TOMPOLO MUST FACE THE LAW: PRESIDENCY TOLD EDWIN CLARK AND IJAW YOUTHS

The Presidency yesterday assured the Ijaw that it has nothing against them and therefore has no intention whatsoever harass or persecute them.

But it warned that whoever violates the law should be ready to face the consequences.

The Presidency was responding to suggestion by Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, that the Buhari administration is harassing his people.

He cited the trial of ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo for theft and money laundering and the cancellation of the proposed Maritime University in Delta State.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) expressed similar sentiments yesterday.

Speaking to The Nation on the phone last night, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said it was untrue to say the administration is out to punish any ethnic group in the country.

He said: “Anybody who is a follower of events in the country knows that this administration persecutes nobody.

“The administration is just asking all Nigerians to do the right thing and anybody that goes contrary to the law will answer, irrespective of where the person comes from.

“So if anybody says a particular group is being targeted for attack or assault or persecution, right thinking Nigerians know that that is not true.”

Chief Clark in the open letter to Buhari described Tompolo as a gentleman who could not have been responsible for the recent pipeline attacks in Delta State.

He said: “In the course of my interactions with these militant leaders, I discovered that Tompolo is one of the most responsible and peace-loving militant leaders. This was also observed by the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and late President Umaru Musa Ya’Ardua.

“That was also one of the reasons why during one of the discussions I had with the former President, Chief Obasanjo in February, 2007, he said to me that he learnt that Tompolo was not well educated, that he was wondering what appointment or position could be given to him to keep him engaged and to effect permanent peace in the area.

“I suggested to him that because of his (Tompolo’s) dexterity, he should for a payment, be engaged to provide surveillance for the oil pipelines and supervise oil installations together with his colleagues in the various communities.”

He condemned the pipeline vandalization that trailed the arrest order issued against Tompolo last week by a Federal High Court in Lagos after the ex-militant failed to show up to answer charges for theft and money laundering.

Clark said the perpetrators of the sabotage should “be fished out and punished for their actions.”

He added: “On the other hand, however, whilst not making a case for Tompolo, I do not think that he will be part of such dastardly acts.

“Mr. President should please take time and look at the indices of cases of pipeline vandalism between 2014 and today.

“I will plead with Mr. President to investigate this matter and treat it strategically.”

Clark faulted government’s decision to discontinue work on the Nigerian Maritime University.

The take-off campus for the university, Mieka Dive Training Institute Limited/Gte, was sold to government for N13 billion

Clark said: “Tompolo is one of the owners of Mieka Dive Training Institute Limited/Gte. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) entered into an agreement with the institute to purchase the institute covering an expanse of 6.597 hectares of well sand-filled land together with all the structures thereon, for the sum of N13,072,564,822.00 (thirteen billion, seventy two million, five hundred & sixty four thousand, eight hundred & twenty two naira only), as the take-off campus for the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko.”

He said: “This legitimate transaction was approved by the Federal Executive Council at its 34th Executive Council, EC; meeting presided over by the former President, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.”

Clark took exception to a statement by Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi who was quoted as saying: “who will attend the university (Maritime University)? How many parents will allow their children to go to such place where it proposed to site the university…”

The Ijaw leader said: “If this statement is true, it is very insulting, callous and vindictive on the people by Mr. Rotimi Amaechi. It is all aimed at executing his plans of personal vendetta against the people of the Niger Delta.

“This is unacceptable to the people. I strongly advise him to retrace his steps and reconcile with the people. He is appointed as Minister to represent Rivers State (Niger Delta people), based on constitutional provision.”

Apparently taking a cue from Chief Clark’s open letter the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) yesterday accused the Federal Government of singling out their ethnic group for persecution and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to arrest the situation.

IYC spokesman, Eric Omare, told AFP: “Our position is that due process should be followed. We support an anti-corruption war that is done within the ambit of the law.

“We seriously oppose selective prosecution and political victimization.”

The IYC condemned the pipeline vandalization but also claimed that the military had invaded several Ijaw communities in Delta State, destroying properties and causing injuries.

“The Ijaw people are not at war with the federal government. We call on the military to exercise restraint in their actions. There is no basis to attack innocent villagers,” said Omare.

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MILITARY KILLS 90 BOKOHARAM MEMBERS

The troops of the Operation Lafiaya Dole said they  intercepted three suspected suicide bombers attempting to enter Maiduguri the Borno state capital Friday along Maiduguri/Mafa checkpoint.

The  Deputy Theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Major General Lucky Irabor  told newsmen at the operation media centre in Maiduguri the troops at the checkpoint sight two female suicide bombers and a male suicide bomber trying to infiltrate Maiduguri along Maiduguri-Mafa road, where one of the female suicide bomber detonated her own killing herself and one other female bomber, while the male suicide bomber was gunned down by the troops of the Nigerian Army while trying to run into their midst.

He also informed that  63 Boko Haram terrorists  were killed from Monday 18th January 2016 to  Friday 22nd 2016 at  various places within the theater of operation, adding that many AK47 riffles, ammunition, Anti Aircraft Gun, RPG, GMPG, explosives, vehicles, motorcycles among others were recovered from the operations.

“Our troops conducted a fighting patrol at Afe, Kudiye, Souma, Dikwa Mijigeta, Mida villages of Borno state. During the operation our troops come in contact with Boko Haram terrorist at  Kudiye and Mijigete where 370 hostages were rescued and brought to IDP camp in Dikwa and 3 rifles and 41 motorcycles were destroyed,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Irabor also stated that troops have cleared some Boko Haram hideouts in Wala, Tirkopytir and Durubajuwe in Gwoza local government area, where they recovered GMPG, locally made Dane gun and a grinding machine were recovered. 

He maintained that troops also came in contact with Boko Haram terrorist in Huyum in Askira/uba local government area, adding that  “the terrorists sighting troops abandoned their families behind which including  five women and 12 children and are currently undergoing interrogation.

According to him, the Nigerian Air force provides closed air support and surveillance to the ground troops in all the encounters with the terrorists.

He commended the efforts of the troops and renewed call for the troops and the public to be more vigilant and security conscious at all times, especially at checkpoints, worship centre, markets, motor parks and schools.

He also called on the general public to continue to provide useful information to security agencies of any suspicious person within their environment so as to help ride the state and the region of all criminal elements.

INSIDE BOKO HARAM ENCLAVE

During the invasion of Mubi and other neighbouring Adamawa towns, Boko Haram terrorists overran the Nigerian soldiers without firing a shot, they held many hostage and forced others, especially Christians, to recant their faith and join them, even as thousands of residents and soldiers fled their homes and barracks respectively to neighbouring Cameroun. The stage was finally set for a new government; the Boko Haram Government.

READ ALSO: Inside Boko Haram 10: Love-struck Man Sacrifices Self For Fiancée

Nigeria lost parts of her territories to ragtag Boko Haram Islamic sect. This is unprecedented in the history of world’s most populous black nation. The military saddled with the responsibility of protecting territorial integrity did not only retreat but fled, lamenting lack of weapons to fight the dreaded Islamic sect. Boko Haram controlled Mubi and five other local governments in Adamawa state for uninterrupted 40 days. Greennews.ng’s visit to some of the towns captured by Boko Haram in Adamawa state gave an insight into how terrorists ruled the towns for 40 days before military eventually took over. This report is based on different accounts and interviews with those who were held hostage by the terrorists and those who had encounter with them at one stage or the other.

Day 1  

In a well-orchestrated October 29, 2014 invasion, terrorists began to mount road blocks simultaneously on major roads in Mubi town. According to residents, at least thirty (30) of about 60 terrorists who came into Mubi went to Military barrack in Mubi, chasing soldiers in their thousands. It was gathered from residents that no fewer than 2,000 soldiers were in Mubi at the time of the invasion.

The terrorists also freed inmates at the Mubi Prison. The Emir of Mubi’s palace which was just a stone throw from the prison was also taken over. However, the Emir, HRH Alh. Abubarka Isa Ahmadu (CFR) was not in town during the invasion. When the Emir returned, he was agitated and made effort to go into the town even when Boko Haram were running their government but he was stopped by residents who had fled.

Also captured was the home of immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh. It was gathered that Badeh’s family members were evacuated with an  helicopter just before the invasion. An indication that the former CDS may have got intelligence that Boko Haram terrorists were going to attack the town. Badeh is yet to debunk this claim.

One of those trapped in the city who identified himself as Magirda, said he was in one of the old generation banks during the invasion, he ran back home and met an empty house; his wife and eight children were nowhere to be found.

Magirda said he saw the Boko Haram members driving armoured tanks with heavy weapons into the town at about 4pm on that Wednesday.

Day 2

Boko Haram began consolidating its position in the captured towns by mounting checkpoints and surveillance at strategic locations in the towns.

Notably, around that time, terrorists renamed Mubi to “Madinatul Islam” meaning the city of Islam. This was to achieve its aim of having a government and own religion.

Despite brandishing riffles and other sophisticated weapons, the terrorists asked those who were trapped not to panic or run. “They even assured us that we would be safe under them than where we might run to but many of us never believed them”, Mohammed said.

Day 3, 4

One of the churches destroyed by Boko Haram in Mubi

Boko Haram installed its own Amir who used the Emir’s palace as his, he ruled Mubi town from the palace and gave orders which were obeyed to the latter by Boko Haram’s foot soldiers.

Many were said to have been slaughtered at the Emir’s palace on Friday, the third day after invasion, especially those who refused from the town.

The terrorists were not done in putting structures in place as they also appointed new Chief Imam who presided over the Islamic prayers at the central Mosque. According to residents, Boko Haram terrorists usually had a particular prayer at 2am. Most of them converged at the mosque to observe this prayer.

Day 5

On Sunday, November 2nd, 2014, according to residents, being the first Sunday after the invasion, Boko Haram thought Christians would come to worship, they blew up Churches and set many ablaze, records obtained from Christian authorities indicated that a total 143 Churches were eventually razed in the territories controlled by Boko Haram.

The Remaining 35 Days of terrorist reign

Bridge damaged by Boko Haram terrorist in Ka al

The remaining 35 days of Boko haram reign in Mubi and other neigbouring towns in Adamawa were brutal; terrorists unleashed mass destruction on government facilities and looted banks.

Beyond the banks, many more businesses were looted; notably was the vandalising and looting of fuel filling stations in Mubi. “All these filling stations in Mubi were looted, none was left out”, a resident revealed.

Among many other lootings perpetrated by the Boko Haram was that of a 25,000 – bird poultry farm, It was severely pillaged, all the livestock were feasted on.

To further sustain control of the territories, Boko Haram also vandalized network masts in the area, breaking communication with the outside world. They ruled the towns mindlessly with iron fists and in most gruesome manner.

As their reign gradually wound down, terrorists who apparently learnt of Nigeria’s military plan to launch a recapture, blew up a connecting bridge at Kalal village which linked Mubi to other neighbouringneighbouring town. This move was to stop Nigerian soldiers from advancing to Mararaba, the closest town to Mubi.

As at the time of filing this report, the bridge was yet to be rebuilt.  Although slight attempt to rebuild it was visible, it was being done at snail speed.

However, It was expected that no responsible government will fold its arms and watch ragtag terrorists install a government on its territories, hence, the beginning of the end of Boko haram reign in territories it captured.

PROPHET SET CHURCH MEMBER ABLAZE IN CHURCH

There was confusion on Sunday at Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) on Unity Street in Abule-Egba, Lagos, when a prophet set a member ablaze during service.

The victim, simply identified as Madam Bosede, is lying critically ill in hospital.

It was gathered that the prophet in his sermon claimed he got a revelation that there was God in their midst, adding that if the woman was set ablaze she would not suffer burns.

Madam Bosede, who joined the church a month ago told The Nation yesterday: “Our prophet said the spirit of God whispered to him that I would not burn if he sets me on fire. When I came out, they poured kerosene on my body and set me ablaze. But, unfortunately, I was burnt beyond recognition and before the other church members could get water, the deed had already been done.”

The cleric told The Nation that he clearly heard a voice instructing him to set a member on fire to prove and confirm that God was in their midst.

“I heard the voice clearly, but I don’t know what happened after we set fire on her. God has been speaking to me since and it has been working, so I wonder why now,” he said.

Some members, however, left the church, doubting their prophet’s credibility, adding: “We cannot worship here again, who knows who the spirit will ask him to burn next.”

A resident, Irene Ohekina said: “I don’t pity her; she was the one who allowed herself to be deceived by the prophet. Why did the prophet not try the fire on himself or any of his family member?”

Another resident, Nkechi said for the prophet to have given such instruction, it must have come from God, adding “I believe it’s the sins of the victim that made her burn, the prophet of God could not have lied.”

Daniel Ayodele, who also witnessed the incident said: “This whole thing is funny, when the pastor said the woman should be set on fire, why did she not refuse or was she scared to disobey the prophet. Now, she is writhing in pains on the hospital bed and I am sure the prophet is elsewhere enjoying himself.”

THE SPOKESMAN OF PDP ARRIVES COURT IN CUFFS.

The spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, on Tuesday arrives court from Kuje Prison in handcuffs.

ENUGU WARNED AGAINST PRO-BIAFRA PROTEST

ugu State government has distanced itself from today’s proposed protest by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a statement last Friday, MASSOB said it would resume its protests to press for the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. It said the protests would not be limited to the Southeast, but would be worldwide.

But the Enugu State government, through the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Udeuhele, said:

“The attention of the Enugu State government has been drawn to publications in national dailies that there was tension in the Southeast following an alleged threat by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB0 and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stage a protest in the states of the zone on Monday, January 18, over the continued detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi kanu.

“The government hereby distances itself from the planned protest and, therefore, calls on the people to ignore the threat and go about their normal business as security measures have been put in place to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

“We appeal to parents and guardians to watch over their children and wards and see that they are not used for unlawful acts. We equally appeal to leaders in our communities, especially traditional rulers to ensure that their youths do not engage in any activity that could undermine the peace in the state.

“Enugu state government will continue to ensure that lives and property of the citizens are protected so they can enjoy more dividends of democracy.”

BREAKING; ARMY GUN DOWN PROTESTERS IN ABA, NIGERIA

Disturbing reports coming in from Aba is that all major markets, schools and Banks have closed down following heavy gun fire in the city as Police and Soldiers clampdown on unarmed Biafran protesters.

Unconfirmed reports say two protesters were shot dead by the security forces.

According to an eyewitness, Abraham;

I think these killings are becoming senseless and stupid. The world most look into this to avoid unguarded killings of people on peaceful protest, exercising their inherent legitimate rights. This young man was gunned down by some crazy, trigger-loving and senseless army. This act of impunity and slaughtering of indigenous people of Biafra by Nigeria has to stop. There has to be restrain from killing unarmed protesters.