Jonathan speaks on power,security,tenure in libya

•The
President
takes
questions on
many issues in his maiden
media chat ... last night
President Goodluck Jonathan
last night assured Nigerians of
his administration’s
commitment to improving
security.
But he noted that the rising
security challenge is incapable
of leading to this country’s
disintegration.
“We are working on changing
the security architecture of
the country. We know we
have challenges, but I can
assure Nigerians that the
security challenges will by
brought under control,” he
said.
Dr Jonathan said efforts were
on to engage all stakeholders
to ensure a permanent
solution to the crisis in Plateau
State, which has claimed many
lives.
The President spoke in Abuja
during his maiden media chat.
It was broadcast on national
television.
Silverbird’s Stella Din anchored
the interview.
The President said he has no
regret mooting the
contentious constitutional
amendment proposal of seven
years single tenure for the
President and Governors.
He said it was aimed at
stabilising the country’s polity,
and argued that without
political stability, the economy
would not grow.
He disagreed with the
insinuation that the country
will soon disintegrate because
of insecurity. He said: “I, as the
current President of this
country, do not agree with
that insinuation that this
country will disintegrate. That
people are throwing bombs
does not mean that the
country will disintegrate.”
He observed that it was not
the first time people would
express fears about the
nation’s unity, but that the
country, despite its
differences and problems, has
always survived as one entity.
Citing past crises, particularly
the Civil War and the Niger
Delta unrest, Jonathan argued
that the level of economic and
social integration achieved by
the people does not indicate
that the country would
disintegrate.
“We will not disintegrate. And
I can assure you that between
now and 2015, Nigeria will
remain a single entity,” he
said.
He justified his suggestion for
a single tenure for the
President and governors,
saying although he is yet to
send a Bill to the National
Assembly to that effect; he
was proposing a single term
of seven years for president
and governors while the
Legislature should have
multiple tenure of six years.
He based his push for a single
term on the high cost of
running elections. He said
Nigerians would one day
decide on the issue and
assured that it has nothing to
do with personal gains.
Besides, said the President, he
does not have the fiat to
impose the amendment.
Jonathan chided those
commenting on the proposal
when it was yet to be
submitted to the National
Assembly.
“I have no regrets over the
single tenure proposal
because it will stabilise the
polity,” he said, adding:
“I said seven years actually; I
did not talk about six years.
My thinking is seven years for
President and governors, but
for the National Assembly, I
said six years.
“The feeling that probably you
have hidden agenda makes
people to oppose it, but one
day Nigerians will decide. Now
it is like a rumour.”
The President assured of his
government’s commitment to
improving power situation. He
said the government was
working on ways of ensuring
enhanced private sector
involvement in all power
production efforts, including
generation and distribution.
On the crisis in the judiciary,
President Jonathan admitted
that every Nigerian is
concerned about the recent
unhealthy development in that
arm of government. He
believed in the ability of the
judiciary, he said, and advised:
“We should allow the judiciary
to reform itself.”
In his view, the peace in
Plateau State is a function of
the people’s resolve to bring
about peace. No matter the
number of soldiers deployed
in the state, except the people
resolve to have peace, it could
be difficult, he said.
The President expressed his
support for dialogue among
Nigerians as a way of
resolving observed
contradictions, but he ruled
out the possibility of his
administration organising any
dialogue. Many have been
pushing for a national
conference to resolve some
critical national issues.
He said the government
would rather set up a body to
review past conferences and
reduce issues which have
been agreed upon to a bill for
consideration by the National
Assembly.
The President also spoke on
the Wikileaks reports, which
he described as mere beer
parlour gossips.
He said the reports failed to
find out the authenticity of the
information provided.
Though he did not deny that
most of the people mentioned
in the reports spoke to
American ambassadors,
Jonathan questioned the
authenticity of the report.

Jonathan speaks on power,security,tenure in libya

•The
President
takes
questions on
many issues in his maiden
media chat ... last night
President Goodluck Jonathan
last night assured Nigerians of
his administration’s
commitment to improving
security.
But he noted that the rising
security challenge is incapable
of leading to this country’s
disintegration.
“We are working on changing
the security architecture of
the country. We know we
have challenges, but I can
assure Nigerians that the
security challenges will by
brought under control,” he
said.
Dr Jonathan said efforts were
on to engage all stakeholders
to ensure a permanent
solution to the crisis in Plateau
State, which has claimed many
lives.
The President spoke in Abuja
during his maiden media chat.
It was broadcast on national
television.
Silverbird’s Stella Din anchored
the interview.
The President said he has no
regret mooting the
contentious constitutional
amendment proposal of seven
years single tenure for the
President and Governors.
He said it was aimed at
stabilising the country’s polity,
and argued that without
political stability, the economy
would not grow.
He disagreed with the
insinuation that the country
will soon disintegrate because
of insecurity. He said: “I, as the
current President of this
country, do not agree with
that insinuation that this
country will disintegrate. That
people are throwing bombs
does not mean that the
country will disintegrate.”
He observed that it was not
the first time people would
express fears about the
nation’s unity, but that the
country, despite its
differences and problems, has
always survived as one entity.
Citing past crises, particularly
the Civil War and the Niger
Delta unrest, Jonathan argued
that the level of economic and
social integration achieved by
the people does not indicate
that the country would
disintegrate.
“We will not disintegrate. And
I can assure you that between
now and 2015, Nigeria will
remain a single entity,” he
said.
He justified his suggestion for
a single tenure for the
President and governors,
saying although he is yet to
send a Bill to the National
Assembly to that effect; he
was proposing a single term
of seven years for president
and governors while the
Legislature should have
multiple tenure of six years.
He based his push for a single
term on the high cost of
running elections. He said
Nigerians would one day
decide on the issue and
assured that it has nothing to
do with personal gains.
Besides, said the President, he
does not have the fiat to
impose the amendment.
Jonathan chided those
commenting on the proposal
when it was yet to be
submitted to the National
Assembly.
“I have no regrets over the
single tenure proposal
because it will stabilise the
polity,” he said, adding:
“I said seven years actually; I
did not talk about six years.
My thinking is seven years for
President and governors, but
for the National Assembly, I
said six years.
“The feeling that probably you
have hidden agenda makes
people to oppose it, but one
day Nigerians will decide. Now
it is like a rumour.”
The President assured of his
government’s commitment to
improving power situation. He
said the government was
working on ways of ensuring
enhanced private sector
involvement in all power
production efforts, including
generation and distribution.
On the crisis in the judiciary,
President Jonathan admitted
that every Nigerian is
concerned about the recent
unhealthy development in that
arm of government. He
believed in the ability of the
judiciary, he said, and advised:
“We should allow the judiciary
to reform itself.”
In his view, the peace in
Plateau State is a function of
the people’s resolve to bring
about peace. No matter the
number of soldiers deployed
in the state, except the people
resolve to have peace, it could
be difficult, he said.
The President expressed his
support for dialogue among
Nigerians as a way of
resolving observed
contradictions, but he ruled
out the possibility of his
administration organising any
dialogue. Many have been
pushing for a national
conference to resolve some
critical national issues.
He said the government
would rather set up a body to
review past conferences and
reduce issues which have
been agreed upon to a bill for
consideration by the National
Assembly.
The President also spoke on
the Wikileaks reports, which
he described as mere beer
parlour gossips.
He said the reports failed to
find out the authenticity of the
information provided.
Though he did not deny that
most of the people mentioned
in the reports spoke to
American ambassadors,
Jonathan questioned the
authenticity of the report.

The defence chief get presidential order to stop killing in Jos

The serial
killings in Jos,
the
beleaguered
Plateau State
capital and its environs, got
President Goodluck Jonathan
cracking yesterday.
Dr Jonathan directed Chief of
Defence Staff Air Marshal
Oluseyi Petinrin to end the
killings immediately.
No fewer than 100 persons –
most of them members of
same families – have been
killed in attacks on homes in
villages within the last few
days.
The President also scheduled
a meeting with Governor
Jonah Jang today in Abuja
over the security situation in
the Northcentral state.
Rumours of attacks have been
circulating through text
messages in the state.
Many residents are having
sleepless nights over threats
of attacks.
The presidential directive,
which is with “immediate
effect,” was delivered after
yesterday’s security meeting
at the Presidential Villa.
Vice President Namadi Sambo,
security chiefs and the
National Security Adviser
(NSA), Gen. Andrew Azazi,
attended the three-hour
meeting.
A statement by presidential
spokesman Reuben Abati
said:
“In keeping with his avowed
resolve to ensure the full
security of lives and property
across the country, President
Jonathan has directed the
Chief of Defence Staff, Air
Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin, to
take full charge of the security
situation in Plateau State
immediately and take all
necessary actions to stop the
recent spate of killings in the
state.
“Following a meeting of the
National Security Council,
President Jonathan also
directed the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation,
Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, to
bring up all pending reports
by recent committees set up
by the Federal Government on
the Plateau for immediate
review and implementation.
“President Jonathan, who is
scheduled to meet with the
Plateau State Governor, Chief
Jonah Jang tomorrow, further
directed the National
Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA) to take prompt
action to address the plight of
internally displaced persons in
Plateau State.
“He renewed his call on
parties involved in the crises
in Plateau State to embrace
tolerance, dialogue and
compromise to ensure the
success of ongoing efforts to
achieve a lasting resolution of
their differences.”
The state police command
said it has uncovered the plan
by some youths to invade Jos
and cause further loss of lives
and property.
Rumours are rife of Muslims
mobilising youths from
outside the state to assist
them in attacking Christians in
Jos.
Text messages are being
circulated. People who have
relatives in Jos have been
calling their loved ones to alert
them.
One of such messages
indicated that many trucks
had been assembled to
convey youths from some
parts of the North to Jos for
the impending attack.
The police, who have been
monitoring movements into
the city in the last few days,
confirmed that they had
noticed an unusual influx of
youths from some states in
the North into Jos on
motorcycles.
In a statement yesterday, the
state police command said:
“Consequent upon the influx
of youths from other states of
the North into Plateau with
many unregistered
motorcycles, the Plateau State
Police Command wishes to
inform all owners of
unregistered motorcycles to
get them registered
forthwith.”
The statement, signed by the
Police Public Relations Officer
Apev Jacob, an ASP, said: “This
is to prevent them from being
used for criminal purposes.
“We want to warn that any
person who flouts this
directive by using such
unregistered motorcycle will
be traced, arrested and
prosecuted, in accordance
with provisions of the road
traffic Act.
“The command also wishes to
state in clear terms that
security is a collective
business and should therefore
be devoid of ethnic, religious
and political sentiments.
“Finally we want to reaffirm
our commitment and
determination to provide
maximum security to all law
abiding citizens in the state.”The serial
killings in Jos,
the
beleaguered
Plateau State
capital and its environs, got
President Goodluck Jonathan
cracking yesterday.
Dr Jonathan directed Chief of
Defence Staff Air Marshal
Oluseyi Petinrin to end the
killings immediately.
No fewer than 100 persons –
most of them members of
same families – have been
killed in attacks on homes in
villages within the last few
days.

Libyan rebels hold 200 Nigerians hostage.

More violence
against migrants
The crackdown on Nigerians
in Libya continued yesterday,
with the arrest of 25 by the
rebel-controlled Transitional
National Council (TNC), which
has slackened Col. Muammar
Gaddafi’s 42-year grip on
power.
The development has brought
the number of Nigerians in
detention to over 200, The
Nation learnt. There are fears
that the detained Nigerians
may be killed by the rebels, if
the Federal Government does
not act on time.
A spokesman for trapped
Nigerians in Tripoli, Mr.
Daramola Siji, who spoke with
our correspondent on the
telephone, said: “About 25
Nigerians were today arrested
in Tripoli and they are being
detained in Salahdin part of
the capital city. We have no
access to them at all.
“So far, we have over 200
Nigerians being detained in
various parts of Libya. We do
not know their fate. We are
praying that they will not be
killed like other black migrant
workers.
“The general pattern is that
the rebels mount roadblocks
and everytime black people
are sighted in a bus, they will
quickly arrest them and
hound them into various cells
in the city.”
Asked how Nigerians fell into
rebels’ hands, Siji said:
“Having been without food,
they decided to venture out of
their homes to look for what
to buy and, in the process,
most of them were arrested.
“I wish to appeal to the
Federal Government to take
action. We could not reach the
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, who
has been sympathetic to our
plight, with the opening up of
talks with the TNC leaders.
“Although the Minister
designated our Ambassador
to Ethiopia to take charge of
the situation in Libya, the
envoy has remained
incommunicado.”
Responding to a question, Siji
said: “The rebels felt the black
migrants were the
mercenaries used by
Muammar Gaddafi to fight
them and that is why they are
embarking on retaliatory
killings.
“But we have made the TNC to
realise that the mercenaries
used by Gaddafi were mostly
Chadians and Nigeriens. No
Nigerian fought on the side of
Gaddafi.”
A top source in the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, who spoke in
confidence, said: “The Minister
is away in Sweden for Nordic
Ministers meeting. But he is
on top of the situation, even
from his base abroad.
“We have got assurances from
the TNC, Britain and France
that black migrants will no longer be attacked.”
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SSS, uncovers bomb factory.

•Six suspects
arrested
Six suspects
have been arrested in
connection with the
bombings in Suleja, Niger
State.
The State Security Services
(SSS), which broke the news
yesterday, said it also
uncovered a building in Suleja
where explosives are being
manufactured by members of
the Boko Haram sect.
Also yesterday, the Nigerian
Immigration Service (NIS)
deported 72 Nigeriens
handed over by the Brigade of
Guards, the Army Unit
protecting the President.
The NIS is looking for a man
suspected to be recruiting
and sending Nigeriens into
Nigeria.
The SSS, in a statement in
Abuja signed by its
spokesperson Mrs Marylyn
Ogar, said: “Following the
bombings at the INEC office,
Suleja on 8th April, 2011 and
the All Christians Fellowship
Church, Suleja, Niger State on
10th July, 2011, this Service
commenced investigation to
unravel the perpetrators.
“Consequently, on 4th August,
2011, a suspect, who is a
Nigerien national, was
apprehended in connection
with the bombing in Suleja.
“He confessed to his
involvement in the bombings
as well as his membership of
the Boko Haram sect. His
confession led to the arrest of
a 31-year old indigene of Imo
State who converted to Islam
in 2003.
“The second suspect, who is
born of a Nigeriene mother,
was brought up in Niger
Republic, where he had his
early education. He also
admitted to being a member
of the Boko Haram sect as well
as having worked in concert
with a third suspect from
Kano State to carry out attacks
in Suleja. Their confessions led
to further arrest of two
accomplices from Borno State.
“The five suspects all
confessed that the main
supplier of the explosive
materials used for their
bombing operations is a
miner from Nasarawa State,
who the Service eventually
arrested on 30th August,
2011.
“They also confessed that they
took part in the killing of four
policemen at a check-point at
Dakwa-Deidei in Bwari Area
Council of the FCT on 22nd
May, 2011.
“Investigation has indeed
revealed that the suspects
belong to the Boko Haram cell
operating in the Suleja-Abuja
axis, which is under the
direction and control of a
blood-thirsty Boko Haram
leader who is now at large.
“Meanwhile, a non-descript
building where the
Improvised Explosive Devices
(I.E.Ds) are assembled has
been uncovered at an area
popularly known as Chechnya,
Hayin-Uku village in Tafa Local
Government Area, Niger State.
“Among items recovered in
the merchandise of death are:
i. One (1) gas cylinder; ii. One
battery connected to a
detonator; iii. Two (2)
damaged detonators; iv. One
(1) locally made revolver; v.
One (1) gun butt; vi. Two (2)
knives; and vii. Ten (10) GSM
handsets with SIM cards.”
Other items recovered include
ceiling fan coil, metallic
cylinders, nine volts batteries
ready for use, 200 pieces of
detonators, detonating cables,
battery chargers, and a Honda
Civic car with Borno State
registration number AG 94
MNG, among others.
A bomb expert brought in by
the SSS, Mr. Adegboyega
Adeniyi, told reporters that an
assembled combination of
some of the items could
wreak the kind of devastation
at the bombed Abuja UN
building.
The identity of the owner of
the building is yet to be
established by the SSS, even as
the villagers, including the
village head were not willing
to give information about the
ownership of the house.
Mrs Ogar, who conducted
reporters round the horror
house, said the building had
been under surveillance and
that the suspects, who she did
not name, would be charged
to court “as soon as we find
any court that is willing to try
them”.
The NIS yesterday deported
72 Nigeriens as part of the
ongoing clampdown on Boko
Haram members and illegal
aliens.
NIS spokesman Joachim
Olumba, a chief
superintendent, who spoke
with our correspondents, said
the deported Nigeriens were
taken away from Abuja to the
nearest Nigerien border in
Katsina State at about 3.45pm.
Olumba said: “An Army officer
and some soldiers from the
Brigade of Guards on Monday
brought a truckload of young
men to us and informed us
that they were apprehended
between 5pm and 6pm
somewhere around Dei-Dei
while trying to enter Abuja.
“The nature of their
movement looked suspicious,
but we decided to determine
their nationality and mission
through screening.
“All through the night, we
screened them and conducted
investigation.
“After investigation, 80 are
Nigerians and 72 are from the
Republic of Niger.
“We were able to establish the
fact that these people do not
have any visible means of
livelihood. And given this
situation, we reasoned that it
will be improper to admit
them into Abuja when they
have no fixed addresses and
no contact.”
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We aren't prepared for bombings says; NSA

Security
agencies are
fighting back to contain the
spate of bombings and
killings.
They are reviewing their
operations and fashioning
new tactics, following the
Boko Haram bombings and
killings.
President Goodluck Jonathan’s
National Security Adviser (NSA)
Gen. Owoye Azazi yesterday
threw the ball back into
Nigerians’ court, saying they
should all join to resolve the
problems.
He warned that “the security
challenges are here to stay;
we don’t think they will go
away overnight”.
Gen. Azazi spoke at the State
House in Abuja after briefing
the National Council of State
meeting on the security
situation.
The NCS meeting was
dominated by the security
challenge facing the nation in
the wake of the series of
bombings, the last one being
the suicide attack on the
United Nations (UN) building
in Abuja on August 26.
Twenty-three people died in
the attack; more than 80
people were injured.
The Boko Haram sect, which
claimed responsibility for the
UN House bombing, also
attacked the Police
Headquarters in Abuja, using
a suicide bomber as well.
Last year when the country
was marking their 50th
anniversary, there was
another bombing in Abuja.
The Boko Haram sect, has
been carrying out other
bombings in other parts of
the North, especially in the
Northeast and Northcentral
zones.
In Plateau State, there have
been religious and ethnic
killings.
The National Council of State is
a statutory body whose
membership comprises of the
President, vice president,
former heads of state,
governors of the 36 states,
former Chief Justices of
Nigeria (CJN), the incumbent
CJN, the Attorney General of
the Federation and the NSA.
President Jonathan presided
at the meeting, which lasted
about six hours.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,
Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen.
Yakubu Gowon and Gen.
Abdusalami Abubakar
attended.
Former Military President Gen.
Ibrahim Babaginda, former
military Head of State, Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari and
former Head of Interim
National Government, Chief
Earnest Shonekan were
absent.
Gen. Azazi said after the
meeting: “This morning, I was
asked to brief the council on
security issues across the
country. We reviewed what
we believe was the true
situation. There are security
issues all over; problems in
the Niger Delta, crisis in Jos,
kidnapping in parts of the
country, but the focus was on
what was considered topical
at this point. Explosives
everywhere, especially Police
Headquarters, UN building
and although there are claims
as to who was responsible,
the important thing is that we
as a nation should realise that
we are facing challenges that
are relatively new to us.
“The problem is that we were
not as a nation prepared for
this new level of terrorism.
“All over the world, especially
after 9/11 and the July
bombings in London, there
are restricted access to public
facilities but we have not had
that.
“To solve crime, sometimes,
you need a national identity
database; we are trying to put
that together. We are talking
of putting up a strategy on
protection of critical national
infrastructure.
“The security challenges are
here to stay, but we don’t
think they will go away
overnight, the more the public
is aware of their
responsibilities, the better
they could serve the security
services. If we are more
aware, you could pass the
information, but the security
services themselves must also
improve.
“If you have not had a
problem, it is difficult to find a
solution overnight. Even our
attitude towards the public,
performance of our routine
duties. We are discussing
seriously how we want to
meet the aspirations of the
Nigerian public and to assure
you that at some point, it is
always very difficult when you
face these terrorists activities
but, at least, we want to make
sure that the security services
are provided enough
information from which they
can produce intelligence and
to be more proactive and
once you are more proactive,
you can do a lot to stem the
tide.
“Today as we can see, a lot of
work is being done by
security services, but when
investigations are not
complete, it may not be the
proper thing to start to
expose the level of
investigations to the media.
“But, from time to time, we
have tried to engage with the
media either from the services
themselves or myself.
“We agree on the use of
technology and you don’t
acquire those things
overnight. Issues like
registration of SIM card are
properly effected; we talked
about border control, how to
help the Immigration to make
sure that there is proper
border control; we talk of
security in maritime
environment. Those issues
were addressed.”
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Nigeria Protests kiling of its nationals in Libya

Nigeria is
protesting to
Libya’s
Transitional
National Council (TNC), Britain
and France the killing of its
nationals in the troubled
North African country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru
abandoned a church service
yesterday to take distress calls
of Nigerians in Libya,
including their co-ordinator,
Mr. Daramola Siji.
Nigerians are being attacked
in Tripoli, Benghazi, Gath,
Agadez and Sirte, the
hometown of the embattled
Libyan leader, Muammar
Gaddafi, whose 42-year grip
on power has been removed
by a six-month insurgency.
A source said: “Unharmed
Nigerians are being killed in
tens for no just cause. In
some instances, they rape
Nigerian women before
shooting them to death.
“Yet, this is the same TNC that
the Federal Government is
backing in Libya. The blacks
are not involved in Libyan
crisis; they do not deserve this
massacre.”
In one of the distress notes
sent to the Presidency and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Siji,
who is from Emure-Ekiti, said:
“We cannot go out of our
homes, my wife and children.
We will certainly be shot. We
don’t have food and we lack
everything.
“We can save lives. I am calling
on AU to act and save African
families boxed in troubled
Libya and if anyone could
reach out to the Nigerian
government to stop the killing
of Nigerians by the former
rebels who are now the new
leaders in Libya, it will be
better.”
In a telephone chat with our
correspondent, Siji gave
details of how Nigerians have
become the targets of the
rebels.
He added: “The truth is that
when Gaddafi was in office,
he had sympathy for black
Africans and many have even
settled in Libya.
“In fact, there is a city in
Southern Libya called Suyima
that is mostly populated by
Nigerians, especially the
Hausa. The city shares borders
with Algeria and Niger.
“But due to Gaddafi’s
sympathy for the blacks, the
rebels assumed that the
blacks will naturally do
everything to protect Gaddafi.
So, they decided to kill any
black man on sight.
“Nigerians have been the butt
of the attacks on the blacks
because the rebels could
hardly differentiate them from
Ghanaians, Malians, Nigerians,
Burkinabes, Senegalese and
Gambians.
“They are really killing many
Nigerians and this is just
unfortunate.”
The Nation learnt that Amb.
Ashiru was moved into action
after getting the distress call
yesterday. He shelved a church
service to attend to the calls.
A government source said:
“Apart from talking to Siji
directly, the Minister also
reached out to the TNC, Britain
and France on the need to
stop the killing of black
migrant workers, especially
Nigerians.
“For about five hours
yesterday, the Minister was
talking to the TNC leaders,
Britain and France on why the
genocide must stop.
“The Federal Government has
pleaded with Britain and
France to prevail on the TNC
leaders to ask their foot
soldiers to end the massacre
of blacks in Libya.
“I think immediate action has
been taken and there will be
respite for not only Nigerians,
but all the blacks in Libya.
“The government has also
asked the TNC to liaise with
Siji, who will now serve as a
coordinator or Liaison Officer
on how to protect the blacks,
especially Nigerians.
“Also, the Nigerian
Ambassador to Ethiopia has
been asked to relate with the
Nigerian community in the
Libyan cities. The Ambassador
will also work directly with the
TNC.
“The Ambassador is also
expected to send hourly
situation reports to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
where a desk has been
opened to monitor TNC’s
attitude to blacks, especially
Nigerians, in Libya.”
This is the second time in the
last four days that the Federal
Government has protested to
its TNC ally in Libya over the
massacre of black migrant
workers.
The Minister said Thursday:
“The Government of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria
wishes to note with concern
reports of incessant abuse of
helpless civilians in Libya by
some unscrupulous elements who continue to take undue advantage of the ongoing crisis in that country,
particularly to carry out attacks on Black migrant
workers and other Black Africans stranded in Libya arising from crisis in that country.
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Nigeria Protests kiling of its nationals in Libya

Nigeria is
protesting to
Libya’s
Transitional
National Council (TNC), Britain
and France the killing of its
nationals in the troubled
North African country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru
abandoned a church service
yesterday to take distress calls
of Nigerians in Libya,
including their co-ordinator,
Mr. Daramola Siji.
Nigerians are being attacked
in Tripoli, Benghazi, Gath,
Agadez and Sirte, the
hometown of the embattled
Libyan leader, Muammar
Gaddafi, whose 42-year grip
on power has been removed
by a six-month insurgency.
A source said: “Unharmed
Nigerians are being killed in
tens for no just cause. In
some instances, they rape
Nigerian women before
shooting them to death.
“Yet, this is the same TNC that
the Federal Government is
backing in Libya. The blacks
are not involved in Libyan
crisis; they do not deserve this
massacre.”
In one of the distress notes
sent to the Presidency and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Siji,
who is from Emure-Ekiti, said:
“We cannot go out of our
homes, my wife and children.
We will certainly be shot. We
don’t have food and we lack
everything.
“We can save lives. I am calling
on AU to act and save African
families boxed in troubled
Libya and if anyone could
reach out to the Nigerian
government to stop the killing
of Nigerians by the former
rebels who are now the new
leaders in Libya, it will be
better.”
In a telephone chat with our
correspondent, Siji gave
details of how Nigerians have
become the targets of the
rebels.
He added: “The truth is that
when Gaddafi was in office,
he had sympathy for black
Africans and many have even
settled in Libya.
“In fact, there is a city in
Southern Libya called Suyima
that is mostly populated by
Nigerians, especially the
Hausa. The city shares borders
with Algeria and Niger.
“But due to Gaddafi’s
sympathy for the blacks, the
rebels assumed that the
blacks will naturally do
everything to protect Gaddafi.
So, they decided to kill any
black man on sight.
“Nigerians have been the butt
of the attacks on the blacks
because the rebels could
hardly differentiate them from
Ghanaians, Malians, Nigerians,
Burkinabes, Senegalese and
Gambians.
“They are really killing many
Nigerians and this is just
unfortunate.”
The Nation learnt that Amb.
Ashiru was moved into action
after getting the distress call
yesterday. He shelved a church
service to attend to the calls.
A government source said:
“Apart from talking to Siji
directly, the Minister also
reached out to the TNC, Britain
and France on the need to
stop the killing of black
migrant workers, especially
Nigerians.
“For about five hours
yesterday, the Minister was
talking to the TNC leaders,
Britain and France on why the
genocide must stop.
“The Federal Government has
pleaded with Britain and
France to prevail on the TNC
leaders to ask their foot
soldiers to end the massacre
of blacks in Libya.
“I think immediate action has
been taken and there will be
respite for not only Nigerians,
but all the blacks in Libya.
“The government has also
asked the TNC to liaise with
Siji, who will now serve as a
coordinator or Liaison Officer
on how to protect the blacks,
especially Nigerians.
“Also, the Nigerian
Ambassador to Ethiopia has
been asked to relate with the
Nigerian community in the
Libyan cities. The Ambassador
will also work directly with the
TNC.
“The Ambassador is also
expected to send hourly
situation reports to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
where a desk has been
opened to monitor TNC’s
attitude to blacks, especially
Nigerians, in Libya.”
This is the second time in the
last four days that the Federal
Government has protested to
its TNC ally in Libya over the
massacre of black migrant
workers.
The Minister said Thursday:
“The Government of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria
wishes to note with concern
reports of incessant abuse of
helpless civilians in Libya by
some unscrupulous elements who continue to take undue advantage of the ongoing crisis in that country,
particularly to carry out attacks on Black migrant
workers and other Black Africans stranded in Libya arising from crisis in that country.
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SECURITY AGENTS;Hunt UN bombers family associates

• Probe Boko
Haram’s
claims
The Federal Bureau of
Investigations (FBI) has
launched a grand scale
manhunt for the relations and
associates of the alleged UN
building suicide bomber,
Mohammed Abdul Barra.
It has also in conjunction with
other security agencies
started probing the claim of
responsibility by the Boko
Haram sect.
A spokesman for Boko Haram
sect had last week claimed
that the 27-year old Abul
Barra detonated the bomb
that killed 23 people at the UN
House.
Investigations by our
correspondent revealed that a
probe has started into the
claim by Boko Haram with
investigators looking beyond
the sect.
According to findings,
preliminary forensic analysis
suggested the use of
“sophisticated explosives”
typical of Al-Qaeda.
There were fears that Boko
Haram’s claim might be a
decoy to divert the attention
of the FBI, the UN and other
experts probing the incident.
A top source said: “All the
security agencies involved in
the investigation are still
looking at Boko Haram’s claim
that Mohammed Abul Barra
did the havoc. But they are
certainly considering many
sides to it including the
likelihood of the infiltration of
Al-Qaeda members into
Nigeria to bomb the UN
House.”
The usual reliable source
added, “We are suspicious of
Boko Haram’s claim but we
have noted it because this is
not the first time it will lay
claim to such. However,
investigators are weighing a
larger picture of other
terrorist groups that might
have been involved in the
explosion.”
As at press time last night, it
was gathered that Nigerian
security agencies were trying
to establish the identity of the
suicide bomber so as to
ascertain his nationality.
Another source said: “We are
trying to trace his antecedents
if he is a Nigerian; who were
his associates; where did he
train; and how he became
involved. If he is a Nigerian,
we will try to locate his
relations to get a few details
on how he got to that level of
a suicide mission.
“The issue is not just naming
the suicide bomber; we have
more leg work to do. One of
the theories we are working
on is the likelihood of
invading Abuja from a suicide
bombing base. Also, the
particulars of the Honda car
used for the bombing are also
being investigated in Kano. It
may take time; we will get
clues at the end of the day.”
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Why can't we tackle the boko haram operatives

More facts have emerged on why
it is becoming increasingly
difficult for security operatives to
be pro-active in intelligence
gathering that would have given
them the upper hand over the
Boko Haram sect.
Sources close to the service told
one of our correspondents that
many officers of the Department
of State Security were not happy
with its leadership on issues
bearing on welfare.
Part of their grievances includes
non-payment of leave allowance,
which they said the authorities
claimed had been incorporated
into the salaries of the personnel.
The officers also claimed that the
leadership of the service had
reneged on its promise to pay
them what is called “incentive
allowance.” This allowance, it
was gathered, is usually half of a
salary and is paid once in a year.
The promise to pay it was
reportedly made last December.
Apart from this, it was also
alleged that their plain clothes
allowance, which was meant to
be paid quarterly, was last paid
in October 2010. Since then,
nothing has been paid to the
operatives. Ordinarily, junior
officers are to be paid N15,000
while senior officers are to earn
N20,000 quarterly.
It was also alleged that the
furniture allowances have not
been paid to the officers. The
operatives are also grumbling
about the irregularities in their
promotion. For example, those
that sat for promotion
examination and passed since
January and February are yet to
be promoted.
One of them said, “It is because
of issues like this that we are no
longer pro-active. We are now
reactive in our operations.
“In the days of the defunct
National Security organisation,
how many Nigerians know those
working in the organisation?
Now, everyone knows who
works with SSS. We now carry
guns like the regular police. We
have left our primary duty of
gathering information. If you go
to our organisation
headquarters, you will see patrol
vans parked outside just like the
ones being used by the police.
“You will see our men carrying
arms outside as if we are in war
zone. That is not how to go
about information gathering. By
now, with the activities of the
Boko Haram sect, we ought to
have our men who will be in all
the northern states of the
country masquerading as cattle
men.”
The spokesperson of the SSS,
Marilyn Ogar, did not respond to
calls made to her phone to verify
these claims.
Another factor said to be
militating against intelligence
gathering is the infiltration of
security organisations by
suspected Boko Haram
sympathisers. This, it was
gathered, had made it more
difficult for the security agencies
to act decisively on the sect as
operational methods were said
to be leaked to them.
But the police in their reaction
said they had their method of
screening applicants into the
force that ensured that militants
did not infiltrate the
organisation.
The Deputy Force Public Relations
Officer, Mr. Yemi Ajayi, cited the
ongoing recruitment into the
Cadet Assistant Superintendent
and Cadet Inspector of Police,
saying it involved the vetting of
applicants by the Divisional Police
Officer in their local government
areas as well as the traditional
ruler and LG chairman.
According to him, the rigorous
screening and vetting is to
ensure that people with
questionable background do not
find their way into the police.
“The police are a unifying
organisation for the country
because you find people from
different ethnic groups and
cultural backgrounds there.
There is no way militants and
people with questionable
character can find their way into
the force with the rigorous
screening we have adopted; only
people with integrity are in the
police,” Ajayi said.
Spokesman for the 81 Division of
the Nigerian Army, Lt.Col. Kayode
Ogunsanya, also said it was not
possible for members of the
Boko Haram to infiltrate the
army.
He said, “I can’t speak for the
whole army. I will give you the
number of the director that will
talk to you on that. But the Boko
Haram penetrating the army
won’t be possible.”

BOKO HARAM:Governor scared beef up security

Fearing that they may become
the next target of terrorist
attacks following the bomb
explosion that rocked the United
Nations office in Abuja,
governors have ordered that
security around them and
members of their families be
doubled to forestall attacks.
Apart from increasing the
personal security of the
governors, SUNDAY PUNCH
gathered that security agencies
in all the states have been
instructed to provide water tight
security at government houses
and state secretariats
This current apprehension came
after the Boko Haram sect
claimed responsibility for the UN
attack, which has generated
international condemnation with
foreign investigators joining the
hunt for the perpetrators.
The destructive activities of the
sect have hitherto been
restricted to Borno State, their
base, Bauchi State and the
Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The recent attack on the UN
building shows that members of
the sect have the capacity to
extend to other states of the
federation.
Reports from various states have
it that diverse security measures
have been introduced at the
governors’ offices and homes to
prevent possible bomb attacks.
Some of the measures employed
include an increase in the
number of security operatives,
thorough checks at the gates to
the government house, and
relocation of parking lots.
Unlike before, visitors to some of
the government houses are now
thoroughly quizzed to ascertain
their mission before they are
allowed in, while vehicles are
screened with bomb detectors.
LAGOS
Security agencies in the state
have further restricted access to
the Lagos Governor, Mr.
Babatunde Fashola, as part of the
state’s response to the bombing
of the UN office in Abuja last
week.
Our correspondent learnt that
part of the measure to keep
Fashola, safe, is preventing
unknown visitors from having
access to the Lagos House,
where the governor’s office is
located. Usually all visitors to
Lagos house are allowed to park
at the visitors’ car park without
discrimination.
But a member of the governor’s
security team said that
henceforth, only government
workers at the governor’s office
and known visitors like relevant
political and business figures in
the state would be allowed to
park at the visitors’ car park.
It was also gathered that only the
personal staff of the governor
would be able to drive their
vehicles into the governor’s
office premises.
Another worker at the
governor’s office told our
correspondent that there were
plans in the office to limit the
social and political functions that
the governor would be
attending.
ILORIN
The Chief Press Secretary to the
Kwara State Governor,
Abdulwahab Oba, said the state
government had taken adequate
security measures to protect the
governor.
In a telephone interview with
our correspondent in Ilorin, Oba
said there were security checks
before entering the Government
House and the Governor’s Office
but that those checks were
‘normal security checks.’
Oba stated that there was an
increase in the number of
security operatives in the state
and the government was
discussing with security agencies
on how to avoid any security
breach.
He however said other security
measures to protect Ahmed and
the entire citizens were not open
for public disclosure, because
that would jeopardise security
measures.
KADUNA
In Kaduna, heavily armed soldiers
have been deployed to guard the
Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government
House located within the vicinity
of one of the flashpoints in the
state capital, Tundun Wada, also
noted for housing Islamic
religious extremists.
The soldiers, who are the first set
of security operatives any visitor
to the Kaduna Government House
encounters on approaching the
gate to the sprawling edifice,
were deployed since the upscale
in the activities of the notorious
Boko Haram Islamic sect to
complement other security
operatives manning the short
drive to the seat of government
in the state.
Immediately visitors scale
through the thorough screening
by the soldiers, they face another
checkpoint mounted by a
combined team of heavily armed
anti-riot policemen and
operatives of the state anti-crime
security outfit, the Operation
Yaki. Here the visitor’s vehicle is
thoroughly screened with metal
detectors and anti-bomb devices.
The interior and the boot of his
car are also screened and
searched before being allowed
to proceed.
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why Jonathan orders world leader to turn against Gadafi

Fresh facts
emerged
yesterday that
the sudden
discovery of
an Al-Qaeda
and bomb-training ground in
Muttabi in Libya accounted for
why world leaders, including
President Goodluck Jonathan,
moved against the embattled
Libyan leader, Muammar
Gaddafi.
Also, the Federal Government
has said that the relationship
of ex-President Olusegun
Obasanjo with Gaddafi will
not affect the nation’s support
for Libyan rebels who have
formed the Transitional
National Council (TNC) to oust
Gaddafi.
A top government official,
who spoke in confidence, said
most world leaders felt
Gaddafi had been bankrolling
Al-Qaeda’s terrorist attacks in
many countries.
The source said that it took
many years of investigation to
uncover the covert financing
of terrorism by Gaddafi.
He said: “Recent discovery
indicated that Gaddafi had
been operating a training
ground in Muttabi where
many insurgents, including
members of the Boko Haram
in Nigeria, are being trained in
the art of making bombs and
suicide bombing.
“The world leaders felt his cup
was full and they had to move
against him. The last to join
the fray against Gaddafi was
Russia , which had been a
long standing ally of Gaddafi.
“The convincing evidence of
terrorism placed before
Russia informed its
withdrawal of support for
Gaddafi.
“World leaders are tired of
terrorism and in their
determination to ensure
global peace, they chose to cut
Gaddafi to size.”
On why Nigeria decided to
back the Libyan Transitional
National Council, the top
Presidency source added:
“Gaddafi has never hidden his
disdain for the continued
survival of this nation as one.
“Last year, he said openly that
Nigeria should split, and he
has been working towards
that since 1997. He has been
undermining our internal
security.
“For instance, when a former
Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen.
Oladipo Diya narrowly cheated
death through bomb
explosion in 1997, intelligence
report showed that Gaddafi
had a hand in it.
“The two suspects behind the
botched bombing of Diya’s
plane (otherwise called
Sumaila and Sumaila) were
trained in Muttabi in Libya too.
“During the administration of
ex-President Olusegun
Obasanjo, he persuaded
Gaddafi to invest in the
nation’s refineries, especially
in Port Harcourt. But Gaddafi
said he would prefer the
refinery in Kaduna because
Nigeria would break up by
2004. That was how his
planned investment in our
refineries was jettisoned
when the Kaduna Refinery
was not conceded to him.
“So, you can see that having
had our share of terrorist
attacks, we cannot afford to
sit on the fence. Gaddafi had
never wished Nigeria well.”
On the relationship between
Obasanjo and Gaddafi, the
government source said: “It
has no effect on the
recognition given to the TNC
in Libya by the Federal
Government.
“All along, the ex-President
knew the kind of person
Gaddafi is. But he said he has
been courting him for the
sake of peace and security in
Nigeria .
“When Obasanjo was in
power, each time he was
asked why he was relating
with Gaddafi, he always said
that whoever would not allow
you to enjoy your meal to the
fullest, you add his own from
the outset.
“Obasanjo saw Gaddafi as a
threat and he cultivated him
to reduce tension in Africa. I
think that approach also
succeeded to some extent.
“The ex-President
understands the position of
the Federal Government, and
as a nationalist, he
appreciates the fact that
Nigeria ’s interest is above any
other consideration. Can you
really call Gaddafi a friend of
Obasanjo?’’

Federal government gather clues on terrors attack

President Goodluck Jonathan on
Friday said government had
received credible intelligence
about the sponsors and
perpetrators of terrorism in the
country.
Jonathan also vowed that
government would punish the
sponsors and perpetrators of
terrorism.
Speaking at the unveiling of new
number-plates in Abuja, Jonathan
advised those involved in
terrorism not to test his
administration‘s resolve to
combat the menace.
He assured Nigerians that
security measures were being
reviewed to enable the
government to deal with
emerging threats.

Federal government gather clues on terrors attack

President Goodluck Jonathan on
Friday said government had
received credible intelligence
about the sponsors and
perpetrators of terrorism in the
country.
Jonathan also vowed that
government would punish the
sponsors and perpetrators of
terrorism.
Speaking at the unveiling of new
number-plates in Abuja, Jonathan
advised those involved in
terrorism not to test his
administration‘s resolve to
combat the menace.
He assured Nigerians that
security measures were being
reviewed to enable the
government to deal with
emerging threats.

A report by the Associated Press,
on Thursday, as revealed how
incompetence, corruption and
nepotism in the security agencies
have helped the fundamentalist
Islamic sect behind the recent
bombings in the country to
thrive.
Among other astounding claims,
the report says that security
officials in 2007, arrested,
detained and later released the
man who planned last Friday’s
UN bombing. The report says the
release of the UN bombing
mastermind, named by the State
Security Service as one Mamman
Nur, and many terrorists arrested
that year was facilitated by
senior security officials. However,
the report did not name the
security agencies that arrested
and released Nur.
Quoting an unnamed Nigerian
senior security official, AP reports
that the militants were caught
with bombs, guns and lots of
cash. It added that the terrorists
were released because
government was wary of
antagonising powerful interests
in the North.
“They were caught with
explosive devices and other
ammunitions. Some of them
were also caught with large
amount of cash,” the Nigerian
official told AP.
Some of those arrested were
said to have been planning to
carry out attacks in the United
States and on American interests
in Nigeria. Investigators at the
time said they had ties to al-
Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
and the Somali terrorist
organisation, Al-Shabab, but
could not proceed because of the
order given by top officials in the
administration of the late
President Umar Yar’Adua that
they should be releassed.
“Top security officials in the
administration of then President
Umaru Yar’Adua, a Muslim,
released the rounded-up men
shortly after their arrests, with
some facing a few hasty sham
trials,” the Nigerian security
official, who spoke to AP, said.
The report says, “One of those
men was Babagana Ismail
Kwaljima, also known as Abu
Summaya, who was arrested
again days before the Aug. 26
bombing at the UN compound in
Abuja that killed at least 23
people.
“The agency previously arrested
him in October 2007 in the
northern city of Kano during a
roundup of suspected members
of al-Qaeda in the Islamic
Maghreb operating in the
country. AQIM, as the group is
known, generally operates in
Saharan nations north of Nigeria.
“The car used in the U.N.
bombing was registered in the
same area of Kano State where
the terror suspects had been
arrested only four years earlier,
the official who spoke to the AP
said.”
AP says it contacted the
spokesperson of the State
Security Service, Marilyn Ogar, but
she declined to react to its
findings.
The report also says “some 50 al-
Shabab members were arrested
in Nigeria recently for plotting
attacks on Western targets, citing
postings made to jihadist
websites. Those arrests were not
reported by Nigerian media or
announced by security agencies.
“Other problems for Nigeria’s
intelligence agencies came as it
abandoned a US-assisted anti-
terrorism program in late 2007
known as “Focal Point,” which
saw the Nigerian government set
up units in major cities to
monitor suspected terrorists, the
Nigerian official said. The units
fell apart as agencies stocked
them with friends who took
advantage of trips, leaving the
job of tracking suspects to local
police authorities who knew
nothing about the cases.
“Many saw the centers as
opportunity for ‘their boys’ to go
on overseas trips and make
money,” the official said.
The UN Resident Coordinator,
Daouda Toure, told journalists in
Abuja on Thursday that the
organisation had airlifted 14
victims of the bombing who had
been on life support to South
Africa for further treatment.
Explaining that arrangements
had been put in place to help the
family members of victims to
travel to South Africa, Toure
added that some of the affected
family members had already
been transported. Toure also
said the UN Security Services and
the UN country teams were on
ground providing support and
assistance to affected families.
He praised the Nigerian medical
staff, especially doctors at the
National Hospital, for doing a
wonderful job stabilising the
injured victims referred to it. He
lamented that 80 percent of the
injured were members of staff of
the World Health Organisation.
He, however, said it was
premature to release their names
because death certificates and
other legal issues were involved.

Nigeria tightens security against gadafi's men

The Federal
Government
has tightened
security at its
borders with Chad, Niger,
Cameroon and Benin Republic
to prevent the infiltration of
Muammar Gaddafi’s forces.
The government was not
forced to recognise the
Transitional National Council
(TNC) in Libya by NATO, the US
and the UK, a source said
yesterday.
As at press time last night, 34
African countries had
recognised the Libyan
Transitional National Council,
underscoring the fact that
beleaguered Gaddafi has lost
out in the African Union (AU).
Gaddafi ruled the country with
an iron fist. Its regime would
have been 42 years old
yesterday.
A top government official,
who spoke in confidence with
some reporters, including The
Nation’s in Abuja, said the
government considered the
security implications before
recognising the TNC.
The official said: “I think there
is no cause for alarm over the
security of this country,
following our recognition of
the TNC as the authentic
government in Libya.
“But our security agencies
have been placed on the alert
in our borders with Niger,
Chad, Cameroon and Benin
Republic to prevent the
infiltration of forces loyal to
Gaddafi.
“We took this step because
we have realised that some of
the problems we have are
exported problems. We won’t
allow those anti-democratic
forces in Libya to enter our
country.
“We won’t allow any spillover
of those elements against
change in Libya from coming
into Nigeria.”
Security was tightened at the
National Assembly yesterday.
The official also insisted that
the ties with the TNC in Libya
would bring more security
advantage to Nigeria than the
case under Gaddafi.
He added: “If we are still on
the fence, we would have
exposed our country to more
security dangers from the TNC
in Libya that will soon take
over the government in that
country.
“By the end of September
when the TNC finally takes
over Libya, the era of
democracy, rule of law and
fundamental human rights
will set in. Therefore, Libya will
no longer be a training
ground for insurrection and
insurgents as the case during
the tenure of Gaddafi.”
On the recognition of the TNC
by the Federal Government – a
decision many thought was
influenced by external forces -
the official said: “This decision
was not imposed on us by the
US, NATO or any foreign
power.
“When the die was cast,
Nigeria had to provide
leadership to save the
situation in Libya. So far,
Nigeria’s stand has been
vindicated because not less
than 34 AU members have
recognised the TNC in Libya.
“Even Russia, which was
hitherto an ally of Gaddafi, has
teamed up with many
countries. Russia was part of
the 60 nations that met in
France to hold a session as
Friends of Libya Group.
“Nigeria did not attend the
session in France to prove
that its position on Libya was
not tele-guided by any foreign
country at all.”
The cabinet official gave
details of how the Federal
Government came to accept
the TNC in Libya.
He added: “Contrary to
insinuations, we did not take
a hasty decision at all. Right
from the outset, we realised
that the Libyan crisis was a
very delicate one and we had
handled it that way for so
long. We just kept quiet.
“Later, we had many sessions
debating Libya, even at the
Nigeria Institute for
International Affairs (NIIA). It
was when the AU’s roadmap,
designed by its Ad hoc
Committee, led by President
Jacob Zuma, failed that we
opted for an alternative that
will lead Africa to take a
decision on Libya.
“Our decision on TNC was
guided by two things. These
are: National interest and the
feeling we had for the people
of Libya who have been
suffering.
“Nigeria’s foreign policy is
tailored towards the
promotion of democracy,
freedom, good governance
and human rights. These are
the priorities of the TNC; we
have no choice than to back
the group - in line with our
national interest.
“By the time we accepted the
TNC, the rebels had arrived in
Tripoli and the exit of Gaddafi
was obvious. Why must we
continue to back a wrong
horse?
“Immediately we backed the
TNC, over 34 African countries
announced recognition for
the group.”
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Victims of bombing must ge justice UN

The United
Nations (UN)
yesterday
demanded
that all those arrested in
connection with last Friday’s
bomb blast at the UN Building
in Abuja should be brought to
justice in line with
international practice.
UN Resident Co-ordinator in
Nigeria Mr. Daouda Toure who
made this demand also said
the UN has not been officially
informed of the arrest of
suspects by the Federal
Government.
He said the dead from the
blast is still 23, saying the UN
family in Nigeria is continuing
its efforts to support all the
victims of the blast. He said
the 14 critically injured UN
and non-UN persons have
been evacuated to South
Africa. He insisted that there
was no discrimination
between the UN staff and
others in the evacuation.
Toure declined to mention the
names of the dead, but
maintained that they included
highly qualified staff of the
UN. He said the list would only
be made public after the
death certificates had been
received by the UN.
He said 70 to 80 per cent of
the hospitalised are officials of
the World Health Organisation
(WHO) whose office is on the
first floor of the building.
According to him, procedures
have been put in place to
facilitate travel of the injured
family members to South
Africa. A team of UN doctors,
in collaboration with the
Ministry of Health and Federal
Capital Territory (FCT) are
working with medical
personnel in the clinics and
hospitals where the injured
are being treated in Abuja.
On the arrests, Toure said:
“This is the second time I am
hearing of finding those that
were behind this attack.
Officially, let me tell you that
the UN has not been informed
about any arrest of any sort
nor identity of those that have
been arrested. Therefore, you
will understand that I cannot
comment on that question.
“The way forward is to be
informed of the arrest.
Indeed, we demand that there
should be no impunity so that
those innocent people are not
left to just die. This is
something we demand. It is
international justice. That is
what we are talking about.
But I am not yet aware of
arrests that have happened or
given names of those that
have been arrested.”
On the dead and the UN’s
future in Nigeria, Toure said:
“Their sacrifice will not be in
vain; we will strive to pursue
our work, the work for the
people of Nigeria as
prescribed in the UN Charter.
The UN will continue on its
mission to improve the lives of
poor people, to conquer
hunger, disease and illiteracy
and to encourage respect for
each other’s rights and
freedom.”
He said: “Over the past seven
days, agencies in the UN
Country Team have been
assisting the Nigerian
government in responding to
cholera outbreaks and
providing emergency supplies
to distressed families as a
result of natural or man-made
disasters.”
On the names of the victims,
he said: “We cannot provide
the names of the victims,
unless we have their death
certificates. Highly qualified
people were lost in the blast.
We cannot say now that the
list of casualties is closed. We
will continue to monitor.”
In the next one week, UN
officials will have a temporary
office in Abuja, Toure said.
Giving an insight into the
calibre of people who died in
the blast, the Representative
of UNICEF, Dr. Sumi Sukai, said:
“A person who was giving a
document to another person
that will release the vaccines
that are coming to this
country, vaccines that are life
saving for small children and
in this interaction, they were
hit by the bomb blast. I am
happy to announce that the
vaccines are on their way to
their places.
“We also had colleagues who
were working on nutrition so
that the small children in
northern part of Nigeria, who
are facing some malnutrition
because of disease, poverty in
their family or those that need
therapy.
“The other people we are
mourning work with statistics
office. The statistics of this
country to make sure that the
country has the best
information about what is
happening to children now
and what programme to do in
order to improve their
situation.
“A colleague, who is receiving
treatment in South Africa, is
with a special team called
chain management. He deals
with refrigerators and
equipment that are needed in
order to make sure that the
medicine and vaccine that
they give to children are kept
in a good condition.”
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SSS AREST BOKO HARAM UN EXPLODER

The StateSecurity Services(SSS)yesterday confirmed
that an al-Qaeda trained Boko
Haram member, Mamman Nur,
and two others masterminded
last Friday’s bombing of the
UN House, Abuja.
The SSS has declared Nur
wanted.
It also claimed that it got
intelligence report on planned
attacks on major installations
in Abuja by Boko Haram as
early as August 18.
The alert led to the arrest of
two suspects, Babagana
Ismail Kwaljima (a.k.a Abu
Summaya) and Babagana Mali
(a.k.a Bulama), the SSS said in
its first official statement on
the UN House bombing.
It was signed by its Assistant
Director, Public Relations,
Marilyn Ogar, msi.
The statement said:
“Investigation has revealed
that one Mamman Nur, a
notorious Boko Haram
element with al-Qaeda links
who returned recently from
Somalia, working in concert
with the two suspects,
masterminded the attack on
the United Nations (UN)
building in Abuja.
“Further investigation has also
revealed that the car used for
the attack was a Honda car
with Kano State registration
number AV38NSR. It was
purchased on 3rd September,
2002 and registered on 3rd
December, 2002.
“The vehicle identification
number is
1HGCBA7400A100748, Engine
number, F22A72000540.”
The SSS, however, claimed that
contrary to insinuations, it
took preemptive measures,
following intelligence reports
on likely attack on some public
buildings in Abuja.
It added: “Owing to various
speculations and
misrepresentations in the
media arising from the bomb
attack on the United Nations
(UN) building on 26th August,
2011 in Abuja, the
Department of State Services
(DSS), on behalf of other
security agencies, wishes to
state as follows:
“On 18th August, 2011,
precise intelligence was
obtained by this Service that
some Boko Haram elements
were on a mission to attack
unspecified targets in Abuja in
an ash-colour Toyota Camry
vehicle with registration
number AA539GBL
“On 21st August, 2011 about
1300 hours, joint operations
by all security services led to
the arrest of two notorious
leaders of the Boko Haram
extremists’ sect, namely,
Babagana Ismail Kwaljima
(a.k.a Abu Summaya); and
Babagana Mali (a.k.a Bulama).
“Following their arrests,
security was further beefed
up in Abuja and its environs.
Meanwhile, the suspects have
made valuable statements and
are being held at a military
facility.”
The SSS assured Nigerians of
their safety and it restated its
determination to ensure a
peaceful and secure
environment.
It added: “The security
services wish to reiterate their
commitment to ensuring that
we have a safe, peaceful and
secure environment. We want
to reassure Nigerians that we
have no other country and we
must all strive to maintain its
unity, which is currently being
threatened.
“We implore all Nigerians to
be more security conscious
and vigilant, while urging the
general public to co-operate
with security agencies by
providing useful information
that could lead to the arrest of
Mamman Nur, who is hereby
declared wanted.
“Any person with useful
information, which could lead
to the arrest of the suspect
and other accomplices, should
report to the nearest Police
station, military formations or
any other security agency.”
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The State
Security
Services (SSS)
yesterday
confirmed
that an al-Qaeda trained Boko
Haram member, Mamman Nur,
and two others masterminded
last Friday’s bombing of the
UN House, Abuja.
The SSS has declared Nur
wanted.
It also claimed that it got
intelligence report on planned
attacks on major installations
in Abuja by Boko Haram as
early as August 18.
The alert led to the arrest of
two suspects, Babagana
Ismail Kwaljima (a.k.a Abu
Summaya) and Babagana Mali
(a.k.a Bulama), the SSS said in
its first official statement on
the UN House bombing.
It was signed by its Assistant
Director, Public Relations,
Marilyn Ogar, msi.
The statement said:
“Investigation has revealed
that one Mamman Nur, a
notorious Boko Haram
element with al-Qaeda links
who returned recently from
Somalia, working in concert
with the two suspects,
masterminded the attack on
the United Nations (UN)
building in Abuja.
“Further investigation has also
revealed that the car used for
the attack was a Honda car
with Kano State registration
number AV38NSR. It was
purchased on 3rd September,
2002 and registered on 3rd
December, 2002.
“The vehicle identification
number is
1HGCBA7400A100748, Engine
number, F22A72000540.”
The SSS, however, claimed that
contrary to insinuations, it
took preemptive measures,
following intelligence reports
on likely attack on some public
buildings in Abuja.
It added: “Owing to various
speculations and
misrepresentations in the
media arising from the bomb
attack on the United Nations
(UN) building on 26th August,
2011 in Abuja, the
Department of State Services
(DSS), on behalf of other
security agencies, wishes to
state as follows:
“On 18th August, 2011,
precise intelligence was
obtained by this Service that
some Boko Haram elements
were on a mission to attack
unspecified targets in Abuja in
an ash-colour Toyota Camry
vehicle with registration
number AA539GBL
“On 21st August, 2011 about
1300 hours, joint operations
by all security services led to
the arrest of two notorious
leaders of the Boko Haram
extremists’ sect, namely,
Babagana Ismail Kwaljima
(a.k.a Abu Summaya); and
Babagana Mali (a.k.a Bulama).
“Following their arrests,
security was further beefed
up in Abuja and its environs.
Meanwhile, the suspects have
made valuable statements and
are being held at a military
facility.”
The SSS assured Nigerians of
their safety and it restated its
determination to ensure a
peaceful and secure
environment.
It added: “The security
services wish to reiterate their
commitment to ensuring that
we have a safe, peaceful and
secure environment. We want
to reassure Nigerians that we
have no other country and we
must all strive to maintain its
unity, which is currently being
threatened.
“We implore all Nigerians to
be more security conscious
and vigilant, while urging the
general public to co-operate
with security agencies by
providing useful information
that could lead to the arrest of
Mamman Nur, who is hereby
declared wanted.
“Any person with useful
information, which could lead
to the arrest of the suspect
and other accomplices, should
report to the nearest Police
station, military formations or
any other security agency.”
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YOUTHS KILLED THREE HUMAN IN JOS VIOLENCE

Three persons were reportedly
killed in Abattoir area of Jos
North when some youths
attacked an indigenous
settlement on Wednesday
morning.
The armed youths literally took
over some of the checkpoints.
The whole stretch of Terminus to
old site of the Jos University
Teaching Hospital, Muritala
Mohammed Way, through British
American junction down to
Dogon Karfe became impassable
for the most hours of the day.
Shops were vandalised along
Muritala Mohammed Way, while a
medical doctor narrowly escaped
death while on his way to the old
site of JUTH
Because of the situation, the
whole of the metropolis was
deserted as residents stayed
indoors. Those who dared to go
out did so with great trepidation.
A resident, who simply identified
himself as Musa, wondered why
security agents watched
hoodlums killed people and
vandalised shops without trying
to stop them.