Nigeria Defence alleges plot against military

THE Defence Headquarters on Friday said it had got wind of a fresh plan by some interest groups to embark on a renewed campaign aimed at attracting international condemnation and indictment of the Nigerian military and its operations in the northern part of the country. 

Killings in Enugu Community, IGP swings into action

Following the uneasy calm that held Aji community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State, spell bound in the recent past over several killings in the community, men of the Force Headquarters, Abuja, last weekend, swooped on the community, arrested the chairman of the neighbourhood watch and two others while others allegedly fingered took to their heels.

Crime Guard gathered that the arrest of the chairman of the neighbourhood watch, Mr. Joseph Azegba, and two others identified as Jude Ali and Okwu Ugwuanyi, was in connection with a petition written by the family of Oforma Itodo who was slain four days after burying his mother and Obinna Onoja, who

Suicide Bomb Trainer In Iraq Accidentally Blows Up Class

This story sounds like a fairly tale but it actually happened at a training camp in northern Baghdad yesterday.

Iraqi Army and police officials announced that a terrorist leader representing the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (this is a splinter group that has evolved from Al Qaeda) unwittingly used live explosives when demonstrating to a class of 21 how exactly to go about being a suicide bomber, and unfortunately when he pulled the cord or pressed the button or however they do these things, he actually ended up blowing up everyone in his class.

PHOTONEWS: OBJ Advises GEJ in Lagos Today

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan at the Funeral Mass for former Lagos State Governor, late Sir Micheal Otedola in Lagos.

Emir’s murder, a declaration of war – Nothern Governors

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) on Friday described the killing of Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrisa Timta, as irresponsible, callous and a declaration of war on the traditional institution.

It also expressed shock and disbelief at the assassination attempt on the lives of Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ismaila Mamza and Emir of Askira,  Alhaji Mai Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama by gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

The Borno State first class traditional rulers were abducted on Friday while travelling to Gombe State for the funeral of the late Emir of Gombe, Shehu Abubakar, who died earlier in the week.

How The Emir Of Gwoza Was Murdered In Open Street By Boko Haram

Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta

The Borno State Government has announced the murder of the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta, by gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram militant sect.

A statement signed by Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said the emir was killed at about 9am today along Tashan Alade on the way to Biu town, headquarters of Biu Lo‎cal Government Area in Southern Borno.

Boko Haram Kidnaps Three Emirs, Kills Emir of Gwoza

Suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect on Thursday ambushed three traditional rulers between the Biu –Azare-Garkida Road in Borno State.

The royal fathers are the Emir of Gwoza, Idrisa Timta, and his counterparts from Askira Abdullahi Askirama, and the Emir of Uba, Ismaila Manza.

The Sarakis and Kwara: Sibling rivalry

By Demola Akinyemi

Senator Bukola Saraki had until recently reigned supreme on the political landscape in his native Kwara State, easily shifting the political machine of the state from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Now, his immediate younger sister, Senator Gbemisola Saraki has taken control of the rival PDP in an unfolding game that will amaze many.

Presidency confirms location of Chibok girls

The Presidency, on Thursday, confirmed that the location of the abducted Chibok School girls by the defiant Boko Haram sect has been discovered by the nation’s security forces.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, made the confirmation in a special interview with the Cable News Network (CNN), monitored in Abuja by the Nigerian Tribune, on Thursday.

“As an insider; I am saying that the location of the Chibok schoolgirls is now known and President Goodluck  Jonathan is doing everything possible to ensure their safe return,” he said.

The confirmation came  a week after  the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, disclosed that the Nigerian military had discovered the whereabouts of the schoolgirls.

Also, a competent source within the presidency debunked the rumour that President Goodluck Jonathan was angry with the CDS over the revelation to the effect that the Nigerian military had discovered the whereabouts of the girls.

The source further said that the president was not unmindful of the effect of the positive development on the morale of the  Nigerian military.

According to the source, “if the Americans had made the breakthrough, that would have been the end of the Nigerian military and the president, as the Commander-in-Chief, knows that at all times, he must show and have confidence in the capacity and competence of his troops.”

Dr Okupe assured the nation and the international community that very soon, the nation’s security forces would secure the release of the abducted girls and reunite them with their parents.

Nigerian Tribune 

Rasheed Ladoja's Son Dies in Auto Crash

A former Governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja, yesterday lost one of his sons on Eko Bridge in Lagos in a car accident.

Adebola Ladoja whom a lot of people described as gentle, calm and loving was killed when a Daf truck belonging to a justice lost control and ran into his Golf salon car on the bridge. The accident occurred around 3.30pm on third mainland bridge, but Adebola was left in the pool of his blood for several minutes before he help came to him. Sadly he died right there in his car. May his soul rest in peace and may God comfort his family. So sad. Another picture of him with a female friend after the cut.

BOKO HARAM kills 45 soldiers, policemen •Hoists flag in Borno villages, residents allege

GUNMEN suspected to be Boko Haram members have allegedly killed at least 45 Nigerian security personnel, after laying siege on the town of Buni Yadi, the headquarters of Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Reports said Boko Haram gunmen, on trucks and motorcycles, stormed the town late on Monday.

APC Moves To Shield Nyanko From Impeachment

Source Nigerian Tribune 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has swung into action to nip in the bud the proposed impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako by the Adamawa State House of Assembly.

The party stoutly rose in defence of the state governor over the impeachment believed to be the handiwork of the presidency to rubbish the governor over his confrontational attitude to the presidencyrecently. 

But the APC, it was learnt, was leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the planned impeachment did not see the light of the day and, as such,  sent two of its governors to intercede between Governor Nyako and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly.

Take Responsibility For Boko Haram - NAF Tells Shettima

By Emmanuel Elebeke

ABUJA—THE Northern Alternative Forum, NAF, has taken a swipe at the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, on his recent outburst on CNN against the security operation in the North East and blame on the federal government for the abduction of school girls in the State owned Secondary School, Chibok.

NAF which spoke at a press briefing by its chairman, Alhaji Gidado Ibrahim, accused the governor of making the ongoing military operation in the North East a subject of self-exoneration of responsibility in the crisis of the abducted girls, rather than blaming his government for its failure to protect them, even after promising to offer them protection on the advice from the Minister of Education and WAEC to relocate them.

The group however, urged the governor to swallow his pride and take the responsibility for the emergence of Boko Haram and their damages, which have now turned the state and the region into a theatre of war.

Jos Blast: I Escaped Death By Whiskers - Onazi

Ogenyi Onazi says he feels fortunate to be alive after he narrowly avoided last week’s bombings in the city of Jos.

The blasts at a crowded bus terminal and market killed at least 118 people.

War Drums In Adamawa

By Umar Yusuf  vanguard

The mutual suspicion between the Governor Murtala Nyako and the State House of Assembly is degenerating.

The on-again-off-again cordiality between Governor Murtala Nyako and the Speaker Umaru Fintiri led State House of Assembly seems to have taken a dive for the worse. Even more remarkably, word of an impeachment plot against the governor is in the air with a number of possible replacements being mentioned as being scrutinized to take over from Nyako.

Governor Nyako and Marwa

Controversy beckoned on Governor Nyako when he circulated a blistering memo to northern governors in which he accused President Goodluck Jonathan of leading the Federal Government to commit genocide against the Northerners and secretly fueling the insurgency by the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

The memo attracted nation-wide condemnation, especially from the ruling political party and its allies. Even fellow governors from the region drew back from the memo.
It is now alleged that the impeachment process is Abuja’s own response to the Adamawa governor.

The threat gained some credibility when three All Progressives Congress, APC lawmakers in the House decamped to join the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP making it that all 25 members in the House belong to the PDP.

Convicted Christmas Bomber Kabiru Sokoto Bgs For Pardon

A member of Boko Haram sect already convicted of terrorism charges, Kabiru Umar (aka Kabiru Sokoto), has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan for pardon.

The convict appealed against the judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which sentenced him to life imprisonment on December 20, 2013.

Chibok and America's Blame Game

By the time the Chibok girls were abducted, it was clear to the whole world that the Nigerian forces, do not have the capacity to contain the Boko Haram insurgents and so, many countries volunteered their assistance.

This is not unusual because Nigeria has in the past, been in the vanguard of sending troops to countries requiring stability in their systems – Liberia, Congo, Sierra Leone, Mali, Somali and so on.

Obasanjo Negotiates the Freedom of the Abducted Chibok Girls

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has met with people close to the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram, in an attempt to broker the release of more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls, a source close to the talks told AFP.

The meeting took place last weekend at Obasanjo’s farm in Ogun State and included relatives of some senior Boko Haram fighters as well as intermediaries and the former president, the source said.

“The meeting was focused on how to free the girls through negotiation,” said the source who requested anonymity, referring to the girls seized on April 14 from the remote northeastern town of Chibok, Borno State.

Boko Haram: MASSOB Raises Alarm Over Plot To Bomb Onitsha Market

THE Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday raised an alarm over what it called a plot by members of the Boko Haram sect to bomb the popular Onitsha main market and some other markets in the South-East geo-political zone. It therefore warned that MASSOB would resist any attempt to perpetrate such terrorism in any part of Igbo land which is also regarded as Biafra land, by all means and with the last drop of their blood.

True Federalism: Our Only Condition to Remain in Nigeria

Leadership of the Yoruba Assembly in Lagos has made a passionate demand for regional autonomy, saying it is the minimum condition for Yourubas to remain in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

They also reiterated demand on special status for Lagos, which they said would continue to be the economic nerve centre of Nigeria and the West Africa, hence, there should be appropriate budgetary provision that is part of the First Line Charge in the federation account.

The groups include Afenifere Renewal Group, O’dua Foundation, O’dua Nationalist Coalition, Afenifere Youth Forum, Atayese, Agbekoya Reformed Society and Coalition for O’dua Self-determination Group, among others.

The ethnic group made the demands at a joint news conference addressed at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos on Monday. National Secretary, Chief Ayo Afolabi and Chairman of Atayese Yoruba Group, Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, who read the text of the conference theme: “Regional Autonomy… or Nothing” on behalf of other ethnic groups, acknowledged that it was inconceivable that northern leaders “are the ones leading the campaign against devolution of power and restructuring of government.”

The ethnic group said it was baffled at the take-it-or-leave-it attitude of delegates from other ethnic nationalities, particularly the Northern delegates at the on-going National Conference, who circulated a document full of fallacies few weeks ago claiming that the North “has about 80 percent of Nigerian population and that its resources were used to develop oil sectors.”

It therefore said, if any region in the federation “needs a stronger federating unit with greater capacity to provide education, health, security, wealth creation and other social amenities, it is the North where strong links exist between the level of poverty and conscription of innocent youths into extremist tendencies.”

According to the ethnic group, it appears Northern leaders were not concerned, and indeed have no plan for the teeming youth from the region, as long as they are able to continue clinging to their hold on power.

Canvassing regional autonomy, the group stressed, was the most viable instrument for a stronger and united Nigeria, noting that the Yoruba People of Nigeria would not accept anything less than what it called minimum demands.

They demanded that states in Yoruba land “want a regional government with its own constitution and unfettered political and fiscal autonomy, except on issues it agrees to cede to the federal government.”

The ethnic group also declared that the South-west geopolitical region “must include all Yoruba people outside the imposed artificial boundaries in Edo, Delta, Kogi and Kwara States.”

Part of its demands includes; a negotiated legislative, exclusive, concurrent and residual list; unicameral legislature at the center; details of the Regional legislature shall be clearly set out in the constitution; parliamentary form of government at the center; and the right to self-determination on and up to the right to secede.

Second Mutiny in Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri as Soldiers manhandle New Commander

Brigadier General M.Y. Ibrahim, the newly posted General Officer Commanding the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army located at Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri got a taste of soldiers’ fury on Thursday afternoon as angry soldiers stormed his office to demand that he pay their allowances and reinstate motorbikes to transport them and members of their families within the barrack.

Several sources in the barracks said that the soldiers’ second act of mutiny in two weeks began around 3:00 p.m. The angry soldiers blew a whistle, and most of the rank and file gathered at a spot before they marched en masse to the 7th Division headquarters building where the GOC’s office is located.

Boko Haram blacklisted by UN

UNITED NATIONS  (AFP) – The United Nations blacklisted and imposed sanctions on Boko Haram as an Al-Qaeda-linked terror group Thursday, a month after it claimed the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls.

The designation, which was immediately welcomed by Britain and the United States, came into effect after no objections were raised by the Security Council’s 15 members.

****BREAKING NEWS**** Thailand in Military Coup d' etat

Military announcing the take over
| credits: BBC

Thailand’s army chief has announced a coup d’etat, saying the military is taking control of government.

In a televised statement, the army chief said the military would restore order and enact political reforms.

The army sealed off the venue in Bangkok where political factions had been holding talks for a second day and took away the leaders.

Bird turned to a woman in Lagos

LAGOS — Residents of Ajegunle area of Lagos were, yesterday, thrown into shock, after a bird was said to have transformed into an old woman who confessed to being a witch.

The dark-complexioned nonagenarian with tribal marks, who spoke in Yoruba, told a bewildered crowd that she was on her way back to Ibadan, Oyo State (as a bird) when she missed her track.

She was also said to have told the mammoth crowd that her mystical powers disappointed her because it was dawn.

  

Eye-witnesses said that three black birds were seen at about 7am, flying side‑by‑side along

Why Nigeria May Not Last Beyond 2015...issues and facts laid bare

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." - John Adams (US President, 1735 – 1826).

“There is nothing more necessary than truth, and in comparison with it everything else has only secondary value.” - Friedrich Nietzsche (German Philosopher and Writer, 1844 - 1900)

Messrs Jonathan and Obama

In 1885, the ‘fate’ of Africa was decided by a gathering of world’s European powers in Berlin, Germany. In the conference, an area in West Africa (which would later become Nigeria), was handed over to Great Britain, like a piece of chocolate in a birthday party.

Following the handover, Britain exercised her rule by establishing her authority over the northern and southern protectorates.

US Strategizes on Boko Haram

The United States plans to use three channels to attack the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko haram.

A UK newspaper, Telegraph said this following the video showing Shekau, the sect leader threatening to sell the abducted schoolgirls.

The newspaper which said the West may use drones to tackle the dreaded sect, quoted a US official with direct access to intelligence reports saying that