Review military operation in Nasarawa – Gov. Al-Makura

Gov. Umaru Al-makura of Nasarawa State has called on the Federal Government to review the military operation in the state to guide against civilian casualties.

Al-makura made the call when he paid a condolence visit on the paramount ruler ‘Osana of Keana’ Emmanuel Elayo, over the killing of herdsmen on Friday in Keana.

The killing was alleged to have taken place during a military operation on Wednesday in the area.

According to him, the casualties are herdsmen resident in the area and not insurgents.

He suggested that the operation should focus on tracking the real insurgents traversing the borders of Benue, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Plateau, Taraba and Kogi.

The governor called on the people of the area, especially the herdsmen to remain calm and not to take law into their hands.

He assured the people that adequate measures were being put in place to avert such incidence, and promised that the issue would be reported to the military authorities and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Al-makura said that the community-based approach to resolving the farmers/herdsmen feud in the state was yielding results and would be improved upon.

In his response, Elayo describe the incident as “unfortunate”.

Elayo said that the herdsman and farmers in the area were working hard to fish out criminal elements infiltrating their ranks to cause mayhem.

He urged the people of the area to eschew all forms of violence as no meaningful development could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Idris Ibrahim, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident would not jeopardise the pact signed by the farmers and herdsman.

According to Ibrahim, youths from the warring groups were in his office to reassure him of their commitment to the peace pact initiated by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.

Kidnap of Clark’s son carried out by Edwin Clark’s kinsmen – Police

SUSPECTED kidnappers of Mr. Ebikeme Clark, son of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, kidnapped Wednesday, at Kiagbodo, Delta State, has reportedly contacted the family, demanding about N50 million ransom for his release.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, however, told Saturday Vanguard that the police have arrested three of the suspected kidnappers and were inching closer to their hideout, warning that no ransom should be paid.

He said one of them confessed that he participated in the “planning stage of the kidnap,” adding that the police were working with ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and other Ijaw groups to track down the kidnappers.

Mr. Ebikeme Clark

Aduba said the kidnap was carried out by Ijaw kinsmen of Edwin Clark and the police would burst the syndicate.

Elder statesman, Chief Clark was said to have briefed President Goodluck Jonathan, the governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Mr. Aduba on the incident.

It was gathered that he called the Commissioner of Police on Wednesday when his son was kidnapped and had been calling him frequently since then with Mr. Aduba assuring him that the police were doing everything possible to secure the release of his son.

On how the ransom was demanded, a source told Saturday Vanguard yesterday, “The kidnappers made contact with family members of Mr. Ebikeme Clark in the late hours of Thursday, April 3. They (kidnappers) and Mr. Ebikeme Clark spoke with family members through Mr. Ebikeme Clark’s phone.”

“In their usual manner, the kidnappers demanded for ransom. We were informed it is within the region of N50 million,” he added.

But, there was a clear indication yesterday, that abductors may not have their way in the ransom demand, as the police, collaborating with ex-militant leaders were hot on their pursuit.

Commissioner Aduba unofficially where the police suspected the kidnappers were hibernating and the rescue efforts, but pointed out, “They are not for publication.”

Our independent investigation, however, showed the kidnappers were hiding somewhere in the creeks between Delta and Bayelsa states.

IYC spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, confirmed, yesterday, “The IYC has mandated its officials in the riverine clans of Oporomor, Seimbiri, Ingbelebiri and Mein in Bayelsa and Delta States to swing into action and fish out the kidnappers of Mr. Ebikeme Clark, son of Ijaw National Leader and Former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief E. K. Clark. IYC,   investigation so far is to the effect that the kidnappers hideout may be somewhere in the creeks around Delta and Bayelsa States close to the coast, that is the communities near the sea though from experience kidnappers are never stationed in one place as they move from one place to the other to avoid been caught.

“ To this extent, all the Ijaw communities and community leaders in the communities close to the coastal parts of Delta and Bayelsa States have been contacted to form rescue team to comb all the creeks, towns and villages in a bid to free Mr. Ebikeme Clark without delay. The Ijaw people and communities are totally against kidnapping, sea piracy and other social vices.

“Also, some Ex-Niger Delta freedom fighters have volunteered to join forces with the IYC and security agencies to effect the release of Mr. Ebikeme Clark. While we appreciate the pains the Clark family may be going through, the IYC reiterate its position that ransom should not be paid to kidnappers. This is another case of commercial kidnapping; hence payment of ransom must be discouraged,” he said.

His words, “This incident coming shortly after the kidnap of the foster father of the President Jonathan and the relative of a Bayelsa State Commissioner has brought to the fore the need for all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to take drastic steps against kidnapping, sea piracy, oil theft and other social vices.”

“While condemning these vices, we wish to state that there is a direct nexus between these crimes and the economic situation of our people. Therefore, the IYC hereby call on multinational oil companies and state governments whose revenue has increased as a result of cessation of militancy in the Niger Delta region to perform their role of creating/providing jobs in the post amnesty era,” he added.

He asserted, “The concept of the Federal Government amnesty programme in the Niger Delta was for the federal government to mainly take care of the training while the oil companies and state governments are supposed to mainly handle the area of creation and provision of jobs. The IYC believes that creation of job opportunities is the long term solution to these social vices.”

Omare said, “The IYC would come up with its anti -kidnapping and anti- sea piracy strategy after the all Ijaw youths summit to be hosted by the Bayelsa state government on how to fight sea piracy, kidnapping, oil theft and other social vices.”

Kidnappers of Edwin Clark’s son, Ebiteme, demand N60 million ransom

Edwin Clark

The kidnappers of Ebiteme, son of former federal commission and prominent Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, have demanded N60 million ransom from the family to set him free.

Ebiteme was abducted on Wednesday in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta, Celestina Kalu, announced this in Warri on Friday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

She said one suspect had been arrested in connection with the crime and was helping the police with useful information.

She added that the police had intensified their search for the kidnappers.

“The kidnappers have contacted the family and they are demanding N60 million to release of their victim.

“The police are on the trail of the abductors and I can assure you that we are getting close to their base. We will do everything to ensure the victim is released unharmed’’, she assured.

A member of the family simply said that negotiation with the kidnappers was ongoing.

Ebiteme was abducted on April 2 at the site of Edwin Clark University of Technology in Kiagbodo.  His father, Edwin Clark, is currently a delegate at the National Conference.

Kidnapping has been on the rise in many states of the South South, particularly in Bayelsa were the crime is punishable with the death penalty.

I’m not poor; I have never known poverty – Doyin Okupe

Doyin Okupe

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, on Friday thumped his chest over his rich background, saying he has never known poverty in his life and apparently does not understand what it means to be poor.

“I have never been poor,” Mr. Okupe boasted on twitter during a discussion on the recent comment by the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, who said the largest chunk of the world’s poorest people are concentrated in Nigeria and four other countries. “My father was one of the richest of his time. He even owned a bank. I qualified a doctor and a successful one.”

Mr. Okupe (@doyinokupe) had taken to Twitter to disparage media reporting of Mr. Kim’s comment, claiming that the World Bank’s President did not classify Nigeria as poor.

The presidential spokesperson made the claim even when the full transcript of Mr. Kim’s address at the Council For Foreign Relations, where he made the speech, is available in text, audio and video.

“World Bank recently classified Nigeria as a medium income economy,” Mr. Okupe argued. “How on earth can World Bank classify China the second largest world economy as extremely poor?”

But some of his followers, apparently irritated by his argument, quickly took him to task, asking him whether, without being told, he did not know that poverty is widespread and endemic in Nigeria.

“Nigeria or China as a nation is not poor but 80% of Nigerian citizens are poor. Are you such disconnected from the society?” a London-based economist, Ike Okeke (@comradop), asked.

Mr. Okupe responded by saying, “I have never been poor. My father was one of the richest of his time. He even owned a bank. I qualified a doctor and a successful one.”

Mr. Okeke then shot back saying Mr. Okupe could have inherited a fortune from his parents but that not many Nigerians were that lucky.

“No doubts about your generational wealth but how many Nigerians are privileged like you? The report (on the World Bank President’s comment) is a call for more work by government,” the economist said.

The presidential aide responded, “It is well taken. Just believe me when I tell you that this president is grossly underestimated. Everything is being done to turn things around.”

Before getting into the exchanges with Mr. Okeke, Mr. Okupe had raged in a series of tweets, accusing the Nigerian media of distorting news items to disparage the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

He claimed that the administration was doing excellently well, buildings railways and roads and repositioning the economy.

At a point, one Seun Ejiade (@ejiadeoluseun) challenged him to stop whining, and rather go to central Lagos, which has a large population of poor people, to test his popularity.

“Shut up and let’s have some peace,” Mr. Ejiade said. “Stop with the lies, like we don’t live in 9ja?#hiss. Go to Obalende with your drivel and see the reception you get.

“Instead of addressing issues dogging us in Nigeria, like unemployment, you choose to tweet about World Board’s assertions. And you are supposed to advise GEJ?”

That comment apparently irked Mr. Okupe, who charged back: “You hate the truth and facts irritate you. You are a shame to your generation. You cannot be part of the future we hope for. Mr. big mouth.”

Mr. Ejiade responded by saying, “I’m a part of the future which you are not going to be in…. why? Cos you would be dead.”

As the discussions progressed, another of Mr. Okupe’s followers asked him to disclose how much he earns in salary and allowances.

A Mr. Alapata 2.0 (@BolajiBolaji2) said, “Please sir, can you tell us about your salary and allowances for the sake of transparency and accountability? Thank you.”

Mr. Okupe answered, “I don’t have a special salary. I am a senior special assistance (sic) (SSA) to the president. Write to SGF (Secretary to the Government of the Federation). You ‘ll get what SSA is paid.”

Nigerian Secret police Appeals Court Judgment On Ousted CBN Gov. Sanusi, Asserts ‘Right’ To Seize Passports At Will

SSS Spokesperson Marilyn Ogar

The Department of State Security Service (DSS) says it has the power to seize the passport of any Nigerian, and has accordingly filed an appeal against Thursday’s ruling by a court compelling it to return the passport of sidelined Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Spokesperson Marilyn Ogar expressed the disappointment and dissatisfaction of the department with the ruling of Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Sanusi’s application for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

In addition, the judge also ordered the Federal Government to tender a public apology to Sanusi and to pay to him N50m in damages.

Ms. Ogar however argued that DSS had acted in accordance with the law, citing Section 3(2) (b) of Instrument SSS No. 1 of 1999 made pursuant to Section 6 of the National Security Agencies (NSA) Act.

“The State Security Service is hereby empowered to impound and keep in its custody the passports or any other property of persons or organizations under investigation if considered appropriate by the Director General,” she quoted. “Returns of all such seizures shall be rendered to the National Security Adviser, while such passports shall be returned to the Owners as soon as the investigation is concluded”.

Court stops Financial Reporting Council from investigating Sanusi, CBN

CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi

A Federal High Court in Lagos has given a preservatory order restraining the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN, from investigating the suspended Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi.

Justice J.T. Tsoho gave the order on Friday in a suit filed by Mr. Sanusi through his counsel, Kola Awodehin.

Friday’s order comes 24 hours after a separate court ruled that Mr. Sanusi was illegally detained and his passport illegally seized by the Department of State Security Service, SSS, after his suspension. The court ordered the payment of N50 million damages to Mr. Sanusi.

On Friday, Justice Tsoho barred the FRCN from investigating Mr. Sanusi and the Central Bank, CBN, pending the determination of the suit.

Mr. Sanusi had on March 27 refused to appear before the Council which was investigating allegations of financial recklessness against the CBN boss.

In a letter to the Executive Secretary of FRCN, Jim Obazee, to explain why his client would not honour the Council’s invitation, Mr. Awodein, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said the invitation was not only in bad faith, but premeditated to embarrass and disparage his client.

President Goodluck Jonathan had suspended Mr. Sanusi from office on February 21, 2014 following the recommendation by the Council, which accused the CBN, under his leadership, of financial recklessness.

The recommendations followed the Council’s review of Mr. Sanusi’s response to its report on the audited financial statement of the CBN for the year ended December 2012 and other related issues, which it described as unsatisfactory.

Following the receipt of the Council’s invitation on March 14, 2014, Mr. Sanusi said he responded two days later seeking clarification on the specific activities of the CBN the FRCN was investigating.

He said since no response was forthcoming from the Council, he did not see any need to honour the invitation, noting that he was surprised to see advertorials in newspapers and other media publicizing the invitation.

Describing the adverts as evidence of the Council’s avowed intent to act prejudicially, Mr. Sanusi said it was appalling that he was being invited after the Council had arrived at the “false and malicious conclusions” in its Briefing Note of June 7, 2013, on which the President relied to suspend him from office.

Criticizing the Council’s recommendation for his suspension from office along with the Deputy Governors, Mr. Sanusi noted that the opinion that, if they remained in office, they would take advantage of the information at their disposal to attack government, amounted to pre-judgment of the issues it was investigating.

He said the Council’s report lacked integrity since the FRCN neither gave him fair hearing, nor allowed him the opportunity to respond to the weighty allegations contained in the Briefing Note to the President.

Besides, he said a review of Sections 7, 8, 11, 25, 28, 58(2) and 62 of the FRC Act 2011 revealed that the Council lacked the authority and powers to conduct the investigation it was seeking to undertake.

Mr. Sanusi said he was not afraid of any objective investigation by an appropriate and impartial authority into either the activities of the CBN during his tenure, or his activities as a citizen.

He said he was, however, constrained to decline the FRC’s invitation for some compelling reasons.

He gave the reasons as bias, breach of the rules of natural justice, absence of statutory powers, violation of the rule of law, and the Council’s attempt to carry out an investigation considered prejudicial to good public administration and the special position of the CBN.

It was on that same day that Mr. Sanusi filed the suit that Justice Tsoho heard on Friday.

According to legal papers filed, Mr. Sanusi’s lawyers told the court that by virtue of the provisions of Sections 7, 8, and 62 of the FRCN Act 2011, the Council lacked the statutory powers to investigate him and the CBN.

The council, after receiving Mr. Sanusi’s court papers last Thursday halted investigations of the bank chief but said it would continue with the CBN.

Friday’s court order, however, asked the FRCN to halt the investigation of both parties.

The case was adjourned to April 11.

Nigerian soldiers invade Fulani village, kill 30, residents allege

Miyetti Allah threatens to sue the Federal Government.

At least 30 people believed to be Fulanis have been killed by a team of soldiers in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, residents have said.

The soldiers stormed the Fulani settlements about a kilometre away from Keana Town in the early hours of Thursday in a convoy, and allegedly shot at every Fulani in sight.

Most of the deceased were said to be over 70 years old who were not fast enough to flee the rampage.

A witness, Ibrahim Jalo, said that about 24 corpses were evacuated from the Fulani settlements on the road to Giza Town.

“I was on my way to the office when I saw people running and later saw soldiers rushing into the town in convoy asking for the Fulani. I saw over 24 dead bodies of Fulani being taken to Lafia in a white Hilux van,” he said.

When contacted, Muhammed Husseini, secretary of Miyetti Allah, a Fulani interest group, said that over 30 Fulani were killed.

Mr. Husseini accused the Federal Government of complicity in the killing of the Fulani. He declared that his organisation would sue the government and demand for the rights of its people.

“I’m presently in the mortuary receiving corpses. They killed over 30 of our men for no reason. This is genocide and we will approach the International Criminal Court, ICC,” he threatened.

The chairman of Keana Local Government Area, Haruna Oshegba, confirmed the incident. He said that eight bodies were deposited at the Specialist Hospital, Lafia.

“There is crisis in my council and it is a military operation but I don’t know the details. I’m trying to piece information together to know exactly what happened,” he said.

When visited the hospital at around 2 p.m., a police Hilux van carrying nine bodies, and a pick-up van with a body of a dead Fulani woman were still stationed there.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Umar Numan, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident. He said that the command would address the press after getting full details on the matter.

The Nigerian military, which recently announced a heavy deployment of soldiers to Nasarawa, Benue, and Kaduna, is yet to react to Thursday’s incident.

The military announced the deployment following attacks on several communities in the states by suspected Fulani herdsmen leading to the death of scores of people.

Youths uncover baby factory in Ogun, set building ablaze

The building on fire at Adigbe, Abeokuta...on Thursday. Inset: The alleged owner of the building

There was pandemonium in the Akinremi Estate, Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday after some youths discovered a baby factory around Vulcaniser Bus Stop.

The incident comes barely two weeks after eight women were rescued from a baby factory in the Akute area of the state.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the youths, who thought the building was a ritual killers’ den broke into the compound.

In a fit of rage, the youths were said to have set two vehicles ablaze as well as the one-storey building.

A traffic official, who witnessed the incident, said the youths were able to recover a blood-filled basin, coffin, mortar, calabash, effigy, assorted charms, clothes, live scorpion and other suspected fetish items.

According to residents, the building, which is located close to Redeemed Christian Church of God, Dominion House parish, was let out to an unidentified individual.

It was said that trouble began after a pregnant woman, escaped from the building.

The eyewitness said, “The place was uncovered in the wee hours of Thursday when one of the victims escaped and ran into a nearby building. She pleaded with the residents to save her from her assailants.

“The pregnant woman said she was from Abia State and her elder sister sold her to the people for N100,000.”

It was learnt that the matter was reported at the Adigbe Police Division and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital.

It was learnt that when the police searched the building, three other pregnant women and five children were rescued.

Around 8am, however, residents, who had heard of the incident unleashed mayhem.

The eyewitness said, “On Wednesday, the police uncovered a ritualist’s den in Ewekoro area and people were still livid over the incident.

“When the youths heard of the Thursday incident, they took the law into their hands.

“They set the place ablaze, but policemen attached to the Quick Response Squad stopped them from doing more damage.

The youths refused to leave until the police fired teargas canisters.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, told reporters that three pregnant ladies and five kids were rescued from the base.

Okoye maintained that the building was a baby factory and not a ritualist’s den.

The police commissioner appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant, adding that thorough investigation would be carried out.

The command’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said two suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.

He said one Muibat Yusuf and her brother who are both indigenes of Kwara State had been arrested.

It was learnt that the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran

2015: APC in fresh dilemma over presidential ticket

Interim National Chairman, All Progressive Congress, Chief Bisi Akande

An alleged proposal by the All Progressives Congress to present a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket is believed to have put the party in a fresh dilemma.

There had been speculation that the APC was preparing to present a former Head of State, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and an erstwhile Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

It was, however, gathered in Abuja on Thursday that the APC strategists and stakeholders had been holding a series of formal and informal consultations over the issue.

Party sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity with our correspondent on Thursday, agreed that the issue was the party’s “biggest headache as the 2015 polls draw near.”

One of them said, “Some have suggested a Babatunde   Fashola/ Adams Oshiomhole ticket but this was thrown out. Others suggested a Rabiu Kwakwanso/Fashola ticket and it was turned down, yet others suggested Aminu Tambuwual/Fashola ticket and it was also rejected before the Buhari/Tinubu ticket  came up.

“What some of our leaders don’t seem to understand is that this is not 1993.  Neither Buhari nor Tinubu is an Abiola whose generosity transcended ethnic and religious lines on a national scale.”

The source claimed that the issue was threatening to polarise the opposition party along ethno-religious lines.

Another APC member and a former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani- Kayade, had asked the party to perish any thought of presenting a Muslim/Muslim ticket because it would hurt the Christian community.

But another former minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who is currently the APC’s Interim Deputy National Secretary, insisted that the party would present acceptable candidates irrespective of ethnic or religious considerations.

El-Rufai, in a statement on his Facebook account, said Nigerians should be looking for competence instead of issues of ethnicity or religious affiliations.

He said, “The APC presidential ticket: Those speculating on this and advising me on all manner of persons and religions should know my views.

“The APC will present an integrity-competence ticket not religion. Politics and governance are not to be mixed or dictated to by any religion.

“The APC will present to Nigerians the best persons with the integrity, capacity and competence to create jobs, fight corruption and rebuild our nation without discrimination.

“How these persons worship God is private to them and does not matter to discerning Nigerians, particularly young people that suffer most from bad governance, unemployment and the ‘Jonathanian’ culture of impunity.”

The Interim National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, however, insisted on Thursday that the race for the party’s presidential ticket was still open to eligible members, in spite of speculation to the contrary.

Mohammed, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said the party would not be distracted by permutations over who would emerge as its candidates for the 2015 presidential election.

He noted that while permutations and speculation were normal in times like these, the APC  was focused on convening transparent congresses to set up structures at all levels.

Stressing that the party’s doors were still open to all Nigerians, he added that it was determined to present Nigerians with a viable alternative to the Goodluck Jonathan-led Peoples Democratic Party government at the centre.

He explained that congresses slated to hold across the nation  on Saturday (tomorrow) were to set up the party’s structures at all levels – to pave the way for conventions where elected officials would  emerge.

Mohammed noted that the new APC leaders would in turn prepare guidelines for the party’s primaries to elect its candidates for state and federal elections.

The APC spokesman said  it was only when a new executive had been put in place that “the APC will formulate guidelines for the primaries of those who would vie for elective offices be it House of Assembly, Governors, National Assembly, President and things like that.”

Mohammed added, “It is part of the process to get a president that would represent one, it’s a process, we are gradually getting there from not being a party, to being a party; from not having membership; to membership, to having congresses and conventions.

“The next step will be the primaries. There will be speculation but one must remain focused and not be distracted.”

While commenting on the decision by Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah to join the race for the APC presidential ticket, Mohammed said it was a welcome development.

According to him, it is evident that the party’s platform is healthy, strong and viable.

“We should not constrict the space to old generation politicians let new blood come. In politics like I always say, one day is too long not to talk of one week, one month and a whole year,” he said.

Scores killed as soldiers attack Fulani herdsmen in Nasarawa

Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade.

Scores of people were on Thursday killed in a Fulani settlement near Keana, in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State in a gun duel between soldiers and suspected Fulani cattle breeders.

Many were also said to have been wounded during the incident which occurred barely 24 hours after the military deployed troops in Benue and Nasarawa states to curtail the rising attacks on communities by cattle rustlers.

It was learnt that the soldiers allegedly attacked the herdsmen at a funeral.

Although the military,   said   it had no details of the killings as of 5pm on Thursday, Channels Televison put the toll at 20.

The Defence spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, according to Channels, promised an investigation of the incident to ascertain if those who carried out the attack were indeed soldiers.

Other unconfirmed reports however said the number of the dead who were mostly residents of the area was above 30. An unofficial source said that some bodies   were taken to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia,  in  a police van   while about 20 others were deposited at the mortuary of the General Hospital in Keana.

He added that the soldiers attacked the herdsmen following a tip-off about their hideouts in Tse-Azer and Maraba Giza area of the state.

The herdsmen were said to have forcibly occupied the communities on the grounds that they were their ancestral homes.

It was also learnt that the troops seized some sophisticated weapons from the cattle breeders who were caught unaware.

A resident of Keana, who said the soldiers arrived in Armored Personnel Carriers, added,   “The military killed the cattle  rustlers   and were able to recover many weapons  from them.

“This part of the state has received and seen strange Fulani faces more than any time in the history of our existence in Keana and its environs. We wonder where they came from because they are not the normal Fulani that we know.

“Most of them don’t even have cows and one continues to wonder what their work is in this state.”

Fayose’s thug shot APC member —Fayemi campaigner

The Director General of Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Mr. Bimbo Daramola, on Thursday alleged that some suspected political thugs, said to be part of the crowd of supporters that followed former Governor Ayo Fayose, when he returned to Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, shot a member  of the All Progressives Congress.

Fayose is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Daramola, who is a member of the House of Representatives, leveled this allegation against Fayose at a press conference in Ado Ekiti.

He said that the victim, Babatunde Ogunleye, was shot  inside a bus in the Adebayo area of the state capital and that he narrowly escaped being killed.

Daramola said the suspected thugs had earlier vandalised a bus parked within the premises of Kayode Fayemi Campaign office.

The Fayemi campaign director said, “Babatunde was returning from Oye Ekiti, where we held  our rally, at about 7 pm when the incident happened. The guy could have been killed. He escaped death by the whiskers simply because someone wants to be governor at all costs.

“I want to believe that a script has been acted out to turn this election into orgy of violence; if not, what did Fayose, who claims to be popular, need such a large number  of SSS and the policemen for?

“And we want to emphasise that if there is any script they are acting, either  in this Ekiti election or 2015, we want to make it abundantly clear that Ekiti people will bungle it.”

However, the spokesperson of Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, denied the allegation.

Adelusi said, “Our supporters, who were being guided by the security men, did not have the time to branch at the APC secretariat.

“Beside that, the supporters had been specifically instructed by Ayo Fayose not to be violent and not to react to provocation by the APC as they move from Ikere to Ado Ekiti and they kept to the instruction.

“Therefore, what the APC is claiming is strange to us. Let them beam their searchlight elsewhere.

Money, Power And Seven Party Candidates Compete In Ondo State Federal House Of Reps By-election

From left : Kukute, Akinjo and Omojuwa

Saturday's by-election in Ilaje Ese/Odo Federal Constituency, Ondo state is expected to be a heated contest as competing political parties are standing seven candidates for one House of Representative seat.

The seat became vacant following the sudden death of Mr. Raphael Nomiye in November 2013.  Nomiye was a member of the Labor Party.

The participating political parties are the-Labour Party (LP); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , All Progressive Congress (APC); Advance Congress of Democrats (ACD); Democratic Peoples Party (DPP); People for Democratic Change (PDC); and Progressive People's Alliance (PPA).

Analysis reveals three major candidates are from Ilaje - while the seat is traditionally in rotation between Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government councils.  And three major political parties are most visible in the area - Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Comrade Kolade Akinjo, a former Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo is the candidate of the Labour Party (LP). His campaign is strong in the riverine area because of the support from his godfather and Governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko.  

A source said the Governor and his entourage have engaged in spending and financing Akinjo's campaign with the tax payers' money since last week, staying in a local hotel and wooing voters with promises of "white elephant" projects for the area.

The All Progressive congress (APC) is supporting the former Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Pastor Adewale Omojuwa as their candidate.  A source said since the merger the APC party is participating in State election for the first time, and they are confident of victory.  A ward meeting planned for the same day as the by-election has been cancelled to ensure voter turnout.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is supporting a former board member, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and current Coordinator of Sure-P, Ondo South Senatorial District, Bashoru Adewale Kukute as their candidate.  This past weekend, a source said the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, together with the business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, campaigned for Kukute in ilaje and spread money around. 

Commentating on the by-election, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is fully prepared and has already trained its ad-hoc staff.  The staff will be responsible for monitoring the ballot paper, ballot boxes and accrediting credible and eligible voters for the election. 

According to a source most of the ad-hoc staff are members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to the Southern senatorial district of the state.

At a stakeholders meeting Mr. Orebiyi promised the REC would improve on lapses in the October 2012 governorship, and assured them of a flawless poll that would serve as a precedent for the 2015 general election.

Party representatives and officials said they want the INEC to take full responsibility to prevent manipulations, violence, and other forms electoral malpractices in the by-election.  They demanded ballot papers and boxes arrive early to polling units and centers and the election be free and fair and not in favor of any political party.

The Commissioner of Police in Ondo state, Mr. Issac Eke, said nearly 2,500 Nigerian Police Officers will be deployed from various commands of the state to provide security ahead, during, and after the election.  The officers are instructed to be non-partisan and to ensure parties follow election rules.

AGAIN: Ritualists’ den discovered, ‘lunatic’ arrested in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command said, yesterday, that it had discovered a ritualists’ den in Iyana Egbado village in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.

The police also said it had arrested a man identified simply as Gbenga, who was about to be lynched by angry mob for being in possession of several human parts.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, said some human parts, including decayed intestines, were found with him before he was whisked away.

Vanguard, gathered that the suspected ritualist, who is a member of a syndicate operating in the area, had attempted to kill a woman before she was rescued by a passer-by.

Discovery

At the scene of the incident, under a bridge few meters away from the main gate of a popular cement company along the Abeokuta Lagos Expressway, were found human parts sliced into pieces, plastic containers filled with human blood, ladies pants, brassiers, ladies and men shoes, blood stained dresses and duvet.

Other items found at the den included knives, various non-functioning electronics parts and assorted soft drinks, suggesting that the suspect and other ritualists were indeed living under the bridge.

The suspect was said to have confessed that he is from Ado- Ekiti in Ekiti State.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Gbenga Oladele, told newsmen that the man who rescued the would-be victim, suspected the bag the suspect was holding. He forcefully tore it and discovered that the bag contained pieces of human parts.

Eyewitness account

Oladele said: “The man raised alarm, which attracted a crowd that attempted to lynch the suspect.

“Having discovered that the mob was going to kill him, the suspect thought to be a lunatic and had lived in the area for nine months, pleaded with the crowd not to kill him, stressing that he was going to confess.

Confession

“The suspect told the mob that he belonged to a five-man syndicate, among them a woman that has operated in the Ewekoro axis for the past nine months.

“He was rescued by Police-men from the Itori Division who arrived at the scene and whisked him away.”

The PPRO, however, said the state commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, had ordered that the man be brought to the command headquarters at Eleweran, Abeokuta, for the commencement of investigation.

N255m bullet-proof cars: EFCC grills Oduah for 5 hours

In a move seen as a sign of her further rejection by the Presidency, sacked Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, was yesterday summoned for interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over her role in the purchase of two armoured BMW cars.

It was gathered that the embattled former minister, who was touted as one of the closest to the President, looked forlorn, as she turned in herself to EFCC operatives for questioning in relation to the controversial bullet‑proof vehicles.

Former Aviation Minister, Ms. Stella Oduah

Oduah, who arrived the EFCC office in Wuse 2, Abuja around 10.30 am, was not allowed to go by her interrogators until 3 p.m.

It was gathered that the former minister was questioned extensively on what she knew about the acquisition of the cars, which generated a lot of adverse publicity for the beleaguered industry and the nation until she was dropped last February.

A competent source in the commission confirmed that Oduah cooperated with the team that questioned her and made useful statements that might help in prosecuting her.

Granted provisional bail

Although she was granted what a source described as “provisional bail,” Oduah had been asked to return to the operatives on a future date.

In essence, Oduah may be walking a tight rope in the investigations since the investigative team set up by the President in the wake of the scandal and the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, which probed the scam, had since passed a damning verdict on her.

EFCC is said to have assembled a gamut of relevant documents relating to the car purchase with which its operatives used and confronted Oduah with, making it difficult for her to advance any reasonable defence.

A competent source in the commission said:

“It is true that our operatives took on the former Aviation minister for five hours and she made some useful statements following which she was granted a provisional bail.

“She is being expected to face more interrogation soon.”

Oduah was alleged to have compelled the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to pay Coscharis Motors, an auto dealer, approximately $1.6 million for two BMW bullet‑proof cars.

An online medium, which broke the story, said its investigations showed that the highest cost for each such car in US and UK was $267,000.

The transaction involved the NCAA, FirstBank of Nigeria and Coscharis Motors Limited.

The two black BMW Li HSS vehicles have chassis numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and WBAHP41010DW68044, and were reportedly delivered to the NCAA on August 31, 2013.

They were received by two store managers: F. Onoabhagbe and Y. A. Amzat, who is also the agency’s head of transport.

On December 20, 2013, the House of Representatives agreed that Oduah breached the 2013 Appropriation Act.

It, therefore, asked Jonathan to review her appointment for approving expenditure of over N643 million for the NCAA to procure 54 vehicles this year.

A major recommendation of the committee, which was adopted, reads: “The House urges the President to review the continued engagement of the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, for having contravened the Appropriation Act, 2013 and the approved, revised thresholds by exceeding the Ministry of Aviation’s approval limit of N100 million by the purchase of 54 vehicles valued at N643 million.”

The House further directed the ministry and the NCAA to terminate all the transactions relating to the bulletproof cars because they “were neither provided for in the Appropriation Act, 2013, nor was due process followed in their procurement.”

Apparently bowing to pressure, President Jonathan, on February 12, 2014 shoved Oduah aside along with three other ministers, who are yet to be replaced.