Television Nigerian

Boko Haram raid Nigeria military base

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June 18, 2019

Suspected Boko Haram jihadists have overrun a military base and looted a nearby town in northeast Nigeria, security sources and residents said Tuesday, the latest such attack in the restive region.

The raids came a day after 30 people were killed on Sunday in a triple suicide bombing in the region that also bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram.

Late on Monday assailants, arriving on nine armoured trucks, stormed into the military base outside the town of Gajiram, 80 kilometres (50 miles), north of the Borno state capital Maiduguri.

They were suspected to be from IS-affiliated Boko Haram faction known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

“They dislodged troops from the base after a fight,” a security source told AFP.

“We don’t know the extent of damage and looting in the base. An assessment is being carried out”.

It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

Residents said the Islamists drove into the town after sacking the base and looted shops, shooting into the air.

Their presence forced residents to flee into the bush while others shut themselves in their homes.

“The gunmen drove into the town around 6pm (1700GMT) after overpowering soldiers in the base,” Gajiram resident Mele Butari told AFP.

“They stayed for almost five hours. They broke into the shops and looted food supplies and provisions,” he said.

“They didn’t hurt anyone and they made no attempt to attack people who fled into the bush or hid indoors”.

Soldiers were seen returning to the town from the bush Tuesday morning

27,000 killed in Northeast attacks since 2009, says UN

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June 18, 2019

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27,000 killed in Northeast attacks since 2009, says UN

More than 27,000 people have been killed in attacks in northeastern Nigeria since 2009, the United Nations said.

“The humanitarian crisis in northeast Nigeria is one of the most severe in the world and is first and foremost a protection crisis,” Edward Kallon, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, said in emailed statement.

“Women, men and children face grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law every day.”

The UN condemned Sunday bombings by suspected Boko Haram insurgents that killed at least 30 people in attacks in Konduga town in northeast Borno state.

Among those killed was a community volunteer who was contributing to the humanitarian response in the region, according to the UN. It called on Nigerian authorities to prosecute those responsible for the attacks and ensure justice is done.

Boko Haram has been waging a violent campaign in Nigeria to impose its version of Islamic law. The country is Africa’s top oil producer and most populous nation, with more than 180 million people.

Boris Johnson Leads In British PM Race

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June 18, 2019

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The UK leadership race narrowed to five on Tuesday as Brexit figurehead Boris Johnson prepared to defend his runaway favourite status in his first television debate.

Johnson expanded his lead over his remaining rivals in a second secret ballot held by 313 lawmakers from the ruling Conservative party in the lower House of Commons.

The former foreign minister and London mayor picked up 126 votes while former Brexit minister Dominic Raab got knocked out after falling three short of the 33-vote threshold.

Moderate international development minister Rory Stewart continued his against-the-odds challenge by expanding his support base from last week’s 19 to 37.

Foreign Minister Jeremy Huntpicked up 46 votes and environment minister Michael Gove 41. Interior minister Sajid Javidscraped through with exactly 33.

Britain is frantically searching for a leader after Prime Minister Theresa May stepped down last month as Conservative party chief over her repeated failure to deliver Brexit.

The island nation is now due to split away from the other 27 European Union member states on October 31.

But how and when the chaos paralysing UK politics — and frightening business leaders — ultimately resolves itself may only be decided by who becomes the next prime minister.

Further rounds of voting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday will whittle the list of contenders down to just two.

The finalists will face the ruling party’s 160,000 grassroots members in a vote next month to decide the winner.

Johnson’s lead is so substantial that some UK media say the others are simply fighting for a good spot in his future government.

TARABA WOMEN PROTEST HERDSMEN KILLINGS AND HARASSMENT

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June 18, 2019

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TARABA WOMEN PROTEST HERDSMEN KILLINGS AND HARASSMENT

Hundreds of Kona women in the early hours of Tuesday took to the streets of Jalingo the Taraba State capital to protest the killings of their people by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The protest is coming after killing of eleven people between Sunday and Monday night when suspected armed Fulani militia invaded Tudiri and Janibanibu villages in Ardo-kola Local Government Areas of the state.

The women who started the pretest from Kona village located six kilometers away from the city centre wore black attires and matched across major streets of Jalingo to protest what they called continued attacks on their communities and killings of their husbands and children by armed herdsmen.

Mrs. Mary Shaukani who spoke to our correspondent during the protest alleged that rather than going after the herdsmen who had been killing and destroying their homes, security agencies turn to harass and arrest Kona youths in their houses and on the streets.

“Yesterday, soldiers and policemen arrested over seven of our sons who went out defend our people.

“Rather than protect us, security agencies are rather shielding the attackers and arresting our youths. Many of our children are now in the detention of the security agencies.

“The response time is poor and that is why the crises have killed scores and houses burnt.

“We want our children to be released and the security agencies should be fair in handling the crises,” she said.

But reacting to the allegations, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP David Misal, said they were yet to receive any complaints from the women.

“We have not received any complaint from the women regarding the arrest of anyone.

“In any case, whoever that has been arrested has something to do with the crisis. We can not sit and watch people take laws into their arms.

“Some of the youths blocked the road and were smashing people’s cars. In such a situation we can not sit and watch them rain mayhem on innocent people,” he said.

Kidnapped Catholic priest escapes from abductors

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June 18, 2019

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Kidnapped Catholic priest escapes from abductors

Reverend Father Isaac Agabi, who was abducted last Sunday by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, has regained his freedom.

Father Agabi, who is the priest in charge of Holy Name Catholic Church, Ikpeshi, in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, was kidnapped along Auchi-Igarra road at about 5.00 pm, while on his way back to the parish.

It was gathered that he ran away from his abductors in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Director of Communication, Catholic Diocese of Auchi-Igarra, Fr. Peter Egielewa, confirmed Agabi’s escape to our correspondent in Benin.

He disclosed that Rev. Agabi escaped from the kidnappers when they slept off in the night.

“No ransom was paid. He actually escaped in the night when the kidnappers were asleep. He came out of the bush and was able to come home, no ransom was paid,” he said.

The Edo Police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwanbuzor, could not be reached for comment, as calls made to his mobile phone was not answered.

Meanwhile, leaders of the kidnappers who abducted Reverend Agabi has been allegedly nabbed by youths of Ikpeshi, in Akoko-Edo local government area of the State.

Police arrest four over N6.8m allegedly swallowed by gorilla at Kano zoo

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June 18, 2019

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Police arrest four over N6.8m allegedly swallowed by gorilla at Kano zoo

The Kano State Police Command, on Tuesday, said it has arrested four suspects in connection to the case of a gorilla, which allegedly swallowed N6.8 million at Kano Zoological Gardens.

Spokesman of the Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, who confirmed the arrests, said those arrested, include security officials and the accountant, charging them for negligence.

However, Haruna wondered why such a large sum of money was kept within the Zoological complex for a period of five days during the Sallah period.

”Whoever is found guilty, at the end of investigations would be charged to court for prosecution.”

Contacted, the Managing Director of the Zoological Garden, Umar Yusuf Hashe Katchakobo, said the matter is under investigation, hence he cannot comment on the development.

It should be recalled that a Gorilla recently swallowed N6.8 million at the State Government Zoological garden.

The money was said to be proceeds from gate takings at the Zoological Gardens, which attracted numerous spectators, at the just concluded Eid–el-Fitr (Sallah) celebrations.

Earlier, the Command Spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the Police received a distress call, that suspected bandits attacked an employee of the zoo in the night and stole N6.8 million.

Buhari signs Federal Polytechnics Amendment, Security Studies bills into law

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June 18, 2019

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Buhari signs Federal Polytechnics Amendment, Security Studies bills into law

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja signed into law the Federal Polytechnics Amendment bill and the National Institute for Security Studies bill.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Alhaji Umar El-Yakub disclosed this when he addressed State House Correspondents on Tuesday.

According to him, the new Act on Federal Polytechnics now pegs the tenure of Rectors of Federal Polytechnics at single five-year tenure.

He said, “The Federal Polytechnics Amendment Bill sought to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act of 2004, whereby there were amendments to several sections of that Act.

“This includes the tenure of the Rectors, which has now been harmonised to five-year single tenure and whereby a Rector is currently serving the old four-year tenure, he/she will have an additional year to make it five.

“The amended Act now stipulates that the Polytechnics will now have Governing Councils of five members, reflecting the national character, comprising a lady, an alumnus of the Polytechnics and a person from the area where the Polytechnic is based.”

According to the presidential aide, the National Institute for Security Studies ACT now paves the way for the establishment of the institute with a view to ensuring that middle and senior managers in the security environment have their competences improved.

El-Yakub also said when operational, the institute would serve as a critical research organisation, “with a view to ensuring that there are competent people managing the security environment for global peace and stability.’’

I NEVER SAID I WILL FIX APAPA GRIDLOCK IN 60 DAYS – SANWO-OLU MAKES U-TURN

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June 18, 2019

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I NEVER SAID I WILL FIX APAPA GRIDLOCK IN 60 DAYS – SANWO-OLU MAKES U-TURN

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has made a U-turn, insisting that he never promised to solve the Apapa gridlock crisis in 60 days.

The governor said this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.

Sanwo-Olu, who was still governor-elect on May 18, 2019 had during an interactive session with his classmates at the Executive Master of Business Administration class, University of Lagos, 1998/2000 set, said that he would end the protracted gridlock in Apapa area of the state within the first 60 days of his administration.

He said not minding the politics involved, he would rid the area of all the trailers whose operations have been responsible for the intractable gridlock.

Sanwo-Olu had said, “The Apapa trailer issue; it’s a campaign issue, it’s very serious. I’m going to take it very seriously. I believe that it is something that we are going to solve in the first 60 days of our government. Whatever is going to be required of us, we will take them out.

“There is a lot of politics being played around there. But no, it cannot be the way we’ll continue to live. We cannot continue to give excuses.”

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, however, the governor said he never promised to clear the traffic congestion in 60 days rather, he would review what has been done on Apapa roads in 60 days.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up a task force to address the Apapa issue but said a permanent solution would only be reached when the port has been decongested.

NIGERIA HAS LOWEST REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA – NDI/IRI

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June 18, 2019

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NIGERIA HAS LOWEST REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA – NDI/IRI

The joint Nigeria International Election Observation Mission of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) at the presentation of its final report on the 2019 Nigerian elections, decried the low representation of women in elective positions. The groups noted that Nigeria has the lowest number of women (3%) elected to public offices in the entire sub-saharan African region.

The public presentation featured a panel discussion with Professor Remi Sonaiya, a former presidential candidate on the platform of KOWA party. Other panelists included the national chairman of People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim and Simon Karu, a newly elected House of reps member representing Kaltungo-Shongom constituency of Gombe state.

Remi Sonaiya also lamented that women were not only short changed in elective positions but also in appointive positions. On her part, the former lecturer said she now, more than ever, favour a legislation that would guarantee female representation in public offices.

“What it means is that we are denying ourselves the enrichment that these women can bring to the running of our affairs.”, she said.

Yusuf Ibrahim disagreed that a legislation on women participation will efficiently remedy low participation of women in political offices.

“Even if we have a special legislation for that, most of the things that such legislation would want to address would still be happening and more”, Mr Bashir Yusuf said.

He further said that the concentration should be more on capacity and competence.

2019 POLLS FELL SHORT OF 2015 STANDARDS – IRI, NDI

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June 18, 2019

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2019 POLLS FELL SHORT OF 2015 STANDARDS – IRI, NDI

The joint Nigeria International Election Observation Mission of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) released its final report on the 2019 Nigerian elections. The final report is a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process and includes important recommendations ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.

This final report builds on the findings and recommendations of three pre-election assessment missions in July 2018, September 2018, and December 2018 as well as preliminary statements released following the February 23, 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections and the March 9, 2019 gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections.

The NDI/IRI observation mission in its report concluded that the 2019 elections did not meet the expectations of many Nigerians, citing the last-minute postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections on the morning of Feb. 16 and delays in opening some polling units and other administrative challenges on Feb. 23 that undermined public confidence in INEC. The joint observation mission said they observed many serious irregularities, including vote buying, intimidation of voters and election officials, and election-related violence.

The groups therefore urged the Nigerian government to pursue a comprehensive, inclusive and expeditious electoral reform process as well as establish time limit for the adjudication of pre-election petitions. They further recommended improved coordination between security agencies and INEC and the provision of electoral security, enforce electoral law by investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of election-related criminal act.

When asked how they would rate the 2019 elections in comparison to 2015’s, Mr Christopher Fomunyoh of NDI said 2015 elections was one the most credible elctions in the country’s history.

“The 2019 general elections fell significantly short of standards set in 2015. Citizens’ confidence in elections was shaken,” said Dr. Daniel Twining, IRI President. “Election stakeholders should take concrete steps to address the concerns of citizens with regards to the polls in order to rekindle their faith in the power and possibility of credible elections.”

“The 2019 elections highlighted for many Nigerians the need for a national conversation about the country’s democratization since the 1999 transition to civilian rule,” said Ambassador Derek Mitchell, NDI President. “We hope this report may both spur and contribute to enriching that national conversation.”