Boko Haram : December deadline only a guide - Buhari

With the December deadline for defeating Boko Haram fast approaching, President Muhammadu Buhari has hinted that military operations against the terrorist group could continue beyond that time. 

In a message read on his behalf by Chief of Defense Staff, Major-Gen Abayomi Olonisakin at a meeting of Army top brass in Jigawa State, President Buhari said that the deadline was only a guide.

“Let me emphasise that the timeframe should serve as a guide and if exigency of multiple operations across the country advises a modification, the federal government will not hesitate to do so in order to address new flashpoints that are rearing their ugly heads in some parts of the country,” he said.

Although the military has largely succeeded in pushing Boko Haram out of areas they hitherto occupied, suicide attacks by the insurgents have continued across the North of the country.

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Kuje Market In Ruins After Demolition (Photos)

Kuje market in Kuje Area Council, Abuja became a pile of ruins today after the bulldozers came calling.

The authorities however said that the demolition was to enable them build a more befitting modern market for the traders.

See the market after  demolition.

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Falana To Drag Dasuki, Dokpesi, Others To International Criminal Court

More trouble is on the way for former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki and the founding Chairman of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi as human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN, has vowed to have them and others indicted in the $6b arms contracts scam prosecuted at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

While advising President Buhari to ignore the reckless campaign of calumny by certain people without sense of shame, Falana said that based on the Freedom of Information Act, he had applied for the Certified True Copy of the report of the Arms Procurement Panel “with a view to ensuring that some of the suspects are prosecuted by the Special Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity."

The legal luminary said that those who cornered and shared huge amounts of money meant to procure military equipment committed crimes against humanity as troops were compelled to confront well-equipped terrorists with unserviceable weapons.

In a statement he issued on Sunday, Falana said ;

“The total missing fund is $6bn. In the light of the earth-shaking and ear-aching revelations oozing out of the EFCC to the effect that a handful of individuals cornered and shared the huge fund earmarked for the procurement of military hardware to prosecute the war on terror, all the convicted military officers and soldiers, who have been convicted, including the 70 who were sentenced to death, should be released forthwith.

“As I have repeatedly maintained, the soldiers were committed and sentenced to death for asking for weapons to fight the terrorists. They were ordered to fight with unserviceable equipment on the grounds that there was no money to purchase new weapons. In the process, the well-equipped insurgents routed and massacred thousands of the country’s ill-equipped soldiers due to the diversion of the fund set aside to purchase equipment.

“The suspects must bear full responsibility for committing such grave crimes against humanity. Consequently, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, we have applied for a certified true copy of the report of the arms procurement panel with a view to ensuring that some of the suspects are prosecuted by the Special Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity."

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Kogi Governorship Result: PDP Kicks Against Yahaya Bello

The People's Democratic Party, PDP has rejected the declaration of Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress, APC as the governor-elect of Kogi State.

The PDP described the declaration as a waste of time, scarce national resources and ridiculous shadow-chasing.

According to a statement issued by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh on Sunday, “the action of INEC in trying to transfer the votes earlier garnered by the dead APC candidate, Prince Audu Abubakar to another individual is completely impractical and alien to the nation’s Constitution and the Electoral Act.

“The declaration by INEC that one Yahaya Bello polled the highest number of votes is an embarrassing travesty of the nation’s democracy and electoral process. Not only that this individual is not in anyway a valid candidate in the election, he also did not score the overall votes declared against his name by INEC and cannot be declared winner under any circumstance within the provisions of our laws.

“The provisions of the constitution and the electoral act are clear to the effect that with the unfortunate death of Prince Abubakar Audu before the conclusion of the election, and the fact that the laws do not permit the replacement of candidates once the balloting has commenced, the APC crashed out of the race, leaving the PDP candidate, Governor Idris Wada as the clear winner, having garnered 204,877 votes to top all other contestants since, Prince Ababakar, the hitherto leading contestant died with his votes.

“It is therefore unfortunate that INEC disregarded the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, which left it with no other legitimate option than to declare Governor Idris Wada the governor-elect. Instead, it went ahead to preside over a charade, for which it is now attempting to illicitly handover the vote cast for a dead man to another person, who did not participate in the overall election.

“We all, including INEC and the APC know that nothing other than declaring Governor Idris Wada winner of the election fulfills the requirements of the law under the circumstance. APC cannot have two candidates in one election and the bitter in-fighting within their fold shows the absurdity of INEC’s decision in that regard. Indeed, we remain shocked that INEC could elect to create such embarrassing and inciting setting just to show its ‘friendship’ with the ruling government.

“Our advise to the APC, Yahaya Bello and their co-travellers in illegality is that theirs is a mere pipe dream as Governor Wada remains validly elected within the dictates of our laws under the circumstance.

“Finally, we charge all our members and supporters to remain calm and resist all provocations from the APC, which is now seeking the opportunity to trigger violence in the face of their misfortune, especially as the law will soon take the center stage, right the wrong created by INEC and declare Governor Wada winner.”

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Ex-PDP Chairman Cries Out Against Attempt On His Life

Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, said on Saturday that an attempt was made on his life along the road to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

A statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Oliver Okpala, said that the incident occurred while Tukur was on his way to catch a flight to Owerri  to receive an honorary doctorate degree from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

According to the statement ;
“As his convoy of four jeeps was driving to the airport, a tinted Hilux (SUV) emerged and attempted to break into the convoy heading towards Tukur’s jeep when his security escort prevented the attempts.

“Because of the resistance, the Hilux forcefully ran into the convoy hitting and damaging three of the jeeps including that of Tukur. The occupants of the Hilux demanded that the door of the car should be opened and the occupant pulled out.

“The Hilux occupants fought to dispossess the security of their guns and this met some resistance.

“In the process the occupants of the Hilux, whoever they are, manhandled the policemen, but Tukur and his driver cleverly escaped from the scene.

“Before he alighted to board the aircraft, the same people again tried to reach him, possibly to execute their motive but the airport security now joined his security details to subdue them, before Tukur was quickly rushed to the departure hall.

“The Police have been notified of this ugly incident and development.”

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See the final results for Kogi Governorship elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has declared the final result of the Kogi State governorship election with Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress, APC emerging governor-elect.

See the full result here.

Supplementary Election:

Ibaji: PDP 220 APC 369
Adavi: PDP 12 APC 878
Ankpa PDP 629 APC 562
Ajaokuta: PDP 12 APC 538
Omala: PDP 323 APC 317
Igalamela/Odolu PDP 434 APC 92
Ofu: PDP 484 APC 105
Dekina: PDP 1999 APC 2178
Kabba/Bunu: PDP 131 APC 201
Ijumu: PDP 102 APC 86
Lokoja: PDP 145 APC 301
Kogi/Koto: PDP 281 APC 406
Yagba West: PDP 73 APC 86
Okene: PDP 02 APC 208
Okehi: PDP 0 APC 108
Idah: PDP 70 APC 62
Bassa: PDP 114 APC 221
Olamaboro PDP 332 APC 167

Total: PDP 5363 APC 6885

Grand Total: PDP 204,877
APC 247,752

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Military Begins Final Assault On Sambisa Forest

Supported by the Airforce, Nigerian troops “have advanced deep” into Sambisa forest in the decisive assault to rid the Northeast of Boko Haram insurgents.

Acting Director of Army/Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said in a statement that the troops have been “clearing most of the camps therein, rescuing persons held captive, arresting some terrorists and destroying most of their weapons and equipment."

The statement further said that
“advancing troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force were able to clear and destroy Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at Shuari, Adembe, Yerimari Kura, Yerimari Gana, Gonin Kurmi, Kore, Mainya Kore, and Lopere.

“Additionally, the Multi-barrel Rocket Launcher Regiment has destroyed the terrorists’ camps at Dure, Dure Kore, Jokwa, as well as several other camps.

“The troops recovered foodstuff, motorcycles, flags, Improvised Explosive Making Devices (IED) materials and military uniforms. Among other discoveries were the terrorists’ tunnels, weapons and equipment.

“The soldiers also recovered 2,000 cows rustled from various persons over time and rescued women and children held captives by the Boko Haram. While the animals have been moved to Kanwuri, the rescued persons have been evacuated and are being given all the necessary support and assistance.

“During the encounter with the terrorists at Yerimari Gana a number of Boko Haram terrorists were killed and some suspected terrorists were arrested who are being interrogated. However, a soldier sustained gunshot wound and fracture on the leg.

“Similarly, while advancing to destroy Nefari terrorists camp, troops discovered and cleared 3 IEDs laid along the route. The camp was successfully cleared and troops have continued their advance while a blocking force has been deployed to prevent infiltration and possible escape by the terrorists.

“Unfortunately during another encounter with the terrorists along the axis of advance, three soldiers made the supreme sacrifice, while an officer and two soldiers were wounded in action.

“It is instructive to note that the troops’ morale is very high and being conscious of their set objective, they are unrelenting in their determination to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.”

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