Bama people dying of starvation —Borno senator

The Senator representing Borno Central at the National Assembly, Zannah Ahmed, has said the people of Bama, a commercial town in Borno State captured by Boko Haram about a month ago are, dying of starvation daily.

He said the condition of the people of the town was so pitiable that the aged and women, who could not flee the town in the wake of the capture, depended on the insurgents to feed.

Speaking on the telephone with our correspondent, the senator said, “It is quite unfortunate that the military has shied away from moving down to Bama to free the town from the insurgents several days after it was captured.

“I do not understand the strategy of the military and we deserve an explanation why Bama is still not freed even as the information we are receiving from the town indicates that there are just a few insurgents who are not well armed taking charge of the town.

“The only challenge the military might face is between Konduga and Bama where the insurgents are said to be many. But inside Bama town, they are few and not well armed and it will only require a few soldiers to flush them out.”

He added, “I learnt that the insurgents have been distributing beans to the people but this does not last, as they go on for days without food. To even move out of the town is another sad story entirely.

“Many women that fled the town and who took a long trek to Maiduguri died en route. They collapsed and died from thirst.

“Can we be said to be winning the war on Boko Haram, if some of our towns are being captured and our people are living at the mercy of insurgents?” he asked.

He argued that the military had no excuse for allowing the insurgents to continue to occupy Bama and Gwoza, saying, “for rag-tag militants to hold the nation to ransom is an embarrassment to the country.”

Lawmaker’s attack: Police detain Edo Speaker, majority leader

Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, Uyi Igbe

The Edo State Police Command on Thursday arrested the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Uyi Igbe, and the Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu, over the attack on a lawmaker, Abdulrazak Momoh.

Momoh,   whose seat was declared vacant by the assembly in July, was said to have been attacked by thugs on Tuesday after he allegedly ignored the instruction of security men not to enter the legislative quarters.

The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker   was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Ward of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

The PDP had in a statement by its Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, on Wednesday, accused Shaibu and other APC lawmakers of masterminding the attack.

It was gathered that Igbe, Shaibu and another member, Mr. Folly Ogedegbe, were invited to the state police command by the Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, at about 11am on Thursday.

But the Majority Leader told newsmen   that they were at the   state police headquarters on their own but were   detained for an offence they knew nothing about.

He wondered why   the police did not prevent the PDP lawmakers from forcefully entering the assembly complex on the day of the incident.

Shaibu said, “We came on our own volition but they have kept us here for over three hours for a matter we knew nothing about. You could see the intimidation.

“When the PDP lawmakers, including Momoh, forcefully broke into the assembly complex, the police did not invite them let alone arrest them.

“All the court orders that were issued against them were not obeyed. The police   did not do anything to enforce the orders. But you can see we have been detained here since for an issue we know nothing about.”

Momoh also said they had   been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to appear before it in Abuja on Monday.

He   said the reasons for their invitation was not stated by the anti-graft agency.

The lawmaker added, “The EFCC also invited us to Abuja on Monday. But Nigeria is currently being embarrassed in South Africa for money laundering perpetrated by the Federal Government, and the EFCC has not done anything. This is an attempt to intimidate and eliminate all (Governor Adams) Oshiomhole’s loyalists before the next elections.

“The Federal Government must be careful. The EFCC is not arresting those people who stole our money but they are inviting us when we don’t award contracts. It is a plan to use federal might. The President (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan) should talk to his people because we cannot be intimidated.”

The APC in the state has however raised the alarm over what it considers as a plot by the PDP, through the Federal Government, to incarcerate all Oshiomhole’s loyalists.

The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Godwin Erhahon, said, “We are aware of the plots by the PDP to arrest, maim, and eliminate those perceived to be loyalists of Governor Oshiomhole.

“The lawmaker who was beaten went there with thugs and it has nothing to do with our lawmakers. Why are they being arrested by the police?

“But we want to warn that any attempt to intimidate our people in Edo State will be resisted. The PDP cannot use federal might to hunt our people. We are still battling Boko Haram, let us not face another war in Edo State because it might be too much for (President Goodluck) Jonathan to handle.”

The Edo State police commissioner could not be reached for comment on the interrogation of the lawmakers as of   the time of filing this report.

Kwakwanso blasts Jonathan for seized $15m

Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso of Kano State has accused President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government of not being sincere over its defence of the seized $9.3m and another $5.7m by the South African government.

He said the seized money by the South African government under the guise of procuring arms and ammunition to fight insurgency, contravened established rules and guidelines.

The governor said it was a clear violation of the due process in the procurement.

Kwakwanso spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday after the public presentation of two laws-Ekiti Magistrate Court Law 2014 and Administration of Criminal Justice 2014-by his counterpart from Lagos, Raji Fashola (SAN).

Fashola, who described laws and constitutionality as the bedrock of any nation, said the application of the Cremation and Public Health Laws gave the state a breakthrough in its fight against the Ebola Virus Disease that broke out in the country recently.

Kwakwanso, who had earlier inaugurated the Ire Burnt Brick Industry revamped by Governor Kayode Fayemi, said Nigerians must rise up to protect judiciary for the sustenance of the country’s democracy.

The governor said, “As a former Minister of Defence, I am very conversant with the way and manner, and the due process that is required to procure any arms, ammunition or equipment, there are rules and guidelines. Arms and ammunition are not rice and beans that you can just go to the market and purchase.

“Many of us were concerned when the information filtered in. In fact, we didn’t believe it initially, but along the line, based on the defence of what happened, we realized that it was a bitter truth that such a thing happened: that money of that magnitude in an aircraft flown to another nation, I think so many things have gone wrong. I think it is high time for the Federal Government to sit up to its responsibilities to ensure that things are being done correctly.

“Yes, we need arms and ammunition; yes, we need security in this country, but even under that circumstance, there are rules and guidelines that must be respected.

“While we are trying to tackle insurgency, we must follow the due process. Even in the operation there are rules of engagement; they are very important to protect the lives and properties of innocent people.”

Kwakwanso wondered why it took the Federal Government three weeks to accept that over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok.

He said so many things were wrong under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“That is why we are confident that by 2015 the APC will take over because all that we have seen in insecurity, unemployment, education…There are so many schools closed down in the North. Our children cannot go to school because some are being stolen,” he lamented.

Muslims defy Boko Haram threats, throng prayer grounds

Muslims in both Borno and Yobe states, on Saturday, defied threats of attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents and trooped to prayer grounds for the Eid-el-Kabir prayers.

They were not deterred by the fact that they had to trek long distances from their homes to the prayer grounds to say the congregational prayer, which is the peak of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The long trek followed the directive by the military authorities barring vehicular movements in order to forestall attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents.

There were blockages on all the roads and stern-looking soldiers and policemen were all over the town to enforce the order.

Some worshippers had to trek between five and seven kilometres for the Eid prayer grounds, which were few across the troubled town.

In his Sallah message to the people of the state, Governor Kashim Shettima urged Muslims in the country to be kind to their neighbours and live in harmony with people irrespective of their religious and social differences.

He said the feast of sacrifice which the Eid-El-Kabir celebration symbolises also teaches sharing, love and good neighbourliness.

“As we celebrate this Sallah in peace and harmony, I also call on all Muslims in the state to be kind to their neighbours, relatives, friends and the needy by extending gestures to them in the spirit of eid el kabir festival,” the governor said through a statement signed by the deputy director, Press Affairs at the Government House, Ndahi Pindar Sawa.

In Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, there was huge turnout of worshippers at different Eid praying grounds despite security apprehension of a possible attack by the insurgents.

The expansive Yobe Islamic Centre witnessed large of worshippers. Other Eid grounds at 3 bedroom Gujba road, Waziri Ibrahim, Phase I, Nayinawa, Ben Kalio Housing Estate and Zanna Zakaria Estates all within Damaturu metropolis also had large turnouts of worshippers.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Abubakar Aliyu in company with the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress and other members of the State Executive Council joined other thousands of worshippers at the Yobe Mosque and Islamic Centre to observe the two Rakat prayers.

There were strict checks and screening of worshippers by stern-looking security agents before being allowed access to the Yobe Mosque.

Somali troops capture key port town from al-Shabab

Somali government troops backed by African Union forces have captured a key stronghold of al-Shabab Islamists.
The regional governor confirmed the capture of Barawe, telling the BBC that he was in the centre of the port town.
The AU says al-Shabab used the town as a base to launch attacks on the capital Mogadishu, which is about 200km (125 miles) to the north.
Barawe had been held by the al-Qaeda-aligned militants for six years.

Nigerian troops kill 200 Boko Haram militants in Michika

There are strong indications that the Nigerian troops have overrun Michika and Gulak in Madagali Local Government Areas of Adamawa State.
The states had in the past one month been in the hands of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents.
A source while speaking to our correspondent on phone said following the fierce fighting, the military are at the moment comfortably controlling Michika, which the insurgents seized on September 7, 2014.
The source said, “I can confirm to you authoritatively that the military are advancing towards Madagali.”
The source who spoke from his mountainous hideout in Michika, noted that despite the military bombardment, the insurgents on Sunday night re-grouped at the Government Technical College, Michika with the intention of attacking the soldiers before they were dislodged and chased away.
Reports indicate that about 200 Boko Haram insurgents have been killed in the latest offensive, as Nigerian troops take control of the town and have gained an upper hand in the ongoing war.
The source said, “The Nigerian troops have gained entry into Michika and Gulak, and are now fully in control of the towns having dealt a severe blow to the insurgents, as they lost about 200 members, while some escaped with injuries sustained from gun shots.”
Another source from the area said Nigerian troops had earlier met with a stiff resistance from the insurgents as they advanced towards Gulak leading to the prolonged gun duel.
The source added that: “There is a heavy fighting between the insurgents and Nigerian troops as the insurgents are doing everything to frustrate the effort of the Nigerian troops and many people who were trapped in the towns are now sneaking out following intensified fighting.”
He added that the insurgents who were in their thousands came through Uba and attacked the Nigeria troops who had already advanced into Michika, but were repelled back immediately.
Efforts to get the reaction from the Army Public Relations Officer of the 23rd Army Brigade Yola proved abortive as his telephone was not reachable while the police authority refused comment saying it is not within their area of jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Acting Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has commended the efforts of Nigerian soldiers to liberate the two local government areas initially under the grip of the militants.

Dogs attacked my brother inside our flat ─ Seven-year-old

Omonigbo before and after the attack

Four-year-old Omonigho Abraham is currently battling for his life at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, after his scalp was eaten by two dogs.

The dogs chewed the skin and exposed the victim’s skull during the attack which happened on Thursday on Adegboyega Street, Akesan Estate, in the Igando area of Lagos.

Reporters had reported last week that the police seized the two dogs for attacking Omonigho.

However, our correspondent learnt from eyewitnesses that the dogs dragged him through the compound for more than one hour while policemen and sympathisers watched helplessly at the entrance of the house for fear of being attacked by the savage dogs.

The immediate elder brother of the victim, seven-year-old Osemudiamen, told our correspondent that the dogs had chased him, Omonigho and their elder brother, Bobby, while they were taking turns to ride a bicycle.

He said, “We were riding a bicycle in the compound when the big dogs ─ Jack and Gadaffi ─ started barking at us. Later, they moved towards us.

“My elder brother and I quickly ran upstairs and locked the door while Omo (Omonigho), who could not run fast, was left behind.

“When he got to the door, he knocked that we should open for him and as we did, one of the dogs forced his way into the house with him.

“We all ran out. Bobby jumped down from upstairs and I also jumped. But Omo could not jump, so the dog attacked him.

“The other dog also joined in the attack and there was nothing we could do.”

It was learnt that the screams of the children who managed to get outside attracted passersby and residents who besieged the house.

No fewer than seven policemen from the Igando Police Station reportedly stood at the gate, confused.

An eyewitness, who lived on the street, but pleaded anonymity, said, “The police came, but said there was nothing they could do. The dogs were growling as they ate the child alive and that sent fear into everyone. Nobody could move inside to challenge the dogs. Everybody was just shouting in confusion and wielding sticks.”

The victim’s mother, Mrs. Helen Abraham, who was away when the incident happened, said her son had been injured by the time she arrived at the scene.

She said, “When I got there, I met a crowd. They asked me not to go inside, but I refused to listen to them. One of the dogs emerged from the corridor with blood stains in its mouth. I ran inside. The other dog, on sighting me, pounced, but I fought back. It later ran away. I called on people who joined me to take him to a hospital.

“This has been a nightmare I want to wake up from.”

The victim’s father, Mr. Odia Abraham, said the medical personnel at the Igando General Hospital asked them to transfer him to LASUTH because of the severity of the attack.

“The doctor at Igando said his condition was critical and we should take him to LASUTH. When the incident happened, I was away at work.

“But when I got home, I saw parts of my son’s scalp on the floor. The dogs dragged him through the compound for about one and half hours and nobody moved near them. His face was also affected, but thankfully it did not get to his eyes.

“His two brothers, who survived, also got injured. The seven-year-old who spoke with you has a fracture, which we are still treating. The other, who is 13 years, has a minor injury.

“We marked Omo’s fourth birthday in June. He is a very intelligent boy and he always tells me he wants to be a soldier because he loves to protect people. I am hoping this thing will not affect his brain,” he said.

The police were said to have arrested the owner of the dogs, one Stanley Wesley.

A resident said the people living in the house had warned Wesley about his dogs but he refused to listen.

She said, “We became alarmed when he brought a third dog recently which was more ferocious and bigger than the others. Whenever he took that dog on a walk, even adults would be scared.

“People told him to find a place to keep his giant dogs, but he refused to listen. It was the new dog that first followed those children into the house.”

When our correspondent visited the Burns and Plastic Ward of LASUTH, he was told the victim was asleep.

The matron in charge of the ward told our correspondent she would not comment unless the Public Relations Officer of the hospital gave an approval.

However, the PRO was said to be unavailable as he was on leave.

A medical officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victim’s condition was “serious and critical.”

The Police spokesperson, Lagos State Command, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said the police were the ones that actually rescued the victim.

Nwosu said, “I can confirm to you that on September 25, at about 5.40pm, dogs belonging to one Stanley Wesley attacked and harmed a four-year-old boy and the matter was reported at the Igando Police Division.

“The report from the Divisional Police Officer indicated that the dogs were being kept to undergo some tests, while their owner had been arrested. The report that the police did not do anything is not true.”