No fewer than 3 persons and 1500 were displaced, in a communal clash that has continued this morning, after it has erupted on over the weekend between the Fulani herdsmen and the Gwari in Gwako town situate under Gwagawalada Local Government Area of the Federal Capital Territory. As gathered the clash has affected 27 communities prompting for a resettlement camp at the Permanent Campus of the Univestiy of Abuja in order to accommodate displaced person.
Meanwhile a statement from the spokesperson of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, said the coming in of said
NEMA statement read thus: “With less than 48 hours to another year, a communal clash erupted in Gwako, under Gwagwalada Local Government Area of the Federal Capital Territory this weekend. It drew the attention of NEMA and the Ministry of Capital Territory to jointly activate their search and rescue teams.
“The prompt intervention of the two agencies, including security personnel from the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military has curtailed the escalation of the crisis, which started on Saturday because of alleged encroachment of herds of cattle into farmlands in the area.”
“The NEMA Director-General, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, hailed the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Muhammad, for the promptness of his agencies and his presence on the scene of the clash. He urged the warring parties to live peacefully with one another and eschew violence as we enter a New Year. Sani-Sidi said two people died and 27 communities were affected. He said over 1,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are squatting in a temporary camp on the permanent campus of the University of Abuja in Gwagwalada.”
Meanwhile the FCT Minister Bala Muhammad also led a delegation of other government agencies to the crisis area; this was to ascertain the impact of the incident. The Minister also urged the communities to remain calm as the government would ensure that the causes of the crisis were addressed so that they could return to their homes.
“The minister had asked NEMA to provide more amenities to the victims in the camp; he also constituted an emergency team for conflict resolution and relief distribution to the affected communities, with members from response agencies and Urban Affairs Department of FCTA.”
Meanwhile as a result of the Presidency has ordered for a tight security within the FCT especially as the year is about to end in matter of hours in order to avoid any overflow of the disaster. According to top security source, he said that the government is worried over the crisis, so as not to turn to the case of conflict being seen in Plateau State.
However, the military and the police have been directed not only to restore order but also protect life and property in the area, as Gwagwalada Area Council is a vital gateway to the FCT from the Southern part, this is done in order not to permit the catastrophe to aggravate and create a serious security challenge in the nation’s capital.
Already, investigation into the crisis has started, as the security officials has said it won’t take anything for granted with several road blocks and checkpoints mounted by security operatives set up within the Gwagwalada highway; security has been tightened in the FCT to prevent a spillover of Fulani in the territory.
There is an adage which says early to bed early to rise and this Isoko nation of Delta state South-South Nigeria gathered on Saturday, 8, December, 2012 at the Regency Hall, MKO Abiola Gardens Hill, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, to demonstrate and to take their rightful place in the polity of Delta state and Nigeria in general come in 2015 and beyond.
The epoch making interactive session was with Isoko people in government and Isoko people in general and packaged by the Isoko Advancement Network (IAN), an Isoko socio/political pressure group.
At the event the Isoko nation both home and in Diaspora agreed to speak with one voice to achieve a common purpose for the growth and development of the area not minding political affiliations.
Isoko people are an ethno linguistic group that inhibits the Isoko region of Delta State of Nigeria. One of the confronting challenges in Isoko nation is political bickering; Pull Him Down syndrome, the ability to sustained good leadership and followership within the region which has plunged the region into thin darkness of retrogression.
However, the epoch making interaction which witnessed several thought provoking speeches on the need to champion a common cause with one indivisible voice.
Setting the ball rolling was the chairman of the occasion and a respected Isoko political leader, Chief Sergeant Uredi warned against political bickering among the Isoko people adding that Isoko people are a part of a political arrangement and for them to succeed in the arrangement, there was need to work towards a collective aspiration for them in order to have a viable and respected leadership.
He advised the people to be tolerant always with their leaders and give purposeful advice to them.
According to Uredi “I have had a long standing association with many members of the Isoko Advancement Network (IAN) as a matter of fact; many of its members, including its chairman, Hon. Mike Ogwah and other key members are like sons and daughters to me. In the past, several pressure groups have emerged for the purpose of lifting us, Isoko people, but for one reasons or the other, the anticipated results were never achieved. So, when I was approached to chair this occasion, my first concern was whether this was going to be another exercise in futility. However, upon review of the membership of this group, its objectives, and the passion to achieve these objectives, I am convinced that there is indeed true hope. I therefore, once again welcome this opportunity to be here today, with a group which I believe every Isoko person, whether from the North or South should embrace wholeheartedly.”
While appealing to everyone to take the Isoko project as their personal project, the chairman of the occasion charged all and sundry to contribute their quotas both individually and as a group stressing that “We must keep our eyes on the price and never lose focus from our ultimate goal. As we start to interact, we must be frank, sincere and be guided by the simple principle of a better and united Isoko. I want us to ask ourselves some questions such as How do we view ourselves as Isoko people, How do others see us as Isoko people, Do they see us as a divided people”
As a people, Uredi said Isoko must be organised properly and always speak with one voice, as their actions within any political arrangement must always be driven by the benefits contained therein to Isoko and its people and must have a viable and respected leadership. “We have simply not mastered the act of pulling our resources together to form the type of synergies required to make us great and to become the envy of others.”
On his part, the Secretary to Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion called on the Isoko people to be united, speak with one voice and collectively work towards the overall development of the Isoko Nation.
Macaulay, patron of IAN who used the occasion to respond to issues raised by representatives of various communities and provided useful information on the activities of the Uduaghan administration in the state, advised the Isoko people to direct their attention to the overall interest of the area and not on him, the SSG.
“Do not route for fanciful positions, but positions that have the greatest utility to us as a nation. Isoko people cannot get all at once, but I can assure you, we have our own fair share of the dividends of democracy, if not more. However Isoko will not be left out in the scheme of things as far as growth and development is concern in Delta state.” he said.
According to the SSG, an Isoko son, the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration has done credibly well in the areas of infrastructures and appointments in Isoko land and therefore appealed for unflinching support to the Uduaghan’s government.
“The Uduaghan’s government meant well for the people of Isoko nation but despite all the effort of government, some Isoko leaders have continued to frustrate the genuine effort by frustrating and making unnecessary and greedy demands from contractors executing projects in the area.”
The SSG who also ruled out the marginalisation of any of the several ethnic nationalities that make up particularly charged the people of Isoko nation to disabuse their minds about marginalisation and form a formidable front to work for the progress of the area as well the state. “No ethnic group has been marginalised in Delta State and I am assuring you that the state government will do everything possible to ensure that no part of the state is cheated. So, I will rather advise Isoko people to shun the pull-him-down syndrome and come together to work for the progress of Isoko nation and Delta State.”
He described the forum organised by the IAN as a unique one and stressed the need for all tiers of government to ensure constant dialogue between the leaders and the led.
“Governments should avoid distancing themselves from the people, so that the masses can have a sense of belonging and key into developmental programmes that are meant to impact positively on the society,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of IAN, Hon. Mike Ogwah, had explained that the purpose of the ‘interactive session’ was to create room for all Isoko sons and daughters to air their views on issues bordering on their political situation and positions in order to speed up the development of the Isoko Nation.
Ogwah stated that the IAN seized the opportunity of the 52nd birthday of its patron, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, to create the forum for a broad interaction with Isoko people, describing the body as a melting pot of all Isoko sons and daughters that have excelled in their various ventures.
The group national chairman averred that the event is aimed at promoting, building a stronger Isoko nation, maintaining an enviable position in the state and national affairs within the context of unity and a sense of common purpose as well as agitating for the up-liftment of Isoko land and the people.
Ogwah stressed the need for Isokos to come together and speak with one indivisible voice and take their place in the politics of the state and the nation. “We believe in mutual interest, therefore, the progress and growth of every Isoko man is paramount to us.”
With the large history of peace which Isoko nation have sustained without rancour, yet the federal or state government do not recognized the present of Isoko nation in terms of political and economic leadership.
This an Isoko son at the event who never wanted his name mentioned in the media said all Isoko sons and daughters must learn their culture and language in order to be indoctrinated into formidable leadership of Isoko nation. “Isoko nation have over 100 oil wells and second region to discover oil and gas after Oloibiri in Bayelsa in 1957. It contributes 35 percent of crude oil to the Nigerian economy yet Isoko people are politically relegated to the background. Come to think of Delta politics, Isoko people always play second fiddle and interested in collecting money from politicians and sell their mandates to other region for fear of being intimidated. How long Isoko man or woman will sit on the fence in Delta politics would rather want political appointments and nothing else.”
Present at the occasion were the SSG and his wife, Mrs. Stella Ovuozourie Macaulay, High Chief U.B.T. Egbuwoku, a former member of the House of Representatives, High Chief S.A. Uredi, Chief Enifoghale Ofor, Chief Hon Benjamin Efekodo, Rt.Hon. Emma Okoro, pioneer speaker, Delta state house of Assembly, Chief Mrs. Ovuonyen, members of Isoko Advancement Network, top Isoko political sons and daughters among other leaders.
For those who don’t know much about Isoko, it is a known fact that the Isokos are a unique and delightful people, a district ethnic group made of nineteen (19) clans with a total of about 2.1 million people.
Isoko occupies a space of land in South East of Delta State of Nigeria; bounded by Kwale to the North, Urhobos to the West, Ndokwa Osimili/Aboh to the East; and Ijaws to the South while the Delta Igbos and Itsekeris are not left out. The Isokos are a peaceful people as there are no records or history of conflicts or wars between them and their neighbors in the past.
The major occupation of Isoko people are farming, trading, fishing and teaching. They thirst for education and they are directly progressing in these areas of specialization. It is of record that today Isokos can be found in most of the sensitive professions in Nigeria like Lawyers, Accountants, Economists, Engineers, Doctors, Estate Surveyors, Journalists and general business contractors.
A former Governorship candidate in the 2007 elections in Anambra State Chief Stanley Okeke has dragged President Goodluck Jonathan to an Abuna Federal High Court asking it to compel the President to remove fortheith subsidy being paid on fuel in the country.
In the suit filed through his Cousel M.A Ebute and U.B. Eyo and dated December 21st Okeke is also seeking an order compelling President Jonathan to refund back to the Federation Account such sum earlier appropriated and or approved under the sub-head of fuel subsidy funds or money as according to him same cannot be justified in the face of the pervasive corruption, perennial fuel shortage and long queues being witnessed in the country.
Cited as 2nd and 3rd defendants in the suit are the Minister of Petroleum, Diezeni Allison-Madueke and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The plaintiff is also asking the court for an order directing the 3rd defendant (Okonjo-Iweala) to stop further payment of fuel subsidy money predicated on the corrupt, illegal and unlawful fuel subsidy regime.
Okeke is asking the court to declare that the fuel subsidy currently being funded by the Federal Government is a waste of public funds and therefore unlawful and illegal to sustain same.
He also prayed the court for; A declaration that the pervasive corruption inherent in the fuel subsidy scheme has caused untold hardship to the masses of the country and therefore is an abuse of the rights of Nigerians as guaranteed by the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
A declaration that the fuel subsidy scheme having failed to achieve the purpose for which it was meant should be out rightly abolished as same has violated the Nigerian people’s rights as guaranteed by the provision of the 1999 Constitution.
A declaration that the failure of the 2nd and 3rd defendants in their Ministerial duties to ensure a corrupt free subsidy regime is a breach of public trust and a violation of their oaths of office as contained in the seventh schedule to the 1999 Constitution.
Okeke posed the following questions for determination by the court; Whether in view of the official corruption and abuse of office inherent in the fuel subsidy regime as evidenced by the in-going trial of certain individuals in the Federal High Court Lagos, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is validly competent to order the removal and or abolish the fuel subsidy scheme.
Whether consequent upon the perennial fuel shortages ad the attendant long queues on our roads, it would be proper and lawful for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to completely remove and abolish the fuel subsidy regime.
Whether having regards to the near infrastructural collapse in our country, it would be proper to re-channel funds meant fuel subsidy scheme into the building of infrastructural facilities.
Whether the 2nd and 3rd defendants being appointees of the President by not ensuring a corrupt free subsidy regime have not failed in their principal duty to Nigerians.
The plaintiff in a 27 paragraphed affidavit he deposed in support of the originating summons averred that Nigeria now under the leadership of President Jonathan now imports fuel from various oil producing nations for local consumption by Nigerians and that said importation is highly subsidized by the Federal Government running into billions of Naira.
He further averred that “recently in December 2012 the President 1st defendant submitted a supplementary budget of over N161,000,000,000 to the National Assembly for the payment of additional fuel subsidy money to the fuel importers and marketers.
Okeke stated that the only way to stop the high level of abuse of the fuel subsidy scheme is the removal of the policy by the Federal Government.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
Despite pressures and promptings from some well meaning citizens of Anambra state especially members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on Senator Chris Ngige to vie for the 2014 governorship of the state, he has said he may not run.
According to him, “am not the only politician in the state; I have not actually told anyone that I am interested in running for the office…” He however said he was still consulting widely on the issue.
Senator Ngige who spoke on a wide range of national issues in an end-of-the-year stock-taking press conference with journalists at his campaign headquarters in Awka yesterday dismissed the views of those insisting on making the choice of next governor of the state a preserve of the Anambra North senatorial zone, as alien to the power struggle in the state.
He said that as a stakeholder in the state he would not shut his mouth while Gov peter Obi tries to foist a non-existent, impracticable and unacceptable political pattern on the state by his trumpeting that its now the turn of the North zone to produce a governor in the state.
He observed that since both his almost 3years in office, before he was replaced by Obi who also spent 4years earlier, totaling 7years; whereas both of them are from Central zone, that it would have been historical for the governor to allow his much-loved North zone to have produced his replacement in 2010.
Moreso, Ngige reasoned that power was hardly ‘given’, but taken. He stated that from the beginning, Anambra North had always participated actively in the entire power equations, processes and struggles.
Going deep down memory lane the ex-governor reeled out details of participants in the gubernatorial race of the state since 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2010, and now that included more of Anambra North sons who were apparently unlucky. He succeeded in showing that able, active and formidable candidates from the zone are also rearing to slug it out with others this time again. He therefore urged Obi to desist from making the zone look incapable, disable and insignificant who should be led by the nose like the blind to belong.
He pointed out that if Obi’s postulation was correct sons of the Norht zone like Dr Chudi Nwike, Emma Anosike, Sam Ikefuna, Chief Mike Areh, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, Nnamdi Ozobia, Patrick Agbata, Okey Odunze, Frank Oramulu, Umenyiorah and Joy Emordi would not have participated in the election that produced Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, himself, Dr Andy Ubah and Peter Obi, at all.
He therefore emphasized that any such zoning arrangement would be discussed and agreed on, before commencement.
The late Owelle of Onitsha and first governor general of the federation, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, and the late Ajie Ukpabi Asika who was the sole administrator of the old Eastern region, both of who were from Onitsha had ruled in 1952 and 1967-1975 respectively, and taken the turn of the North zone.
According to Ngige, “we had never allowed this dichotomy being subtly foistered on us by Obi. It is a poisoned chalice and we will not taste it. The idea was very bad and unacceptable.
On the federal government’s Health Insurance scheme, Ngige said it would be fine-tuned by the national assembly to give it a required verve. He also mooted that the national assembly gave in to the executives request for a staggering supplementary budget, even when the year was already gone. To avoid falling into an obvious trap of being the ones to give Nigerians a bleak Christmas.
He admitted they would probe the funds and its applications since the effect was not felt round the country at all within the yuletide.
The Kogi State governor, Idris Wada, who was involved in a fatal accident yesterday has had a hip surgery at the Cede Crest Hospital in Garki, Abuja.
Wada was taken to Abuja yesterday after receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, immediately after the accident
The chief medical director of Cedar Crest Hospital, Felix Ogedengbe, who addressed journalists on Wada’s condition this afternoon in Abuja, said the governor was in stable condition.
“The governor agreed not to be treated abroad, following medical advice from the hospital that his situation could be well managed by medical experts in the hospital,” Ogedengbe said.
He stated further that the governor sustained injuries and bone fractures on one his thigh, adding that that had been treated.
Allaying fares that Wada might be in critical condition as had been reported in the media, the medical director said that the governor “did not sustain any immediate life threatening injury.”
Ogedengbe disclosed that Wada was brought to the hospital around 8pm yesterday in “very stable” condition adding that “there was no life threatening injury, his spirit is quite high, he is back on his feet and doing fine.”
The medical director further said, “when we told him that we could handle his condition here to a world class standard, he immediately agreed to have himself treated here.”
The doctor said also that Wada was responding well to treatment, is able to eat but had to be monitored since he was involved in a car crash.
Ogedengbe also said that there was no need to fly the governor abroad for treatment as the hospital was well equipped to handle his case.
“He is stable. He is fine. His injuries have been looked after to a standard that is up to what is available in any part of the world. He quite understands that and he was happy to accept the treatment. And he is quite happy with the outcome of the treatment,” the doctor said.
Also speaking to journalists at the briefing, Wada’s media aide, Jacob Edi, said the governor had declined to be flown abroad but rather opted to be treated here in Nigeria.
“The governor insisted that he believed in the medical situation in Nigeria. He would not love to be flown abroad and like the doctor said it is not a life threatening situation. So, let it be on record that the governor believes in what we have in Nigeria. Unlike some other influential Nigerians, Captain Wada insists that he wants to be treated in Nigeria,” he said.
Edi also disclosed that the governor’s driver, Jubril Isah, who survived the accident, was being treated at the Kogi Specialist Hospital and is responding to treatment.
The governor’s spokesman also dismissed reports that the governor was in critical condition.
Wada’s accident is the third involving state governors in the country in the last few weeks. .
A few months ago, the governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai, had an accident while piloting an aircraft and was badly injured and is still receiving treatment in a German hospital. He is believed to be in critical condition.
In fact, although the state government maintain otherwise, Suntai is said to be so badly hurt that he cannot recognize anybody.
Only two weeks ago, governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna state died in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa. The accident also claimed the lives of Owoye Azazi, former National Security Adviser, NSA, and four others.
Former presidential candidate Sabbahi accepts the results of the referendum on the constitution, but says any charter that divides the nation cannot claim legitimacy.
Hamdeen Sabbahi, a leading member of the National Salvation Front (NSF), says he accepts the results of Egypt’s referendum on the constitution, but adds that the newly-ratified constitution lost its legitimacy.
“This is the opinion of the Egyptian population, although I have reservations about the fraud and violations witnessed during the referendum’s first and second stage,” the former presidential candidate told Kuwaiti paper Al-Seyassah.
“But the constitution has lost its legitimacy because it has separated the people into two teams after the revolution unified them,” he added.
The contentious constitution was approved by President Mohamed Morsi late Tuesday. The Supreme Electoral Commission announced that nearly 64 per cent of voters in the recent referendum had endorsed the national charter.
Opposition groups have been saying that the constitution lacks national consensus, describing it as “unrepresentative.”
The Islamist-led Constituent Assembly, which was tasked with drafting the constitution, saw walkouts by church representatives, liberals, leftists and others in protest at Islamist members’ demeanour, saying they had been trying to suppress many freedoms, among other complaints.
No dialogue
Early this month, Morsi invited the opposition, led by the NSF, to a dialogue in order to reach national consensus before the referendum.
The NSF and other opposition groups, however, turned him down, arguing that such a meeting would be “pointless.”
During a recent speech, Morsi once again invited the opposition to a dialogue in order to reach an agreement over contentious articles in the constitution.
For his part, Sabbahi remains resolute not to engage in such a meeting, saying: “We have responded to his invitation once, and attended his meetings and nothing has changed.”
He added: “Any national dialogue must be conducted on a certain basis to be successful; it must have an agenda, and include all national forces so as no decision would be made without the involvement of a certain category of people.”
President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima, has on Saturday debunked the rumours making rounds that Nollywood veteran actor Pete Edochie is dead.
The rumour as reported by a website, Global Associated News, claimed that Edochie died while filming a movie in Kitzbühel, Austria early Saturday.
“Preliminary reports from Austrian Police officials indicate that the actor fell more than 50 feet to his death in a remote area of the Hahnenkamm Mountains while on-set during the filming of a movie.
“Specific details are not yet available. The accident occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. (UTC/GMT +12).
“Additional details and information will be forthcoming,” the report said.
However, Fiberesima in an SMS said “It is not true at all.” This is not the first time Pete Edochie is being trailed with death news. In 2011, he was rumoured to be dead until he dispelled the rumour later on.
Police arrest kidnapper days after forming new group
The 10-man kidnap gang, which abducted Prof Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been torn apart as a result of sharing the ransom collected for the release of the Queen of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom in Delta State.
The new leader of the gang reportedly bolted away with N1million share of another member of the gang.
The affected member, 32 –year-old Andrew, aka Olokpa, from Edo state, who was desperately in need of money, decided to go on a reprisal mission by forming a new kidnap gang and was caught by the police.
He is presently on detention at the Delta State Police Command headquarters in Asaba.
He was seized on Thursday when police, acting on intelligence information, lured him to sell one of the guns in his possession, which was used in the kidnap of the queen mother of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom.
His arrest was confirmed to Saturday Vanguard, yesterday, in Asaba by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba.
Hired for the operation
The suspected kidnapper, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard from the police cell, yesterday, however, asserted he was not among the main 10-man kidnap gang that abducted Prof Okonjo.
He stated that he was merely hired to supply food to Prof Okonjo in the bush, where she was kept on two occasions.
Commissioner Aduba, who maintained that that the police was not in support of payment of ransom to kidnappers and was not told by the family of Okonjo that they paid ransom to kidnappers, told Saturday Vanguard that nemesis would catch up with the remaining kidnappers, as the police have a database on them.
He confirmed our information that the second-in-command of the gang, who took over from the former leader and kidnap kingpin, Nwaeze Nwosa, a.k.a Bolaji, after he was shot dead by the police, Thursday, December 13, bolted away with N1 million share of the ransom kept for another member, Olokpa.
The gang members seriously disagreed on the action of the new leader and advised him to return Olokpa’s money to him, as he was the one in who took care of Prof Okonjo in their hideout.
The kidnap leader refused and Olokpa, who was in possession of the arms and ammunition used for the operation was in desperate money for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
He reportedly formed another kidnap gang, which went for an operation in Aboh in Ndokwa area of the state.
The gang successfully kidnapped the victim but was confronted on the way out by the vigilance group in the area, which riddled its vehicle with bullets.
“Since we know the hideout they planned to use, we strategized to lay ambush for them at the hideout, but because of the shooting by the vigilance group, the group diverted to Edo state, where they abandoned the vehicle used for the operation”, a source confided in our reporters.
Saturday Vanguard was told that police detectives continued with the hunt for the gang and having discovered that Olokpa was in dire need of money, they sold a dummy to him that somebody wanted to buy a gun.
He fell for the deal and struck a bargain for N300,000 not knowing that he was speaking to a police detective.
The suspect came to Koka junction in Asaba to collect the money for the gun when the police arrested him.
He denied being the person that negotiated for the sale of a gun when he found that he was trapped.
However, it was difficult to extricate himself and he decided to escape, but he was shot on the leg in the process.
How we captured the gang member— Aduba
Speaking on the arrest of Olokpa, Commissioner Aduba said, “What I can tell you is that following our intelligence gathering on the identities of members of the kidnap gang responsible for the kidnap of Professor Mrs. Okonjo and days of painstaking monitoring at about 12.30pm, one Andrew (surname withheld) was arrested at Koka junction, Asaba.
“We got to know through networking of information the bush the woman was kept. The major players were identified, even though they are scattered, the camp was in disarray following the death of their leader, Nwosa.
“I still reiterate the issue of ransom, the issue of ransom payment was a rumour. We (police) are not part of it. I don’t encourage ransom”, he stated. According to him, “When we eventually smashed the gang with the death of their leader, one of them, who was promised N1 million as his share became angry because he was denied of the money.
“He broke away from the gang. We (police) were aware because of the close tab on them. And because he was angry, he decided to engage in other kidnapping activities to enable him get enough money for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“He participated in kidnapping an 82 year old man at Aboh. We (knew) about the kidnap, but did not know the route. We knew the day and kept on our surveillance and on that day, the community’s vigilance group opened fire and this man, leading another gang, moved to Edo State and abandoned the vehicle used for the operation along Auchi expressway.
“They later brought the man (victim) to Emu in Delta State and put him in custody of one of their gang members, who incidentally is a native of that village’,” he asserted.
His words, “So we sold a dummy to him (leader of new gang) to sell the gun he inherited from Nwosa- led gang to a big man from Lagos who was in need of it for N300,000 since he was desperately in need of money and in the process of giving him the gun, we got him arrested.”
Controversy over ransom
Even though the police have categorically maintained that it was not aware that ransom was paid, it was obvious from the arrest of Olokpa on Thursday that ransom was actually paid.
Saturday Vanguard exclusively broke the story of the ransom that was collected by the kidnappers.
Our information was that the ransom was dropped somewhere along the Benin bypass on the Warri-Benin-Lagos expressway, but it was not confirmed by security agencies, who were hoarding information from themselves. A source said the first time the ransom was to be paid, the kidnappers spotted a security officer with a member of the family and called it off.
“That was one of the reasons why she stayed up to five days in the kidnappers’ den”, our source hinted.
It was reported that the State Security Service, SSS, operatives from Abuja arrested one of the kidnappers when he went to deposit part of the ransom, which was marked in the bank, but the authorities have not officially corroborated the claim. An SSS source in Asaba, who confirmed that their colleagues from Abuja, indeed, came for an operation over the Prof Okonjo matter, however, said, “We do not have the details of what they unearthed here in Asaba”.
Olokpa admitted to the police that the new leader of the gang took his share of the money, but he was asked by Saturday Vanguard how the operation was carried out, he retreated, saying, he was brought in only after the kidnap had been carried out.
According to him, the kidnapper, who took over from Bolaji “is the one I know, he is my friend, he is the one who brought me in, he told me that he has a job for me to supply food, bread , groundnut and water to the person they kidnapped.”
“He said the person was kept somewhere in the bush and that he will pay me N100,000 for the job. I saw it as easy money and I accepted it”, he said, adding that he knew that kidnapping was a crime, but the money was irresistible for him because his job was not rewarding.
Villagers protest abduction of their children
Villagers from Ovumte, Ayaragu and Ekembe in Ishiagu community of Ebonyi, yesterday, protested the incidences of abduction of children in their area. The protesters, in their hundreds, mostly aged women and youths, took to the roads chanting war songs and calling on the police and other security agencies to unmask those behind the dastardly act.
The peaceful protesters later marched to the Ivo Divisional Police Headquarters, where they gave the police a seven-day ultimatum to unmask the perpetrators. They said: “Our villages are under siege. Abductors have taken over our villages and we live in fear of the unknown.”
“We are giving the police one week to uncover those behind the act.”
The aggrieved villagers also visited the house of the President of the Ishiagu Community Development Union (ICDU), Mr Stanly Anyim, and solicited the intervention of the union in tackling the problem. They said: “We are here to appeal to you to use your good office to stop the spate of child abductions in our villages.”
“Our children are no longer safe in our homes and this crime against them must stop.” A gang of abductors on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 unleashed terror on the three villages and abducted seven children, aged between three and five years old.
Controversies have continued to trail the death of Azazi and Yakowa in what many informed sources believe to be premeditated and President Jonathan’s safety is now a big worry to close associates. Some Christian northern governors are afraid that it may be their turn and some among them have reportedly refocused their security machineries to avoid the Azazi/ Yakowa treatment. Some senators are afraid that they may go down anytime it pleases the executioners hence their interest in probing the helicopter accident. The feasters of Nigeria are afraid that some killers more powerful than they are on the prowl. This article, first published in February, was the concluding part of the piece ‘Boko Haram: How Safe is President Goodluck (11)’ and unless the issues raised therein are addressed, there will be more accidents and more feasters on Nigeria will be victims of their inaction.
In every political clime like Nigeria which has tendencies for roguery, it is very dangerous for so many funds to be concentrated on so few hands. Some Nigerians especially those in the oil block and oil bunkering businesses are individually worth over$10 billion dollars. At least twenty oil magnets in Nigeria are worth that much .Their shrewd investments of the stolen wealth have ensured steady increase in net worth over time. Some of these people are part of the sponsorship of the PDP branch of Boko Haram. They are equally so connected that security agents fall over themselves to give them sensitive information for a handsome fee or in return for career advancements and political patronage. The nations security arms are gradually through intelligence gatherings and uncompromised operations, apprehending the leaders and couriers of Pro-sharia and Al-queda Boko Haram. The PDP Boko Haram is still as free as air. Though some of them are irritated by the developments and are trying to seek tacit withdrawal, however their masterminds are not moved by the recent developments. Their sponsors-in –chiefs are not afraid of President Goodluck. Their only fear is that an expose on their ignoble roles could turn to a huge political deficit especially with the unanimous condemnation of the bloodletting by both Christians and Muslims of Nigeria.
President Goodluck said in January 2011 that the sponsors of Boko Haram are in High places in government, judiciary security etc. These leaders of the polity are speaking in parables and expect Nigerians to decode their message. They speak in parables while the nation is boiling. All these hushed tones are carefulness in preparation for 2015.The PDP Boko Haram is fighting because of 2015; the presidency is equally speaking in tongues because of 2015. Everything has been reduced to 2015 succession politics. Who knows who will survive till 2015?
President Goodluck should at least tell Nigerians from the list before him, those indicted for sponsoring Boko Haram. He should equally gather the will to prosecute these PDP party men as a deterrent or else another bunch of disgruntled politicians will toe the same line in the future. Failure to do so is preparing the ground for constant affront on the Nigerian State. There is a Biafran proverb that says thus” a fowl that mocked when a guinea fowl is being slaughtered knew not that the same fate that befell the guinea fowl will soon befall him” These Sponsors-in –Chiefs of Boko Haram have the ability to clinically execute agendas and provide a perfect alibi. Their tactics superseded the Sanni Abacha open and brutal operandi.
MKO Abiola was expecting to be released from detention and they waited till the foreigners came calling before striking. Who would you accuse of the murder of Abiola. Tunde Idiagbon, the anti-corruption deputy to former Head of State Muhammadu Buhari , was warned by a friend not to taste anything at the State House when invited for consultations. He felt that he was smarter than the masterminds until he suddenly took ill of strange weakness after being served tea, like MKO Abiola. On getting to his house in Ilorin, Idiagbon died 23 days later in March 1999. Allowing people capable of overthrowing the Nigerian State with an evil agenda to be roaming about is very dangerous.
The Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, after the Kano bombings have assured the president of support. The Sultan of Sokoto said the same thing after the Madalla bombings. Which other political support is the President looking for before confronting the behemoth from the northern PDP. If the traditional northern establishments have spoken against the evil coupled with the words of other prominent Nigerians, then the presidential foot drag could be injurious to the polity.
The fear of political recession, infighting and the need not to overheat the polity are part of the reasons the presidency is approaching this matter with caution. The polity is already overheated, different nationalities are calling for a break-up and only the hand of God is holding the nation together. If the nation’s political leadership continues to play this chess game with members of the PDP Boko Haram in their hands even God will remove his hand and there might be no 2015 for anybody to rule.
