Boko Haram Claims Responsibility For Kano Attack

Terrorist group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the suicide bomb attack on a Shiite Muslims procession which killed 22 persons in Kano on Friday and left 38 others injured.

In a statement posted on social media yesterday, the insurgents said that the bomb which some of the people taking part in the procession was detonated by their member.

They declared that such attacks would continue.

“And by the permission of Allah, these attacks of ours against Shiite polytheists will continue until we cleanse the earth of their filth,” they said.

However, the Shiites have continued with their procession to commemorate the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

“Following the attack, many more of our members have joined the procession,” Ali Kakaaki, a member of the procession told AFP.

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Jonathan's Independence Celebration Spendings: El-Rufai goofed - FG

The claim by Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai that former President, Goodluck Jonathan spent N64b on Independence Day celebrations from 2011 to 2014 has been contradicted by the Federal Government.

On October 1st 2015, El-Rufai had in a Facebook post, praised Buhari's frugal N70m budget for this year's Independence Day celebrations while attacking Jonathan's lavish expenditures for the same purpose.

“This is the APC/PMB change we voted for. Independence anniversary expenditure for the past five years: 2011 – N13bn; 2012 -N15bn; 2013 –N14bn; 2014 – N22bn and 2015 -N70m coming from present administration,” he said on his timeline.

However, responding to a request by BudgIT Nigeria under the Freedom of Information Act,  the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said that the Jonathan administration had spent N332.6m on Independence Anniversary celebrations.

It added that Jonathan spent N1.7bn on the country’s 2010 golden jubilee celebration and N138,138,000 on the 2014 centenary honours awards.

In the response to BudgeIT's request headlined ‘Independence Day Celebration/Centenary Actual Expenditure from 2010 to 2015,’ the Director of Finance and Accounts, in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Garba said ;

“With reference to your letter dated 2nd October, 2015 on the above subject matter, it is stated as follows:

“The 2010 (Golden Jubilee) – N1.7bn;
2011 (No release of funds); 2012 (53rd Independence Anniversary) – N107,600,000; 2013 (53rd Independence Anniversary) – N45,000,000; 2014         (54th Independence Anniversary) – N180,000,000; 2015 (55th Independence Anniversary) – N70,000,000.

“Please note that in 2013, Mr President approved the sum of N223,800,000 for the 53rd Independence Celebration, only N45,000,000 was released to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The sum ofN138,138,000 was released for centenary honours awards.”

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Ngige Cuts Travel Allowances In Labour Ministry

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has announced plans to cut the travel expenses of the ministry and its associated agencies.

A directive limiting civil servants’ duty travels to a maximum of two days has already been issued.

Ngige said that the measure would help the ministry to save cost.

A statement issued by the Deputy Director, Press, Mr. Samuel Olowookere, said that the minister directed top officials of the ministry to seek the Permanent Secretary’s approval for travels exceeding one day and that of the minister for foreign trips.

According to the statement,  ". . . no officer including the Minister, Minister of State and the Permanent Secretary will be allowed to stay out of the station for more than one night. Any officer, whose job is taking him/her out of station for more than a night therefore, is expected to get the approval of the permanent secretary.

“This shall not exceed a maximum of two days. Any other stay that lasts for more than two days because of the peculiar nature of the duty shall be with the express approval of the minister.

“This will apply for both local and international travels. Of course, no officer will travel abroad without the explicit approval of the minister, even if the cooperation partners or donor agencies are sponsoring such.

“These are cost-saving measures, which will also enhance productivity, and we are all expected to abide by it. The days when we stay for as long as possible to accumulate allowances for ourselves are now over.”

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Abuja alerts residents, religious leaders against terror attacks

Plans by terrorist group, Boko Haram to bomb markets and places of worship in Abuja during the Christmas season have been exposed by the Federal Capital Territory administration.

The FCT administration which has already embarked on a massive enlightenment campaign in churches and mosques said that the measure is intended to frustrate the plans of the insurgents.

According to Director, Security Services, FCTA, Mohammed Mohammed, leaders of the relevant organizations have been advised on the appropriate security measures to thwart terror attacks.

“Based on this intelligence which we have shared with security agencies, we have therefore written a letter to the Christian and Muslim leaders intimating them on the security report and advising them on how to thwart terror attacks,” he said.

He also advised residents of  Abuja to report suspicious persons and movements to the police on 09063872207, 09053872208 and 09053872209.

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How David Mark Reacted To Nullification Of His Election

The Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi yesterday, voided the election of former Senate President and Nigeria's longest serving Senator, Mr David Mark as the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District.

The appellate court ordered a fresh election within 90 days.

Here's David Mark's first reaction to the development.

“Whatever the situation may be, one thing I know is that my people are solidly behind me. They also appreciate the fact that I have done more than enough to lift up Idoma nation to a position of eminence in the contemporary political history of Nigeria.

“I won the election clean and clear. If we go back to the polls 100 times, I will still win convincingly.”

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NEMA to take relief materials to newly liberated towns.

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has concluded plans to take relief materials to newly liberated towns in Borno State.

The North-East Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Mohammed Kanar, disclosed this on Wednesday while overseeing the distribution of relief materials to internally displaced persons in Dikwa Local Government Area of the state.

“We are moving to Bama, Gwoza, Askira-Uba, Marte and Baga local government areas to distribute relief materials to liberated people in the areas,” he said.

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Boko Haram Adopts New Packaging For IED's

Terrorist group, Boko Haram now conceals Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs in attractive objects, says the Defence Headquarters.

The Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabi Abubakar disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday during a media briefing in his office.

He urged members of the public to be wary of picking up nice looking objects around them.

“All these things we are doing is to make sure that the populace remains safe from the hands of these Boko Haram terrorists who are now devising different means of fighting through this issue of IED and even some cluster bombs which they conceal in attractive objects and drop in the streets for people to pick.

“We are using this platform to enlighten the citizens to make sure that our citizens do not fall victim on what could be avoided,” he said.

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