10 Nigerian Pilgrims Die During Hajj To Mecca – Hajj Commission

Ten Nigerians who travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the Islamic hajj rites have been confirmed dead, the Coordinator of the National Hajj Commission in Mecca, Aliyu Tanko, said on Monday.

President Obama Says U.S. Intelligence Underestimated Islamic State (ISIS) Threat

President Barack Obama said U.S. intelligence underestimated that the political chaos in Syria over the past several years would create an environment for extremist group Islamic State to thrive.

Ashraf Ghani Sworn In As President of Afghanistan, Shares Inaugural Stage With Abdullah Abdullah

KABUL, Afghanistan — Ashraf Ghani was inaugurated as president of Afghanistan on Monday, punctuating a season of grave political crisis with a peaceful transition of power that stood as a rarity in a country marked by four decades of war.

NSPMC Currency Printing Scandal: FG May Extradite Ex-Mint Boss To UK To Face Charges

The United Kingdom has requested the extradition of a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Security
Printing and Minting Company, Mr. Emmanuel Okomoyon, to face prosecution in relation to an alleged
scam involving printing of polymer notes.

Egypt: World Leaders Urge Egypt toRelease Al Jazeera Staff

World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) have highlighted the importance of press freedom and called on Egypt to release the three jailed Al Jazeera staff, a release by the TV network, has said..

Boko Haram Destroys 500 Houses In Adamawa State

No fewer   than 500 houses were destroyed in the Kubi and Watu villages in Michika Local Government Areas of Adamawa State as the suspected Boko Haram insurgents operated unchallenged in one of its recent attacks.

Boko Haram Looting Arms From Military Armoury – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters has said that it was aware that members of the outlawed Islamist sect, Boko Haram, were in the habit of looting its armoury.

Arab Female Air Force Pilot Who Bombed ISIS Is 'Disowned By Her Family' For Bombing 'Sunni Heroes of Iraq and The Levant'

The female air force pilot whose missions against Isis were dubbed 'boobs on the ground' has reportedly been disowned by her family and labelled an 'ingrate'.

Surrendered, Disarmed Boko Haram Insurgents To Be Rehabilitated

The Nigerian Government has revealed that those insurgents, who surrendered their weapons to the Nigerian troops, will be rehabilitated back to the society.

Fight Against Boko Haram: Russia to Supply Nigeria Arms

The Nigerian Government has formally reached out to Russia for assistance in its fight against terrorism in parts of the country.

Based on the government’s request, Russian authorities have offered to assist the nation’s security forces in terms of logistics and equipment to win the war against Boko Haram.

'Prisoner Swap Deal': List of Detained Boko Haram Insurgents That The Sect Wants Swapped for Abducted Chibok Girls

The failed high level negotiations between Boko Haram leaders and the Nigerian government team, led by a former Minister of Information, Edwin Clark, would have seen the country swapping 16 detained terrorists for 220 Chibok girls, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report.

Senate Okays Jonathan’s $1 Billion Loan To Fight Insurgency

The upper legislative chamber of Nigeria's national assembly - the Senate has approved the $1 billion dollar loan requested by President Goodluck Jonathan to tackle insecurity and terrorism in the country.

Nigeria's Electronic I.D Card: National Security and Unintended Consequences

                                                      Written by:

Don Okereke

President Goodluck Jonathan recently launched a MasterCard-branded Nigerian National Electronic I.D Card amidst pomp and pageantry.

Ahmed Salkida, Nigerian Journalist Trusted By Boko Haram Insists Abubakar Shekau Is “Alive And Well”

Ahmed Salkida, a Dubai-based Nigerian journalist who reportedly maintains communication with some leaders of the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram, claimes that the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, is alive and well. Mr. Salkida denied reports asserting that Nigerian troops had killed the mercurial and fiendish Shekau, the speaker and voice in numerous videos released by Boko Haram.

Ahmed Salkida, in a tweet also dismissed media reports that the Nigerian government was negotiating with Boko Haram for the release of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in mid-April by Boko Haram militants in Chibok, Borno State. The reporter’s tweet also described as untrue reports that the International Red Cross (IRC) was working on a deal that would persuade Boko Haram to free the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in exchange for the release of detained Islamist insurgents in the custody of Nigerian security agencies.

SaharaReporters had earlier published a report to the effect that a Nigerian intelligence source revealed that the person whose dead body is seen in photos circulating in news reports was not Shekau but one “Mohammed Bashir”.

An ntelligence source stated that the dead Islamist figure, who bore a striking semblance to Mr. Shekau, was indeed a look-alike who appeared in videos released by the Islamist sect.

Mr. Salkida’s tweet appeared to confirm that the Boko Haram “officer” killed by Nigerian soldiers in Konduga was a different person from Mr. Shekau. In fact, Nigerian security officials have maintained for months that Mr. Shekau was dead, apparently killed by his own disaffected lieutenants in an internal rivalry for control of the terrorist organization.

However, Salkida sent out another tweet today which appeared to cast doubt on the fact that Shekau indeed had a double.

A confidential debriefing document by the Nigerian army obtained last week also acknowledged that Mr. Shekau stayed permanently in his holdout in Sambisa Forest and was not in the habit of venturing out to battles. Item “R” of the document stated, ”Shekau has his wife and 2 children in Sambisa Forest. He is Kanuri, he speaks Hausa and he does not travel.”

Meanwhile, a Nigerian security source told SaharaReporters that there was evidence of a growing frustration among insurgent fighters and a simmering power struggle between some of the sect’s top figures. He disclosed that some of the insurgents who surrendered to Nigerian troops last week in Konduga have told army interrogators that they decided to give up after their commander executed two of their leaders who led the failed attack on Konduga. The source told SaharaReporters that the insurgents, who are being kept in one of the barracks in Maiduguri, told interrogators that they fled from a camp near Bama after their commander shot dead two insurgent field officers “for losing valuable weapons to infidels.” He added that the surrendering militants claimed they were reluctant and small-time fighters who were recently recruited from towns and villagers taken by Boko Haram.

The insurgents’ foiled attempt to seize Konduga, which was a first step in their plan to attack the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, is being seen as a possible turning point in the war between the insurgents and increasingly confident Nigerian soldiers. Nigerian troops killed hundreds of insurgents in the battle for Konduga and also seized an armored tank and several vehicles from the Boko Haram fighters. Incidentally, Boko Haram insurgents had originally captured the tank and vehicles from the Nigerian army in previous battles.

For close to two weeks, the insurgents have not been able to reproduce their earlier streak of victories over Nigerian troops. Instead, they have been routed in Konduga and driven out of Baza in Adamawa State.

  - SR

Explosives Uncovered in University of Uyo, One Suspect Arrested

Operatives of Peace on Campus Initiative (PCI), University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, uncovered two improvised explosive devices in male hostel of the institution.

The operatives also arrested a diploma student of the institution, Mr Kufre Anwana, following the discovery.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that two improvised explosive devices, widely speculated as hand grenades, were found in a bag belonging to the suspect by some students, who alerted the operatives of the PCI.

National Coordinator, PCI, Mr Oliver Cromwell, told newsmen that his men in the UNIUYO chapter got information that the suspect was keeping explosive devices in his bag, while they trail him to his room in the hostel.

According to Cromwell, on discovering the devices, which was well packaged in a bag, the operatives apprehended the suspect and invited anti-bomb squad formation of the Akwa Ibom State police command, Ikot Akpan Abia, to the scene for verification and possible diffusion.

He stated that the squad detonated the two improved explosive devices, while it also conducted a search round the other hostel rooms.

“Anti-Bomb Squad was invited to come and ascertain if the explosives were real. When they came, they confirmed that those things were hand grenades and were locally made,” an eyewitness and student of the institution, who gave his name as Inyang, told the Nigerian Tribune.

Inyang stated that Anwana was not in the hostel at the time the explosives were uncovered, but was apprehended and interrogated when he returned.

It was, however, gathered that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to keeping the explosives, but dismissed that he actually bought or made them with intent to disrupting academic activities.

According to him, he stumbled on the explosive devices on the school premises, saying he was planning to hand them over to the security.

“It all started on Friday when I was coming back from the church. Just close to where the construction is going on, I saw two white things on the ground. When I picked them, I saw the inscription ‘hand grenade’,” he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Etim Dickson, confirmed the incident, saying that the explosives were homemade devices, which could have been invented by any of the science students in the university.

He added that the police would get to the root of the matter.

The police spokesman urged students and parents not to entertain any fear about possible breakdown of law and order in the university community.

“The incident had been properly taken care of. We are on top of the situation. We shall get to the root of the mater,” Dickson, speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in a telephone conversation, maintained.

  - Tribune

Scores of Boko Haram Insurgents Surrender With Weapons In Konduga

Sequel to relentless onslaught by troops, many members of the Boko Haram terrorists group are beginning to surrender voluntarily. Some of them submitted themselves and their weapons to the leadership of the troops in Konduga during a further campaign at the weekend.

The Defence Headquarters has tweeted that "as the heat on the terrorists continues, five terrorists surrendered on Saturday (September 20, 2014) with all their weapons to troops at Konduga, pleading for mercy."

Other captured terrorists who refused to surrender have also been giving useful information on the subsequent plans of the group in an apparent offer to cooperate.

In the last few days there have been several attempts by terrorists desperate to gain entry to Konduga, which the Nigerian troops, have continued to foil.

The PRNigeria gathered that the terrorists’ move was aimed at recovering the bodies of their prominent fighters who had died in the previous encounters in the area.

Meanwhile the Nigerian troops have recovered more weapons during the mopped up operations while some of their (terrorists') vehicles have been destroyed.

  - PRNigeria

Abubakar Shekau, Finally Killed?

Nigerian troops might have scored a strategic victory in the current battle against terrorists operating in the North East on September 17. During a desperate attempt to capture Konduga in their delusion to eventually marching on and capturing Maiduguri, the man who had been mimicking Late Abubakar Shekau in recent videos might have been finally killed.

According to senior military and intelligence sources, "it is getting more certain that the terrorists' commander who has been mimicking Shekau in those videos is the one killed in Konduga on September 17, 2014."

The PRNigeria sources said the suspected demise of the Boko Haram leader is responsible for the scattering of the sect members in different independent locations in the neighbouring countries, especially in Cameroon noticed in recent days.

The security sources did not deny the suspicion but cautioned that "the process of confirming that the dead body we have is the same as that character who has been posing as Shekau is ongoing. He is definitely a prominent terrorist commander. I don't want to say anything about this yet please."

Another high ranking military source insisted that the resemblance is too striking to be a coincidence. They cited his facial marks, beards and teeth apart from the recovery by the Nigerian troops of some of the Armoured Vehicles and Hilux jeeps that had featured in previous videos of the prime suspect.

The officers assured that the Defence Headquarters will soon address the nation after full investigation of their latest discovery.

- SR

Boko Haram Kill Scores In Borno Market

Mainok market, 56 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital came under Boko Haram attack on Thursday, leaving scores of buyers and sellers dead.

War Against Boko Haram: Nigeria Turns to Russia And China Over Mistrust, Frustration With Western Powers

For many years, Nigeria enjoyed close ties with the West and was seen as a US ally. But the seeming snub or nonchalant attitude towards it by its traditional allies has reportedly compelled Nigeria to turn to Russia and China for the training of its military as well as acquisition of military hardware to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

Scotland Referendum: Scots Reject Independence From UK; Yes Camp Concedes Defeat in Historic Vote

Scots have rejected the chance to break away from the United Kingdom, with the No campaign winning the country's independence referendum.

The poll, which saw more than 80 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots across the nation, became official just after 6:00am local time and saw a 55-45 per cent split between the two camps.

The Cock-And-Bull Story Of The Federal Government Over The Smuggled $9.3million Cash - Festus Keyamo

Barrister Festus Keyamo

I have just read, with some amusement, the position of the Federal Government regarding the cash totaling $9.3million that was seized by the South African authorities as an attempt was made to smuggle it into that country. From my little understanding, the Federal Government’s position can be summarised as follows:

Seized $9.3m Scandal: South Africa Insists on Criminal Probe

There are strong indications that efforts of the Nigerian Government to ensure amicable settlement of issues surrounding the $9.3m seized by South Africa have failed.

Nigerian Troops Capture "High Ranking Boko Haram Commander", Kill 60 Insurgents In Konduga

Wednesday, September 17, 2014 was a bad day for stubborn Boko Haram terrorists operating in the North East as they lost scores of their members during repeated attempts to enter Konduga, about 70 kilometres to Maiduguri.

Red Cross Brokering Secret Prisoner Swap Deal With Boko Haram To Free Abducted Chibok Girls

Abducted Chibok School Girls

The International Committee of the Red Cross has become involved in a secret prisoner swap deal to secure the release of the Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram, the Telegraph has learned.

Let Us Probe Nigeria’s Defence Spending By Sonala Olumhense

Two things are particularly disturbing.  The first is the superior firepower that the murderers possess, and the capacity they have developed, in less than five years, to use them. The second is the intelligence and tactical sagacity that Boko Haram now appears to possess. 

Suspected Fulani Gunmen Kill Soldier, 32 Villagers In Kaduna

Armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, on Tuesday night raided three communities in Sanga Local Government Area, in the Southern part of Kaduna State, killing no fewer than 32 villagers. The attackers, it was learnt, also killed a soldier and injured four others in an ambush.

D-Day For Scottish Independence Referendum: "Should Scotland Be An Independent Country?"

People in Scotland have begun voting on whether the country should stay in the UK or become an independent nation.

Voters will answer "Yes" or "No" to the referendum question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

Synagogue Church Collapsed Building: Death Toll Hits 80, 300 South Africans Plausibly In Synagogue

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that no fewer than 80 bodies had been evacuated from the site.

The South West Information Officer of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed that about 5p.m., 17 more bodies were recovered, bringing the total number to 80. None has been rescued alive in the last 24 hours. The number of survivors, however, remains 131.

15 Soldiers of 23rd Armoured Brigade Yola Court-Martialed, Jailed 4 Years’ For Refusal To Fight Boko Haram

Reports from the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Yola, has revealed that no fewer than 15 soldiers were court-martialed and each sentenced to four years’ jail following their refusal to go to the war front in the northern parts of Adamawa State.

Soldiers Kill Over 400 Boko Haram Terrorists In Borno Villages

At least 400 members of the Boko Haram terrorist group were killed in the last three days by soldiers during separate shootouts in different parts of Borno State, security sources said.

Breaking News: Scores Killed As Bomb Blast, Gunshots Rock Federal College of Education (FCE) Kano

At least 15 students of the Federal College of Education, Kano, were killed in a suicide bomb attack in the institution on Wednesday, while 34 others were seriously injured.

Nigerian Bank IT Staff Wanted For Masterminding A $40Million Cyber-Theft From Bank

A Nigerian Bank IT worker - Mr. Godswill Oyegwa Uyoyou is being sought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for his alleged role in co-ordinating a £25m ($40m) cyber-theft at a bank in Abuja where he worked.

Pastor Oritsejafor Admits Having Vested Interests In Aircraft Used In Smuggling $9.2m To South Africa

The President of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) Pastor
Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday explained he has vested interest the Bombardier Challengers 600 jet which smuggled $9.3m cash into South Africa.

10 Trending Social Media Scams To Watch Out For

Scams on social networks are nothing new, but they're constantly changing to keep up with and take advantage of the latest apps, trends, and news. Here are some of the most recent scams that are making the rounds. 

Two Nigerians, Israeli Smuggle $9.3million To South Africa To Buy Weapons

South African police are investigating two Nigerians and an Israeli citizen who tried to bring $9.3 million in cash into the country illegally, a spokesman said on Monday.

There were suspicions that the money could be meant for arms. The Nigerians, coming from Abuja, were not identified, according to a report by Reuters.

Mutiny Trial: 12 Soldiers Who Attacked GOC Sentenced To Death

A military court sitting in Abuja on Monday found 13 out of the 18 soldiers standing trial for mutiny and other offences guilty.

Twelve of the convicted soldiers were sentenced to death, five were discharged and acquitted while the remaining one was jailed for 28 days with hard labour.

Nigeria Set To Establish Special Forces Brigade To Tackle Terrorism – Jonathan

The Federal Government is contemplating the establishment of new Special Brigade Forces in addition to to the existing forces under the Nigerian Armed Forces.

President Jonathan Demands 100% Loyalty, Courage From Soldiers

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday called on soldiers to demonstrate 100 per cent loyalty to the nation.

The president made the call when he addressed cadets at the Passing-out Parade and Commissioning of 61 Regular Course and Short Service Course 42 at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

Prophet T.B. Joshua Blames Boko Haram For The Collapse of Synagogue Church Building

The founder and General overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet T. B. Joshua has said Boko Haram may be responsible for the collapse of a six-storey building in the church premises.

Joshua, who told members of his church on Sunday not to be afraid, said the attack was targeted at him and not at them. The prophet made it clear that the collapse of the six-storey building at around 11.45am on Friday which led to the death of no fewer than 44 persons was a Boko Haram attack.

Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet Missing After Mission In Adamawa

A Nigerian Air Force Alpha jet has been missing for some days now after disappearing in the country 's far northeast , where troops are fighting Boko Haram insurgents , the military has said.

Obasanjo’s Son, Other Soldiers Injured During Battle With Boko Haram in Mubi

Son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Lt-Col. Adeoye Obasanjo who is commanding a platoon in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgent operations, was said to have  been shot in the battle for Mubi, Adamawa State alongside few other soldiers.

The younger Obasanjo,  an army engineer was reported to have been shot, sustaining   minor injuries during exchange of fire with Boko Haram terrorists while on their way to liberate Michika following sustained hours of aerial bombardment.

A highly placed military source confirmed the incident, saying "his injuries are not life threatening. He is currently receiving treatment".

"I can confirm the incident is true. He is a committed military officer on duty".

Several efforts were made to get confirmation from the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade  failed as his phone numbers were switched off.

However the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig-Gen. Olajide Lalaye said that while scores of terrorists were killed in the incident,   with few soldiers sustaining injury, he could not confirm if Obasanjo's son was affected.

  - ThisDay

Acting Inspector General of Police Approves Redeployment of 21 State Commissioners of Police

The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on Monday approved new Commissioners of Police for Akwa Ibom, Delta, Lagos, Rivers and 17 other states of the federation following the “recommendation of the Commissioners to the Police Service Commission and its subsequent approval,” a police force statement by spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said.

The IGP said the postings are “In line with the determination and drive to reposition the Nigeria Police Force for improved service delivery.
”The CPs are Usman Yakubu who would now head Nasarawa State Police Command; Isaac Achong, CP, Akwa-Ibom; Paul Okafor, Kogi; Hyacinth Dagala, Benue; Farouk Umar, Jigawa; Salihu Garba, Kwara and A. Shodipo, Oyo State.

Others are Abubakar Marafa, Osun; Clement Adoda, Borno; Kayode Aderanti, Lagos; Usman Baba, Delta; Dan Bature, Rivers; Karma Hassan, Anambra; Titilayo Busari, Cross River; Valentine Ntomchukwu; Bayelsa; Frederick Lakanu, Ekiti; and Ademola Omole, Taraba.

Also affected by the deployment were Olusola Amore, Niger, Adejoh Adaji, Adamawa, Ishaku Barau, Kebbi and
Acting CP, Wilson Inalegwu, FCT.

  - Guardian

Insurgency: President Jonathan Holds Talks With Chadian President - Idriss Deby in Chad

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is to travel to Ndjamena today for talks with his Chadian counterpart, President Idriss Deby, in continuation of the Federal Government’s efforts to forge a stronger alliance against terrorism and violent extremism ravaging northern Nigeria and her neighbours.

The talks in Ndjamena with President Deby, who is also the current chairman of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, were to come as follow-up on discussions in Nairobi, last week, on the sidelines of the African Union Peace and Security Council Summit.

Presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, in a statement on Sunday, noted that President Jonathan and his host would discuss the further actualisation of agreements for greater cooperation against insurgents and terrorists reached by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon at a meeting in Paris, earlier this year.

Their talks, he said, were expected to lead to the strengthening of the Paris accord on joint border patrols, intelligence sharing and the prevention of the illicit movement of terrorists, criminals, arms and ammunition across shared borders.

Before returning to Abuja on Tuesday, President Jonathan, who will be a special guest of honour at an international conference on Information Technology and Communication holding in Ndjamena on the same day, will be accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed and the Director-General
of the National Space Research and
Development Agency, Professor Sheidu Mohammed.

  - Tribune

Adamawa State University Shut As Boko Haram Overruns More Towns In North-East

To forestall an attack on students, the Adamawa State Government shut the state university in Mubi as the
insurgents overran Uba, a town five kilometres from Mubi.
Other towns taken at the weekend by Boko Haram fighters are: Michika and Bazza. Both towns, along with Uba, are in Hong Local Government Area.

But the sect suffered a major setback, with no fewer than 50 of its men killed in a military raid in Borno State. The army said yesterday that security forces raided a “hideout” of suspected Boko Haram members in Kawuri, a village about 37km from Maiduguri, the state capital, on Saturday.
The suspected fighters were planning an attack, the military said.
Heavy artillery, including anti-aircraft guns and an armoured vehicle, were seized in the raid. Three soldiers
were injured, the army said.

But the sect’s fighters seized more towns in Adamawa State, following the success they recorded in attacks on some villages on Friday when they took Gulak, the headquarters of Magadali Local Government, Kirchinga, the hometown of Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, Duhu
and Shuwa.

Uba, a town five kilometers to Mubi was also overrun by the sect.
Some Michika residents, speaking on the telephone, said the insurgents commanded some of the youths to join them for the “work of Allah”.
Another resident said: “When the insurgents met me on the road in Michika, they said I should follow them to work for Allah. They asked me to go home and prepare to follow them to fight the cause of Allah but I decided to run and hide.”

A resident of Bazza spoke of how the sect’s fighters stormed the town, “shooting sporadically, using artillery
gun and other heavy weapons but from time to time Air Force jets were dropping bombs”.

The Adamawa State Government on Saturday confirmed that the government had lost to the insurgents many towns, including Gulak and Michika.

The Associated Press reported yesterday that Boko Haram fighters seized more towns along Nigeria’s northeastern border with Cameroon. They were adopting a new strategy of encouraging civilians to stay, witnesses told the news agency.
“They assured us that they will not attack us, but people began to run for their lives. Some of us have fled for fear that after subduing the soldiers, the insurgents will turn their [gun] barrels on us,’’ Michael Kirshinga, a resident of Gulak, said after the town was attacked.

  - The Nation

Al Shabaab Name New Leader Aftermath of U.S Strike That killed Former Leader, Promises Revenge

MOGADISHU, Sept 6 (Reuters) -
The Somali Islamist militant group
Al Shabaab confirmed on Saturday that its leader Ahmed Godane had been killed in a U.S. air strike this week and named a new leader, promising "great distress" to its enemies.

U.S. forces struck Godane's encampment in south-central Somalia with Hellfire missiles and laser-guided munitions on Monday, but the Pentagon did not confirm his death until Friday.
Western governments and neighbouring countries want to neutralise a group that they say has exploited Somalia's chaos to attract jihadists and train them to fight.

In a statement, Al Shabaab reaffirmed its affiliation to al Qaeda, and named its new leader as Sheikh Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah, warning its enemies to "expect only that which will cause you great distress".
Little is known of al Shabaab's new
leader, but a local elder who asked not be named said he had joined al Shabaab in 2006 and, like Godane, hailed from the Dir clan.
Godane himself was named head of al Shabaab in 2008, less than a week after his predecessor Aden Hashi Ayro was killed in a similar U.S. raid.

Godane dramatically raised the group's profile, carrying out bombings and suicide attacks in Somalia and elsewhere in the region, including last September's attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, in which 67 people died.

Godane publicly claimed responsibility for that attack, saying it was revenge for Kenyan and Western involvement in Somalia and noting its proximity to the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
The militants have also staged guerrilla attacks in parts of the capital, as well as in neighbouring Kenya and Uganda.

The Pentagon said on Friday that
Godane's killing was a "major symbolic and operational loss" for al Shabaab, but some analysts have said it could bring more violence.

Al Shabaab, whose name means "The Youth", said two of Godane's companions had been killed in the
attack, adding: "Avenging the death
of our scholars and leaders is a binding obligation on our shoulders that we will never relinquish or forget, no matter how long it takes."

The group, which aims to impose its own strict version of Islam, controlled Mogadishu and the southern region of Somalia from 2006 until 2011. It was forced out of the capital by peacekeeping forces deployed by the African Union, who have launched a new offensive against the Islamists this year.

Kenya deployed troops with the AU
force to try to prevent al Shabaab
encroaching onto its own territory,
and suffered retribution in the shape of the attack on the Westgate mall.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta
thanked the United States for killing Godane, and "for bringing an end to Godane's career of death and destruction; and finally allowing us to begin our healing process".

- Reuters

Ex Army Chief - Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika Denies Been A Boko Haram Sponsor

Erstwhile Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, has described the allegation of sponsorship of the Boko Haram sect leveled against him by Dr. Stephen Davis as frivolous and
unfounded. He said the careless allegation was meant to divert the attention of the country and its
security agencies and also divide the country along religion and ethnic lines.

In a chat with journalists at the National Defence College, Abuja on Friday, Ihejirika warned against giving undue attention to the Australian’s claims.
He suggested that such allegation would have been dismissed if it was made in a developed country like the United States or the United Kingdom. The ex-Army boss added that some people considered his handling of the counter insurgency campaign high-handed, saying he owed such people no apologies.

His words: “If this accusation was made in a country like US or UK, it would not be discussed for one hour because they would wave it aside. But they are exploiting our traditional fault lines, a multi-religious multi ethnic, multi-cultural and young democracy, so what they have tried to do is aimed at achieving what they could not achieve. I have chosen to do this because we cannot allow national security to be toyed with; the need for security awareness in spite of the effort I put in at time and the effort being put by the current leadership of the Armed Forces, the need for security awareness still persists.”

“I want to urge all Nigerians to join hands to support Mr. President and members of the Armed Forces in their onerous task to rid this country of
terrorism. I want to further advise that baseless, unfounded and frivolous allegations like this have the capacity of diverting our attention, away from
the main problem. Nigeria must exist before you can hold a single political office and there is no compromise in the effort to have a peaceful and united Nigeria. Therefore, I have no apologies at all whatsoever to those who thought I was high handed.

“I used to explain to them that the Nigerian Army is not high handed, but every Army makes a lot of efforts to ensure that its troops operate within the rule of engagement.” Ihejirika recalled that his leadership recruited 9000 soldiers in 2013 to beef up the strength of the military and to monitor the borders more effectively. He urged Nigerians to avoid utterances that could bring down the morale of Nigerian troops, a situation which he warned, could be dangerous.

The retired senior officer pointed out that terrorists were waging a media warfare to achieve what they had not achieved through violence. He further
reiterated that he remained unshaken by the attention given to the allegation because of his belief that “we are yet to come to terms with the motives of the terrorists

  - DailyPost

Boko Haram: Nigerian Government Denies Hiring Australian - Mr. Stephen Davis As Negotiator

The Nigerian Government has denied hiring Australia’s Stephen Davis as a Boko Haram negotiator.
The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, who disclosed government’s position on the issue in Abuja on Friday, said the government has no plan of prosecuting any Nigerian for now following the allegations made by the Australian.

Davis has insisted that former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika are Boko Haram sponsors.
He also mentioned an unnamed senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria and an Egypt-based man as those funding the sect.

Davis, who refused to disclose the identity of the CBN official, said his allegations were informed by discussions he had with several Boko Haram field commanders.

But Omeri insisted that government has not hired anybody to negotiate on its behalf with the Boko Haram.
“For now nobody has been hired by the government to negotiate on its behalf with Boko Haram. Anytime the
government decides to do so, it will make it known to the public.
“The government is still investigating the allegations made by the alleged negotiator. However, the government has no plan to question anybody because of those allegations made by the Australian,” he stated.

  - The Nation

Boko Haram Members Marrying Abducted Girls – Watchlist Report

Boys and girls abducted by Boko Haram, including Christian girls, have been forced to convert to Islam and coerced into marrying members of the group, along with other female abductees, a report by Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict noted yesterday.

Watchlist, an international network of
human rights and humanitarian non-
government organizations working to end violations against children in armed conflict, also accused the federal government and other international humanitarian bodies of being slow, fragmented and unable to meet the fast-growing needs of those affected by the conflict in terms of relief response to violations against children.

“Boko Haram abducted these girls and young women from schools and markets, and during raids on villages in areas across Borno State since at least December 2012. Some members of the group raped girls and young women in the camps. None of the girls and women who escaped, and were interviewed by Watchlist, had access to counseling and
other health services”, the group noted.

  - Leadership

Scam Alert! 72-Year-Old Dutch Woman Swindled €200,000 By Her Nigerian Internet 'Lover'

LAGOS— A 31-year-old internet fraudster, Adio Opeyemi Michael, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for defrauding a 72-year-old Dutch woman of €200,000 (about N40.6 million) in a romance scam.

The suspect, who is a native of Owu Local Government Area of Ogun State, was said to have met his victim,
identified simply as Jeanet De Jonge, on Netlog dating site and pretended to be a 41-year-old American citizen working as a chef in a Nigerian restaurant and needs a wife.

Spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, while confirming the report, told Vanguard that the suspect’s profile actually attracted Jeanet and she eventually began sending him money through Western Union and MoneyGram.

He further disclosed that the suspect collected various sums on the pretext that he was going to use the money to perfect his travel plans and obtain the required documents that would enable him travel to Holland to join or visit Jeanet. But his inability or refusal to honour the invitation from Jeanet promptedher to write a petition to the EFCC.

Sources at the EFCC told Vanguard that operatives of the anti-graft agency used information provided by the victim in her petition to track and apprehend the suspect.

Meanwhile, the suspect in his confessional statement said: “She was sending me money monthly, ranging from $800 to $900 from June 2012, through Western Union Money transfer and Money Gram to the extent that Western Union blocked her access.
“So, she requested that I should go to London to enable her send more money there. I contacted a friend in London called Osas Odiah, who was supposed to receive the money and dispatch same to me in Nigeria.
“She first sent €2,000 to my friend’s account in London and he didn’t remit the money to me. I later opened
a Keystone Bank Forex Trade account through which she sent me money.”

According to Wilson, the suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is concluded.

  - Vanguard

Signs, Tips To Forestall Child Abuse

1: Warn your Girl Child Never to sit on anyone's laps no matter the situation including uncles.

2: Avoid Getting Dressed in front of your child once he/she is 2 years old. Learn to excuse them or yourself.

3. Never allow any adult refer to your child as 'my wife' or 'my husband'

4. Whenever your child goes out to play with friends make sure you look for a way to find out what kind of play they do, because young people now sexually abuse themselves.

5. Never force your child to visit any adult he or she is not comfortable with and also be observant if your child becomes too fond of a particular adult.

6. Once a very lively child suddenly becomes withdrawn you may need to patiently ask lots of questions from your child.

7. Carefully educate your grown ups about the right values of sex . If you don't, the society will teach them the wrong values.

8: It is always advisable you go through any new Material like cartoons you just bought for them before they start seeing it themselves.

9. Ensure you activate parental controls on your cable networks and advice your friends especially those your child(ren) visit(s) often.

10. Teach your 3 year old how to wash their private parts properly and warn them never to allow anyone touch those areas and that
includes you (remember, charity begins from home and with you).

11: Blacklist some materials/associates you think could threaten the sanity of your child (this includes music, movies and even friends and families).

12. Let your child(ren) understand the value of standing out of the crowd.

13: Once your child complains about a particular person, don't keep quiet about it.

Take up the case and show them you can defend them.

Remember, we are either parents or parents-to-be.

Please kindly share.