Escapee Chibok School Girl Reveals What Sambisa Looks Like

One of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls who managed to escape from her abductors who held them hostage in Sambisa forest has revealed that the camps they were taken to were all trees and shrubs, with no buildings for shelter.

The 20-year-old student who pleaded anonymity disclosed this to journalist during their visit to Shettima, the governor of Borno state at the Government house in Maiduguri.

The Chibok school girls who luckily escaped Boko Haram’s den were recently hosted by the Borno state governor.

The escapee said after they were abducted, the insurgents tore through the forest, avoiding trees and thick shrubs and even when the tyres of the car burst, they kept moving until they got to the place where they said was their destination, adding that there was no visible road leading to the place.

Describing where they were taken to, the escapee said, “The place they took us to after abducting us from the school was all forest with short trees and shrubs everywhere. There is no single building or house there, but there are tents made from plastic sheets in some places. I don’t know if that is where they call Sambisa. Some of the areas are thick and dark; some places have pools of water.”

Explaining how she managed to escape, she said it was when they were asked to go and fetch water the next day that she and some other girls summoned courage and ran as fast as they could, far away from their abductors.

“We ran all day, we kept on running until we got to some place where we were assisted by villagers to get home,” she said.

According to her, she doubted whether the other girls who are still in being held hostage were comfortable there.

It was reported on May 29 that the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Musa Kubo revealed that a total of the 30 escaped girls have reunited with their families.

The Borno state governor had hosted the Chibok School Girls who were lucky to escape from Boko Haram’s den after being kidnapped by the sects in Borno, on April 14.

Governor Shettima promised to relocate the girls to safer schools in different states of the nation, from Abuja to Lagos so as to complete their studies.

Cameroon’s Military Kills 60 Boko Haram Members

Cameroon’s state radio reported that the country’s military has killed at least 60 Boko Haram members who crossed over from Nigeria seeking refuge.

According to the national radio, the heavily-armed militants, reportedly killed in the village of Dabanga in far Northern Cameroon, crossed over from Borno State. They were then ambushed by Cameroonian soldiers, the report said.
Fonka Awah, governor of the far north region of Cameroon, said his office had received information that some Boko Haram members might be hiding in Cameroonian villages, and asked for specialized troops to be deployed.
He told the Voice of America, VOA that the military had done a good job.
“Of course yes, without mincing words, after such a situation, you reassemble the forces and map out strategies, you galvanize them and put them back into action and I think that is what we have just done,” he said.
Ebenezer Akanga, a journalist who works with Cameroon’s national broadcasting station, told VOA in a telephone interview that if the military had carried out similar attacks in the past, Boko Haram would not be using Cameroon as a safe haven.
“The opinion many people have is that from the beginning, the government seemed to have been caressing the Boko Haram, the government did not seem to have been taking this fight very seriously. This is what was expected to be done from the very word ‘go.’ In fact, if the military had this type of reaction it would have deterred the Boko Harams from crossing to Cameroonian territory,” said Akanga, adding that security forces from Cameroon and Nigeria should work together to eliminate Boko Haram from the two countries.
“The military has to adopt different strategies because it does not only suffice chasing away the Boko Haram.
“The fight needs to be taken to their backyard. Even if officially there may not be agreements authorizing the Cameroonian military to cross over into Nigerian territory, I personally think that this fight can not be won by fighting the Boko Haram only in the Cameroonian territory.
“The fight should be taken to their own camp out there in Nigeria.”
Last month, Cameroon and Chad both declared war on Boko Haram. Cameroon has since deployed 2,000 troops along its border with Nigeria.

House Orders N225m Bullet-proof Cars Returned To Supplier

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, yesterday, ordered the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to return the controversial N225 million bullet-proof cars that were purchased during the tenure of former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, and recover the money.

Chairman of the committee, Nkiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha, said NCAA have no business keeping the cars, stressing that the contract terms between NCAA and Coscharis Motors should be cancelled and the money recovered from the supplier.
Onyejeocha made this call while on an oversight visit to the agencies at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
“What we said about the bullet proof cars is that the contract should be cancelled and that they do not have any business keeping the cars. It should be returned to the supplier and then recover our money,” she said, adding that due process was not followed in the contract.
Earlier, the acting Director-General of NCAA, Engr. Benedict Adeliyela, said that the cars were parked at the NCAA’s office in Abuja.
Commenting on the concession agreement entered into by Federal Aviation Agency Nigeria, FAAN, and First Bank, Onyejeocha said the concession agreement was not favourable to FAAN, noting that the bank was not supposed to be doing revenue automation at the airport.
She was reacting to the statement of the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Donuma, that FAAN did not have any relationship with Avitech, who is the company responsible for airport automation.
According to Donuma, First Bank was the party that partners with Avitech to be collecting money from the airport on behalf of the bank.
Onyejeocha said the house was not satisfied with the concession agreements, saying “we have a strong opinion about some concessions, especially the one with Avitech.
“They said they were not directly in contact with Avitech, that it is First Bank that they know. They know that we are not satisfied and that is why they said that the zero car park had been terminated, which means their concerns is also our concern.
“On the issue of Bi-Courtney and Meavis, I think it will be better than what we have with First Bank. That was why during the bullet-proof issue, you already access more than N600 million from First Bank because they are collecting your money. So it is wrong.
“You said it with your mouth that Avitech is a technical partner to First Bank. The bank collects revenue. Do we need a bank for automation? A bank cannot come and do automation in airport. It simply means you just exist.
“You are just sitting here and your money goes somewhere else. So I do not know how you will balance that. If we say Meavis is bad business, First Bank should be the worse. They do not have any business collecting our revenue.
“I know that you should have somebody that should be collecting revenue and paying to the bank and that person is answerable to you since you do not have direct relationship with Avitech. It means that something is wrong because you said you do not have a relationship with Avitech that you only have relationship with First Bank.
“How will FAAN have a relationship with a bank apart from keeping of your money? There cannot be even proper accounting of the revenue because as they are progressing, you are retrogressing,” she said.

Betrayer: TB Joshua Former Pastor Open A New Church In Front Of Joshua's Church

In what seems like a battle of pastors, a breakaway clergyman from the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, has set up a New Synagogue a stone’s throw from Prophet T.B. Joshua’s church and has been attracting a lot of members.

T.B. Joshua has warned his congregation not to attend the new church or be confused by the similarities between both places of worship.
The new church is called Christ Holy Mountain, A.K.A House of Prayer, but residents refer to it as the New Synagogue because the healing sessions, miracles and mode of worship is similar to Prophet T.B. Joshua’s.
The church is located at Ajata street, behind Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area in Lagos, western Nigeria.
Investigations revealed that many worshippers who come to see T.B Joshua’s church are now diverted to the New Synagogue where miracles and healing sessions are also performed in a similar manner.
P.M News Reports:

Former members of T.B. Joshua’s church have also thronged the new church, it was learnt.

The battle of pastors became public recently when Pastor T.B. Joshua, during a church service, warned his members not to attend the new church.

Joshua told worshippers that he was aware that former members of his church established a church in the area claiming that it is a New Synagogue Church. He warned members not to attend or be deceived because the church was not established by him.

P.M.NEWS learnt that the church is now providing alternative to numerous worshipers who come from within and outside the country to see Joshua but cannot due to the huge crowd waiting to see the prophet.

When P.M.NEWS visited the new church, the pastor of the church was not around to speak to our reporter. However, a senior worker at the church who identified himself simply as Godwin, confirmed that the church was founded by a breakaway pastor and some other members from SCOAN.

He said there was nothing new about members of a particular church receiving a call from God and establishing their own church.

Godwin said even Joshua prophesied that some of his members will leave the church and establish another church.

He said though both churches have similar ways of worship and miracle sessions, both churches are different as they have different names.

He said they were aware that Joshua had warned his members not attend the new church, but insisted that both churches are different.

Military Dislodges Another Radical Islamic Sect In Niger

No fewer than 240 members of a radical and controversial Islamic sect were yesterday, June 4 evacuated from their camp by the joint military group led by Lt. Col Adamu Yakubu.

The sect, Nibrassiya Huda Islamic Sect made up of mostly young men and women were dislodged from their houses in a forest in Chechei, Lapai Local Government Area in Niger State and about 40 thatched roof houses built of straws and new buildings were demolished.
The sect under the leadership of of Sheik Mohammed Abubakar, had been at loggerheads with members of the public and the traditional ruler of the town, Etsu Lapai, Alhaji Umar Bago Tafida, who accused the leader of the sect of teaching and propagating wrong doctrines that have no root in Islam.
Members of the group were also accused of causing trouble, attacking people who do not share their views, engaging in promiscuous activities, conducting forced marriages which they also dissolve at will and they also allegedly see other Muslims as not well informed as they are.
Their problem started on May 13, when the government of Niger State revoked the Certificate of Occupancy of the land where the camp was situated and giving the sect members two weeks notice to move out, following complaints by the public that the sect was using the place to train terrorists but the members ignored the government.
Yesterday, the military troop swung into action and evacuated the sect members from the camp, moving them to their local government areas except for two members who were said to have hailed from Kwara State.
However, the leader of the sect, Mohammed Abubakar debunked all the allegations against them, saying the group had come together only for the purpose of learning more of Islam and without any other motive and they have never engaged in illegal activities.
Meanwhile, the Etsu Lapai, Alhaji Umaru Bago Tafida, commended the action of the state government in dislodging the group, saying “if no action is taken now, the sect will grow to become a terror that will consume all.”
The Niger State Jumaat Imams Forum had sometime in April raised an alarm over the spring up of Boko Haram look-alike Islamic group in Bida, Niger State, which according to them is capable of impeaching the peace of the state

Pregnant Woman Fleeing Boko Haram Attack Delivers Baby In The Bush

A pregnant woman reportedly gave birth to a baby girl in the bush at Kala-Balge community in Borno State, north-eastern Nigeria while allegedly fleeing from at­tacks by the Boko Ha­ram sect.

Abba Ab­dulmuminu, a native of the Kala-Balge community, told journalists during a press con­ference at the Correspondents Chapel in Bauchi that the woman, whose name was not identified, delievered the baby on Tuesday.
He said she was among thousands of natives of the local government area, who had fled their homes because of constant terror attacks on the people of Kala-Balge by members of the deadly boko haram sect.

It could be recalled that the people of Kala-Balge were commended last month when they defended themselves from the attacks of the Boko-Haram insurgents when they killed over 300 of the terrorists who had attacked them.
Mr. Abdulmuminu said: “As a result of that attack, one month ago, the Boko-Haram members have regrouped and are killing the people of Kala-Balge community. In fact, as I am talking to you now, almost all the people of Kala-Balge villages and towns have fled. Some of them are in the bor­der between Cameroon and Nigeria while some are in the bush.
“Only on Tuesday, I was informed that a woman gave birth to a baby girl in the bush. There was no water, no shelter and no food because it is a semi-desert area and there are no trees there. So the people there, even those in the borders, live under scorching sun.”

The community leader, who said he had not heard from his mother and many of his rela­tives who fled since the sus­tained attacks on Kala-Balge, appealed to the Federal Gov­ernment to deploy troops to the community and bring relief materials to the people of Kala-Balge.
The Boko Haram insurgents have claimed responsibility for many attacks in the Kala-Balge community and most of the attacks are not reported.
A large group of Boko Haram members was reported on May 31, 2014, to have killed over 40 people and left multiple building destroyed in Kala Balge community.
And about 40 soldiers of the Nigerian Army were said to be held in captivity by civilians in Kala-Balge village, Borno State, for over two weeks some weeks ago.
The suspected military men were caught the day residents of the community defended themselves from Boko Haram assault and killed about 200 insurgents.

Senate Amends Constitution To Empower INEC To Deregister Psrties That Gain No Electoral Support

Nigerian Senate has on Wednesday looked at areas up for review in the 1999 constitution that deal with the Electoral Act.

The lawmakers have approved an amendment that empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister any political party that fails to win any seat in the National Assembly or State House of Assembly, Channels Television reports.
Although some senators asked for more time to study the report of the Constitutional Amendment Committee headed by the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, the voting began and lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of all the clauses up for amendment.
On Thursday the senators will vote on the controversial Section 9 that deals with the procedure of drafting an entirely new constitution.
Senate Amends Constitution To Empower INEC Deregister Psrties That Gain No Electoral Support
The need for a new constitution has been emphasised by some Nigerian lawyers who argue that the country needs a law that will have inputs from Nigerians and not one put together by past military administrations.
This issue has also been discussed at the ongoing National Conference set up by President Goodluck Jonathan.
If the Senate amends the constitution to enable the president to initiate production of a new constitution, the recommendations of the National Conference, which would be submitted to Jonathan, could be forwarded to the lawmakers for deliberations and entrenchment into the constitution.
In May, President Jonathan asked Nigerian media to support his idea of drafting a new constitution. Read here what the Naij.com readers have to contribute to the discussion.

A.N.I Entertainment Boss Robert Edward Is Dead

A renowned Nigerian record label executive Robert Edwards passed away in Lagos on June 3, 2014, Tuesday.

According to report by Linda Ikeji, this was a sudden death.
The CEO of A.N.I (Aiint Nothing illa) Entertainment slumped and died in the evening, while playing snooker at E-bar in Lekki, Lagos.
Singers Halle Mordu and Brian INK Edwards were under his record label.
Rest in peace.

New CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Meets President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

New governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele has on Wednesday made his first appearance before President Goodluck Jonathan.

Godwin Emefiele formally assumes office as Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at the Bank’s Headquarters in Abuja. Credit: CBN

They held a closed-door meeting at the presidential villa in Abuja for about one hour. But the governor refused to talk to the State House correspondents after the meeting.
Leadership gathered, however, that Emefiele and Jonathan discussed the issues of the economy and the banking sector.
Also on Wednesday, Emefiele paid visit to Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the CBN said in its twitter.

Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, pays visit to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance at her office in Abuja on June 3, 2014. Credit: CBN

Emefiele, whose candidacy for the position was approved by the Senate on March 26, officially assumed office on Tuesday, June 3.
Emefiele is to address World Press Conference at 10.00am on Thursday, June 5, 2014.
The previous governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has challenged his suspension by the president in court.

Ghanaian Witch Doctor, Kwaku Bonsam Claims Responsibility For Ronaldo’s Injury

Ghana’s most influential witch doctor, Nana Kwaku Bonsam has said he is responsible for Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo’s knee injury and that no doctor can cure it.

The spiritualist whose name literally means “Devil of Wednesday” said his aim is prevent the the Portugues player from playing against Ghana during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
News broke out last week that Ronaldo was injured and a statement from the Portuguese FA on Wednesday confirmed that Ronaldo is suffering from tendinosis in his left knee as well as nursing a muscle problem in his left thigh, which caused him to miss the 0-0 draw with Greece at the weekend.
Kwaku Bonsam who claims to have conjured a special powder from his gods, mixed with several leaves and concoctions which have been placed around an image and caricature of the former Manchester United player said:
“I know what Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury is about, I’m working on him,” Bonsam, who serves at the Kofioo Kofi shrine, said in an interview with the Kumasi-based Angel FM.
“I said it four months ago, that I will work on Cristiano Ronaldo seriously and rule him out of the World Cup, or at least prevent him from playing against Ghana, and the best thing I can do is to keep him out through injury.” he said.
“I am very serious about it. Last week, I went around looking for four dogs and I got them to be used in manufacturing a special spirit called ‘Kahwiri Kapam’”he added.
“This injury can never be cured by any medic, they can never see what is causing the injury, because it is spiritual. Today, it is his knee, tomorrow it is his thigh, next day, and it is something else.”
Meanwhile Ronaldo who missed the game with Greece over the weekend is also likely to miss Portugal’s World Cup warm-up matches against Mexico, and Ireland. It is however not clear if he will recuperate early on time for the World Cup.
Ghana to play Portugal on June 26 in Brasilia, in their final Group G match which comprises Germany, USA, Portugal and Ghana

My Father Is Greater Than Obasanji – MKO Abiola’s Daughter

Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Castello, daughter of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, the undeclared winner of the 1993 presidential election has said her father is greater than former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Reacting to a recent statement by Obasanjo that Abiola made sacrifices that needed to be recognised by the nation, Hafsat said her father did not need the former president’s recognition, because “MKO was a greater man”.
“I feel that if he wanted to recognise MKO Abiola now, it’s good for him. But, MKO Abiola was always the greater man. And you cannot recognise somebody that is more than yourself. MKO Abiola did not require General Obasanjo to recognise him,” she said.
Speaking on Wednesday, at the Kudirat Abiola’s 18th anniversary, organised by the Campaign for Democracy, in collaboration with Women Arise and the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, Hafsat said linked her father’s greatness to his legacies, saying his dedication to the cause of the common man and a better Nigeria has immortalised him in the hearts of many.
She said the only recognition her her father needed was from the Nigerian masses and they saw his good heart that was why they rewarded him with the June 12 election, which was so free and fair that no Nigerian leader has been able to attain till date.
While addressing the audience at the Abiolas house during the commemoration of her mother who was killed on June 4, 18 years ago, Hasfat urged Nigerians to remain undivided by the country’s politicians whose goal is to separate the nation.
According to her, her late father had warned of Nigeria’s current dilemma over 20-years ago and now it is coming to pass.
Also at the event were the son of the late Kudirat Abiola, Abdul; NADECO chieftain Comrade Fred Agbeigbe; Comrade Mike Falola; Comrade Raji Rasheed; CD Treasurer Comrade Obatunde Adebayo; Comrade Godwin Akangbe; Comrade Ola Baolgun and members of diverse civil rights groups.