Insecurity: Fed Govt Introduces Machine Readable Cards at Airports

The Federal Government has introduced machine-readable cards at the country’s five international airports for passengers.
The airport are in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Abuja and Port-Harcourt.
It said the measure was intended to create a database for the movement of persons across borders in the face of challenges.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian  Immigration Services (NIS), David Paradang,  said  at the launch of the cards at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, last weekend, that the cards would ensure accurate data on movement, boost security profiling, and ensure easy facilitation of passengers at the airports.

He said it took the organisation  some time with its partners to design the cards, which  would ensure Nigeria joins other global players in deploying new technology for passenger facilitation at airports.
He said the number of international migrants and  security threats have increased over the years, hence, the need for the cards.
Paradang added that with the development, Nigeria had responded to emerging trends, adding that for the cards to remain relevant, NIS has to look for experts who are proficient in French and Spanish languages.
He said: “The need to accurate data of foreigners coming into the country and those going out, easy analysis of data, easy facilitation and sharing of data among sister agency.”
He said the cards would also make simultaneous scanning of passengers possible, and could attract tourists and business organisations into the country.

Paradang said:  “The machine readable cards are completely different in general from what we used to have before. It was quite a long list, scan them and make facilitation very difficult. The key issue about the current cards is to have facilitation matched with security and the machine readable passports are working with the machine readable cards .

“It makes it faster for people to move through the airport processes and it can generate information that would be used and shared with all security agencies. “Facilitation and security now marry very seamlessly and the question of procurement is not an issue at all because we as immigration service are very key in attracting tourism and investment into this country. We want as many people as possible to choose Nigeria  and that would make our airport faster in processing passengers and in getting the right information faster. More people will like to come to Nigeria.”

He noted that all NIS staff have been adequately trained on the new system, maintaining that the migration to the latest technology began as early as 2007.
Commenting on the cards, the Assistant Comptroller-General, NIS, Zone A, Lagos, Mr. Nuhu Ibrahim, said  the cards were designed to complement operations at borders and enhance security.
He explained that the service would continue to take advantage of new technology in order to boost security points across the country.

The Nation Newspaper

Popular Football Viewing Centre Bombed In Yobe State; 7 Killed, 40 Injured

A bomb blast yesterday rocked a viewing centre in Nayinawa ward of Damaturu, Yobe State capital, where followers of FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 were watching Brazil and Mexico match, killing seven while 40 others were injured.

A resident of the area told LEADERSHIP last night that the incident occurred around 8:40pm during the first half of the match, although details of the attack were sketchy as at the time of filing this report.

The state police command was yet to confirm the incident, but efforts made to reach the state police commissioner, Patrick Egbuniwe, for his comment proved abortive.

Leadership Newspaper

Back-door Talk To Free Abducted Chibok Girls Suffers Setback Due To FG's Intransigence, Mutual Mistrust

The  Federal Government’s back-door talks to rescue the 217 abducted Chibok girls still in Boko Haram’s custody, may have suffered a setback.

The government is demanding an unconditional release of the girls, promising to fulfill the demands of Boko Haram leaders after.
But the facilitators of the talks are seeking a truce which will result in the simultaneous swapping of the girls with some insurgents in detention.
The facilitators/mediators, some of whom are clerics and Northern leaders, are afraid of the consequences of the government reneging on any “deal”.
They think that they may be exposed to danger.

Also yesterday, it was gathered that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is yet to get a Presidential go-ahead for talks with Boko Haram contacts.
President Goodluck Jonathan only gave a verbal approval to him.
Obasanjo wanted a situation where he would sit down with the President and get a firm commitment on offers from the government to the insurgents.

The ex-President may, however, wait for a while because the government was uncomfortable with his comments that the President did not believe the girls were abducted in the first place.
The rescue bid for the girls has been slowed down by some unresolved issues.
It was gathered that there was a major challenge on: agreeing on terms for the release of the girls; and establishing trust that each party will keep to the bargain.
Two sources, who spoke in confidence on the negotiation, the resolution of the two issues is crucial to freedom for the girls.
One of the sources said: “We seem to have a little setback. I think the fear of people who are negotiating is whether the government will honour its own part of the talks.

“The government is demanding unconditional release of the girls whereas the negotiators are seeking simultaneous swapping of some insurgents with the girls.
“The government is saying the insurgents should release the girls and it will unfold its package. There is also a suspicion in government that the insurgents may not live up to their pledge.
“Some of these clerics and Northern leaders are scared that they might be endangered if the government does not make concrete offers to the insurgents.
“The facilitators want to collect the girls and hand over the insurgents at the same time.”
Asked of the attitude of the insurgents, the source, who is believed to be respected by Boko Haram leadership, said: “They have been listening to some of their contacts out of sheer mutual respect but if the government does not act, they do not mind keeping the girls for five years.
“They are prepared to keep the girls. If there are terms acceptable to both parties and firm commitment, anybody can secure the release of the girls.”

Another source said the Federal Government does not have much confidence in Obasanjo’s initiative.
The source said the government would prefer a collective intervention by past Heads of State, as floated last Thursday by President Goodluck Jonathan, than Obasanjo’s singular plan.
It was gathered that Obasanjo’s comments, which alleged that the President did not believe that the girls were abducted made the Presidency to be “cautious” on his initiative.
The source added: “I think there is a problem between Obasanjo and the President. When the two leaders met at the burial of ex-Governor Michael Otedola, Obasanjo told Jonathan what he intended doing and the President said it was a good idea.
“They both agreed to discuss the details later, if Obasanjo is really going into it. The President gave some security insights into the abduction, including the alleged involvement of some people opposed to his administration and some foreign elements.
“But it was shocking to the government when Obasanjo came out and said Jonathan doubted the abduction of the girls. The comments angered the President and some forces in government.

“This is why the President and Obasanjo have not sat down to discuss the modalities of the latter’s initiative. Sensing this, Obasanjo was also absent at last Thursday’s parley on the Chibok girls with past leaders.
“By declaring that not all the girls can return home safely, Obasanjo is not only divulging security matter, he is also doubting his own mission. Do you expect the government to have faith in his initiative?”

It was gathered that Obasanjo refused to resume talks with Boko Haram contacts because he was yet to secure a firm commitment from the President that whatever terms agreed upon would be accepted by the Federal Government.

A third source added: “Obasanjo said he won’t move an inch forward on the talks with Boko Haram again until he gets the consent and commitment on whatever is arrived at from the Federal Government.
“Baba said he cannot act on newspapers reports on the government’s commitment. He does not want to discuss with the insurgents and fail to meet their terms.”

The Nation Newspaper

Hundreds of ‘Boko Haram suspects’ Arrested in Abia, South East Nigeria

HUNDREDS of suspected Boko Haram  militants have been arrested in Abia State.

They were arrested by soldiers attached to the 144 battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State, on Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, on Sunday

The suspects, aged between 16 and 24, were being conveyed in 33 buses when they were stopped at the road between Aro-Ngwa and Imo Gate, on the expressway.

Some of the buses conveying more persons were said to have sped off and escaped arrest.

Although they were suspected to be Boko Haram militants, there was yet no evidence to establish a link between them and the insurgents, who have been unleashing violence on several northern states since 2009.
The suspects reportedly claimed to have come from different parts of the North and were searching for jobs.

Briefing the media on Monday, at the headquarters of the 144 Battalion, Asa, where the suspects were being detained, commander of the battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Rasheed Omolori, said two buses escaped with their occupants.

He said the incident had been reported to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

He did not give any further details.

Also at the briefing were the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Charles Ajunwa and the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr Eze Chikamnayo.

Chikamnayo said the sheer size of the movement made it suspicious, adding that none of the suspects could identify their destination.

He also wondered how such “a long convoy” was not intercepted before it reached Abia State.

“The army and other security agencies in the state were actively investigating the suspects,” he said.

Tribune Newspaper

Boko Haram Writes Chibok Community, Threatens Fresh Attack; Abduction Committee Submits Report This Week

THERE was panic in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, where over 200 female students of Government Girls’ Secondary School were abducted by Islamic militants, Boko Haram, following a letter purportedly written to the people of Chibok by the sect members, informing them of their plans to attack the local government again.

A top local government official in Chibok town, who did not want his name published, revealed this to newsmen in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday.

According to him, when the letter purportedly written by the sect was presented to the police, residents were assured of maximum protection.

“Yet, the police are also complaining of shortage of fuel for their vehicles, as  petrol was not being sold in the local government for fear that the insurgents may use it to burn houses,” he said.

According to the source, the local government had also assured the security operatives that they would buy fuel and keep it with them for their use.

It was also gathered that the council had asked the security agents to ask for reinforcement, as the number of security operatives in the area might not be sufficient to face the insurgents.

“Whenever Boko Haram tells you that they are coming, they never fail to come. Our fears now is that, we don’t know when and how they are going to come, but our people are in great fear.

“We are calling for prayers, as well as on government to provide adequate security in Chibok,” he said.

Abduction: Committee to submit report to Jonathan this week

The report on the abduction of over 200 girls in Chibok will be submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan by the fact-finding committee, this week.

This was made known on Monday by the coordinator of National Information Centre (NIC), Mr Mike Omeri, while addressing newsmen in Abuja.

Omeri, however, appealed to Nigerians and international communities for more understanding and patience towards the effort of the government to rescue the girls.

In another development, Omeri revealed that Nigerian troops had apprehended seven terrorists who infiltrated Maiduguri, Borno State capital, to carry out terrorist missions.

He said in the course of interrogation, the terrorists said they were asked to carry out some bombings and sabotage activities in furtherance of directives of the leadership of the terrorist group.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) boss, however, said further investigations, patrol and surveillance had been stepped up by the troops.

Speaking on the kidnap of a construction worker in Plateau, Omeri said the victim, who had since been released, is a Lebanese national as against media reportage, labelling him a Briton.

He said that the Lebanese was abducted by some armed bandits in Lantang, Plateau State, on Sunday night, but was freed through the efforts of security forces in Angwan Bala in Wase Local Government Area of the state.

Tribune Newspaper

Boko Haram: United States Urges FG To Establish National Victims Fund

The United States Congressional Delegation representatives have called on the Nigerian government to establish a National Victim Funds to cater for victims of terrorism.

“Today we call upon the government of Nigeria to establish a National Victim Fund for all the victims who are suffering at the hands of Boko Haram,” delegation co-chair Sheila Jackson Lee told reporters in the capital Abuja.

They made this call during a press conference at the Unity Fountain in Abuja as part of global efforts to drum up support for the rescue of the teenage girls kidnapped on April 14 from their school in the north-eastern town of Chibok.

The delegation also reaffirmed the commitment of the United States government to ensure that the over 200 abducted Chibok girls are rescued alive.

With a mission of intervention, prevention and pressure on the international community, the congressional representatives said they will not give up until the abducted girls are brought back.

Jackson-Lee, further expressed optimism that their voices will be heard at the highest level of the Nigerian government. Despite noting that time is said to be running out in bringing back the girls, Jackson-Lee said the US military will explore all options available.

“It is time for economic empowerment and jobs, to … give the young people of the north and all around Nigeria the opportunity for jobs and education,” she said.

Leader of the delegation, Steve Stockman, said the US Congress realised that “the best thing that could happen is if we have a fund set up for those that lost their lives and for the families that remain here on this earth.”

Another member of the delegation, Frederica Wilson said their mission in the country was to put pressure on the international community, including the US and Nigerian governments, to help bring back the girls, who range in age from 16 to 18.

“Everyone around us has a responsibility to find these young girls. And we cannot afford to give up until we find all (the) young women who were kidnapped from a school which is supposed to be a safe place,” she said.

Two of the girls who escaped from their captors attended the news conference but were not allowed to speak.

Source:
Channels TV

More Than 50 Die In Ethno-Religious-Violence in Taraba State, Nigeria.

More than 50 people have died today in a violent religious and ethnic conflict that engulfed Taraba State today. A military source who spoke to our reporter added that many more people sustained serious injuries.

Our source disclosed that the ethno-religious fight broke out in Wukari and Ibi towns in Taraba State. “In addition to those who died, over 100 people are badly injured and receiving medical attention in several hospitals in the state,” said the military source.

According to the military officer, “The fight started in Wukari and we were drafted there. While we were there, we received a report that the fight had escalated to Ibi town. Some soldiers were then drafted there and they are carrying out patrols now, but I and a troop of soldiers remain in Wukari.”

The soldier, who disclosed that the fight broke out between Hausa-Fulani Muslims and Jukun Christians, revealed that he and other soldiers had counted more than 50 corpses on both sides of the combatants in addition to more than 100 injured victims.

The military source reported that the warring sides had destroyed and burnt numerous houses and business premises. He stated that hundreds of displaced people had fled the area for safety. He also reported that the combatants used sophisticated weapons in carrying out their attacks. “If we had not arrived in full force to contain the situation, many more people would have died because of the caliber of weapons used in this war,” he said. He assured that the soldiers deployed to the two affected towns would be equal to the task of maintaining peace.

Source:
SR

Suspected 'Islamists' Attack Kenyan Coast Town

Suspected Islamist militants have attacked hotels and a police station in the Kenyan coastal town of Mpeketoni, military officials say.

Witnesses reported seeing buildings on fire and hearing gunfire in the town, which is near Lamu island.

It is not yet clear if there are any casualties.

Kenya has suffered a number of militant attacks since 2011 when its forces entered neighbouring Somalia to combat al-Shabab fighters.

Kenya's Standard newspaper said on its website the attackers had stolen weapons and vehicles from the police station, which was on fire.

It said local residents had fled to nearby forests.

The paper also quoted a witness as saying he had counted six bodies in the street, but this could not be confirmed.

Van hijacked

Kenyan army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said gunmen entered Mpeketoni, a busy trading centre, and started "shooting people".

The "assailants [are] likely to be al-Shabab," Major Chirchir said.

He said surveillance aircraft were looking for the attackers.

Local police chief Hamaton Mwaliko told Reuters that the gunmen had hijacked a van in nearby Witu town to carry out the attack.

"They raided Mpeketoni police station first," he said.

"Some hotels in the town are on fire. We don't know how many casualties are there for now. We understand the attackers have already fled but our officers are pursuing them."

Nearby Lamu island is a popular tourist destination with ancient architecture that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

BBC

Worshippers Escape Death In Owerri As Police Uncover Deadly Explosives At Winners Chapel- Premium Times

The Police in Imo state, South East Nigeria have arrested six suspects over the discovery of two Improvised Explosive Devices in a church in Owerri, the state capital, Commissioner of Police, Abdumajid Ali, has said.

Worshippers at the Port Harcourt Road branch of Winners Chapel were full of thanks to God for sparing their lives after the police detected the explosives and detonated them.

A worshipper, Onumara Onyekachi, told PREMIUM TIMES, “I was about getting ready for the second service when a friend posted this “Breaking News!!!!!! Police Anti Bomb squad has just detonated two bomb explosives planted at Winner Chapel PH road Owerri”

“I made a few calls and confirmed that it was true.”

The police believe the explosives were planted on Saturday night and timed to explode after worshippers had gathered for worship on Sunday.

-Premium Times

Kidnappers Abduct Briton in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

The Special Task Force (STF) in-charge of internal security in Plateau State yesterday confirmed the abduction of a foreign national in the state by suspected kidnappers.

The abducted victim identified as a British national working with Rick Rock Construction company was declared missing in Langtang North Local Government Area of the state.

Media and Information Officer of the STF, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, who confirmed the unhealthy development, noted that the incident occurred on Saturday morning, stressing that the Task Force had commenced intensive search for the foreigner in the area. According to him, efforts are on top gear with other law enforcement agents to search the entire area so as to yield desired result.

Sunday Mirror gathered that the Nigerian Police Langtang Division and soldiers last night invaded the LGA at about 8pm in search of the missing victim but were yet to make locate his whereabouts as at the time of filling this report.

Meanwhile, the Berom community in the state yesterday expressed fresh concern over incessant attacks by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in the state.

The gunmen, they said, are daily stationed in the mountains and rocks from where they launch attacks on identified Berom communities.

The National Caretaker Chairman of Berom Youth Movement (BYM), Mr. Rwang Dantong, in a statement issued in Jos yesterday, maintained that the aim of the attacks which he noted had led to the killing several people and destruction of property was aimed at forcefully ejecting the residents from their ancestral homes.

The statement alleged that the most worrisome aspect of the attacks was the involvement of security agents who connive with the attackers to unleash mayhem on the communities.

He listed some of the communities which had been taken over by the gunmen to include Rakok, Kubong, Dogo, Gyo, Pwa-Beduk, Rantis and Sharu in Barki Ladi Local Government Area of the state. Others, according to him, include Mase, Shong 2, Rakweng and Kampwas in Riyom LGA.

While expressing the helplessness of the people to confront the gunmen, the statement called on the Federal Government to intervene in the situation so as to prevent further loss of lives in the affected communities.

National Mirror

Extradition of Nyanya Bombing Suspect From Sudan Stalled Due To 'Lack of Extradition Treaty and Intervention of a Powerful Northern Monarch'

There were strong indications, yesterday, that Nigeria's security agencies have commenced a high-level investigation of a monarch in northern Nigeria, suspected to have links with Boko Haram.

The investigation followed the intelligence gathered from Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, regarding difficulties being faced by Nigeria in extraditing Aminu-Sadiq Ogwuche, the alleged mastermind of the April 14, 2014, bombing of Nyanya motor-park, near Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, where over 100 lives were lost.

The “situation was so embarrassing that the jet, provided by the Nigerian government to convey the suspect from the Sudanese capital, Khatoum, returned after waiting for three days without making a headway in the extradition process”.
Information made available, late last night, from the base of the traditional ruler, Sudan and Abuja, suggested that the focus of the investigation of the monarch had to do with funding and remittances allegedly made with a view to blocking the extradition of Ogwuche.
It was learnt from the multiple high-level sources that the sudden uncooperative disposition of the Sudanese government in the matter “is not unconnected with the influence which the traditional ruler is known to wield in Sudan, as well as his contacts over the years in that Islamic country”.

It was discovered that the main reason for the “forceful blocking of the extradition of Ogwuche is to stall any possibility of his return to Nigeria and buckle under intense interrogation and possibly reveal the names of the sponsors of the insurgents”, the source said.

'No Extradition Treaty
Sudan whose President, Omar al-Bashir, is wanted by the International Criminal Court, ICC, for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, has no bilateral agreement with any country in the world on extradition of criminals.

Recall that Army deserter, Aminu Ogwuche was declared wanted by the Department of State Services, DSS, after linking him to the deadly blast in Nyanya which claimed over 75 lives.
The Sudanese government is said to uncomfortable with the arraignment of the suspect in absentia and casts aspersions on the genuineness of the allegations against Ogwuche  is arraignment in absentia, saying that he (Ogwuche) could have been framed.

The Police Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, had, shortly after the Nyanya bomb blast, hinted that Interpol had issued a red alert for the arrest of Ogwuche, who was once arrested on suspicion of terrorism but released following pressure from human rights groups and the father of the suspect.

Culled from:
Vanguard Newspaper

United States Slams $18m Bounty on Boko Haram, Ansaru and 3 African Militants

WASHINGTON  (AFP) – The United States posted $18 million in rewards Friday for the capture of four African militants involved in the kidnapping of foreigners and attacks on Western targets.

Some $5 million each was offered for a former member of Nigeria’s Boko Haram and two founding leaders of the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) based in the Maghreb region.

A fourth reward of $3 million was set for an Egyptian extremist who has plotted against the US, the State Department said.

Khalid al-Barnawi was named as a leader of the Nigeria-based group known as Ansaru that split from Boko Haram in early 2012, the agency’s Rewards for Justice program said in a statement. The group has close ties to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and was behind the kidnapping of seven foreigners in a raid on a construction site in restive northern Nigeria in February 2013. The seven from Britain, Greece, Lebanon and Italy were later executed by their captors.
Barnawi also reportedly helped plan the May 2011 kidnapping by Ansaru of a British and an Italian engineer, who were both killed 10 months later.

“Ansaru originated as a faction of Boko Haram, has close ties to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and has sought to target Westerners, including US citizens,” the State Department said.

It also named Hamad el-Khairy and Ahmed el-Tilemsi as founding leaders of MUJAO, and former members of AQIM. Tilemsi took part in the kidnapping of two French nationals in Niamey, Niger in January 2011. The men were later executed in Mali after an attempt by French special forces to rescue them failed.
As a military leader of MUJAO, Tilemsi also aided the abduction of three European aid workers in Algeria from a refugee camp in Tindouf, in October 2011.
MUJAO claimed to be behind that kidnapping — the first time that the group emerged to the fore saying it was an offshoot of AQIM.

The three Europeans were finally released in July 2012 in Mali in exchange for three Islamists held by Mauritania.
While still a member of AQIM, Khairy planned attacks in Mauritania and took part in the December 2008 abduction of UN envoy and Canadian Ambassador Robert Fowler in Niger.
He had also ordered the 2011 kidnapping of the three European aid workers in Algeria, in which two people were also wounded.

Khairy has also claimed responsibility for the April 2012 kidnappings of seven Algerian diplomats in Mali. At least one of the hostages were later killed, and three were freed.

Rewards for Justice also offered $3 million for Egyptian explosives expert Abu Yusuf al-Muhajir, a former member of the Tawhid w’al Jihad Egypt, described as an extremist group active in the Sinai Peninsula from 2004 to 2006. "Abu Yusuf was involved in attack planning against a variety of targets in Egypt, including US interests,” the State Department said.

Yahoo News

Borno State Cattle Breeders Association Says Purported Abduction Of Fulani Women Untrue

The Borno State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, known by the acronym MACBAN, on Thursday, denied media reports that Fulani women were abducted by Boko Haram members in Borno last week.

Alhaji Amadu Musa, who is Chairman of the MACBAN in Borno State, in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, the state capital, said the reported abduction of 20 Fulani women was “not true.”

“We need to tell the world that there is nothing like that. All (of) our women and girls are (safe and) intact. It takes us this long to respond because; we made series of consultations to avoid issuing conflicting statements that will generate tension.

“Though our people are nomads who frequently move in search of pasture, I have representatives in all the 27 local government areas of Borno State. We have lamido’s and Ardo’s in all localities. We took the time to consult all of them, and there was no reported incident of abduction. I believe the whole furor is the creation of some people,” Alhaji Amadu Musa said in his talks with reporters.

He added that, “our representatives in all towns and villages near Chibok, met on Thursday at Askira Uba, and none of the officials had any incident of abduction in his domain. We equally crosschecked with our people coming back with their cows, and families, to the extreme northern part of Nigeria from (the) southern part of the country, and confirmed that all are well,” Alhaji Amadu Musa concluded.

SR

Obasanjo: "I Have Access to Boko Haram, Some Chibok Girls May Not Return", Bemoans Government's 'Cold Shoulder'

LAMENTING the continued detention of the Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram insurgents, former President Olusegun Obasanjo Thursday declared that some of them may never return.

In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa  Service monitored in Kaduna Thursday, Obasanjo  said that perhaps succeeding generations would continue to remember those female students who were abducted by suspected Boko Haram members in April.

He disclosed that only those girls who would later get pregnant and find it difficult to cater for the babies in the forest who might be released by the insurgents.

Obasanjo said that he had ways of communicating with the suspected Boko Haram members but the government had not permitted him to do so.

He noted that the girls might have been separated, and were not kept in the same location.

He said: “I believe that some of them will never return. We will still be hearing about them many years from now. Some will give birth to children of the Boko Haram members, but if they cannot take care of them in the forest, they may release themselves.”

A human rights activist, Mallam Sani, who spoke with The Guardian in an interview, explained that Obasanjo recently revived a plan for dialogue with the insurgents’ family members, but the government had not shown any interest.

According to him, the anti-terrorist laws in the country forbid any individual or group delving into such matters unless the government gives a waiver for such an intervention.

Guardian Newspaper

Al-Shabab Attack on Somali Parliament; Lessons For Nigeria, Please Stop The Buck-Passing, Take Responsibility and 'Step Aside'

Written By Don Okereke

Date: Saturday, 24th May 2014; Incident: Al-Shabab launched a kamikaze attack on Somali Parliament Building while scores of politicians were meeting killing at least 17 people; Consequence: Somalia's National Security Minister, Abdikarim Guled threw in the towel aftermath of the daring assault by Al-Shabaab fighters. Tendering his resignation, Mr. Guled said: "You are aware of the cowardly attack that the violent elements carried out on the Parliament. I extend my condolences to the families of the diseased...considering the current situation of the country, I officially hereby announce my resignation".

In South Korea, erstwhile Prime Minister Chung Hong-Won apologized to South Koreans on National Television and subsequently resigned due to a Ferry mishap that claimed the life of about 200 South Koreans. For sure the Prime minister is not directly responsible for the mishap but he took responsibility. In his resignation, Mr. Chung said: "I should take responsibility for everything as the prime minister... So I will resign as prime minister". And he did. If Mr. Chung were to be a Nigerian, some jesters from his clan, his in laws and those benefiting from the status quo will take to the street, threatening fire and brimstone why he must continue in office. What a country!

In India, the then Home Minister, Shivraj Patil and the National Security Adviser, M.K Narayanan both tendered their resignation in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.

Juxtapose the aforementioned random case studies with the wanton insecurity, terrorism, insurgency miasma in Nigeria that has become an international embarrassment, yet those directly responsible for Nigeria's security are clinching to their  lordly positions at all cost and without shame.

It took three weeks of global media frenzy and outrage for the Nigerian government to even come to terms and acknowledge that nearly 300 Chibok School girls were abducted by Boko Haram. Then they started running helter skelter, bandying alibi's, blaming everyone else but themselves. As if this faux pas is not enough, the Presidency reportedly issued a statement asking #BringBackOurGirls protesters to channel their protests to Boko Haram and not to the Presidency. May I with utmost sense of responsibility remind the Presidency that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of life and properties.
Aso Rock should be aware that the buck stops at the table of whosoever is the current President and Commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigerians did not vote for Boko Haram, but for the President and gave him the mandate and the power to do all that is necessary to guarantee the safety of life and properties.

The President have a potpourri of Security and Intelligence agencies at his disposal to contain this ugly situation stifling the country. It is unbecoming off-loading his frustrations on  disenchanted innocent Nigerians whose only sin is daring to remind his government to sit up. If anything, he should blame, hold his security echelon responsible for their ineptitude and failure to maintain the peace.

A botched Immigration Service recruitment exercise by Nigeria's Ministry of Interior snuffed life out of 20 promising Nigerian youths. It took a lot of heckling before the Minister of Interior tendered a half-hearted apology, yet he clinched to his plumb job. Till date the Minister refused to reimburse applicants of this ill-fated exercise, the N1,000 they paid as application fee. A committee was assembled to look into the matter and that was it.

Sequel to a paper-tiger "rebasing" of the nation's economy, we are told Nigeria is now the "biggest" economy in Africa. The government of the day ascribed with pageantry, this titular achievement as part of their "transformation agenda". They bask in taking credit for good things even though they may have no hand in it, but play the ostrich, blaming phantom enemies when something sinister happens and for wanting to bring down the government.

A very conservative Amnesty International estimate says the Boko Haram menace may have snuffed life out of 1,500 innocent Nigerians. In a country where we have a National Security Adviser, Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, I.G of Police, D.G of State Security Service, D.G of National Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, etc, etc, none deems it fit to take responsibility for the current state of insecurity in Nigeria.

Two months after the Chibok school girls were abducted by Boko Haram, discordant opinions emanating from the seat of government is neither inspiring nor encouraging. All we hear every day is finger-pointing, buck-passing, a penchant for policy summersault and doublespeak. One of them bandies a "soft approach", another tells us the government is negotiating, yet another refutes the preceding assertion. A spin doctor issues a trite press release assuring Nigerians 'the government is on top of the situation'. A wishy-washy committee is swiftly assembled, monetary allocations (a piece of the national cake) is doled out to the geezers, the issue peters out and it is business as usual again. Off they globetrot on their chartered/private jets.

Whilst #OgasAtTheTop in Nigeria carouse, ensconce themselves in their multi-billion naira fortified fortresses, travel on their armoured plated SUV's, poor Nigerians are the pawns in the ongoing brinkmanship, chess game they play.

Just recently, President Barrack Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan, yet Aso Rock spin doctors are busy bandying hogwash alibi's aimed at exonerating the immense insensitiveness and the inability of the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to visit Chibok, a section of the country he governs. If not for any other reason, such a visit will improve the battered image of the President as well as bring some succour and encouragement to families of the abducted girls and also boost the morale of our soldiers fighting the insurgents. Take a cue from the Americans, such a visit does not have to be announced, it's called a "surprise visit".

Our security agencies must do more work and less talk (propaganda). Are they not endangering the lives of the abducted Chibok girls by insinuating they have discovered where the girls are held up? Until Osama Bin Laden was killed, American security, intelligence agencies, particularly the Navy SEAL Team 6 that carried out the operation refrained from unguarded utterances.

Now we don't need to travel to Europe, the United States or South Korea for global best practices. Folks at the helm of affairs in Nigeria should take a cue from Somalia's National Security Minister.

Is it not a shame that a so-called rag-tag Sect is not just holding plus or minus 300 Chibok girls and now women hostage but the entire country of 160 million people comprising Generals, world-acclaimed high-flying Spiritual/religious juggernauts? How many more innocent Nigerians will be abducted, hacked to death by these bloodletting goons before geezers at the echelon of leadership take responsibility?

Please take responsibility, walk the talk or 'step aside' if you are bereft of ideas or your wishy-washy idea is not fit for purpose.

Don Okereke
Ex-Serviceman, Passionate, Versatile Security Analyst/Consultant, Writer/Blogger, Change Agent, Advocate.

www.donokereke.blogspot.com
donnuait(a)yahoo.com