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God has established COZA for our generation – CAN

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God has established COZA for our generation – CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN represented by Rev. Dr Jonah Samson Chairman CAN, FCT Chapter and Rev Dr Israel
Akanji Chairman CAN, North Central visited the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) on Sunday 14th July, 2019. It was a solidarity visit aimed at encouraging members of the Church.

Rev Biodun Fatoyinbo
Rev Biodun Fatoyinbo

Below are excerpts from the service.

Rev Dr Israel Akanji:

Well, let me begin by saying that this man talking to you, he loves music alot and in this my head, is loaded with songs upon songs but my head is loaded with hymns. I can sing from one stanza to the end: ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch..’ and I can go on and on. Now, I thought I knew music until I came inside. I have been in here (COZA) just a few minutes, but I have been greatly impressed, and touched and blessed. And I really pray that God will be continuously glorified in this assembly in Jesus name.

Alright, two of us, are here: Rev (Dr) Samson Jonah is the Chairman of CAN in the FCT. Now, it’s good to know a little about what is called ‘CAN’ (Christian Association of Nigeria): it started fully in 1976 and now we have CAN in every state, CAN in every local government and of course we have CAN the national body. We have 6 zones in Nigeria, and so we have 6 zonal leaders of CAN and we have state chairmen. I used to be Chairman of FCT and I was chairman for 6 years and he (Rev Dr Jonah Samson) was one of our top executives at that time. When I rotated from being chairman, he became the chairman and I was appointed the chairman for North Central (that is 6 states and FCT making 7). So, all churches in Abuja fall within both FCT and North Central. And that’s one of the reasons why we decided to come briefly to worship with you this morning.

Rev Dr Jonah Samson:

I want to make a plea, that you allow me to be a member here. The only challenge I have is I don’t know what I will do with my denomination. I’m an associate pastor but it’s a pleasure being here and I assure you that we are with you and we continue to be with you. We are in support of the church, we are in support of your pastor, we stand by him and this church will continue to march forward. I say and I declare that the gates of hell shall not prevail against this church in the mighty name of Jesus. Now, I have a message for you. Hallelujah, now because of time, this is the message I have for you in the book of Colossians 1:3-14 (NIV) ‘We always thank God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people; the faith and love that spring up from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world – just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day, we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you, we continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience. And giving joyful thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. The Bible says for He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins’.

I am leaving you with 4 basic lessons here:
1. Paul here said ‘since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you’. The Church in Nigeria is praying for you. The Church in FCT is praying for you.
2) And he (Paul) said, ‘because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus’, the faith of this church will not shrink, come what may, it will not shrink in the name of Jesus Christ.
3) Verse 5 says ‘the faith and the love that spring up from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel. This gospel we have received and we have been receiving day after day from the servant of God: this gospel will continue to bear fruits in the name of Jesus Christ.
4) And finally in verse 9, He (Paul) said for this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. Our prayers are with this church. I pray that this church will rise from Glory to Glory in the name of Jesus Christ. And the day, the trumpet of God shall sound in heaven, the Bible records that the dead in Christ shall arise and those of us that are left behind we shall be caught up in a twinkle of an eye and we shall meet Christ in the air. That day shall be a glorious day and none shall be missing in the name of Jesus Christ. The Lord bless you in Jesus name.
I hand over to my father –

Rev Dr Israel Akanji: The Bible says by this shall all men know my disciples, if you have love for one another. Jesus came to the world because of love and nothing pleases Him like love. You all know that in the book of Luke, chapter 10, there is this account that is very popular: the story of the good Samaritan – a man was traveling between Jerusalem and Jericho and fell among thieves and robbers, they stripped him of all he had, they left him wounded, bleeding and dying. Then, there came a Priest going in that direction, as the priest went in that direction,the man probably had some little hope when he looked up and he saw somebody (wearing dress like I am wearing now with stole and everything). He must have felt – O God, what a loving God you are, I didn’t know that I will be rescued so quickly. And so the priest went and when he got near him and the man was expecting a rescue, all of a sudden, the feet (priest) started going and he was gone.
And then a Levite was coming (and if I look like a priest, a Levite is probably like one of the ushers or singers). The man said it’s not too bad, I mean the other man didn’t come, this time around – another church man, I’m sure he will come. And he (Levite) came and saw him and went again.
Then the third man came, when he looked up, he said Wow, I’m finished. I will die now . Oh, those who left me wounded, bleeding and dying; they left me half dead, now this Samaritan will come and finish me up. And he closed his eyes ‘God, into your hands, I commit my spirit, as I die no, Oh God’ and then the man (Samaritan) dropped from the donkey – I am gone. He was surprised, the man (Samaritan) brought out his wine, he brought out his oil and he began to undo all that the thieves and robbers have done in the life of this man, carried him on his donkey (which was his ambulance) and took him to an inn for him to be restored.

And then Jesus said ‘which of them showed love to him’ and they answered: the one who ministered to him
In the journey of life, sometimes we can find ourselves wounded, bleeding and dying. Sometimes, the people we expect to come and help us, they are the very ones who will walk away from us. But Jesus said that what that Samaritan did was the right thing because he showed love at the time of need.

Today, we have come because if anything happens to COZA church, it happens to the Body of Christ in Nigeria. We are all part of the Body of Christ and I thank God and thank God again and again for a church like this. Because this church is not doing things the way some of us are doing things. I just finished preaching about David and goliath and talking about ‘slaying your champion or slaying the giant’.

And I said one of the ways of slaying the giant is you don’t have to use the approach of another person. David – they put the uniform of Saul on him and put the armour of Saul, David could not walk, he said I cannot walk, I cannot even use it. So he took it and threw it away. And then he went and picked 5 smooth stones, he used his own approach. All we needed for David was victory, he had the victory without their uniform, he had the victory without their office. And I believe that

God has set COZA church up for our generation, to do things differently and our goal is to the victory into the kingdom of God. And I pray that nothing will bring this church down in the name of Jesus Christ.

Image may contain: one or more people and people standing

So how can we (FCT CAN Chairman and Chairman of North Central): I could have been living in Nassarawa state or Benue state or Kwara state or Kogi state or Niger state or Plateau state. I could have been living in any of those places. By God’s mercy, I am presently living in Abuja.

* How can I (and then the FCT chairman) hear that one church that God has a plan and purpose for is going through this Jerusalem – Jericho road and then we will walk and walk away. We will not do such a thing.

* We are here to just let you know like he (Rev Dr Jonah Samson) said we are with you in prayer: The Lord will bring you out even stronger. Our pastor here, by the grace of God, will continue to be the voice of God, to proclaim to the whole nations of the world, the mystery of Jesus Christ. So we pray that the Lord will stand by you. And we want you to know that you are not alone, you have many brothers and sisters that are praying for you.
In conclusion, we just want to have a short prayer with you before we go, don’t worry if it’s ‘those days kind of prayer’, it is still prayer – God answers all of us when we pray.

Let’s us pray: Almighty God, thank you for this church. We thank you for the pastor, we thank you for the associate pastors, we thank you for the elders, we thank you for the leaders.

Source: Church Gist

Nigerian Army redeploys officers, makes new appointments

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Nigerian Army redeploys officers, makes new appointments

The Nigerian Army has just released the postings and appointments of its officers. The posting which was approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai is a routine exercise carried out to reinvigorate the system for greater professional efficiency.

The highlight includes the appointment of the newly promoted Lt Gen LO Adeosun, the erstwhile Chief of Training and Operations now redeployed as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj Gen AO Shodunke from Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Logistics, Maj Gen AA Tarfa from Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre to Training and Doctrine Command Minna as Commander, Maj Gen EO Udoh from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics becomes Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Maj Gen MS Yusuf who was the General Officer Commanding 81 Division is now Chief of Administration (Army), Maj Gen JI Unuigbe the former Corps Commander Ordnance becomes the Chief of Logistics (Army) while Maj Gen OF Azinta former General Officer Commanding 2 Division is appointed Chief of Army Standard and Evaluation.

Others include; Maj Gen AB Omozoje of Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans is now the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Ibadan. Also, the newly promoted Maj Gen AB Biu is substantive General Officer Commanding 7 Division Maiduguri, Maj Gen JJ Ogunlade from Defence Headquarters becomes the General Officer Commanding 8 Division Sokoto, while Maj Gen JO Irefin from Defence Headquarters Garrison is appointed General Officer Commanding 81 Division Lagos.

The erstwhile Chief of Administration (Army), Maj Gen KAY Isiyaku is now Commander Defence Headquarters Garrison Abuja, Maj Gen AA Jidda from Defence Headquarters is appointed Coordinator Peacekeeping Operations at the Ministry of Defence. Maj Gen JO Oni from Army Headquarters Department of Army Administration takes over as Director Procurement Defence Headquarters from Maj Gen OA Akintade who becomes Corps Commander Ordinance Lagos, Maj Gen OW Ali from Defence Headquarters is now Director Army Physical Training Zaria.

Maj Gen EN Njoku remains at Defence Headquarters and redeployed as Director Communications, Maj Gen CG Musa from Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited is appointed Commander Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Monguno while Maj Gen OT Akinjobi from Headquarters Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE becomes the Director Standards and Evaluation at Defence Headquarters.

Also, Brig Gen KA Kazir is to remain in Army Headquarters Department of Projects and Programmes and appointed Acting Executive Director of Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited, Brig Gen AE Attu moves from Nigerian Army Resource Centre to National Defence College and appointed Acting Deputy Commandant, Brig Gen MT Usman from Headquarters 28 Task Force Brigade moves to Headquarters Guards Brigade Abuja as Commander taking over from Brig Gen UT Musa who becomes Acting Commandant Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre Jaji, Brig Gen GO Adesina remains at the Department of Policy and Plans and redeployed as Acting Director Policy.

Similarly, Brig Gen LA Fejokwu from National Defence College is now the Acting Director Personnel Services at Army Headquarters, Brig Gen EAP Undiandeye from Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation becomes the Acting Director Foreign Liaison at the Defence Intelligence Agency Abuja, Brig Gen JY Nimyel from Nigerian Army Resource Centre Abuja takes over as the Commandant Amphibious Training School Calabar from Brig Gen OO Oluyede who is now Commander 27 Task Force Brigade Buni Yadi. Brig Gen PP Malla moves from 82 Division Garrison Enugu to Headquarters 28 Task Force Brigade Chibok and appointed Commander.

Others are; Brig Gen OM Bello of Headquarters 6 Division Port Harcourt becomes the Commander 1 Brigade Sokoto, Brig Gen MA Etsu-Ndagi from Army Headquarters Garrison Abuja becomes the Commander 9 Brigade Lagos while Col RC Emeh from Defence Headquarters is appointed Assistant Director Army Physical Training at 3 Division Physical Training Group Jos. In the same vein, Col MO Erebulu who just completed a course at Higher War College Egypt is appointed Commander 2 Provost Group Ibadan, Lt Col SA Abimbola from Nigerian Army Operations Centre at Army Headquarters is appointed Commanding Officer 343 Artillery Regiment Elele whereas Lt Col SM Ahmed from 375 Artillery Regiment Baga becomes the Commanding Officer 332 Artillery Regiment Shendam, amongst others.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai whilst wishing all of them well in their respective appointments charges them to take their new responsibilities seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to Service and Nation. All the appointments take immediate effect.

 

Army warns of false reportage says internet video of UAV misleading

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Army warns of false reportage says internet video of UAV misleading

The Nigerian Army has dispelled reports  circulating on the internet of a video clip-containing photograph of an alleged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) purported to have been bought by the Nigerian military.

The clip according to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations Col Sagir Miss was produced, uploaded by Njenje Media TV on its YouTube channel, and circulated through whatsApp and other social media platforms.

The video is reported to have shown a photograph of group of persons with the equipment, which they compared it to those ostensibly, owned by other nations including some of our African neighbours.

The Army described it as far from the truth and urged members of the public to disregard it in its entirety.

Col Sagir said, apart from questioning the motive of this mischievous falsehood, it is imperative to state that the Nigerian military has far more sophisticated UAV and equipment than what the medium is broadcasting. Which accounts for the tremendous success in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and banditry in the country. It will be recalled that the Nigerian Air Force has designed and produced far more superior and sophisticated UAVs and other platforms such as “Gulma” and “Tsaigumi” than what the medium was showing.

Recall that the Nigerian Army has just commissioned an aviation hangar in Jaji, Kaduna State for its Aviation Corps while another hangar and runway in Bama, Borno State, are on the way where bigger and far more sophisticated UAVs will be deployed and used.

Col Sagir noted that  the African countries mentioned in the clip are not in anyway compared to Nigeria in military technology, equipment and platforms as they do not have UAVs as alleged, rather an American military base on their soil.

Court affirms Sowore, one other’s suspension from the AAC

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Court affirms Sowore, one other’s suspension from the AAC

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a federal high court, Abuja, on Friday upheld the suspension of the Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Mr. Omoyele Sowore and the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Malcolm Fabiyi.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Fedetal High Court in Abuja has restrained the suspended National Chairman of the African Action Congress, AAC, and the Presidential candidate of the party in the last presidential election to stop parading himself as the National Chairman of the party.

The party had filed a suit praying the court to to stop Sowore and Fabiyi from parading themselves as officers of the party.

The Court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from further recognizing the suspended Chairman, Sowore pending the determination of the motion on notice .

Justice Ekwo in his judgment said by s
The provision of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, AAC is a political party registered by INEC and as such the court cannot meddle into its internal affairs.

”The party as an association is bound to conduct its affairs in line with its constitution”, he said.

He further said in his judgement that the failure of the defendants in the matter to enter defence means that the claim of the plaintiff remains uncontroverted.

Justice Ekwo who held that the defendant treated the case before the court with levity also held that the averment Dr. Joshua Adeoye, who deposed to an affidavit of evidence for the defendants amounts to no issue.

The Newly sworn in Acting Chairman Leonard Nzenwa, who dragged the suspended chairman to court described the judgement as victory for democracy and urged all stakeholders to join his reform agenda.

Sowore was suspended as the Chairman of the party and in his place appointed Dr. Leonard Nzenwa, as the Acting National Chairman.

In the affidavit in support of the motion on notice, the party alleged that Sowore failed to fulfil the mandatory statutory requirement of holding the National Executive Committee meeting if the party quarterly.

He was also accused of receiving money from foreign donor and used it for his personal use in contravention of the provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The party said despite appeals made to him to call for NEC meeting of the party to respond to allegations against him, he failed to do so.

Buratai decorates Adeosun, others as Army Council rectifies promotion

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Buratai decorates Adeosun, others as Army Council rectifies promotion

The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has decorated the newly promoted Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun and Major General Abdulmalik Biu with their new ranks.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the accelerated promotion of two senior officers and one other recently for their gallantry in the fight against insurgency.

The decoration ceremony which was conducted at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, followed the rectification of promotion by the Army Council.

Adeosun, Biu Accelerated Promotion and Buratai’s Style of Rewarding Excellence

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Adeosun, Biu Accelerated Promotion and Buratai’s Style of Rewarding Excellence

By Lawrence Audu
“In every one of us there are two ruling and directing principles, whose guidance we follow wherever they may lead; the one being an innate desire of pleasure; the other, an acquired judgment which aspires after excellence.” – Socrates

Two nights ago the entire nation, while retiring from the day’s toil, was served a dose from the presidency, which left everyone in awe; although not too sure what was amiss, typical as we are there were speculations everywhere. –Two generals have been given accelerated promotions in recognition of their commitments and untiring efforts as Nigeria combat the menace of now Islamic State of West African Province, after degrading the dreaded Boko Haram Terrorists.

Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun and Major General Biu have both received presidential commendations and accelerated promotions from their former ranks, a sign that the Nigerian army, and indeed the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, recognise and reward hard work and commitment to national peace. As the Army spokesman puts it, “The officers are granted promotion for their extra-ordinary feats, courage, exemplary leadership, loyalty, uncommon commitment and valour in the counter-insurgency operation in the North-East part of the country.”

These commendations are indeed genuine and devoid of any political, religious or ethnic coloration as wailers would have taken to their social media handles to cry foul why president Buhari has yet again promoted one of his kinsmen. In this case, we see these two generals who were hardly even known to the President, if not for the recommendations of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

At the just concluded Nigerian Army Day Celebrations and Combat Support Arms Training Week, it was not a surprise at all that the duo of Lieutenant General Adeosun and Major General Biu were spotted for the Chief of Army Staff’s commendation award as one could hear officers and men of the Nigerian Army nodding in one accord that truly these persons deserve such commendations.

I had a first-hand privilege of working closely with General Adeosun while he represented the Chief of Army Staff to celebrate the last Eid with troops battling banditry in the North West. The applause from troops on sighting him remains a testament to his persona.
Traveling through the thick of the night and bracing scorch of the of the northern sun, General Adeosun proved himself a commander who, like his boss, leads from the front while the troops follow. Fondly called by his official acronym of C-TOP (Chief of Training and Operations) one would easily think it is his signature of discipline asking soldiers to “sit-up” as way of restoring one to default settings.

At Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State, General Adeosun was as eloquent as he was clear in charging the troops never to relent in making sure they crush those who have constituted themselves enemies of the State. He reminded troops that that dying for the nation is a sacrifice they have sworn to make if need be. Again, the applause reassured the nation that these men have been recharged, the morale is high and there is no going back.
General Adeosun, who was once a frontline commander in the Northeast of Nigeria, has left his foot prints on the sands of time. The story of the degrading of Boko Haram in Nigeria cannot be complete without the mention of his gallant efforts resulting in victory.

Commanding the youngest Divisions of the Nigerian Army established to decisively counter the threat of insurgency, terrorism and armed banditry prevalent in the North Eastern part of the country is Major General Abdulmalik Biu. Bui is one of the newest kids on the block, who alongside the Chief of Training and Operations, received the accelerated promotions from the Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari.

His exemplary leadership, qualities of humility and courage to confront the terrorists, have also endeared him to the troops under his command.
The Nigerian Army under Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has continued to reward excellence, commitment and gallantry especially as it continues to battle insurgent groups in the country. To this end, the Army chief must be commended for his selfless sacrifices to the nation.

Gen Buratai, by recommending his subordinates into positions most people will consider threatening has once again demonstrated boldness, patriotism and selflessness he has shown that it is all about the peace and stability of Nigeria and not about personal interest or gratification.

R. Kelly arrested in Chicago on federal sex-trafficking crime charges

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R. Kelly arrested in Chicago on federal sex-trafficking crime charges

R&B singer R. Kelly was arrested Thursday night in Chicago on new federal sex crime charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois told multiple media outlets early on Friday.

The 52-year-old artist, who was already facing charges at the state level for abuse and aggravated sexual assault, was taken into custody at 7 p.m (U.S Time). Thursday, the Associated Press reported, after a federal grand jury in Chicago returned a 13-count indictment that includes charges for child pornography and obstruction of justice. Details of the individual charges were not immediately available.

The entertainer’s legal troubles have mounted in recent months after a Lifetime docuseries, “Surviving R. Kelly,” brought renewed attention to decades worth of sexual misconduct allegations. In February, Kelly was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, each carrying a potential sentence of three to seven years in prison, and spent three days in Chicago’s Cook County Jail before being released on a $1 million bond.

Buratai Commissions Army Aviation Hangar in Jaji

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Buratai Commissions Army Aviation Hangar in Jaji

The Nigerian Army has again recorded another giant developmental milestone as the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai on Thursday commissioned the phase 1 of the Nigerian Army Aviation hangar at Jaji Airstrip, Jaji Military Cantoment in Kaduna.

The hangar is expected to boost the operational capacity of the Nigerian Army.
Among dignitaries that graced the occasion were Gen Martin Luther Agwai Rtd, Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy Maj Gen A Oyebade, Maj Gen SO Olabanji, Commandant Nigerian Army School Infantry Maj Gen Ali-Keffi.

Also present is the Acting Director Army Public Relations Col Musa Sagir amongst others.

The Army Chief also visited Depot Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Miliyary School Zaria where he inspected completed and ongoing projects including the Medical Centre at Depot, Nigerian Army.

Army Peace Keeping Centre takes-off as Buratai inaugurates Board of Trustees

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Army Peace Keeping Centre takes-off as Buratai inaugurates Board of Trustees

All is now set for the take off of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai on Thursday inaugurated it’s Board of Trustees.

According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations Col. Sagir Musa, the Centre will enhance the operational capabilities as well as human resources development in the Army.

The ceremony which took place at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji in Kaduna State had Former Chief of Defence Staff General Martin Luther Agwai whom the Centre is named after in attendance.

Others include; Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, Mrs Halima Ahmed from ECOWAS, Maj Gen OT Ethan (rtd), Commandant of the Centre Maj Gen AA Tarfa and Maj Gen Umelo Director Peacekeeping at the Army Headquarters as Chairman, members and Secretary respectively.

Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy, General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Deputy Commandant Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Commandant of the Centre, Commander Infantry Corps, Commandant Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Commandant Warrant Officers Academy and other senior military officers as well as representatives/team leaders of German Technical Assistant Team and British Military Advisory Technical Team among others attended the inauguration.

Coalition describes IMN a terror group, calls for actions to stop it’s excesses

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Coalition describes IMN a terror group, calls for actions to stop it’s excesses

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement has called for immediate stop to terror activates of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, otherwise known as Shi’ites.

The coalition was reaction to the invasion on the National Assembly complex by members of the Islamic group on Tuesday, which led to the death of a police man and destruction of vehicles.

CNM described the attack on Police by members of IMN as height of barbarism and unpatriotic.

Addressing newsmen on the development on Wednesday, Honourable Gabriel Tavershima Tyonongo, political analyst and coordinator of the movement, urged the Nigerian government to take a decisive action against the sect group before it snobalws into another dreaded sect like the Boko Haram sect.

His statement below.

We invited you to this all important press conference to make known our position about Tuesday’s attempt by the Shiite group, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) to overthrow the government of Nigeria. We said they want to overthrow the government of Nigeria based on their action at the National Assembly yesterday.

Without meaning to bore you, the action we are referring to was the terror attack by IMN members on the National Assembly during which shots were fired. The shots, as reported in the news and according to eye witnesses, where fired by IMN members using guns that they snatched from Policemen on duty at the National Assembly.

They shot several people and two policemen have so far died among those shot. They beat up and brutalized citizens in the place, ransacked the security post and set ablaze several cars.

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement, after carefully reviewing the situation, came to the apparent conclusion that the IMN action of Tuesday was an attempt to overthrow the National Assembly as part of a larger plan to form a parallel government in Nigeria. The sheer violence that was unleashed on the National Assembly and the resolve to kill as many policemen as possible is a confirmation that IMN was ready to begin implementing an agenda it has rehearsed for a long time.

We are referring to the fact IMN does not recognize the Nigerian neither does it accept its authority. The disdain it has for constituted authority is mirrored in the way it runs departments that are parallels to the federal ministries of the national government. It has its own quasi-judicial system and the only thing it has not replicated in its internal structure, the National Assembly. Became the first target of its attempt to create a parallel government.

It is interesting to note that in spite of the throng of people in the National Parliament, policemen and other para-military agencies were the direct target hence the reason that two policemen were killed. This raises questions: one, how was it possible that only policemen got caught in the hail of bullets fired by IMN? Such targeted shooting confirmed that there are many IMN members that have professionally trained in weapons’ handling. It also shows that there target is the state and every symbol of the state, including policemen on patriotic duty.

We have reasonable cause to believe that the group’s long running battle and lies against the Nigerian military was to a build up to Tuesday’s attack. The strategy was to demonize the military to a point where public opinion has pressured troops to ignore IMN even at their worst. Their objective was to overwhelm the regular police security at the National Assembly Gate and thereafter kill federal lawmakers and precipitate a constitutional crisis while announcing their own parallel government. Nigeria is indeed in danger from IMN’s extremism.

We are also concerned that the spate of kidnap for ransom that was recently witnessed in the country, in spite of a particular ethnic group being blamed for the crimes, is actually the handiwork of IMN militants that are using Fulanis as cover to raise funds from kidnapping.in order to finance their attempt to hijack the parliament. Note that the funds so raised are deployed for providing logistics for funding the groups’ cells that now permeate Abuja. This illegal money is being used to feed the group’s militant members that hide under the cover of “legitimate protests” to case the seat of power with a view to overthrowing the government when they think no one is watching. This was precisely what happened on Tuesday.

It must be noted that there are other countries with Shiite population and the kind of terrorism being unleashed on Nigerian by IMN is not consistent with the responsible behaviour seen among the sect’s members in other countries. The killing of policemen can therefore not be in pursuit of Shiites’ rights as these extremists want the world to believe but rather an implementation of IMN’s terrorist agenda.

We understand that the attack on parliament was a trial run as the militants only used the weapons they were able to snatch from policemen on the scene. There are feelers that the group will launch more attacks using weapons from their secret weapons’ cache. These attacks will simultaneously take place at several locations of Abuja so that they can overstretch, overwhelm and confuse security agencies. These are credible threats that cannot be toyed with.

The nation’s law-enforcement agencies are therefore urged not to allow themselves to be caught unawares by the IMN fighters and online components. The coming days will be critical as they battle a group that sees nothing good in Nigeria. Nigerians must see it as their responsibility to expose the lies of IMN and to the reign of terror that the group wants to unleash on the land.

We warn IMN members that the putsch they attempted at the National Assembly shall be with consequences. The Coalition for Nigeria Movement will among other things insist that the government of Nigeria gives the maximum punishment possible to those IMN members.

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