Monday, 14 November 2016
Just as US blocks Nigeria from buying fighter jets, the military receives this
– The group also called on the Nigerian media to from allowing itself to be used as agents of distraction in the ongoing war against the insurgency in the North East
– The urged the Nigerian public to disregard reports that attempts to portray the military in bad light
A northern youth group, the Arewa Youth Leaders Forum on Sunday, November 13, called on the Nigerian military to ignore every false report about its institution in the media.
Describing the reports as being peddled by detractors and unpatriotic elements, the group said the said must learn to focus on the assignment of ridding Nigeria of Boko Haram terrorists.
The group also called on the Nigerian media to desist from allowing itself to be used as agents of distraction in the ongoing war against the insurgency in the North East.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kaduna, the national president of the group, Abubakar Abubakar urged Nigerians to disregard reports that attempts to portray the military in bad light.
He said the sacrifices made by men of the Nigerian soldiers in safe guarding the country deserves the appreciation of all Nigerians
Abubakar also described recent reports of the federal government hiring mercenaries to execute the the ongoing war against Boko Haram terrorists as mischievous and baseless allegations.
Abubakar said: “Those that are out to destroy Nigeria are diversifying their strategies so their seeds of discord must not be allowed to germinate and neither should they be allowed to take root.”
“Further to this, the plot to portray the rest of the country as those that do not appreciate the immeasurable efforts of these patriotic and selfless dedicated men and women in the armed forces, whilst others paid the supreme price with their lives others have denied themselves every material and emotional benefits just to ensure that we defeat all terrorists organisations and their affiliates in Nigeria,” he said.
He said it is difficult to understand how the same Nigerian military which decimated Boko Haram terrorists without any foreign support would now contemplate hiring mercenaries to fight the degraded components of these terrorist.
“Could it be that these people are looking for ways to explain away the presence of foreign fighters that they have recruited to swell the ranks of Boko Haram after they were decimated by the military?
“In the dark days of the previous administration, the so called mercenaries were doing a lot of talking in the news while terrorists run amok as far south as Lokoja, Kogi state.
“In the months that the military fought the extremists under President Muhammadu Buhari nothing much was heard of them until this time that authorities are suggesting that the war against terror is entering a new phase after much progress,” Abubakar said.
“The so called mercenaries are in our opinion were merely planted to detract from the success recorded by the military”.
Furthermore, Abubakar urged the Nigerian government to investigate those making the claims that they have seen mercenaries fighting the insurgency.
He said these people may be working towards covering up their tracks after recruiting foreign nationals to fight on the side of the terrorists.
“It is nothing but manifestation of the concerted attempts to reverse the gains made by the armed forces. Such stories should therefore be discarded with a wave of the hand without our military services dignifying them with formal responses.”
Abubakar said Nigerians truly support the military and will continue to demonstrate that through regular briefings, marches and prayers for the troops.
Meanwhile, there are reports that the United States government is blocking President Muhammadu Buhari from buying fighter jets to help the military in their fight.
This report comes after a former US State Department agent on security affairs in Nigeria Matthew Page listed five reasons why the US government must not sell 12 warplanes to Nigeria.
Page among others said the sell of the warplanes will not bolster the relationship between Nigeria and the United States of America.
Tinubu’s new party getting support as Lagos organizes rally (photos)
Tinubu has received support after his position in the APC, a party he contributed to its emergence and success, was being relegated to the background.
It was reported that Tinubu was being left out of important decision making in the APC increasing speculation that he would leave the party.
Following the crises that engulfed the party in the Ondo gubernatorial primaries, Tinubu asked Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the chairman of the party, to resign,
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti even asked the APC not to betray Tinubu as anyone would did would regret it.
The Punch shared pictures of a rally organised in Lagos on Saturday, November 12 in support of Tinubu.
See the photos below:
$175m found in Jonathan’s wife’s firm’s bank account
A manhunt has been launched for two suspects, Toru Wonyeng Ibuomo and Friday Davies, linked to the curious deposits in four tranches within 14 months — between February 21, 2014 and April 1, 2015.
The anti-graft agency is probing how the cash was withdrawn from the domiciliary account with Skye Bank Plc without any trace of where it was diverted to.
The deposits are different from the $15.5million over which the ex-First Lady sued the EFCC, which placed No Debit Order on four accounts.
But the company is one of the four convicted on November 2 for laundering the $15.5million, which Mrs. Jonathan insists belongs to her.
The companies convicted by Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Seagate Property Development & Investment Co. Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited.
Barely two weeks after the conviction of the companies, the EFCC uncovered another $175, 750,000 deposits in the account of Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited.
The cash has, however, vanished from the bank.
EFCC detectives discovered that the account was opened on November 30, 2013 by Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited with number 2110002238.
The company was registered on January 29, 2013 with RC 1092722. The “strange” deposits came within 14 months.
The deposits are:
21/2/2014—$46,500,000
24/2/2014—$31,000,000
31/3/2015—$49,250,000
1/4/ 2015—$49,000,000
“The EFCC is probing how the deposits hit the company’s account barely two years after it was registered and without executing any major contract. We are suspecting that this is another slush account where government funds were diverted to,” a source close to the investigation told The Nation.
The source said:
“All the deposits were in cash, a development which showed that it was a pure case of money laundering.
“On the 21st of February, the account was reported to have recorded a cash deposit of $46,500,000 by the General Manager of Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited , Toru Wonyeng Ibuomo.
“Three days after(24th of February, 2014), another cash deposit of $31,000,000 was made by the same General Manager.
“Friday Davies made a cash deposit of $49,250,000 into the same account. The last tranche of $49,000,000 was deposited by Davies on Apri 1, 2015.”
The source, who pleaded not to be named because of what he described as the “sensitivity” of the probe, claimed that the EFCC was on the trail of Ibuomo and Davies.
The source added:
“We need the two depositors to assist in the ongoing investigation of the payments into the affected account
“It is more curious when the bank details did not show evidence of withdrawals. Yet the whereabouts of the cash was unknown. We hope it is not a private banking arrangement to hide slush funds.”
The source confirmed that the EFCC would probe the likely roles of the former First Lady in operating the account of Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited.
“In a matter before the Federal High Court, the ex-First Lady admitted that one of her domiciliary accounts was bearing Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited.
“We are investigating this $175.750million deposits and the extent of the involvement or relationship of the ex-First Lady with the funds. This is a fresh case; it has nothing to do with the $15.5million frozen by the EFCC.”
Soldier fakes own kidnap in Calabar
An army officer, Musa Lawal, who was reportedly kidnapped in Calabar
last Thursday, allegedly faked his abduction.Lawal was abducted around
10am after leaving a bank along Calabar Road in the Cross River State
capital by his cronies, according to a security source.
Southern City News learnt on Sunday that Lawal had allegedly arranged for his abduction to pave the way for an undisclosed illegal movement to Port Harcourt in Rivers State.
In the course of investigation, it was learnt that Lawal had after his encounter with an unknown group in Port Harcourt, travelled back to Eket in Akwa Ibom State where he was eventually found in his girlfriend’s apartment by security operatives.
The source said,
“He faked his own kidnap because he wanted to have some time out with a group in Port Harcourt. He had an encounter with them from investigations made. It was an illegal operation that he went for and after the operation he relocated to the girlfriend’s house in Eket.
“He was picked up in his girlfriend’s house in Eket and he is presently being detained in one of the barracks in Calabar. He has confessed that he was not actually kidnapped.
An Army Barrack resident in Calabar, Kehinde Matthew, confirmed that Lawal was on Saturday taken to his residence by security operatives for a search.
“He was on a leg chain when he was escorted to his apartment in the barracks on Saturday. He was brought in by some security operatives that included military police. He wore a blue jean and black T’ shirt,” he said.
But the Army Public Relations Officer in charge of 13 Brigade, Calabar, Capt. Kayode Owolabi, insisted that there was no case of kidnap.
“Nothing like that ever took place. It is all rumour because it is not possible to abduct someone in Calabar without attracting public attention in the broad day light, let alone a soldier who is fully dressed. You must get a pass before you are allowed to travel. Whatever they are saying is not true. The man is with us,” he said.
Southern City News learnt on Sunday that Lawal had allegedly arranged for his abduction to pave the way for an undisclosed illegal movement to Port Harcourt in Rivers State.
In the course of investigation, it was learnt that Lawal had after his encounter with an unknown group in Port Harcourt, travelled back to Eket in Akwa Ibom State where he was eventually found in his girlfriend’s apartment by security operatives.
The source said,
“He faked his own kidnap because he wanted to have some time out with a group in Port Harcourt. He had an encounter with them from investigations made. It was an illegal operation that he went for and after the operation he relocated to the girlfriend’s house in Eket.
“He was picked up in his girlfriend’s house in Eket and he is presently being detained in one of the barracks in Calabar. He has confessed that he was not actually kidnapped.
An Army Barrack resident in Calabar, Kehinde Matthew, confirmed that Lawal was on Saturday taken to his residence by security operatives for a search.
“He was on a leg chain when he was escorted to his apartment in the barracks on Saturday. He was brought in by some security operatives that included military police. He wore a blue jean and black T’ shirt,” he said.
But the Army Public Relations Officer in charge of 13 Brigade, Calabar, Capt. Kayode Owolabi, insisted that there was no case of kidnap.
“Nothing like that ever took place. It is all rumour because it is not possible to abduct someone in Calabar without attracting public attention in the broad day light, let alone a soldier who is fully dressed. You must get a pass before you are allowed to travel. Whatever they are saying is not true. The man is with us,” he said.
Wow!!!! President-Elect, Donald Trump scheduled to attend burial in Anambra state
According to reports by Vanguard newspaper, he will be attending the social gathering alongside President Muhammadu Buhari and other African leaders. It would be recalled that Offor’s father, a retired police officer, Chief Bennett Offor passed away in the month of February, 2016.
The burial ceremony is scheduled to hold this week at Oraifite, Anambra State.
Meanwhile, he has warned pick-pockets and other hoodlums to steer clear off the high-profile event.
He said security arrangements had been put in place to pick anybody who would misbehave on the occasion, warning that he will not spare anybody, including hoodlums who may like to embarrass his friend and well-wishers that will attend the burial in any way.
This was disclosed by the Vice Chairman of the Pa Benneth Offor Burial Committee, Mr. Tony Obi, while unveiling the burial plans for Pa Offor who died in Febuary this year, at Emeka Okafor Foundation Centre, Oraifite, Anambra State.
According to Sir Offor, “my father served the Nigerian Police meritoriously and retired after 35 years of service, so nobody will be allowed to come here and mess up his funeral. Security arrangements have been put in place to deal with miscreants.”
“Pickpockets would often sew uniform and infiltrate the funerals of rich persons in the State and steal people’s valuables, including telephone and money, but we are waiting for them in Oraifite, that day may be their last that will land them in prison, to be fore warned is to be fore armed.”
Chief Offor said members of the National Assembly would be led to the funeral ceremony by the former Presidents of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, while many people from all walks of life will have promised to come.
“My father was a very nice man, he gave me so much encouragement and everything you see me doing was initiated by him. He is a passionate philanthropist who would always like to see smiles on the faces of everyone that came in contact with him and I must tell you that most of the guys you see me hang out with were introduced to me by him.”
US President Elect Donald Trump Says He’ll Collect $1 for Salary Instead of $400k
According to Trump,
Quote
“I’m not going to take the salary. I’m not taking it. “I think I have to by law take $1, so I’ll take $1 a year.”
‘I won’t go down alone’ Amaechi threatens Mr President
These are not the best of times for the Minister of Transportation after fingers were pointed at him after the attack on Federal Judges. The house of the presidency appears stuck on a path to self-implosion as reliable information available through sources within the presidency indicate the President had ordered for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations leveled on the Transport Minister by numerous Justices of the Federation. And in turn, the Transport Minister is said to have threatened retaliation by exposing the President’s dirty deals over the alleged bribery allegation.
Following what appeared as serialized exposure by the Justices of the federation of the involvement of Rotimi Amaechi in the attempt to subvert the judicial process, the President of the federation, General Mohammadu Buhari fell under the immense pressure from the international community to investigate the validity in the claims leveled by the Justices. To this end, the President instructed for a probe be launched into the activities as alleged by the Judges. The Judges had alleged that Amaechi attempted to bribe them in more than one occasion.
Information available to the media reliably confirms a probe into the claims of the Judges were launched based on the instructions of Mr. President. All of the bank accounts known to belong to Amaechi, according to our source, have been placed under watch – and the historical activity on the account sequestered. In retaliation, the former Governor of Rivers State and the present Minister of Transport – Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has chosen to go the route of blackmail.
He is said to have opted to expose all involved parties in the said attempted bribery of the justices. “Amaechi has documentary evidence that shows Buhari was in-the-know about the attempt to bribe the Judges and how many of the campaign funds were raised.” “Amaechi has assembled the documents and has sent over to Saharareporters, with whom he has a working financial relationship to publish the documents“, stated our source who explained that Amaechi had used his relationship with Saharareporters to push the All Progressive Congress [APC] change mantra.“The relationship is still existing”. It is expected that in the coming days or weeks that Saharareporters will begin publication of documents – that is – if the presidency continues its probe of Amaechi. But what is certain is that Amaechi has already forwarded the said documents to the publishers of Saharareporters.
Mikel Opens up!!! “I’m ready to quit Chelsea”
Nigeria captain Mikel Obi says he is ready to quit Premier League giants Chelsea in January in search of first-team football.
The 29-year-old, who guided the Super Eagles to a 3-1 victory over Algeria’s Desert Foxes in their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo on Saturday, admits he is no longer happy at Stamford Bridge.
And Mikel says he is not happy that Chelsea’s Italian manager Antonio Conte has overlooked him, despite working hard in training.
It has been suggested Conte decided to freeze the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner out of first-team contention because he opted to represent Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where the Under-23 team won bronze (Nigeria’s only medal in the competition).
But the Blues’ second longest-serving player behind captain John Terry says he has no regrets over his decision, saying he is ready to leave the team in January.
He said “I have to keep training hard and make sure I change the manager’s mind. If not, then we’ll see what happens in January.”
Meanwhile, Mikel has denied Conte decided to leave him out of his team because he went to the Olympics against his wish.
He said Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr was misquoted as saying he was being punished at Chelsea because he travelled to Rio.
“I’d like to clarify that the recent media claims I’ve been punished by Chelsea for participating at the Rio 2016 Olympics are completely inaccurate,”he said.
Breaking News: Femi Fani Kayode Released From Prison 24 Days After
“After 24 days in detention at the EFCC and Kuje prison and after meeting all the conditions of bail that was granted to him by the Federal High Court in Abuja, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has been released. He gives thanks to God for everything and he has asked me to convey his heartfelt appreciation and love to all those that prayed for and encouraged him and his family at this difficult time and indeed throughout this ordeal.
“He will now focus on getting the medical attention that he needs. He wishes to let all those that have offered him support and that have stood by him throughout this period know that his resolve to help build a better Nigeria and stand up for righteousness and truth remains strong. No matter what comes our way we trust the Lord and we believe that we shall prevail,” the statement read.
Donald Trump vows to deport 3 million illegal immigrants and build a wall on the Mexican border
“What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million – we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate,” Trump said in an excerpt released by CBS’s 60 Minutes program.
But we’re getting them out of our country, they’re here illegally. After the border is secure and after everything gets normalised, we’re going to make a determination on the people that they’re talking about who are terrific people, they’re terrific people but we are gonna make a determination at that. But before we make that determination, it’s very important, we are going to secure our border.”
The billionaire real estate baron made security at the US-Mexico border a central plank of his insurgent presidential campaign, which resulted in last Tuesday’s shock election victory against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
Trump added that the barrier to be erected on the US border with Mexico may not consist entirely of brick and mortar, but that fencing could be used in some areas
.”There could be some fencing,” Trump says in his first primetime interview since being elected president last week.
But for certain areas, a wall is more appropriate. I’m very good at this, it’s called construction,” he tells CBS.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
NAFDAC Seizes Three Tankers For Conveying Vegetable Oil With Petrol Tanker In Lagos
At least three petrol tankers transporting vegetable oil have been seized by officials of the National Agency for Drugs Administration and...
Popular Post
-
Some crazes are brief but these briefs are just crazy! Forget the G-string, the latest thing to be seen in is the C-string… ...
-
A joint patrol team of Sector 1 of 27 Task Force Brigade and Army Headquarters Strike Group has stormed some villages in Borno State...
-
Yakubu Dogara, has described as unimaginable, the scale of corruption so far uncovered by anti-graft agencies. At a meeting with newspap...
-
Athletes at the Rio 2016 will be cooped up in the athletes village where they will share rooms with other athletes, unless of course you...