Niger Delta Militants Are Taking Up Arms - Intel Report

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh on Friday revealed that intelligence reports available to the Armed Forces showed that the Youths from the Niger Delta region have started taking up arms and engaging in criminal activities along the creeks and the water ways of the region.

Air Mashal Alex Badeh, who made the revelation during the inauguration ceremony of the permanent complex of the Headquarters of the Joint Task Military Force, Operation Pulo Shield, along Igbogene/ Okolobiri road in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said the increase in illegal arms and ammunition possession by youths of the Region has led to an increase in cases of oil theft, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the region.

Badeh said though the Nigerian Armed Forces entered into an agreement with the Niger Delta youths and former militants to disarm and partner with the Federal Government on empowerment and development initiatives,the recent cases of criminality may force the military to review such agreement and turn its arsenal on the region.

According to Badeh, “Criminalities in the Niger Delta, we thought, have stopped but now they are on the rise again. But I know that our gallant men and women are equal to the task. We are after the bad men, we are good men and darkness can never overtake light. No nation can develop in the presence of so much criminality.”

Source:
Leadership Newspaper

U.S Envisions Security, Terrorism Challenges Confronting Buhari's Administration

The U.S. Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry, has predicted that the new government in Nigeria might face the challenge of protecting its citizens against terrorism threats. Kerry made the assertion in a statement by the African Regional Media Hub of the United States Department of State on Tuesday in Lagos.

Boko Haram - Immigration Detains Germany-Based Nigerian Suspected To Be On Wanted List

A GERMAN-based Nigerian, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, whose name rhymes with that of a terrorist on the federal government's wanted list has been allegedly brutalized by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) attached to the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

Ahmed's Elder brother, Mr. Adam Abdullahi told newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos that Ahmed who came to Nigeria during the last Ramadan holiday was going back to Germany when he was allegedly arrested at the airport and mistaken for the wanted terrorist.

Abdullahi said the 32-year-old Kwara State-born indegin claimed that three NIS officers assaulted him physically adding that one of them hit his head with a rod and left him with a deep cut.

He said all effort to secure Ibrahim's release and claim of innocence were futile as one of the officers simply identified as Alaje insisted on transferring the suspect to the NIS headquarters in Abuja.

Abdullahi also said the intervention of a lawmaker from the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Egberongbe Mufutau who represents Apapa Constituency 1, could not secure the release of the suspect.

"Ahmed called us on Saturday night after we had seen him off that his passport has been seized by immigration officers who claimed that his name was on the list of persons wanted by the federal government. We ran back to the airport and were told by Alaje and Umar who were on duty that the case must be taken to Abuja for clearance. They asked us to return on Monday with a return ticket for our brother and one immigration officer who will accompany him.

"He was made to sleep on the floor of one of the offices and was told that he would need clearance from the presidency to leave the country as his name tallies with that of a terrorist on the wanted list of the Nigerian government.

"But by Sunday night he called again to say he was being beaten by the NIS officers on duty. We went back to the airport only to meet him in the cell. His cloth was soaked in blood while his head was bandaged. He said one of the officers hit him with a rod.

"Ahmed was later taken to Abuja on Tuesday where he was detained. His mobile phone and other valuables were confiscated. Right now he is in Abuja awaiting his bail," said Abdullahi.

An NIS officer at the airport who craved anonymity confirmed the incident and said Ahmed's name appeared on the suspect index of the Service with the instruction 'refer to the comptroller of immigration'. But he said they needed to take the suspect to a detention cell because it was already late.

"The suspect refused to go into the cell. We had to apply minimum force to subdue him," he said.

Source:
allafrica.com

Insurgency Has Become Big Business in Nigeria – Ubani

Excerpts of an interview that Barrister Monday     Onyekachi Ubani granted Daily Independent Newspaper

How would you assess Nigeria's journey of nationhood in over 53 years?

Monday Onyekachi Ubani:
The journey has been very rough; it has not been very smooth. The fact that it is not smooth stems from the fact that we have had leadership that has not been very favourable to the citizenry. We have not had it right with our leadership. It started a bit well in the 60's , we had a little problem here and there. The leadership couldn't’ manage it well and before we knew it the military came and messed up everything, destroyed everything , that it will take nothing less than 100 years to rebuild this country, given the
destruction that was carried out by the military.

They sowed seed of discord, disunity and mismanaged the resources. There is nothing they put right. The census was manipulated. The creation of states and local governments was manipulated by the military. They did more damage and the politicians also came back; they
did not depart from the path of destruction set by the military. They almost followed the same path and have not been able to rise above some of the mediocrities in order to really entrench good governance and set Nigeria on the right path of development. It has been one step forward, several steps backward. Obasanjo had the greatest opportunity: he had the muscle, he had the capacity, he had everything going for him to right the wrong and put Nigeria on the right direction just like it happened in some of the Asian countries like Singapore. In our ethics on democracy, sometimes you’d step on toes in order to put Nigeria on the right path.

You said the rot created by the military will take almost 100 years to clear. Is that the reason why the ruling party in Nigeria has been unable to deliver the gains of democracy since 1999?

Yes. This is because the system is defective. Even if somebody that is righteous comes in, with the way that Nigeria is structured, he may not even make effective change. He may not effect very sufficient changes . President Jonathan may want to do certain good things , but there are contending forces . There are people that come with many things and tell him not to go ahead, even if they know that this the right way. Now look at the appointment of the IGP , look at the reason they advance for his selection , and they had the upper hand. So , even if you know that that is the wrong thing but because of those sentiments and because of the fact that he too knew that he could not retain power if this people are not supporting him, because if these people are against you, you will lose power and you want to remain in power. So , sometimes you go against the interest of the country for your own selfish interest. That is the kind of argument that goes on in our country. Look at what took place in the confab , where some people said ‘ no, we will not allow any region to go higher than us or advance higher than us, every region must advance at the same stage, even if we are going backward, all regions must go backward and wait for everyone to catch up. That doesn't happen anywhere and that is an argument someone was putting up, that if you allow the regions to start developing independently, especially with natural resources that are within their geographical entity, they will just one day wake up and say they are no longer part of Nigeria, because of that, we must all stay together and every resource must be put together and shared. The beneficiaries must come cap in hand, begging for what comes from their land then you now make them remain underdeveloped until all of us catch up. That is the argument
they were putting up and they feel that the argument is very, very sound.

Funny enough, all the regions all the states they have several quantities of mineral resources that if they allow
listen to what those who have foresight are saying , everyone will be a beneficiary because whatever comes from your land, you will now begin to enjoy the competition and will want to add to your own . All those things that have hitherto remained untapped because of oil you are depending upon, you now forget them and begin to act.

In fact, the Americans say that
Nigeria's economy is not dependent on oil, that Nigeria’s economy is depending on agriculture and other mineral resources that are planted all over the land. There are some states in Nigeria that have up to 15 minerals under their soil, that if they explore, they will be one of the richest states in Africa, if not in the world. But because of their short- sightedness , they have resolved to depend on oil.

Is it possible for us to have such a leader like you have mentioned who is ready to step on toes and be decisive so that Nigeria can return to the path of greatness?

It is possible but that person will have to be brutal. If you want to achieve , you come in and tell everyone irrespective of their status in the society that ‘ this is the way to go and you know that this is the way to go for everyone, both for the Hausa , the Yoruba , the Igbo and for all the minorities, and that is if you want to better the lot of everyone. And somebody wants to say, no for their own selfish interest, you have to hit and when you clear them, you have to step on toes and if possible render them irrelevant. When people now begin to see the result, they will align with you. And also, you must be genuine, because if they are thinking you are a thief, a corrupt person , and you don’t have the locus , they will not respect you. And everyone must see you as somebody that is very genuine, that you are not after your selfish interest but national interest. I did it during my tenure as Chairman of Ikeja branch and the result is there for everyone to see. Nigeria is such a complex country that if you don't do it that way, Nigeria will be tattered.

We are scattered, we don’t know what is ideal, what we glorify are those things that are animalistic, that are devilish, we don’t have morality, national ethos. So somebody like that must be a perfectionist, urbane, righteous and straightforward. Someone that is a nationalistic leader that has a vision. He must not even be interested in his national life and have a time frame to achieve his goals. We have such leaders in abundance in this country but for them to emerge, it involves the hand of God.

Some of the recommendations at the ongoing national conference has been hailed by many Nigerians , like the one on part -time legislature, do you think these decisions will be implemented at the end of the day?

The problem is that the Jonathan administration did not set out with a clear- cut understanding of what the confab should stand for. There must
have been an enabling law in the first place that will set up the modalities , the membership and the outcome , that we should go for plebiscite, that people should vote for; rather, he left it
inchoate. You are now planning to take all those resolutions that were reached at the confab to the national assembly and most of the decisions you have taken affect them , so they will not agree with you. They (the resolutions) will be thrown out. Already, the northern region is saying there won’t be creation of any additional state in the East and the confab has agreed that states should be created . And then you are now taking it back to them; definitely, they won’t accept that.

The President recently requested for $1bn to fight insurgency. Don’t you think some people are benefiting from this insecurity situation in the country?

Insurgency has become a big business in Nigeria. Anything that Nigerians see – that is lucrative –they would create a myth around it in order to elongate it; to create more money for them. If we say we are rich and have money, why are we going to borrow one billion? The ones you have spent 3 trillion on, what have you achieved with it? I think they are looking for money for their personal interest and to prosecute the election and also to enrich their pockets .

Source:
Daily Independent

We’ ll Confront Security Challenges With All Our National Endowment — Pres. Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday in Abuja said that the nation would confront its present security challenges with “ all our national endowment ”.
Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Aliyu Gusau (Rtd) said this at the graduation ceremony of Course 22 Participants of the National Defence College (NDC).

“We have made some gains against the adversary, we face an unspeakable evil and we must confront it with all our national endowment .
“And as government we will not compromise our sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“And we will not allow the authority of Nigerian state to be challenged.

Education is a human right which is
invaluable transformational value and is the bases of our development progress.
“We shall not give up that right for some faceless, misguided, self-styled using the means of terror,” he said.
Jonathan called on the populace to close ranks with government to end to insurgency saying: “there is no
challenge that can divide the collective will of the Nigerian .
“May I also use this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that we are committed to bringing back the
Chibok girls alive . ”

He called on the Armed Forces, intelligence and security agencies in the expanded security approach was crucial and urged them to take proactive measures in the discharge of their responsibilities .
“On the part of the government, we are committed to improving institutional capacity, platform and equipment , human and resources endowment of our security agencies to meet these challenges .
“Let me use this opportunity to salute the gallantry of men and women of the armed forces , the police , intelligence and the security agencies and emergency services for their loyal and patriotic service to the nation,
“My heart goes to all the service men that had paid the supreme sacrifice, so that other Nigerians may continue to live in peace and security.

“I wish to convey my personal sympathy to Nigerians, who had in one way or the other suffered human and material loss on account of terrorism, ” he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commandant of the NDC, Rear Admiral Patrick Agholor , said that the
graduation of Course 22 marked the end of another successful academic journey at the NDC.
Agholor said during 44- weeks duration of the course, the participants received series of lecture on a wide range of subjects.
“I therefore, implore you to use the learning experiences, skills and values acquired here as enablers to drive your creativity and innovativeness to
meet challenges, you will face.
“I urge you, therefore, to prepare your minds and be ready to discharge your duties and responsibilities with utmost professionalism, ” he said.

The best graduating participant, Col. Joseph Chima, attributed the success of the participants to hard work.
“It was a very intense course and to have gone through it and top the class was challenging, ” he said.

Col. Cosmas Alhassan a foreign participants from Ghana who emerged as the best foreign participant said the course was educative . He said the knowledge he acquired would come handy in the discharge of duties in Ghana.

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