a government to discuss with them on how to get the girls back. But, we have not established any evidence of a credible leadership,” Buhari said.

 When President Buhari was asked if the allegedly killed leader of the Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, was still alive, he said: “I receive conflicting information about the status of Shekau. Some say he has been removed and replaced by a less charismatic terrorist. I think he must be on the run, because out of the 14 local governments that Boko Haram used to call their Caliphate, they do not control any now. They are scattered around the Sambisa forest and they have resorted to attacking soft targets, people in churches, mosques and market places, using improvised explosives devices.”  

 The president when asked if he requested for military help from the West at the G7 summit, said: “Yes. I did, but I don’t want to give details of that in public, at present. As you know, we already have foreign military help in terms of training missions.” 


 Buhari, who frowned at his predecessor for using mercenaries to fight Boko Haram, expressed disappointment at the manner military allocations were embezzled, he asked rhetorically: “How is it that Nigeria’s military, which has a good record across West Africa, cannot claim back to 14 out of 774 local governments from Boko Haram. They have to ask for mercenaries from South Africa? How the mighty has fallen!” 

 Speaking also on the threat terrorism pose to the West and North Africa, Buhari said: “I think we should be very worried because with technology, Boko Haram and other terrorists have become very mobile in all continents, not only in Africa, but also in Europe, America and Asia.

 “For Africa and the Sahel, the demise of (Muamar) Ghaddafi’s regime led to a lot of armed and trained people, especially those from the Sahel, being dispersed. Fighting is the only thing they know and they are available at a fee. The danger is there and I am pleased that Europe has realised it too.”

 When confronted about the allegations that some Nigerians are members of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Libya city of Sirte. The president said he has not seen any confirmed reports to ascertain such claim. He also denied reports that some Nigerians in the UK were involved in Boko Haram, saying: “No, but if I do, I will immediately raise the issue. A number of Nigerians use the migrant routes to come to the UK to claim asylum, saying their lices are at risk from Boko Haram. Is it legitimate for them to do so?”

 President Buhari, on Friday, February 5, commenced a five-day vacation to the United Kingdom. The president who is supposed to be resting after handing over the mantle of power to his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, is still busy granting interviews to foreign medium. 

 Meanwhile, as the anti-corruption war gain more momentum, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would soon commence investigation into the petroleum industry for alleged corrupt practices perpetrated during the immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan. Ibrahim Magu, the chairman of the anti-graft agency made this known on Monday, February 8, when he appeared before the House of Representatives financial crimes committee to defend the 2016 budget proposal.