Leadership Crisis: Police Seal Ondo Assembly

The ongoing crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday took a new twist as the Ondo State police command sealed off the  Assembly complex.

The closure of the Assembly complex according to investigation, was to prevent a fracas which would have occurred at the Assembly between two warring factions laying claim to the leadership of the hallow chamber.

Some aggrieved members of the House of Assembly had on Friday impeached the speaker, Rt Hon. Jumoke Akindele , deputy speaker, Hon. Fatai Olutu and majority leader, Hon. Dayo Akinsoyinu over allegation of financial mismanagement.

They hurriedly appointed Hon. Malachi Coker representing Ilaje Constituency 1, Hon. Ayodele Arowele from Owo Constituency 1 and Hon. Olamide George, representing Akure North Constituency as the speaker, deputy speaker and majority leader respectively in acting capacity.

But the embattled speaker had insisted that she remains the speaker because her removal did not meet the constitutional requirement.

To this end, the legislators loyal to Hon. Malachi Coker yesterday’s morning gained entrance to the Assembly premises as early as 6:00 a.m. and the acting speaker immediately sat on the speaker’s seat in readiness for the day’s plenary.

The Akindele’s faction later stormed the Assembly and the embattledspeaker personally challenged Coker that he has no right to sit on the peaker’s seat.

But Coker told her she is no longer the Assembly speaker because she had been impeached. This resulted to altercation between the two factions.

It was the quick intervention of police led by the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, that prevented break down of law and order .

The security operatives who were already at the Assembly premises immediately ordered the lawmakers including the workers out of the Assembly complex

Customs impounds container laden with 661 pump action rifles.

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has seized a truck carrying a container loaded with 661 pieces of pump action rifles. The truck with registration number BDG 265 XG conveying the 1x40ft container with Number: PONU/825914/3 was intercepted along Mile 2 on the Apapa-Oshodi expressway in Lagos. Briefing newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, the Comptroller-General, NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (retd) disclosed that the rifles were concealed in steel doors and other goods in the container. Ali said that the Roving Team of the NCS Federal Operations Unit, FOU, while on patrol, intercepted the Mack truck conveying the container stocked with the rifles and it was taken to the premises of FOU Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos. He said physical examination revealed 49 boxes containing the rifles, while three suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal importation. Photos: Customs seizes container of 49 boxes containing 661 Ak 47 rifles in Lagos He said, “On January 22, 2017, the Roving Team of the NCS Federal Operations Unit, while on information patrol, intercepted a Mack truck with registration number, BDG 265 XG, conveying a 1x40ft container with Number: PONU/825914/3, along Mile 2 Apapa express road. “These Rifles are under absolute prohibition; therefore its importation is illegal. Such deadly contravention of the law is even more unacceptable considering the fragile security situation in some parts of the country. ‘’Already three suspects have been arrested in connection with this illegal importation. They are: Mr. Oscar Okafor, Mr. Mahmud Hassan and Mr. Sadique Mustapha, accompanying the consignment to its destination. ‘’Investigation has already commenced and I have directed that the drag net should be wide enough to fish out all persons involved in the importation and clearing of the consignment.’’ Apparently referencing the situation where the consignment had already been cleared at the port by Customs, Ali said: “Already, the officers involved in the clearance of this container are with the Comptroller FOU Zone ‘A’ Ikeja.” Several cases of interception of illegal arms have been effected by NCS both at port of entry and on transit within the country, with some maritime observers hinting that many of such illegal consignments have also escaped into the country through both land borders and sea ports. The deluge of the arms trafficking has been attributed to the fall out of regional arms conflicts in West Africa and Lybia, where weapons used in the armed struggles end up in other countries such as Nigeria with rising cases of violent crime. The developments were also inflamed by political militancy where politicians employ firearms to further their electoral campaigns, hence huge patronage and incentive for the illegal arms import business. According Ali, yesterday’s seizure “Underscores the determination of the Service to enforce all laws relating to importation and exportation of goods into and out of Nigeria thereby contributing to the economy, security and well being of the country.

Trump executive order: Million sign petition to stop UK visit

More than a million people have signed a petition urging the government to call off President Donald Trump's state visit to the UK, amid a row over his recent immigration measures.

The PM's spokesman, however, said she was looking forward to the visit.

Boris Johnson is to address MPs on Monday amid confusion over whether UK dual nationals of seven banned Muslim-majority countries are affected.

Mr Trump's executive order on immigration has caused anger worldwide.

US airports have seen chaotic scenes as travellers were detained on arrival.

Protests in response to Mr Trump's order are expected to take place after 17:00 in London, Manchester, Bristol, Brighton, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, York, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Swansea and other UK cities.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the row.

The Foreign Office said on Sunday the clampdown should not affect UK nationals travelling to the US, even if they had shared nationality with one of the countries on which restrictions have been placed.

But the US embassy in London has issued a statement telling any citizens of the seven countries in question and also those holding dual nationality not to apply for a visa for the time being.

The petition - which now has nearly 1.3 million signatories - is now the second-most popular on the government's website, which was set up in July 2015.

APC urges EFCC to probe alleged N15m fraud in Ondo Assembly

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged N15 million fraud in the Ondo State House of Assembly. The APC, in a statement issued in Akure on Monday by its Ondo State Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, commended members of the Assembly for changing the leadership over the alleged fraud. The Assembly, had on Friday, Jan. 27, impeached the Speaker, Ms Jumoke Akindele, and other principal officers over allegation of N15 million fraud. The sum of N15 million was allegedly found in the possession of the Assembly Pay Master, Mr Makanjuola Adesina, who told the lawmakers that it was withdrawn on the instruction of the Speaker for a project which he failed to disclose. Adesanya said the discovery was a confirmation of the party’s previous allegations that there was a “looting spree’’ in all the state ministries, departments and agencies. “The removal of the Speaker, Ms Jumoke Akindele, and her Deputy, Mr Fatai Olu, on allegation of fraud is an attestation of Mimiko’s looting spree in all ministries, agencies and parastatals in the state in the last eight years. “The party called on the EFCC to arrest the former Speaker, former Deputy Speaker, and former Majority Leader, Mr Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, for investigations over the alleged N15 million fraud and other financial recklessness in the Assembly. “The Assembly has been a rubber stamp of anything goes, under the leadership of the former Speaker. “It is noteworthy that the honourable members could summon courage this time around to question the leadership of the house, which seems untouchable, by the outright removal of the Speaker and Deputy. “The former Speaker has been of tremendous help to Gov. Olusegun Mimiko in plunging Ondo State into indebtedness to the tune of about N150 billion in loans without due process and commensurate achievements, but rather the money went into private pockets,’’ he said. Adesanya charged the new leadership of the Assembly to prevent the looting of the state treasury by the outgoing government. “We appeal to the new leadership of the Assembly to prevent last minutes looting of the state’s treasury and properties through awards of phony contracts with massive payment of mobilisation feeswithout budgetary allocation,’’ he said. Adesanya said that the party would provide necessary support and information to the EFCC in the course of its investigation into the alleged looting spree and unabated corruption in the state in the last eight years. “We once again applauded the EFCC for a job well done during the arrest of Mr Johnson Ogunyemi, the Chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) over allegation of fraud in the commission. “The party implores the anti-graft agency to beam its searchlight into the various ministries, departments and agencies in the state as we are sure that there are cases of corruption going on in the MDAs,” he said.

Guns in Lagos

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 661 pieces of pump action rifles from China, concealed with steel doors and other merchandise goods, which came in through Lagos port.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Alli, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

Alli said that the Federal Operations Unit, while on patrol, intercepted a Mark truck with registration number BUG 265 XG conveying a 40ft container with number; PONU/825914/3 along Mile 2 Apapa Road, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports  that the consignment was cleared from Lagos port.

The comptroller-general said the truck was immediately taken to F.O.U. premises for physical examination and 49 boxes containing 661 pieces of pump action rifles concealed with steel doors were revealed.

Alli said the rifles were under absolute prohibition, adding that its importation was illegal.

“Such deadly contravention of the law is even more unacceptable considering the fragile security situation in some parts of the country.

“Already three suspects have been arrested in connection with this illegal importation,’’ NAN quotes the comptroller-general as saying.

The Donald Trump Fan Detained In His Muslim Ban

THE DAILY BEAST

© ANDREW KELLY / REUTERS

WELCOME TO NEW YORK

The Donald Trump Fan Detained In His Muslim Ban

No known terrorists were among the first detainees under our president’s executive order “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States.”But the detainees did include a 53-year-old avowed Trump fan who fled Iraq with his family after a decade in the employ of the U.S. government, during which he was credited with saving numerous American lives as an uncommonly brave interpreter for the 101st Airborne. Hameed Khalid Darweesh was detained for 19 hours at JFK Airport despite possessing a special visa that took him two years to obtain and happened to be issued on the day of the inauguration.

Upon his release, Darweesh still said this when reporters asked him about Trump: "I like him."

Darweesh then added, “But I don't know. This is a policy, I don't know.”

The policy being Trump’s order to ban immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries—Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen—for at least 90 days, and all refugees for at least 120 days. None are even the familial homeland of any of the terrorists who mounted major attack in America, including 9/11, San Bernardno and Orlando.

The irony of this moment on Saturday became HUGE as Darweesh declared that he had seen America’s true greatness firsthand in the small army of outraged lawyers and activists who mobilized on his behalf as word spread that he and a fellow Iraqi had been detained at JFK Airport even though they had valid visas.

“This is the humanity, this is the soul of America!” exclaimed the Trump fan in giving thanks to those who had hurried to rescue him from Trump policy. “This is what pushed me to move, leave my country and come here.”

Darweesh had been tearful when he first emerged from under the WELCOME TO NEW YORK sign that hangs over the arrivals portal in Terminal 4. He had placed his hands behind his back to show how he had been handcuffed.

“What I do for this country? They put the cuffs on,” Darweesh said to reporters. “You know how many soldiers I touch by this hand?”

Even as he spoke, his story was spreading at the speed of social media to his native Iraq and everywhere else.

“Worldwide,” counter-terrorism cop on the scene later noted.

No doubt the tale of Darweesh’s Trumpian welcome to New York was of particular interest to people in Mosul, where American special forces are now urging the Iraqi army on in a grim and protected battle with ISIS. Darweesh is said by court papers filed Friday seeking his release to have served in Mosul and in Baghdad as an interpreter for the U.S. Army.

Apostle Suleman to appear before DSS with 30 lawyers

The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has formally been invited by the Department of State Services to appear at its National Headquarters in Abuja,SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

Our correspondent learnt on Saturday that the cleric was invited for interrogation on Monday (tomorrow) by 10am, based on his recent alleged inciting comments that Christians should defend themselves against attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

“Suleman will be appearing before the DSS with about 30 lawyers because we believe that his persecution has become politicised,” a source stated.

The invitation is coming four days after Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State foiled attempts by the DSS to arrest Suleman in his Hotel room at Ado-Ekiti.

The Christian Association of Nigeria had also raised the alarm that Suleman “has become a refugee in Ekiti State as security operatives are said to be searching every nook and cranny of the state to arrest him.”

The DSS had reportedly invaded a hotel in Ekiti where Suleman and his team, who were in the state capital for a crusade, were accommodated.

Sources close to Suleman told SUNDAY PUNCH that he had indicated his intention to respond to the invitation.

When contacted, the clerics Communications Adviser, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, confirmed the invitation, saying he would appear before the DSS on Monday.

He said, “Yes, I can confirm to you that he (Suleman) was officially invited and as a law-abiding citizen, he will honour the DSS invitation on Monday. The invitation, though ludicrous and an afterthought, is a welcome development.”

Reacting to the invitation, former Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Ola Makinde, toldSUNDAY PUNCH that Nigeria should not be turned to a “police state.”

Makinde said, “He should be law-abiding, let him go and face the DSS. Let us see if they will detain him and they will detain so many religious leaders in Abuja.

“Nigeria is greater than any religion and Nigeria is greater than anybody. The DSS should watch it. If they like, let me be the next victim. What is annoying them is that Suleman converted from Islam to Christianity.

“Self-defence is permissible; they slapped our first cheek. They slapped the second cheek and we have no other cheek to turn for them. We may therefore resort to self-defence because this thing is becoming intolerable.”

The cleric is expected to tell the DSS how President Muhammadu Buhari would face impeachment threats and how Abuja would experience major fire explosion as contained in his predictions.

Suleman, according to a security source is also expected to give an insight into his prediction that “Buhari will be bereaved in 2017” and that the President’s “health needs attention.”

The security agency is also expected to drill him on his prediction that “Forces in Aso Rock are planning to poison current First Lady (Aisha Buhari).”

The security source said most of the actions and predictions of the prophet could destabilise the country.

Global fury as Donald Trump’s ban on migrants takes effect

Donald Trump’s decision to ban immigration from a string of Muslim-majority nations has sparked fury and anguish around the world as refugees and migrants were prevented from boarding flights to the US.

Holders of passports from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen were stopped at airports, while passengers already in the air were detained in the US. In one incident, five Iraqi passengers and one Yemeni, all holding valid visas, were barred from boarding an EgyptAir flight from Cairo to New York and instead redirected on to flights to their home countries.

A Yazidi woman, who fled an Isis massacre in Iraq in 2014, was stopped from boarding a flight in Baghdad, after waiting months for a visa to be reunited with her husband, who is already in the US.

President Trump has imposed a three-month ban on refugees from the seven countries, claiming that the “extreme vetting” order would “keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the US”.Refugees from Syria are banned indefinitely.

A homeland security spokesman said on Saturday night that green card holders – in effect, permanent residents – will also be covered by the ban, while a senior White House official indicated it was likely to be extended to other countries. A state department spokesman confirmed that travellers from the named countries who have dual nationality will not be able to enter the US for 90 days. Members of religious minorities from those countries will, however, be granted immigration priority.

Trump said that the initial implementation of the plan was working well. “It’s not a Muslim ban,” he told reporters in the Oval Office at the White House. “It’s working out very nicely. You see it at the airports, you see it all over. We’re going to have a very, very strict ban and we’re going to have extreme vetting, which we should have had in this country for many years.”

The Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi tweeted: “Had confirmation that the order does apply to myself and my wife as we were both born in Iraq. Even if we are not dual nat. I’m a British citizen and so proud to have been welcomed to this country. Sad to hear I’ll be banned from the USA based on my country of birth.”

More Republicans speaking out against Trump refugee ban

Several congressional Republicans on Saturday (local time) questioned President Donald Trump's order to halt admission to the US by refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, even as House Speaker Paul Ryan, continued to defend it.

Ryan was among the first lawmakers on Friday to back Trump's order, and his office reiterated his support on Saturday.

"This is not a religious test and it is not a ban on people of any religion," said spokeswoman AshLee Strong.

The order blocks citizens from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Libya from entering the country for at least 90 days. It also bans refugees from anywhere in the world for 120 days - and from Syria indefinitely. Trump said that the goal is to screen out "radical Islamic terrorists" and that priority for admission would be given to Christians

Republicans defending the executive order did so pointed to an exception for people already in transit and argued that some elements, including the religious minority preference, would not immediately be implemented. But as cable news footage brought scenes all day on Saturday of chaos at airports around the country, where business travellers, students and even legal US residents were being barred entry, other Republicans began weighing in.

"This is ridiculous," said Republican Charlie Dent. "I guess I understand what his intention is, but unfortunately the order appears to have been rushed through without full consideration. You know, the many, many nuances of immigration policy that can be life or death for people around the world."

Turned away

Dent, who represents a large Syrian community in the Allentown area, said he was contacted on Saturday by a constituent who had family members turned away early in the morning at Philadelphia International Airport. Six family members who had secured visas and even bought a house in Pennsylvania arrived on a Qatar Airways flight but were returned back within hours, he said.

Dent called on the Trump administration to halt immediately action on the order.

"This family was sent home despite having all their paperwork in order," Dent continued, "so this 90-day ban could imperil the lives of this family and potentially others, and it's unacceptable, and I urge the administration to halt enforcement of this order until a more thoughtful and deliberate policy can be reinstated."

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, said on Saturday that he backs the order but hopes for some resolution for those who were in transit as the order was announced.

"Pausing the intake of refugees from terror hotspots is the right call to keep America safe," Royce said. "I hope cases of individuals with visas travelling as this executive action went into effect - including some who served alongside US troops - will be resolved quickly."

Some conservatives worried that denying entry to permanent residents and green card holders could violate the Constitution. Many worried privately that the order will face significant challenges in court. Republican Justin Amash was among the few GOP members to air his concerns publicly. Amash posted on Twitter that the order "overreaches" and "undermines" the Constitution.

"It's not lawful to ban immigrants on basis of nationality," Amash tweeted. "If the president wants to change immigration law, he must work with Congress."

Senator Ben Sasse credited Trump with properly focusing on protecting the country's borders and said it was necessary to connect "jihadi terrorism" with Islam and particular countries. However, he also noted that the order is "too broad".

"If we send a signal to the Middle East that the US sees all Muslims as jihadis, the terrorist recruiters win by telling kids that America is banning Muslims and that this is America versus one religion," Sasse said. "Our generational fight against jihadism requires wisdom."

The statement from Ryan's office came after several requests seeking comment on how the order differs from the Muslim ban that Ryan rejected during the campaign, whether such a ban is in line with American values and if Ryan is concerned that the order is a first step towards a religious litmus test.

Ryan has been a consistent advocate for increased vetting standards and has frequently said he opposes a complete ban on Muslims entering the country.

"Freedom of religion is a fundamental constitutional principle. It's a founding principle of this country," Ryan told reporters following a closed-door morning meeting at the Republican National Committee in December of 2015. "This is not conservatism. What was proposed yesterday is not what this party stands for. And more importantly, it's not what this country stands for."

The majority of Republicans in Congress were silent on the order on Saturday - including Senate Majority Mitch McConnell. Calls and emails to more than a dozen top GOP lawmakers were not returned. Only one Republican senator contacted for this story had responded at the time of publication.

Conservative advocacy groups, meanwhile, generally supported Trump's actions.

In an interview on Saturday with The Post, Faith and Freedom Coalition Chairman Ralph Reed defended Trump's executive order, calling it an "entirely prudent move" and rejecting the notion that it amounts to a ban on Muslims or infringes on religious liberties.

"It makes perfect sense not to try to build the airplane in the air," said Reed, who advocated hitting "the pause button" on current practices on immigration and refugee policies, over concerns about terrorism.

Congressional aides who did respond generally insisted that Trump was merely adopting a policy that passed the House last year with a veto-proof majority. The seven countries named in the order are currently included in the list of as "countries of concern" by the Department of Homeland Security. People who have travelled to or lived in those countries were already subject to additional scrutiny when applying for visa waivers.

One senior GOP aide said in an email that the executive order was "narrow, a faint shadow of the policy Trump ran on".

The silence is a major departure from the outrage many Republicans expressed when Trump floated a Muslim ban during the campaign. At the time, several leading Republicans, including Ryan and McConnell said proposals to bar visitors based on religion are "completely inconsistent" with American values.

Statements trickled in slowly on Saturday as lawmakers and government agencies scrambled to make sense of how the order would be applied. Confusion over the directive played out at airports across the country as immigration officials attempted to decide how to handle refugees and travellers from those seven nations who were already in transit or on the ground when the executive order was issued.

Several news outlets reported instances of travellers being detained in airports, including Hameed Khalid Darweesh, a 53 year old Iraqi man who spent several years acting as an interpreter for the US Army in Iraq. Darweesh was released from detention in New York's John F. Kennedy airport after two New York Democrats intervened on his behalf.

Several Congressional aides who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the executive order itself does not single out a preference for Christians, and the temporary travel ban is focused on areas where terrorism is a particular concern. One senior aide dismissed as "false" accusations that the order constitutes a blanket policy against Muslims or Muslim-majority nations.

The House voted last year on legislation to suspend the admission of refugees from Syria and Iraq until the White House could certify that no person entering the United States would pose a security threat. Democrats blocked a vote on the legislation in the Senate and it ultimately failed to reach President Barack Obama's desk.

Trump VS Putins

President Trump had his first official phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin today in which the two agreed to develop relations 'as equals' and to establish 'real coordination' against the Islamic State group in Syria, the Kremlin said. 

During their first official conversation since Trump took office, the two leaders showed 'their readiness for active, joint work to stabilize and develop Russian-American cooperation.'

Describing it as a 'positive' exchange, the Kremlin said they touched on many subjects from the Iranian nuclear deal to the Ukraine and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, the tensions on the Korean peninsula and trade relations.

The 'priority' in their talks was the fight against international terrorism.

“Hate” speech: Between Apostle Suleiman and the Sultan of Sokoto

At a two-day conference organized by the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), an inter-governmental organization that promotes dialogue to build peace in conflict areas, the Sultan of Sokoto, in a veiled reference to the recent calls on Christians by Christian leaders to defend themselves against the unabated and murderous attacks of genocidal magnitude by Islamist Boko Haram terrorists and Fulani herdsmen terrorists, called for the arrest of such leaders. One of the most outspoken Christian leaders on the issue of Southern Kaduna killings is Apostle John Suleiman of the Omega Fire Ministry whose video of him calling on his members to fight back against any threat of terror noticed around him or the church went viral and made the DSS to embark on the ill-advised attempt to have him arrested in Ekiti. Thanks to the resistance by Governor Ayodele Fayose. Bishop Oyedepo of the Living Faith Ministries (Winners’ Chapel) had also made similar calls against the murderous Boko Haram sect in a video that went viral recently as well. Also, Pa Adeboye had, in a message that seemed to threaten the Fulani establishment and the stranglehold of Islamic fanatics on Nigeria, called on his members to ensure they register with parties of their choice and participate actively in such parties even at the ward levels. Those who could read the handwriting on the wall understood this as a veiled threat for members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to use their voting power to rout the government of the day which is seen largely as promoting only the Fulani and religious extremism of Sunni Muslims to the detriment of other ethno-religious interests in the country. In calling for the arrest of such leaders whose words shake the very foundation of terrorism and extremism, the Sultan betrays the trust reposed on him as a religious leader. He has to know that when Fulani herdsmen, a people of his ethnic and religious group, relentlessly murder fellow citizens in Agatu, Enugu, Plateau, Abia, Ekiti, Ondo, Southern Kaduna, and other places which are all Christian communities, without being resisted by security forces or arrested even after they confess to such crimes, Christian leaders whose patience have been stretched over the years by such senseless killings would be left with no other choice but to change their message from that of restraint to self-defence. Anyone who has a problem with the message of self-defence being preached by Christian leaders after years of suffering irreparable losses without justice from the authorities will need to have his head examined. It is therefore most unfortunate that the Sulatn would call for the arrest of those who preach self-defence while perpetrators of genocide in Southern Kaduna are walking free. It is even more regrettable that perpetrators of these mindless massacres are rewarded by Mallam Nasir El Rufai, the governor of Kaduna State, rather than being arrested and prosecuted. It was this same El Rufai who in his tweet of July 15, 2012, at 7:51PM said “We will write this for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not that kills a Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes”. Need we look any further to know why the herdsmen seem to be enjoying government cover? With such statement made under the reign of this same Sultan, does one then need to wonder too long why the Southern Kaduna crisis has been left to fester for so long while the Fulani herdsmen killers get compensated? Why is it that the Sultan did not call for the arrest of people like El Rufai then? Or is it because El Rufai is Fulani and Muslim like himself? Is there any message that could cause more friction and crisis between Christians and Muslims than this? Also, on May 14, 2012, during the visit of some members of the Niger State chapter of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to him in Kaduna, Muhammadu Buhari, current president of Nigeria, had made that infamous speech of “dogs and baboons will be soaked in blood” still under the reign of Sa’ad Abubakar 111, yet, the Sultan never called for his arrest. What about the open confessions of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) that they were responsible for the attacks on Southern Kaduna and Agatu, yet, no arrests are made? Who should the Sultan be calling for their arrests and prosecution? Is it those who attack communities, killing men, raping women, maiming children, destroying sources of livelihood, and burning down houses with reckless abandon, or those who call on the victims to get themselves ready and girded for self-defence against such attacks? Most of the religious crises that have happened in this country started after hate speeches by imams from the mosques encouraging worshippers to embark on killing sprees. Who among them was arrested? Or who among them did the Sultan ask to be arrested? It is time we started being brutally truthful to ourselves. It is a further insult to our sensibilities not just as Christians or Muslims but as citizens to hear from the Sultan, the governor and other top government officials that perpetrators of such attacks are not Nigerians but Fulani from neighbouring countries, as if being a foreigner is a licence to come into the country and kill while the government looks away! It was this same Sultan while on a visit to Enugu recently that said there cannot be peace without justice. Having known this fact, why does he think there would be peace when those responsible for these massacres are not being arrested and he is not calling for their arrests or questioning why they are not being arrested? Why is he so fixated on Christian leaders who call their people out to defend themselves? Or does the Sultan think Christians would forever fold their arms and watch while their fathers are killed in cold blood, their mothers are raped right before them, their children maimed for life and their ancestral homes burnt? It is not only hypocritical but also false of the Sultan to insinuate that men like Apostle Suleiman by their preaching are responsible for the friction between Christians and Muslims. The fact is that the crises engulfing Southern Kaduna and such other places predate the reactions of Suleiman and his fellow pastors. What is responsible for the continued attacks on communities by terrorist Fulani herdsmen is that they get compensated rather than being arrested and prosecuted. That is not justice! And until the likes of the Sultan come out clean and be honest about the situation, the self-defence of victims when such happens is very near at hand. When people lose confidence in government ability or sincerity to provide security for them, they would be left with no other option but to embark on self-help. The Christians have since turned the other cheek several times and the cheeks have been ripped off to the extent that they have no cheek to turn any more. When they get to that stage, self-defence becomes the only option. Rather than calm the situation, the purported attempt to arrest Apostle Suleiman and other Christian leaders would only aggravate it. Christians in this country have already been pushed to the edge. Any attempt to push them any further would be counter-productive. Leave Apostle Suleiman alone! We will not sit by and watch our le

Putin, Trump agree to develop relations ‘as equals’ – Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his new US counterpart Donald Trump agreed Saturday to develop relations “as equals” and to establish “real coordination” against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria, the Kremlin said. “The two sides expressed a willingness to work actively together to stabilise and develop Russian-American cooperation on a constructive basis, as equals, and to mutual benefit,” Putin said in a statement after the two men’s first phone conversation since Trump took office. Describing it as a “positive” exchange, the Kremlin said they touched on many subjects from the Iranian nuclear deal to the Ukraine and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, the tensions on the Korean peninsula and trade relations. The “priority” in their talks was the fight against international terrorism. “The presidents said they were in favour of putting in place real coordination of Russian and American actions to destroy IS and the other terrorist groupings in Syria,” the statement said. They both also expressed the desire to organise a meeting between the two leaders, the Kremlin said. Putin and Trump spoke for the first time by phone in November just after the billionaire tycoon’s surprise election victory. T They agreed on the need to “normalise” relations between Moscow and Washington after the tensions during the previous US administration of president Barack Obama over the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine.

254 pregnant women, nursing mothers escape NYSC paramilitary training

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State says no fewer than 254 pregnant women , nursing mothers and others with critical health conditions have been excused from three weeks paramilitary training . The state coordinator of the NYSC, Gladys Mbachi, stated that the corps also registered 2,513 which she said comprised 1,122 males and 1,391 females. Mbachi spoke during the swearing-in of the 2016 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Sagamu. While explaining the essence of the three weeks orientation programme organised for the corps members, the NYSC boss said they would acquire the right frame of mind that would enable them face the challenges of national service and the future. She said: “We have registered a total of 2,513 comprising 1,122 males and 1,391 females. However, over 254 pregnant women,  nursing mothers and others with critical health conditions among them have been excused from stenosis aspects of the programme and, consequently, given a permission  to  leave the camp”. Meanwhile, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has pledged to make the corps members stay in camp worthwhile. Amosun, represented by the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Moruf Afuape ,urged the corps members to avail themselves the opportunity abound the state.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/254-pregnan

Seized helicopters belong to Rivers Govt – Wike

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has stated that the two seized helicopters by the Nigerian Customs Service belong to the Rivers state government and that he officially wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari asking him to hand over the two armoured helicopters  to Nigeria Air Force (NAF). The governor’s claim contradicts the claim of NCS that the owner of the aircraft was not known. Wike, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Simeon Nwakaudu, in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said he wrote the president because of high custom duties and refusal of the Federal Government to grant waiver on the helicopters. He said, “these helicopters were imported by the immediate past administration; and when I assumed office, we wrote to the Federal Government that the helicopters were strictly for security use. “I went to the Federal Government to give me waiver for us to clear the helicopters but they refused. “Thereafter, I wrote to President Buhari to assure him that the helicopters are meant for security purpose and that it should be handed over to the Nigeria Air Force. “We stated that we cannot pay the custom duties because the helicopters are not for commercial use; but to monitor the creeks and track criminals. “In any case, where will the Rivers Government get money at this time to import armoured helicopters to which the previous administration imported because it had money (at the time). “I’m surprised that they have started propaganda and political falsehood on the said armoured helicopters. “What am I going to use armoured helicopters for; what kind of country are they turning Nigeria into?” he asked. Wike said it was unfortunate that some security agencies would allegedly resort to political propaganda and outright lies when facts of the seized armoured helicopters were known. He said it was shocking that NCS would turn around to claim that it impounded the helicopters rather than telling the truth. Wike claimed that the chief of staff to the president commended the Rivers government when the letter was delivered to the president. On Friday, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of NCS handed over two civil model Bell helicopters imported into the country by unknown persons to the NAF. The Service said the aircraft were seized on Nov. 7 2016. It explained that the aircraft were handed over to NAF because of the failure of the yet-to-be-identified importers to produce end user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser. The Customs said the action contravened the Customs and Excise Management Act

Verification: Gov Bello grants 6-week appeal window to aggrieved workers .

Apparently worried by the furore generated by the verification of workers embarked upon by his government, Kogi State Governor,   Yahaya Bello, has granted a six-week period for aggrieved workers to sort out their complaints with the panel he raised.

 Yahaya-Bello
 The governor, who announced the development in Lokoja Saturday, said there would be no room for workers not captured by the panel after the expiration of the deadline. “We have had to take decisions that are hard, and we have had to follow through despite the consequences, because we believe in the outcomes. The process has been painful – for both Government and governed alike, but slowly and steadily, we are making progress. “To those workers who have been cleared but who could not be paid by last month because of problems peculiar to the payroll for some MDAs or LGAs, we tender unreserved apologies. We have since made tremendous progress in updating the system and I assure you that many more of our workers will be paid soon. “In any case, we want to help every worker who can be cleared to get cleared. This has informed our setting up a final Staff Screening Complaints Appeal Committee this week whose members are drawn from the Kogi State Civil Service, sister states, Civil Society Organisations, Labour Unions, Staff Associations and a broad section of credible individuals. “They have six weeks to entertain every complaint, hear every appeal and tie off all loose ends. Once the work of this Committee is done I would have satisfied myself that the Administration has really bent over backwards to be fair to every Kogi worker. We will then go ahead to shut the doors. “This new Committee will use their finding where applicable to either soften or strengthen the technical data which make up the bulk of the reports from the previous stages of the Screening Exercise. Her final Report will be regarded as the definitive conclusion to the Screening Exercise.

Okorocha places N5m bounty on attackers Owerri High Court

Lawyers, litigants and judges in Owerri, Imo State capital will not forget Friday, January 27, 2017 in a hurry. It is a day to remember after dare devil hoodlums stormed the High Court premises in the town and rescued one of their own, Henry Chibueze, alias Vampire! Moreso Governor Rochas Okorocha had offered N5 million bounty to anybody that could give credible information capable of leading to the re-arrest of the fleeing Vampire. ‘Vampire’ and other inmates Vampire, described as a native of Nwangele local council area of Imo State, had been on the wanted list of the police and the Department of State Security, DSS, before he was apprehended. He was wanted  for crimes, including armed robbery and kidnapping. The state heaved a sigh of relief when the DSS announced his capture in far away Ohafia, Abia State and  paraded him before journalists. After concluding their investigation, the police arraigned him in court and he was remanded in prison custody. Last Friday was therefore scheduled for the continuation of the hearing of the case and it was the responsibility of Imo State Command of the Nigeria Prison Service, NPS, to produce the suspect in court. For the law abiding citizens at the High Court premises, it was business as usual. Meanwhile, a Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, drove into the premises while armed occupants waited  patiently for their target. Sunday Vanguard gathered that the scenario changed when the NPS Black Maria conveying over 50 inmates from Owerri prisons arrived. The hoodlums attacked the Black Maria as soon as it parked in the court premises. Six persons, including prison officials and inmates, were critically wounded, even as two were feared dead. A lawyer at the scene as the hoodlums attacked, said the gangsters were fully prepared for the onslaught. “The gangsters were fully prepared for the mission to rescue their man, Vampire. Continuing, the legal practitioner said that there was total confusion in the court premises as the hoodlums fired sporadically from virtually all corners. “People scampered into safety. Some of the accused persons equally ran  for their dear lives. I ran into the female toilet in the Bar Centre”, the lawyer said. One of the litigants present at the scene, whose entire body shook as he spoke with Sunday Vanguard, described the scenario as “akin to what we see in movies”. “The attack brought activities in the court premises to abrupt end. The armed men’s mission was to rescue one of their own”, the litigant stated. “The sorry thing is that the armoured vehicle which was stationed at the entrance of the court remained silent and unmoved throughout the operation”. Similarly, a judiciary staff, who also spoke on the condition of confidentiality, lamented that the hoodlums gained entrance into the premises and operated without inhibition. “There is no way I can explain the commando-like incident to the outside world. The booming sound of guns and their operational finesse proved that they were not amateurs in the game”, the judicial staff said. Meanwhile, some of the suspects being conveyed in the ill-fated Black Maria, who felt that they had good cases, ended their search for safety in nearby Government House, and were later handed over to prison authorities. When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, confirmed the incident but explained that it was the headache of the state Prison Command. The Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the Imo State Command of the NPS, Mr. James Maduba, equally confirmed the attack. Maduba also confirmed that Vampire “has escaped from lawful custody”, while six people were critically wounded during the ugly operation”. The PRO said the Command had received a call earlier in the day that some armed men were seen in the High Court premises. “We thought that they were operatives of the DSS.  As we were conveying over 50 inmates to the court, the gunmen attacked our men and some of the inmates”, Maduba said. The prisons image maker also disclosed that the critically wounded officials and inmates had been taken to hospital for treatment. “My Comptroller and other security chiefs in the state are on top of the situation”, Maduba assues

Muslims barred from flights to US, as others detained

Iranians and Iraqis planning to fly to the United States were prevented from boarding on Saturday after US President Donald Trump’s order to restrict arrivals from seven Muslim countries. Iran slammed the “insulting” ban and said it would reciprocate. On Friday Trump signed a sweeping executive order to suspend the arrival of refugees and impose tough new controls on travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. His move sparked widespread international criticism. Travellers from the Middle East were stopped from boarding US-bound planes. Some who were already in the air when Trump signed the executive order were detained on arrival, the New York Times reported. In Tehran, two travel agencies told AFP they had been instructed by Etihad Airways, Emirates and Turkish Airlines not to sell US tickets or allow Iranians holding American visas to board US-bound flights. An Iranian studying in California said she could not now return because her ticket had been cancelled under the new restrictions. “I had a ticket for Turkish Airlines on February 4, but it has been cancelled,” the girl, who did not wish to be identified, told AFP in Tehran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani did not comment directly on the ban Saturday, but criticised Trump, saying that now was “not the time to build walls between nations”. Iran’s foreign ministry said it would “respond in kind after the insulting decision of the United States concerning Iranian nationals” until the measure is lifted. It said the decision was “illegal, illogical and contrary to international rules”. More than a million Iranians live in the United States. – Legal challenge – In Khartoum, the Sudanese foreign ministry expressed its “regret” at the US ban. On Saturday in Egypt, a country not included in the new restrictions, an Iraqi couple and their two children were told they could not board an EgyptAir flight from Cairo to New York. Airport officials said the four Iraqis all had American visas. The New York Times reported that two Iraqi refugees were detained on arriving at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport hours after Trump signed the order. On Saturday, the American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups filed a legal challenge to Trump’s order. Lawyers representing the Iraqi pair also filed a court appeal for their release, saying they were being unlawfully detained. The United Nations responded by urging Trump to continue his country’s “long tradition” of welcoming refugees and to ensure their equal treatment, regardless of race, nationality or religion. French President Francois Hollande said Europe must have a “firm response” to Trump, and “when he refuses the arrival of refugees, while Europe has done its duty, we have to respond”. Hollande was due to speak with Trump later Saturday. In Lebanon, Syrian refugees struggling to get by in makeshift camps bemoaned their fate. “What on earth have the Syrian people done to deserve this?” asked Abu Mahmoud al-Ghol, at one informal camp in the Marj area. “And to think it’s a democratic country doing it,” the 44-year-old said. – Refugees barred – Nearly six years of conflict in Syria have driven more than half the population from their homes, with many fleeing abroad and dreaming of new lives in the West. Trump’s executive order specifically says no visas will be issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from the seven Muslim-majority countries. It also bars Syrian refugees from the United States indefinitely, or until Trump himself decides that they no longer pose a threat. His decree suspends the entire US refugee resettlement programme for at least 120 days while tough new vetting rules are established. Qatar Airways, which flies to around 15 American cities, said it would abide by the new regulations, adding however that passengers who have “the proper documentation” will be able to fly. An alert on its website said citizens of the seven barred countries could travel to the US if they have permanent residency there. Government officials and their immediate family are exempt from the travel restrictions along with representatives of international organisations, the Gulf carrier said. Trump’s move has also angered one of Iran’s most popular actresses, Taraneh Alidoosti who stars in the Oscar-nominated “The Salesman”. She said she would boycott next month’s Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. “Trump’s visa ban for Iranians is racist,” she tweeted. “Whether this will include a cultural event or not, I won’t attend the #AcademyAwards 2017.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/muslims-barred-flights-us

Kidnappers caught in Abuja

School Children Kidnappers: From left, Bekewel Agbojule aka. Prince Yellow, Are Philip Joel Kakadu,Romeo Council aka “Raw”, and Totki Okoda alleged kidnappers of 5 Turkish School student and 3 members of Staff paraded by Police with recovered N1.2 million yesterday in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan