Canary Bird!

Ribadu Committee & GEJ'S TOR is a DIRECT DUPLICATION OF NEITI ACT 2007

2012-02-09T04:07:00.000-08:00

READERS PLEASE COMPARE

Ministry of Petroleum Resources – Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force

Abuja, Nigeria 07. February 2012 -- Consistent with the policies and promises of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Administration, and underpinned by the yearnings of the people of Nigeria for transparency in the Petroleum Industry, the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources has set up a Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force designed to enhance probity and accountability in operations of the Petroleum Industry. The Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, whose membership is listed below, is charged with the following terms of reference:

Terms of Reference
1. To work with consultants and experts to determine and verify all petroleum upstream and downstream revenues (taxes, royalties, etc.) due and payable to the Federal Government of Nigeria;

2. To take all necessary steps to collect all debts due and owing; to obtain agreements and enforce payment terms by all oil industry operators;

3. To design a cross debt matrix between all Agencies and Parastatals of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources;

4. To develop an automated platform to enable effective tracking, monitoring, and online validation of income and debt drivers of all Parastatals and Agencies in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources;

5. To work with world-class consultants to integrate systems and technology across the production chain to determine and monitor crude oil production and exports, ensuring at all times, the integrity of payments to the Federal Government of Nigeria; and,

6. To submit monthly reports for Ministerial review and further action.

Members
1. Mallan Nuhu Ribadu - Chairman
2. Mr. Steve Oronsaye - Dep. Chairman
3. Mallan Abba Kyari - Member
4. Ms. Benedicta Molokwu - Member
5. Mr. Supo Sasore, SAN - Member
6. Mr. Tony Idigbe, SAN - Member
7. Mr. Anthony George-Ikoli, SAN - Member
8. Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Akanji - Member
9. Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN - Member
10. Mr. Ituah Ighodalo - Member
11. Mr. Bon Otti - Member
12. Mallam Samaila Zubairu - Member
13. Mr. Ignatius Adegunle - Member
14. Mr. Gerald Ilukwe - Member
15. Rep. of FIRS - Ex-Officio
16. Rep. of FMF - Ex-Officio
17. Rep. of HAGF/ HMJ - Ex-Officio
18. Rep. of OAGF - Ex-Officio
19. Rep. of DPR - Ex-Officio
20. Rep. of NNPC - Ex-Officio

Signed

Goni M. Sheikh
Permanent Secretary
Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

With NEITI ACT 2007

1 ANNEX H: NEITI Act (Reproduction)
NIGERIA EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES TRANSPARENCY
INITIATIVE, (NEITI) ACT, 2007
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

This Act provides for the establishment of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency

Initiative (NEITI charged with the responsibility, among other things, for the
development of a framework for transparency and accountability in the reporting and
disclosure by all extractive industry companies of revenue due to or paid to the Federal
Government.

NIGERIA EXTRACTIVE INDUSRIES TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE
(NEITI) ACT, 2007
A BILL
FOR
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NIGERIA
EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE (NEITI) AND
FOR RELATED MATTERS.
Enacted by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:
1. (1) There is established a body to be know as the Nigeria Extractive Industries
Transparency initiative, (in this Act referred to as “the NEITI”.)
(2) The NEITI:
(a) shall be an autonomous self-accounting body, which shall report to the
President and the National Assembly,
(b) shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession with a common seal,
and
(c) may:
(i) sue and be sued in its corporate name, and
(ii) acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable properties in
the discharge of its functions under this Act.
2. The primary objectives of the NEITI are:
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(a) to ensure due process and transparency in the payments made by all
extractive industry companies to the Federal Government and statutory
recipients.
(b) to monitor and ensure accountability in the revenue receipts of the Federal
Government from extractive industry companies.
(c) to eliminate all forms of corrupt practices in the determination, payments,
receipts and posting of revenue accruing to the Federal Government from
extractive industry companies;
(d) to ensure transparency and accountability by government in the
application of resources from payment received from extractive industry
companies, and
(e) to ensure conformity with the principles of Extractive Industries
Transparency Initiative
3. For the purpose of realizing its objectives under this Act. The NEITI shall
perform the following functions:
(a) develop a framework for transparency and accountability in the reporting
and disclosure by all extractive industry companies of revenue due to or paid
to the Federal Government;
(b) evaluate without prejudice to any relevant contractual obligations and
sovereign obligations the practices of all extractive industry companies and
government respectively regarding acquisition of acreages, budgeting,
contracting, materials procurement and production cost profile in order to
ensure due process, transparency and accountability.
(c) ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the
investment of the Federal Government in all extractive industry companies,
(d) obtain, as may be deemed necessary, from any extractive industry
company an accurate record of the cost of production and volume of safe of
oil, gas or other minerals extracted by the company at my period, provided
that such information shall not be used in any manner prejudicial to the
contractual obligation or proprietary interests of the extractive industry
company,
(e) request from any company in the extractive industry, or from any relevant
organ of the Federal State or Local Government, an accurate account of
money paid by and received from the company at any period, as revenue
accruing to the Federal Government from such company for that period;
provided that such information shall not be used in a manner prejudicial to
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contractual obligations or proprietary interest of the extractive industry
company or sovereign obligations of Government,
(f) monitor and ensure that all payments due to the Federal Government from
all extractive industry companies, including taxes, royalties, dividends,
bonuses, penalties, levels and such like are duly made;
(g) identify lapses and undertake measures that shall enhance the capacity of
any relevant organ of the Federal State or Local Government having statutory
responsibility to monitor revenue payments by all extractive industry
companies to the Federal Government,
(h) disseminate by way of publication of records, report or otherwise any
information concerning the revenues received by the Federal Government
from all extractive industry companies as it may consider necessary;
(i) promote or undertake any other activity related to its functions and which
in its opinion, is calculated to help achieve its overall objectives as
enumerated in section 2 of this Act;
(j) ensure that all fiscal allocations and statutory disbursements due from the
Federal Government to statutory recipients are duly made.
4. (1) The NEITI shall in each financial year appoint independent auditors for
the purpose of Appointment auditing the total revenue which accrued to the
Federal Government for that year from extractive industry companies, in order
to determine the accuracy of payments and receipts.
(2) The independent auditors appointed under subsection (1) of this section
shall undertake a physical, process and financial audit on such terms and
conditions as may be approved by the National Stakeholders Working Group
(NSWG).
(3) Upon the completion of an audit, the independent auditors shall submit
the reports together with comments of the Extractive Industries Company to
the NEITI, which shall cause same to be disseminated to the National
Assembly and the Auditor-General of the Federation and also ensure their
publication.
(4) The NEITI shall submit a bi-annual report of its activities to the President
and National Assembly.
(5) An auditor or auditing firm that has audited any extractive industry
company in any given year shall not be appointed in the same year for the
purposes of subsection (2) of this section.
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(6) An auditor or auditing firm shall not be engaged for more than two years
consecutively for the purposes of subsection (2) of this section.
(7) The Auditor-General of the Federation shall not later than 3 months after
the submission of the audit report to the National Assembly publish any
comment made or action taken by the Government on the audit reports.
5. (1) The governing body of the NEITI shall be the National Stakeholders
Working Group (in this Act referred to as “the NSWG”)
(2) The NSWG shall be responsible for the formulation of policies,
programmes and strategies for the effective implementation of the objectives and
the discharges of the functions of the NEITI.
(3) Without prejudice to subsection (2) of this section, the NSWG shall have
powers to recommend the annual budget and work-plan of the NEITI and ensure
the periodic review of programmes performance by the NEITI.
6. (1) The NSWG shall be constituted by the President and shall consist of a
chairman and no more than 14 other members one of whom shall be an Executive
Secretary.
(2) (a) In making appointment into the NSWG, the President shall
include:
(i) representative of extractive industry companies,
(ii) representative of Civil Society,
(iii) representative of Labour Unions in the extractive Industries,
(iv) experts in the extractive industry, and
(v) one member from each of the six geopolitical zones.
(b) the Chairman and other members of NSWG other than the Executive
Secretary shall serve on part-time basis.
(3) The appointment of Executive Secretary shall be for 5 years and no more.
7. A person appointed as a member of the NSWG shall hold office for 4 years and
no more.
8. The members of the NSWG as well as any person appointed to any of its special
committees under section 2 may be paid such allowances out of the funds of the
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NEITI as the National Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission may
approve.
9. (1) The NSWG shall ordinarily meet quarterly for the dispatch of business at
such times and places as it may determine, but not less than four times in a year.
(2) At every meeting of the NSWG, the Chairman shall preside and in his
absence, a member of the NSWG appointed by the members from among
themselves shall preside.
(3) Questions proposed at a meeting of NSWG shall be determined by a
simple majority of members present and voting and in the event of an equality of
votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote.
(4) The NSWG may at any time co-opt any person to act as an adviser at any
of its meetings but no person so co-opted shall be entitled to vote at any meeting.
(5) The validity of the proceedings of the NSWG shall not be affected by the
absence of any member, vacancy among its membership or by any defect in the
appointment of any of the members.
10. The quorum of the NSWG at any meeting shall be 8 members.
11. The NSWG may constitute such special committees as it considers fit to deal
different aspects of its responsibilities.
12. (1) The NSWG may create departments and engage the services of such staff
and consultants as it may consider necessary for the NEITI.
(2) The NEITI shall have an Executive Secretary who shall
(a) be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the NSWG
provided he is a graduate with relevant qualifications and at least 10 years cognate
experience;
(b) be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the NEITI; and
(c) serve as Secretary to NSWG.
(3) The staff and consultants of the NEITI may be engaged on such terms and
conditions as the NSWG may determine.
(4) The NSWG shall fix the remunerations, allowances and benefits of the
staff and consultants of the NEITI.
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(5) (a) The NSWG shall recommend to the President for appointment,
qualified validator line with NEITI guidelines as contained in second schedule to
this Act; and
(b) NSWG shall fix the remunerations, allowances and benefits for the
validators.
13. (1) The funds of the NEITI shall consist of:
(a) such sums as may be provided by the Federal Government and
appropriated by the National Assembly based on the budget submitted by the
NSWG and which shall be released as and when due; and
(b) such sums as may be paid to the NEITI by way of grants,
donations and gifts provided the sources of such grants, donations and gifts are
properly disclosed and not in conflict with the provisions of this Act.
(2) The NEITI shall apply the proceeds of the funds established under section
13 (1) of this Act to the
(a) cost of administration;
(b) payment of salaries, allowances and benefits to members of the NSWG or any
of its committees;
(c) payment of salaries, remunerations, allowances, pensions benefits to officers
and employees for NEITI;
(d) payment of all purchases;
(e) payment for all contracts, including mobilization, fluctuation, variations, legal
fees and cost of contract-administration; and
(f) carrying out of other activities that would promote its objectives which are
connected to all or any of the functions of NEITI under this Act, and
(g) payment for validators.
(3) The Government body of NEITI, the NSWG, shall not later than 30th
September in each year, submit to the President and the National Assembly an
estimate of the expenditure and income of NEITI during the succeeding year and
the NEITI shall cause to be kept proper accounts in respect of each year and
proper records in relation thereto.
14. (1) the NEITI shall cause the account of total revenue which accrued to the
Federal Government from all extractive industry companies, its receipts,
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payments, assets and liabilities to be audited not later than 6 months after the end
of each year by independent auditors appointed on such terms and conditions as
the NSWG may approve and on the confirmation of the audit, the independent
auditor shall submit the report with comments of the audited entity to the NEITI
which shall cause same to be published for the information of the public, provided
that the contents of such report shall not be published in a manner prejudicial to
the contractual obligations or proprietary interests of the audited entity.
(2) The NEITI shall have power to borrow money from banks with the approval
of NSWG.
(3) The NEITI shall prepare and submit to the President and the National
Assembly not later that 30th September in each year, a report of its activities
during the immediate preceding year, and shall include in such report the audited
accounts of the NEITI for that year and the auditor’s report thereon.
15. (1) the NEITI shall maintain bank accounts, the signatories of which shall be
determined by the NSWG in accordance with the regulation made pursuant
hereto.
(2) The accounts may be opened in such banks as the NSWG may determine.
16. (1) An extractive industry company which
(a) gives false information or report to the Federal Government or its agency
regarding its volume or production, sales and income; or
(b) renders false statement of account of fails to render a statement of account
required under this Act to the Federal Government or its agencies, resulting in the
underpayment of non-payment of revenue accruable to the Federal Government
or statutory recipients commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not
less than N30,000,000.
(2) Where the Extractive industry has been convicted of an offence under subsection
(1) of this section, the court shall, in addition to the penalty prescribed
there under, order the company to pay the actual amount of revenue due to the
Federal Government.
(3) An extractive industry company which delays or refuses to give information or
report under this Act, or willfully or negligently fails to perform its obligations
under this Act, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not less
than N30,000,000.
(4) Without prejudice to subsections (1), and (2) and (3) of this section, the
President may on the recommendation of the NSWG suspend or revoke the
operational license of any extractive industry company which fails to perform its
obligations under this Act.
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(5) If any extractive industry company commits an offense against the Act, every
Director or other persons concerned in the management of the company commits
the offense and is liable on conviction to not less than 2 years imprisonment or a
fine not less than N5,000,000 unless that person proves that
(a) the offense was committed without his consent or connivance, and
(b) the person exercised all such diligence to prevent the commission of
the offense as ought to have been exercised by that person, having regard
to the nature of his functions in that company and to all the circumstance.
(6) A government official who renders false statement of account or fails to
render a statement of account required under this Act to the Federal Government
or its agencies, resulting in the underpayment or non-payment of revenue
accruable to the Federal Government or statutory recipients, commits an offense
and is liable on conviction to not less than 2 years imprisonment or a fine not less
than N5,000,000, unless that person proves that
(a) the offense was committed without his consent or connivance, and
(b) the person exercised all such diligence to prevent the commission of
the offense as ought to have been exercised by that person, having regard
to the nature of his functions in that company and to all the circumstance.
17. The NSWG may make regulations as it may consider expedient for the purpose of
giving effect to the provisions of this Act and for regulating any matter that fails
within the scope of the functions of the NEITI.
18. Subject to the provisions of this Act, no suit shall be commenced against NEITI
before the expiration of 30 days after written notice of an intention to commence
the suit shall have been served upon NEITI as a defendant or its agent, and the
notice shall clearly and explicitly state:
(a) the cause of action,
(b) the particulars of the claim,
(c) the names of the legal practitioners representing the plaintiff and their
addresses, and
(d) the relief sought.
19. (1) The Executive Secretary of the NEITI, his officers, employees or agents shall
personally be subject to any action, claim or demand by, or liable to any person in
respect anything done or omitted to be done in the exercise of any function or
power conferred by this Act upon the NEITI or member of the NSWG.
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(2) A member of the NSWG, the Executive Secretary or any officer of the NEITI
shall be indemnified out of the funds of the NEITI against any liability incurred
by him in defending any proceeding, whether civil or criminal, if the proceeding
is brought against him in his capacity as a member of NSWG, Executive
Secretary, officer or any employee of the NEITI.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the provisions of the Public Officers
Protection Act shall apply in relation to any suit instituted against any officer, or
employee of NEITI or member of the NSWG.
20. A notice, summons, other court process, other documents required or authorized
to be served upon the NEITI under the provisions of this Act, any other law or
enactment shall and be served by delivering it to the Executive Secretary or by
sending it by registered post and addressed to the Executive Secretary at the
principal office of the NEITI.
21. In this Act:
“Extractive Industry Company” means any company in Nigeria that is engaged in
the business of prospecting, mining, extracting, processing and distributing
minerals and gas including oil, gold, coal, tin, bitumen, diamonds, precious stones
and such like, includes
any agency or body responsible for the payment of extractive industry proceeds to
the Federal Government or its Statutory Recipient.
“Federal Government” means the Federal government of Nigeria.
“Government” means the three tiers of the government of Nigeria, including
Federal, State and Local Government, and their respective Ministries, agencies
and departments.
“President” means the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of
Federal Republic of Nigeria;
“Statutory Recipient” means any entity to whom by law, extractive industry
companies or Government are obliged to make payments,
“Extractive Industry Expert” means a person who has spent a minimum of ten
(10) years in a management position in the extractive industry.
“NSWG” means National Stakeholders Working Group.
22. This Act may be cited as the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
Act 2007.
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SCHEDULE Section 2(7)
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE NIGERIA
EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE, ETC.
Proceedings of the Governing Body
1-(1) Subject and section 27 of the Interpretation Act, Cap. 192 LFN, 1990 the NSWG
may make standing order to regulate its proceedings for those of any of its
Committee.
(2) The quorum of the NSWG shall be the Chairman or any other person presiding at
a meeting in his absence and 4 other members of the governing body and the
quorum of any Committee shall be as determined by the governing body.
2-(1) The NSWG shall meet whenever it is summoned by the Chairman and if the
Chairman is required to do so by notice given to him by not less than 4 other
members, he shall summon a meeting of the NSWG to be held within 14 days
from the date on which the notice was given.
(2) At any meeting of the NSWG, the Chairman shall preside but if he is absent, the
members present at the meeting shall appoint one of them to preside at the
meeting.
(3) When the NSWG desire to obtain the advice of any person on a particular matter,
it may co-opt him for such period as it deems fit, but a person who is a member
by virtue of this sub-paragraph shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the
NSWG and shall not count towards a quorum.
(4) The NSWG shall ordinarily meet at such times and places as it may determine,
and for not less than four times in a year.
(5) Questions proposed at a meeting of the NSWG shall be determined by a simple
majority of members present and voting, and in the event of an equality of votes,
the Chairman or another person shall have a second or casting vote.
Committees
3-(1) The NSWG may appoint one of more Committee to carry out on its behalf such of
the functions of NEITI as it may determine.
(2) A Committee appointed under this paragraph shall consist of such number of
person as may be determined by the NSWG and a person shall hold office on the
Committee in accordance with the terms of his appointment.
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(3) A decision of a Committee shall not have effect until it is confirmed by the
NSWG.
Miscellaneous
4-(1) The fixing of the seal NEITI shall be authenticated by the signatures of the
Chairman and Secretary of the NSWG generally.
(2) Any contract or instrument which, if made or executed by a person not being a
body corporate could not be required to be under seal, may be made or executed
on behalf of NEITI by the Secretary of the NSWG generally or any other person
specifically authorized by the NSWG to act for that purpose.
(3) A document purporting to be duly executed under the seal of NEITI shall be
received in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed to be so
executed.
(4) The validity of any proceeding of the NSWG or of a Committee shall not be
adversely affected by
(a) A vacancy in the membership of the NSWG or a Committee, or
(b) A defect in the appointment of a member of the NSWG or Committee, or
(c) Reason that a person not entitled to do so took part in the proceedings or the
NSWG or Committee.

'When the Nation Calls' Why I decided to serve in GEJ'S Govt. Nuhu Ribadu

2012-02-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

I was greeted to numerous calls and mail yesterday when the administration announced my name as Chairman of the 21-man Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force.

Given my recent political pedigree, many inquirers naturally wanted to understand what was happening, and whether it was true that I was consulted and whether I would accept the offer.

The history of my life is a history of public service, and if we cast a honest gaze back to the recent protests in the wake of the oil subsidy removal, it will be clear to all that the biggest single victory Nigerians scored was to put the question of corruption squarely back on the top of our national policy agenda.

Regardless of our affiliations, our differences, and our engagements, it is at least safe to say that we have a national consensus on the deadly impact of corruption on our march to greatness, and on the capacity of our people, particularly the youth, to earn a decent, promising, life.

If we would effectively isolate and defeat this scourge therefore, we must all see it as a preeminent national security threat. We must see it as a war within our borders, a war that has assumed a systemic and endemic character, but to which all must now urgently enlist with our different capacities, or accept to all go down with the ship.

At this point in my life, it is also easy to answer the honest question if it is inappropriate to invest my modest talents and capacities to my country what I have readily offered many foreign communities, from sister nations in Africa to far flung places like Afghanistan. This, if nothing, makes my decision very personal, freeing all affiliations [social and political] of complicity, but investing the decision also with the unique character that when people reach evaluations in favour of their larger communities, it doesn’t necessarily blemish their moral identity.

This therefore is a national call. In answering it, I go back to the template of my own parents who taught me that honest public service is the greatest asset a person can offer his community. It was the same lesson I learnt from his biographical example when my own father returned home as a federal legislator in Lagos to take job as a local council official in Yola—its all about the community, and it is sometimes bigger than our personal egos.

NUHU RIBADU

AFGHANISTAN

The Firing Squad Joke President GEJ must not read. Written by 'UNKNOWN'

2012-02-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

IBB, OBJ and GEJ were set to face a firing squad. IBB was the first one placed against the wall and just before the order was given he yelled out, "Earthquake!" The firing squad fell into a panic and He jumped over the wall and escaped in the confusion.

OBJ was the second one placed against the wall. The squad was reassembled and Baba pondered what he had just witnessed. Again before the order was given he yelled out, "Boko Haram, Again the squad fell apart and Baba slipped over the wall.

The last person, GEJ was placed against the wall. He was thinking, "I see the pattern here, just scream out something about a disaster and hop over the wall." He confidently refused the blindfold as the firing squad was reassembled. As the rifles were raised in his direction he grinned from ear to ear and yelled, "Fire!"

Video: Discussing Al-Mustaphas Trial- Kayode Ogundamisi (Channels TV)

2012-02-02T15:48:00.000-08:00

PROTECT YOUR PEOPLE! Amnesty International To Nigerian Government.

2012-01-24T09:30:00.000-08:00

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT

AI Index: AFR 44/003/2012
24 January 2012

Nigeria: Authorities must protect population against deadly attacks

Amnesty International today condemned the deadly attacks by members of Boko Haram in Kano, and called on the Nigerian Government to do more to protect the life and security of the population.

Sadly this is only the latest in a long line of deadly attacks carried out by the group. Boko Haram, officially called Jama atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda a Waati Wal Jihad, has perpetrated numerous human rights abuses and shows contempt for life. They must stop the attacks. However, the Nigerian Government has repeatedly failed to prevent, investigate, prosecute or punish these acts. The Federal Government must invest in reforming the criminal justice system to prevent more human losses in Northern Nigeria. These horrific crimes by Boko Haram must be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.

Amnesty International also urged the Federal Government to set up an independent commission of inquiry into the Kano bombings and make public its report.

The population in Northern Nigeria are caught between being targeted by Boko Haram and Nigeria’s counter-terrorism measures that fail to prevent, investigate, prosecute or punish these acts and often result in new human rights violations perpetrated by the security forces with impunity.

At least 186 people were killed in Kano on 21 January when members of the sectarian group Boko Haram bombed security forces at eight different locations, including the zonal and state headquarters of the police in Kano and the headquarters of the State Security Service (SSS). The bombings started at 4.15 pm and were followed by exchanges of gun fire between Boko Haram and security forces lasting several hours. Several Boko Haram suspects had broken out of police custody or escaped. According to the police authorities, 29 security staff members were killed.

Amongst the victims were police officers, their relatives, and residents living close to the police stations. Channels journalist Enenche Akogwu was shot dead by suspected Boko Haram members near Government House.

Boko Haram claimed to have warned the state authorities in August 2011 that it would attack if the Boko Haram members detained in Kano State were not released from custody. On 21 January, shortly before the bombings, leaflets were distributed around the city again warning of attacks.

There have been serious criminal justice failings in the Nigerian government’s response to Boko Haram. Suspected members of Boko Haram have been rounded up in previous sweeps, but have not been tried, due in part to the lack of proper police work to gather evidence. The main suspect of the 2011 Christmas Day bombing by Boko Haram which led to at least 37 deaths, escaped police custody on 16 January. Women and children not suspected of any offences have been unlawfully detained and ill-treated to gain information about male family members suspected of offenses. Suspected members of Boko Haram have been subject to enforced disappearances.

The police are poorly trained and ill-equipped. Officers do not have enough basic equipment such as bullet-proof vests or handcuffs. The government must ensure that police have adequate equipment or training to carry out their duties.

Nigeria must not pursue security at the expense of human rights. Security forces must ensure their response is within legitimate boundaries, established legal frameworks and and fully respectful of human rights. Following previous attacks by Boko Haram, the security forces have often resorted to dragnet arrests, rather than arresting people on the basis of a reasonable suspicion that they committed an offence. The failure to properly investigate and bring to justice those responsible for human rights abuses fosters impunity and denies victims their right to a remedy.

The government must invest substantially and effectively in reforming the criminal justice system, so that similar attacks can be prevented and the perpetrators can be brought to justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty.

Background
In 2011, at least 500 people were killed in attacks by Boko Haram, often targeting police officers and government officials. Since June 2011, bars and beer gardens in northern Nigeria were targeted, killing scores of people. The situation deteriorated towards the end of the year, with weekly reports of bombings and attacks.

A committee set up in August 2009 to “investigate the circumstances leading to the crisis including the alleged killing of the leader of Boko Haram and the slaughter or killing of over 17 Police officers,” has not made its findings public.

Nigeria has a weak criminal justice system. It is under-resourced, blighted by corruption and struggles to earn the trust of the population. The police resort too easily to the use of lethal force. Investigations into crimes, if they occur, are often cursory and not intelligence-led. The security forces often resort to dragnet arrests, rather than arresting people on the basis of a reasonable suspicion that they committed an offence. Suspects are regularly detained in cells that violate their right not to be subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment. Court processes are slow, with the result that most detainees, especially the poor, are kept in pre-trial detention for many years.

AI PRESS RELEASE LINK! http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR44/003/2012/en

Boko-Harram Leaflet! Rough Translation

2012-01-20T14:34:00.000-08:00

Rough Translation

We are the one you illegally called BOKO HARAM while our real name is jama'atul--------!

A message to the people of Kano State! You should know that the police are arresting our members all through Kano in the name of armed robbers and thieves!

You should know that we won't attack you since you did not attack us: our fight is with the government and its security forces and CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) and anyone that supports them even if he is a Muslim! Anyone that aides in the arrest of our members shall pay the price! Msg from jama'atul --------!

Extended Translation:

Qucik translation and subject to correction:In the name of God, the most beneficent and merciful.

We are the ones that they address with the prohibited name Boko Haram, when our name is Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnah Lidda Awati Wal Jihad (Congregation of Followers of the Prophet involved in the Call to Islam and Religious Struggle)

This message is to the people of Kano. You should know that the security (Police) in Kano are using tricks in arresting our people, that is they tell people in different neighborhoods that they are arresting thieves or armed robbers – you should know that it is our people that they are arresting.

We do not have any intention of touching any people of this town if they do not touch us. Because our war is with the Government that is fighting Islam with the Christian association of Nigeria (CAN) that are killing Muslims even eating their flesh and those who helped them to fight us even if they are Muslims.

Anyone who is instrumental to the arrest of our members is assured that their own is coming.
Message from the leader of Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnah Lidda Awati Wal Jihad
Imam Abubakar Muhammad Abubakar bin Mohammed (Shikau)

Video: Nigerian Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri SNUBS COUNTRIES ANTHEM!

2012-01-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

VIDEO: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri refused to STAND UP as Nigerian National Anthem was being played during a US Event at the Grand Hyatt, New York, United States. She sat down as other Nigerians proudly stood up in respect of the National Anthem. They call on us to be patriotic but see themselves as LORD AND MASTER not just over Nigerians but do see the country as being beneath them. Viola Onwuliri, was heckled OCCUPY NIGERIA activists in New York

Efforts by the Consul General in New York, Mr. Habib Baba Habu, to plead with the protesters failed as they insisted that every Nigerian should be ashamed of the state of the nation and demanded that the minister and her entourage should stay at home and do the right thing for the nation.

The protest, which lasted for close to two hours, later attracted a team of officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD), who came into the hall to ensure that the situation did not degenerate.

Shortly after their arrival, the situation was brought under control as the the protesters walked out of the hall, with some of them explaining the situation in Nigeria to the NYPD officers.

The meeting however proceeded at about 9pm with the former Ambassador to Austria, Jerry Ugowke, who was on the minister's entourage, pleading with the people to pardon their late arrival and attributed it to flight delay and the high traffic from the airport to the hotel.

He said the protesters were not wrong for expressing their displeasure with the state of the nation, but added that they should have allowed the meeting to proceed after a while so that others could also have opportunity to express their opinion on the state of the nation.

In her own remarks, Onwuliri said as a mother and grand mother, she understood the pains of young Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the state of the nation.

She added that as a former member of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), she was not new to protest, and could also be described as an activist for good governance, though now in government.

She pleaded with Nigerians in US to give President Goodluck Jonathan a chance to bring Nigeria out of the woods, arguing that only constructive criticisms and popular support could help the present administration succeed in tackling the problems confronting the nation.

She said she was in US to feel the pulse of the people and to also brief them on the situation at home, adding that she would return home to brief the President on how they felt and the suggestions offered.

The minister and Ugokwe later took time to respond to the plethora of questions asked by the participants. (Thisday-Nigeria)

Lagos Govt Reacts! Gov Fashola troops deployment claims by Army, false & misleading!

2012-01-20T00:21:00.000-08:00

" The armed soldiers you see on the streets of Lagos today are contingents of the Lagos State-sponsored Operation Massa requested by Lagos State Governor, Raji Fashola, before the fuel price riots began."

. ............ Nigeria's Defence Headquarters Press Statement on 19th January

LAGOS REACTS!

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND STRATEGY

BLOCK FOUR

The Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

P.M.B. 1613, Ikeja, Telegram: MININFO, Telephone:

PRESS STATEMENT

LASG DEBUNKS CLAIMS THAT IT REQUESTED DEPLOYMENT OF SOLDIERS IN LAGOS

The claim by the Military authorities that the deployment of soldiers on the streets of Lagos is at the request of the Lagos State Government is not only false but misleading.

The State Government challenges the Military authorities to show proof of the request of troop deployment to the streets of Lagos State.

Instead of simply taking the honourable path by apologizing to the people of Lagos for an unpopular act, they have resorted to offering spurious and bogus claims aimed at deceiving the people.

That this claim is coming four days after the Governor’s address, which he followed with a letter to the Presidency, is an obvious afterthought. It is also inconsistent with the explanation offered by the Minister of Defence who said that they deployed the soldiers in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

This attempt to cover up has left the public with much confusion, as the Minister of Defence offered one reason and the Military authority has offered another. They should just take the honourable path by apologizing to the people of Lagos State and withdraw the soldiers forthwith.

In the prevailing political dispensation, the administration of Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) has always been in the vanguard of democratic principles as well as civility.

In the light of the view of the Governor, it will be totally irrational to expect that the Governor would call on the Military to occupy the streets of Lagos.

Also, it would be recalled that His Excellency went on air to denounce most vehemently the deployment of the soldiers in Lagos.

In His Excellency’s continuous statements and actions, he has demonstrated that democracy is still the best form of dispensation to make Lagos State remain a Centre of Excellence that it has been. It is therefore not right for anybody to try to use the Government of Lagos State to cover up their unpopular decision.

The presence of the Police, Army and other federally controlled security agencies in Lagos does not translate to their been under the control of the State and so the inclusion of soldiers in the joint Military patrol through OP-MESA should not be used to cover up this wrong act of drafting soldiers on the streets of Lagos to quell fuel subsidy protest which the Police has contained for five days.

SIGNED

ABDUL LATEEF ADEREMI IBIROGBA
COMMISIONER FOR INFORMATION AND STRATEGY
LAGOS STATE
JANUARY 19, 2012

'IJAWLISATION' of Goodluck Jonathan's Presidency is Counter Productive-Kayode Ogundamisi

2012-01-15T08:48:00.001-08:00

We Fought Side by Side with the SAME HAWKS now misguiding GEJ. We are not Niger Deltans but we identified with them, because we saw their struggle as a JUST struggle. Back then when people tagged us as ANTI-NORTH we did not waver. We continued in the struggle.

Today they are in charge of Nigeria, rather than do what is RIGHT and JUST, not just for Nigerians but for the proletariats in the Niger-Delta, they do the same things the oppressors of yesteryears did.

They have become the new oppressors. To them it is about BREAD AND BUTTER. Even when GEJ’S policy is against the interest of the commoners in ND it is ok, so long they get a share of the LOOT! To them we are the new enemies, they don’t see us as comrades - they now see us as YORUBA IGBO HAUSA and NON-IJAW.

Our consolation is that we have people of conscience in the Niger Delta who see through the deception, who know that just as we had some Yoruba who protected Obasanjo’s injustice against the poor, we will have opportunists protecting GEJ’S injustice against the Poor. Our consolation is that the people always triumph

To Protect GEJ! Annkio Briggs call on Niger Delta & Ndi-Igbo to break away!

2012-01-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

NIGER DELTA OCCUPY NIGER DELTA RESOURCES

email: NDoccupyNDResources@yahoo.com

COMMUNIQUE

After a crucial general meeting held on Friday January 13, 2012 and attended by Chiefs, elders, women, youths and stakeholders of the Niger Delta in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, we are constrained to make our position known on recent and ongoing developments in our country.

We have noted the unfolding issues regarding the removal of subsidy on fuel and the rambunctious attitude of the North towards President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Fellow Nigerians, let us not forget that in the promise of keeping this country under the banner of One Nigeria, the Niger Delta people have usurped our goodwill and resources through the following:

•Neglect of our people politically and economically

•Sacrifice of our resources to Nigeria

•The long term and ongoing destruction of our environment

•The killings of our people

•The attacks and destruction of and on our communities

•The persistent opposition to the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan presidency, which has translated into high level violence as well as the ongoing killing of innocent Nigerians, particularly of Igbo origin among others.

We the long suffering, neglected, abused, and marginalized people of the Niger Delta find it very necessary at this point, after much consultation and analysis, to call our people to come back home.

For our survival, home is where we will feel safe and be better and more prepared to defend ourselves in the face of the level of neglect and abandonment of our region and our people after more than 50 years of providing for the country or entrapment designed by Lord Lugard for the benefits of others and to the detriment of our region, people and future.

We hereby call on all Niger Delta citizens and all oil-producing states and people to call the Federal Government and the Oil Companies in their enclave that the Oil and Gas and all other natural resources found or to be found in our land, creeks, water, mangroves and swamps belong to the peoples of the Niger Delta and other oil producing states.

Therefore, we consider the ongoing devastation of our land and waters as a serious violation of our Human Rights and Environment.

We also call on the Federal Government and the oil producing companies to take note of our resolve to resist the ongoing exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in our region. The activities of the Joint Venture between the Federal Government and the International Oil Companies are a violation of our birthright and economic rights.

We have also resolved to declare and call for
NIGER DELTANS OCCUPY NIGER DELTA RESOURCES (NDONDR).

We hereby peacefully insist on taking our resources back by all and any legal means available to us, nationally and internationally. It is our absolute right to reclaim our land, water, mangroves, swamps and creeks from the strange hands that have long held them hostage.

This clarion call is to all Niger Delta people who believe that the natural resources on their land is given to them by God Almighty.

Therefore, we have as of this date, 15th of January 2012, started the occupation of all our states and resources and call on all Niger Delta people to converge in protest to occupy our land, water, swamps, mangroves and creeks to protect our God-given resources.

After watching the events in reminiscence of the past since Independence to date (1960-2012), we are convinced that without this action we will have nothing for our future, our children and their children’s future.

This step is necessary as it is the only one left for the Niger Delta people otherwise we are condemning our nationalities and people to self-imposed slavery and destruction.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan or Niger Delta people will not be slaves to Nigeria that has survived on injustice, mismanagement, corruption and massive fraud.

We the Ijaw and Niger Delta people are not prepared to be blackmailed and terrorized into a corner because of our God-given oil and gas.

We support the withdrawal of fuel subsidy even though as usual in the creeks and swamps we end up paying the highest price. We are opposed to and will continue to fight against mismanagement and corruption in Nigeria.

But having watched the goings on against the person of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, an Ijaw and Niger Delta son, over the past one week in the name of "PROTEST AGAINST SUBSIDY", it has become crystal clear to our people that we are neither wanted or needed as equals in this country that is made by Lord Lugard. We therefore have had enough of the distasteful, shameful and offensive open ridicule of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the world and Nigeria media, instigated openly by self-proclaimed leaders, elders, intellectuals and men of different faith.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Niger Delta and all the resources found in the Niger Delta belong to Niger Delta people. All resources found in any other region of Nigeria belong to the people of such region.

We call on all our Niger Delta peoples, for the sake of our future, to look to our nearest neighbours, the Igbos, for immediate and strong alliance to enable the Niger Delta nations and the Igbo nation to face the obvious change that will come to Nigeria, in strength, justice, brotherhood and truth.

IF JONATHAN, A NIGER DELTA SON IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO GOVERN NIGERIA, THE OIL IN HIS NIGER DELTA IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR NIGERIA.

IF THE NIGER DELTA PEOPLE ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE PART OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA, THEN OUR OIL AND GAS OF THE NIGER DELTA PEOPLE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR NIGERIA.

Signed

Annkio Briggs
PRESIDENT, AGAPE BIRTHRIGHTS and

CONVENER, NIGER DELTA OCCUPY NIGER DELTA RESOURCES

Daniel Alabrah
Deputy Editor, Sunday Sun
Phone: +234-08037082821 , 07059988013
Email: danuzi1@yahoo.com

EVERY CHALLENGE IS SURMOUNTABLE. ATTACK WITH GOD AND VICTORY IS SURE!

VIDEO: #OCCUPYNIGERIA "I am ready to die" Nigerian Protester To Police

2012-01-14T01:34:00.001-08:00

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ON 'Shoot on Sight' POLICY OF NIGERIAN GOVT

2012-01-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

Document - Nigeria: Escalating fuel price protests - President must repeal Force Order 237 to prevent more casualties

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PUBLIC STATEMENT

Nigeria: Escalating fuel price protests - President must repeal Force Order 237 to prevent more casualties

AI index: AFR 44/001/2012

11 January 2012

Amnesty International today reiterated its call on the Nigeria Police Force to stop shooting at protesters after at least three were killed and 25 injured in the past two days.

The organization urges the Nigerian authorities to reform Nigeria’s police regulations in line with international standards, to prevent additional loss of life and ensure that the police only use firearms when it is strictly necessary to protect life.

Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the authorities to repeal Police Force Order 237, which provides guidance in use of firearms by the police in Nigeria. It is so broad that it permits police officers to shoot protesters, whether or not they pose a threat to life.

Amnesty International considers it unacceptable that force order 237 instructs police officers in “riot” situations to “single out” and fire at “ring-leaders in the forefront of the mob”. The definition of riot is so vague, that all protesters, however peaceful, are at risk. The force order also directs officers to fire “at the knees of the rioters” and explicitly prohibits firing in the air. Shooting at people, regardless of where an officer aims, is likely to result in death.

With more protests announced, President Goodluck Jonathan must demonstrate a commitment to protect the people. The President must repeal Force Order 237 and immediately announce that the use of lethal force is only allowed when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.

The President must also set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate all reports of use of force by the police against protesters. International standards require that any use of force or firearms resulting in death or injury is investigated to ensure that the use of force was not arbitrary or abusive.

The police must be provided with non lethal equipment to properly manage public order situations, including protests even if they turn violent.

The protests started on 2 January, after President Goodluck Jonathan announced the removal of the fuel subsidy. This increased the price of petrol from N65 (US $0.40) to at least N140 (US$ 0.86) a litre. Transport costs have consequently doubled and other essential daily expenses are expected to rise considerably.

Since 9 January, tens of thousands of Nigerians throughout the country went on strike to protest against the removal of fuel subsidy and to demand good governance. The protests are generally peaceful, however in some instances violence has been reported.

In Kaduna, on 10 January a man was seriously injured after he was shot in his head by the police. The state government subsequently imposed a 24 hour curfew and the police have threatened to arrest anyone who would protest.

In Benin City, the capital of Edo State, according to unconfirmed reports three people were injured on 10 January after the police shot in the air. Some of the leaders of the protests in the state are currently in hiding and fear for their safety.

In Kano, on 9 January at least one person was killed and 22 people were injured when the police fired live ammunition at demonstrators in an attempt to disperse the crowd near the gates of Government House. Unconfirmed reports suggest another two persons may have been killed. The police issued no warning before using lethal force, but opened fire and used teargas simultaneously. At least one bystander who was not participating in the protest was shot and injured. According to eyewitnesses, the protesters were unarmed. Following the incident, the union in Kano state halted further public protests and asked people to strike by staying at home. The government has put in place a curfew from 6 pm till 8 am.

On 9 January, at least five people were shot; three were reportedly injured and two were killed in Lagos. The police announced the arrest of one police officer suspected to have fired at demonstrators.

Intentional use of lethal force against people in a public order situation violates the right to life as guaranteed by Nigeria’s Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

In January 2006, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions said that the force order provided “carte blanche to shoot and kill at will.” He recommended the amendment of the force order to meet with international standards. The government took no action.

Background:

Amnesty International has documented numerous incidents of excessive and unlawful use of force by police and other security forces (see “Killing at will: Extrajudicial executions and other unlawful killings by the police in Nigeria” AFR 44/038/2009, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR44/038/2009 ).

The Nigeria Police Force is responsible for hundreds of unlawful killings every year. The majority of cases go un-investigated and unpunished. The families of the victims usually have no recourse to justice or redress. Moreover, some relatives are threatened if they seek justice.

Many relatives do not even get to find out what exactly happened to their loved ones. In most instances, officers’ accounts are unchallenged and complaints are unprocessed. Investigations are rarely carried out. When investigations do take place, they do not comply with international standards. Internal investigation by the police lack independence and transparency.

The President or State or Federation level Attorney Generals can appoint a Commission of Inquiry. The Justice Goodluck Commission, which looked into the extrajudicial executions of six youths in Apo, Federal Capital Territory in June 2005 is one such example.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly stated its willingness to address the problems in the criminal justice system, improve access to justice and reform the police force. Despite several recommendations for improvement from various review panels in recent years, little has been done. A review of the Police Act (1990) began in 2004, but the draft bill has been pending since October 2006. Laws, regulations and codes of conduct to protect human rights are simply not enforced.

Source Amnesty International Website.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR44/001/2012/en/523a7460-7b3d-41db-8368-e6cd9a03f251/afr440012012en.html

Video: We Lost our brother. Survivors of Nigerian Police Shooting. #OCCUPYNIGERIA

2012-01-11T02:20:00.000-08:00

Video: OCCUPY NIGERIA LONDON PROTEST

2012-01-11T01:59:00.001-08:00

Occupy Nigeria is a series of protests that began in Nigeria on Monday, 2 January 2012 in response to the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government of President Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria on Sunday, 1 January 2012.

Video: Omoyele Sowore , Gbenga Sesan & Sean Kuti Discuss #OCCUPYNIGERIA via Al-Stream

2012-01-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

CITIZENS’ CHARTER OF DEMANDS! Building Leverage and Unity on Fuel Subsidy Struggle

2012-01-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

Building Leverage and Unity on Fuel Subsidy Struggle

CITIZENS’ CHARTER OF DEMANDS
Text of Press Conference, Abuja, 5th January 2012

Introduction
On New Year’s Day, President Goodluck Jonathan broke his bond on creating conditions for Nigerians to enjoy a breath of fresh air by increasing the pump price of petrol (PMS). By this act, Nigerians are guaranteed to suffer extremely high costs for transport, food and other essentials. It is a policy decision aimed at deepening poverty and the suffering of Nigerians. We are Nigerian citizens and we must call the President’s bluff that he can make us suffer as he pleases and as it pleases his bosses in the IMF and the World Bank. Nigeria is a sovereign and democratic country and its citizen’s reserve the Constitutional right to demand for good governance while the President has the Constitutional obligation to promote the rights and welfare of Nigerians.

The price of petroleum products has been ‘adjusted’ or increased eighteen times in the last 26 years starting from a raise in the pump price of petrol from 3.15 kobo per liter to 20 kobo per liter in April 1985. All the attempts by successive governments to remove so-called “fuel subsidy” failed because Nigerians resisted the imposition of more suffering. The Jonathan administration will also fail because of its refusal to address corruption in the downstream sector as an option to ‘subsidy’ removal. Similarly, the arguments of the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that subsidy is unsustainable is a fraud and untenable as elaborately argued by experts.

The decision of President Jonathan to stop the consultations with stakeholders, take a unilateral decision on the issue and then establish a negotiation body after implementing his unilateral decision is very disrespectful to Nigerians who feel passionately about this issue. It is indeed true that the amount spent on fuel subsidy is so large that it has forced us as a nation to abandon our development goals and is in addition accelerating our indebtedness. The reality however is that the ‘subsidy’ is the greatest fraud in our nation’s history as monumental amounts is criminally being paid out to government cronies who return the money to their political godfathers.

The Government has presented an elaborate propaganda document called Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE). The programme proposes ambitious commitments to social safety nets, public works, youth employment, Niger Delta development and agricultural development programmes. The shopping list is a bare faced lie as the total amount paid our as fuel subsidy cannot pay for even one-fifth of the activities listed.

Charter of Demands

Against the backdrop of the pre-emptive and unilateral action of Government in truncating consultations and implementing a 117% increase in the pump price of petroleum products; the application of excessive power to muzzle legitimate citizen dissent and rejection of the ‘subsidy’ removal; the deplorable state of the nation and the waning legitimacy and trust in the capacity of this Government to preserve the integrity and well being of Nigeria, WE make the following demands:

1. The immediate dismissal of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for fraudulently arguing for an economic reform that not only places immediate and sustained hardship on Nigerians but threatens to derail Nigeria’s hard earned democracy.

2. The Presidency must immediately revert to the status quo ante by reinstating the N65/liter pump price and continue the consultations with stakeholders on how to resolve the issue of massive corruption in the management of the fraudulent “subsidy” regime.

3. It is clear that the President is in contempt of the National Assembly and has acted outside the purview of his powers. The removal of the so-called subsidy requires legislation by the National Assembly. The establishment of a mechanism to manage the ‘huge gains’ from the ‘removal of subsidy’ also requires legislation. The National Assembly is therefore called upon not to award any legitimacy to the ‘subsidy’ removal and the proposed reinvestment initiative (SURE).

4. Citizen’s right to dissent and freedom of expression as guaranteed by Chapter IV of the 1999 CFRN as amended must be respected and protection extended to citizens as they engage and demand for good governance and accountability.

5. Political parties should recognize and lend solidarity to the struggles of the Nigerian people in whose interests and from whom they draw legitimacy and purpose for sustaining our nascent democracy.

6. Citizens of Nigeria, irrespective of their affiliations, should continue to mobilize and join forces to resist the unilateral and obnoxious ‘subsidy’ removal policy that places upon them extreme hardship and misery and also undermines their human dignity and sovereignty.

Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim
Director, Centre for Democracy and Development

Ayodeji Ajayeoba
President, United Action for Democracy

Ayisha Osori
Advocates for Change and Social Justice

Dr. Otive Igbuzor
Executive Director, Centre LSD

Dr. Hussaini Abdu
Country Director, Action Aid Nigeria

For and on Behalf of Nigeria Civil Society
5th January, 2012

VIDEO! #OCCUPYNIGERIA Nigerians Rise Against Tyranny!

2012-01-05T05:46:00.000-08:00

Nigerian Bishops to GEJ! LISTEN to the VOICE of the PEOPLE! #OCCUPYNIGERIA

2012-01-05T03:04:00.000-08:00

STATEMENT OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF IBADANECCLESIASTICAL PROVINCE ON THE FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL : 3RD January 2012

We the Bishops of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Ibadan Province comprising of Ibadan, Ondo, Oyo, Ilorin, Ekiti, and Osogbodioceses, having carefully examined the political and economic reasons advanced by the federal government to justify the removal of petroleum subsidy, wish to express our regrets and reservations at the unpopular decision.

We deplore the fact that economic considerations were prioritized over moral implications and immediate public interests in the timing of this subsidy removal. Before removing the subsidy, the Federal Government alluded to huge irregularities and corruption associated with the provision of petroleum products in Nigeria. It took no action to prosecute anyone as a consequence of its discovery. It did not allay palpable fears of harsher economic effects on the average Nigerian nor did it take any action to protect or support the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians.

The harsh consequences of the eventual removal of subsidy, as has been seen, have been instantaneous. Many Nigerians who went to their hometowns and villages to celebrate Christmas and the New Year could not even afford the cost of returning to their places of work. Government argued that the removal of subsidy on fuel would open the sector to private investors. This might be at best, speculative.

We note that government’s many policy somersaults and failure to provide security for life and property have created an unfriendly business environment which the mere removal of subsidy cannot reverse. This situation has in fact scared away many foreign and even indigenous investors not only from the petroleum sector but also from other sectors in this country. The first duty of government is to guarantee the security of life and property. Therefore, to simply allude to fraudulent practices in the petroleum sector without any serious effort to sanction its perpetrators, and to go on instead to remove subsidy as a way of forestalling fraud is to punish the already vulnerable and victimized Nigerian consumer.

This action, taken at this most inauspicious period of national grief and emergency is tantamount to what we have referred to in the past as “governance by ambush”. It merely penalizes the ordinary Nigerian for the sins of those who practice fraud and for government’s abdication of its most fundamental responsibilities. We note with deep regret that this country now has a tradition of making the poor suffer in the selfish interest of a few who have fraudulently enriched themselves in collusion with those in the corridors of power. Must the poor suffer to make the rich smile? It may not be fair to blame the Jonathan government alone for all the woes of Nigeria but this government must take full responsibility for the insensitive timing and execution of this policy on fuel subsidy.

Government seems to have already decided on it anyway long before the so-called consultations were begun or does it not matter at all that scores of Nigerians were gruesomely murdered only days earlier in the very vicinity of our Federal Capital? We cannot ignore the fact that in the build-up to the removal of subsidy, this government simply recycled promises made by previous governments to use proceeds accruing from such measures to improve infrastructure and raise the standard of living of the citizens. But Nigerians know that in the past, such promises have only been fulfilled in the breach. To them, therefore, it would be unwise to believe government this time when it offers no guarantees whatsoever.
We have spoken in the past about the unwieldy cost of governance as other voices of reason have. At federal, state and local levels, there are too many political appointees, too many ministries and too many committees. Government’s direct action to slim down in this area would have been one guarantee of its credibility for judicious spending of fuel subsidy savings.

As things stand, we consider it immoral to remove petroleum subsidy while we run a government of such dysfunctional dimension and cost. We declare that it is immoral to impose removal of petroleum subsidy on economically weakened Nigerians while political office holders continue to live in embarrassing opulence. It is therefore our strong opinion that the debate on subsidy wassimplistically presented, a fait accompli to veil the fact that the issues involved are far more complex. The powers of state should never have been used to impose removal of petroleum subsidy without putting in place concrete definable measures to cushion the emasculating effects of such an action on the most vulnerable segments of the Nigerian population.

AUDIO: Playing DUMB Nigeria's Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

2012-01-05T01:14:00.001-08:00

Last night SaharaReporters called the Nigerian minister of finance and "coordinating minister for the economy", Dr, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala 7 times inviting her to discuss the removal of oil subsidy on SaharaTV. We also sent several text messages to her mobile number in Nigeria. Of course, she claimed she couldn't hear us. We are hoping to get her on our weekly show on SaharaTV on Saturday if she is ready to discuss her anti-subsidy theories before Nigerians at home and abroad. Until then, we will keep calling!

Culled from Sahara Reporters

http://saharareporters.com/video/audio-nigerias-finance-minister-ngozi-okonjo-iweala-caught-phone-tap-lying-playing-dumb

OPPRESED NIGERIAN VS THE OPPRESOR NIGERIAN RULING CLASS. #occupynigeria

2012-01-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

"Ignorance has always been the weapon of tyrants; enlightenment the salvation of the free."

"Ignorance has always been the weapon of tyrants; enlightenment the salvation of the free."
Even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative rumour peddlers who embrace the politics of anything go.

Well, we say to them tonight, there's not a Northern Nigeria and a Southern Nigerian; We have the OPPRESED NIGERIAN VS THE OPPRESOR NIGERIAN RULING CLASS.

There's not a Muslim Nigerian and Christian Nigerian and Atheist Nigerian and Traditional Worshiping Nigerian; there's the United Oppressed People of Nigeria.

The pundits like to slice and dice our country into PDP states and ACN States: CPC and APGA states and Labour States for Northerners, Easterners, Westerners and Southerners. But we’ve got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the all parts of Nigeria and we don't Nigerian ruling elite using religion to divide us so we can kill ourselves whilst they enjoy the loot.

There are patriots who in EVERY NIGERIAN STATE united by the common poverty perpetuated by minority Nigerians from ALL TRIBES RELEGION AND CREED over majority of Nigerians. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to our rights to live in dignity in the modern world not as slaves to the Nigerian ruling elite.

NIGERIANS FROM ALL TRIBES! RELEGION! RACE! CREED! SAY A BIG NO TO GOODLUCK JONATHAN. IMF AND NGOZI OKONJO IWEALAS ATTEMPT TO REMOVE FUEL SUBSIDY!

WE CALL ON THEM TO FACE CORRUPT CABALS WHO ARE FRIENDS TO THE RULING ELITE!
CUT COST OF GOVERNANCE!

AUDIT THE NNPC SO WE CAN KNOW THE REAL COST OF SUBSIDY IF IT REALY EXIST!
REDUCE SALARY AND BENEFITS OF BOTH EXECUTIVE AND LEGISTALTIVE ARM OF GOVERNMENT BY 60%

#OCCUPYNIGERIA NOW!
(Adapted from Barack Obama’s 2004 speech for #occupynigeria 2011)

VIDEO! SKY NEWS UK ON #OCCUPYNIGERIA PROTEST!

2012-01-04T06:12:00.001-08:00

Violent protests have broken out across Nigeria against the government's decision to end fuel subsidies, amid the ongoing state of emergency declared last week.

Protesters formed human barriers along motorways, hijacked buses and set up bonfires in Lagos, the country's commercial capital, as police set upon the demonstrators with tear gas and batons.

One of the country's main unions claimed police shot dead a protester, but police denied it, saying he was killed by a mob.

The end to the subsidy will mean a fuel price hike of more than double in a country where most people live on less than £2 per day.

Meanwhile, gunmen have attacked a police station in northern Nigeria's Jigawa state, killing a teenage girl and wounding an officer.

Burning tyres

Burning tyres in Lagos

It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack, though Islamist group Boko Haram has been blamed for many similar incidents in northern Nigeria.

"The gunmen shot indiscriminately into the police station and engaged our men in a shootout, killing a teenage girl trying to flee and wounding a policeman," state police commissioner Hashimu Argungu said.

"They threw an explosive into the police station but it did not detonate, which saved the police station from being destroyed, although its walls were riddled with bullets from the attack."

President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in parts of four states hard hit by attacks blamed on Boko Haram on December 31.

In one of the most bloody attacks, a Christmas Day bombing at a church killed 30 people and left many more injured in the capital Abuja.

While he met with his cabinet as violence continued around the country, unions are also expected to meet to decide on a national day of industrial action.

#OCCUPYNIGERIA FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL: Young Nigerians in London To Protest

2012-01-04T04:08:00.000-08:00

NIGERIANS IN LONDON CLEARED BY LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE FOR FRIDAY RALLY:

The London Metropolitan Police hours ago granted permit to Nigerian Students In Diaspora and Nigerians In Diaspora under whose umbrella the Friday rally will hold in London

Date: Friday 6th, January 2012
Venue: London Charing Cross Station
Time: 12:30
Please inform every Nigerian you know and friends of Nigeria to come out in their numbers to voice their angst against this insensitive and irresponsible Nigerian government

Media Contact and General Query Please Contact
Nicholas: +447436296907
Charles: +447436307574
Aminu: +447852171675
And +447438348346

list of victims of the Xmas bombing at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State.

2011-12-29T21:24:00.000-08:00

Below is a list of victims of the Xmas bombing at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State.

Anthony Okoronkwo, Comrade Dike A. Williams, Emmanuel Dike, Richard Dike, Lillian Dike, Linda Chioma Obiukwu, Uche Q. Obiukwu, Chindinma Cythia Obiukwu, Ifeoma G. Obiukwu, Ann Chinedu Aigbadon, Chiemeri Nwachukwu, Cecilia Ebeku, Oluebube Faustina Pius, Chidera Sylvia Pius, Florence Nwachukwu, Eucharia Ewoh, Joseph Daniel,Inspector Titus Eze, Obasi Jonathan Onyebuchi, Ehiawaguan Peter, Uche Esiri, Sgt. Kadiri Danjuma, Unidentified person (5)

Victims at the National Hospital
Paulina Koju, Chukwudi Umeh, Christiana Kadiri, Esther Agbo, David Agbo, Hellen Okolo, Mercy Agbo, John Agbo, Obiukwu Uche Stella, Ebuka Abuyi, Celestine Aniowo, Michael Sunday, Lucy Unji, Chiamaka Obiukwu, Favour Dike, Chimaobi Dike, Favour Agbo, Maria Obodugo,Kosisochukwu Egbo, Nzubechukwu Pius, Obodo Linus, Austin Ogbugu, Chuks Ajuwe, Esther Ibu, Blessing Philip, Isaac Ibu, Kenedilim Aloysius.

Some of those who died in the blast.
Specialists Hospital Gwagwalada
Innocent Okoronkwo (Intensive Unit), Chima Ohazurume, Justina Uche, Chinyere Amaechi, Ifeanyi Emenaba, Fidelia Onugwu, Chinyere Anthony, Sadiq Idris, Onyinyi Peace Eneh, Clara Iwuozor, Pauline Okoronkwo, Uche Bonaventure, Uche Michael, Lawal Abubakar, Victor James.

General Hospital Suleja
Owen Sylvester, Danlamin Isah (passer-by), Ali Sani (passer-by)

Major Hospital Kwamba
Edeh Christiana

Delight Hospital Suleja
Roseline Okeke, Chisom Eucharia Okoye

Suzan Hospital Suleja
Chukwuebuka Obiakor, Jenifer Obiakor, Chidera Obiakor, Beatrice Otogo.

Daughter of Charity Kubwa
Oliver Ogbona, Remmy Ofoha, Francis Raphael

Diamond Crest Hospital Zuba
Gabriel Christiana, Michael Nwanze, Achunike Okolo, Fvaour, Ugochukwu, Nzube Pius

State House Clinic Abuja
Uche Thaddeus, Tanko Mpan, Lucy Wumi, Unknown

Lucas Hospital Madalla
Dominic Mbeng, Agnes Justin Wadzani, Samuel Eze, Ugwu Calistus, Raphael Okoro.

Solace Hospital Suleja
Jane Francis Mmadunacho, Unknown

General Hospital Kubwa
PC Ibrahim Gaita.

Boko Haram:History,Ideas and Revolt By Shehu Sani via Newsdiaryonline

2011-12-29T20:52:00.002-08:00

PHOTO Shehu Sani

The Northern Nigeria (Hausaland)

The northern Nigeria of today comprises nineteen states, and to a very large extent, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Despite the heterogeneous ethnic composition of the North, the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group still predominates, with over 70% of its people belonging to the Hausa-Fulani ethnic stock. By extension, the historical evolution of the Hausa group is closely linked with other ethnic groups that can be found in the region.

The source of origin of Hausaland has been a subject of conjectures. There is a tradition which states that Hausaland was founded by a man named Abuyazigu (Bayajida). Bayajida was said to have fled from his father in Baghdad, (the present Iraq) after a quarrel. On his way, he arrived at Daura (Hausaland) now in Katsina State and allegedly helped to kill a terror snake, which had menaced the people for a long time. In appreciation of his gesture in killing the snake, the Queen of Daura, was said to have married him and a son, Bawo became the product of the union.

Bawo later got married, but still had a concubine. Legend had it that the wife gave Bawo seven legitimate sons and the concubine also gave Bawo seven other illegitimate sons. These sons proceeded to establish the fourteen Hausa states. This actually is the legend, but the true origin of the Hausa remains a subject of historical conjectures. The nineteenth century tourist, Heinrich Barth, in trying to establish the genealogy of the Hausa, links them with the Atlanter of Herodotus. It is, however, certain that some of the people we now refer to as Hausas had lived in a more interior part of the present northern states than that which they now occupy. The Hilal invasion brought into these lands Tuaregs, who were said to have been driven southward by the Barber Tribes of North Africa.

For sometime, the Tuaregs and Barbers lived in harmony and intermarried. Their intermarriages produced half-castes. These half-castes were said to have migrated southwards and founded various states, the most ancient of which appears to be Biran. Biran is considered to be the ancestor of the Hausas. His descendants, Daura, Gobir, Kano, Rano, Katsina and Zaria were the founders of the kingdom which still bear these names. These descendants together with Biran were called the seven legitimate Hausa states (Hausa Bakwai). The other states whose population had been mixed through intermarriages with foreign elements (Nupe, Gwari, Yauri, Bauchi, Zamfara, Kebbi) were known as bastard Hausas. (Hausa Banza Bakwa). These resulting kingdoms varied in extent. The oldest; Biran and Rano were not much larger than their capitals. However, the others developed considerably. The rulers of the various Hausa states are called Sarakai (Emir). Although they exhibited a slight variation in culture, they had homogeneity of language.

Islam in Northern Nigeria

The first contact with Islam by the people of Kano and the entire Hausa-land and by extension northern Nigeria was in 1370. It was introduced by merchants and scholars from Western Sudan (Mali) during the reign of Ali Tsamia, between 1349 and 1385. Ali Tsamia was also called Sarkin Yaji because of his hot temperament. He was at that time, the ruler of Hausaland. Apart from Islam, which was newly introduced at that period, there were other traditional, such as the bori-cult which was very influential, the rulers at these times did not reject Islam completely nor did they adhere very strictly to the principles and the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. Consequently, they were called pagans by revivalist and fundamentalist Hausa-Fulani.

In Kano, at that time, the king had the power to decide what the state religion should be, and with such power, Ali Tsamia, made Islam the official religion. In he process, he built a mosque and by his authority ordered the people of Kano to pray five times a day. He equally appointed Islamic officials such as Imam, Muezzin and Quadi. However, the fact that the king had accepted Islam did not mean that everybody else accepted it.

In deed, many people, after the demise of Ali Tsamia, were said to have refused to embrace the Islamic religion, and were deeply attached to their ancestral or traditional religion. In fact, the six successive rulers after Ali Tsamia were said to have equally refused to embrace Islam.

During the reign of Mohammed rumfa (1463-1499), Islam had penetrated Kano which was then inhabited by the Hausa people called Maguzawa. It was after the conquest by Uthman Dan Fodio (1802-1817) that Islam began to spread among the Maguzawa people. By the time the British arrived the area, it was estimated that about half of the Maguzawa had accepted Islam. Before the arrival of Islam, the Maguzawa had a belief in Allah as the Supreme Being who could be approached or invoked through other deities. They also had a belief on the last day when Allah will judge everyone, punishing and rewarding each person accordingly.

The maguzawa people also believed in and worshipped spirit (Iskoki orIskokai) who inflict or remove suffering from people when they are invoked. The religion of Islam appealed to the Maguzawa people because the beliefs and dictates of the religion were in synchronization with those of the Maguzawa. However, as time passed, some of the spirits were believed to be good and lived in the city where they were considered and compared to Muslims who lived in the city. The black spirits were seen as being purely wicked and evil and were considered as Maguzawa who lived in the bush.

Therefore, in many of the Hausa states, we saw how Islam existed side-by-side with traditional religions. Severally, there were frequent wars of proselytizing and supremacy between these Hausa states, yet, there were a number of factors which encouraged the development of unity among the Hausa states. One of them, and perhaps the most cogent, was the Bayajida legend which served as a unifying factor among the different Hausa sub-groups. The importance of the legend was primarily the fact that it provided the belief that all Hausa states had a common origin and derived from common ancestors. Another potential rallying point for unity among the Hausa states was Islam.

Maitatsine Uprising in Kano in 1980

The 1980 Maitatsine uprising marked the watershed of large-scale ethno religious conflicts comparable to a small-scale war in a smaller nation. It has become a landmark reference of ethno-religious conflicts in African nations by local and international media, policy makers and strategic political analysts. It was a conflict that heightened the Nigerian security operatives’ sensitivity to the activities of legal and illegal aliens on her shore.

The 1980 Kano Maitatsine massacre was said to have been ignited by a violent confrontation between the authority and the Al-Masifu sect led by Alh. Muhammadu Marwa Maitatsine. Maitatsine, an anti-home. The al-Masifu members estimated between 3000 and 5000 denounced ostentatious display of wealth, such as owning houses, wearing Muslim customs, such as facing Mecca while praying, an act which an average Kano Muslim considered sacrilegious. The sect members, therefore, sought to purify the practice of Islam to conform with the teachings of their leader. Perceiving the security implication of Maintatsine’s doctrine and disruptive behaviour, the security agents had swiftly swooped on him in his residence and hurriedly deported him and few of his lieutenants back to Cameroon. He managed to return to Nigeria towards the end of 1978.

After a two year period during which the sect members increasingly intimidated citizens living near their enclave in Kano and a month after which a policeman was killed by the sect members, the then Kano State governor, Mohammed Abubakar Rimi, felt that enough was enough. He decidedly sent a letter to Maitatsine and his followers ordering them to leave Kano immediately. The sect leader received the governor’s order, but decided to ignore it damming any consequences of his action or inaction.

The beginning of the end for the Maitatsine’s reign of terror came exactly three weeks after the governor’s expulsion letter was issued. On December 18, 1980, the Al-Masifu sect members allegedly attacked orthodox Muslims praying outside Kano city grand mosque. Police attempt to bring the situation under control was rebuffed by the sect members and the governor of the state was thus constrained to ask the Federal Government to send in the military. After some initial resistance that lasted about ten days, the army and airforce went into action and dislodged the sect from its enclave in Kano city.

At the same time, during the crisis, the orthodox Muslim residents of Kano sought out and killed anyone suspected of belonging to the sect. this resulted n heavy casualties with the combined team of the Nigerian army and airforce having an upper hand in the confrontation. Realizing this, some of the sect members armed with bows and arrows and a number of modern weapons, mainly seized from the police and army, retreated to a nearby village, and the fighting continued until January 3 1981. at the end of the confrontation and the military campaign against the sect, over 4, 177 people, including Maitatsine, some policemen and a reporter with Nigeria’s Daily Times newspaper, had been killed and another 8,712 sustained different levels of injuries. Property worth several millions of naira were reportedly lost in the conflict.

The Taliban

The world first became aware of a group called Taliban when they were appointed by the Pakistan’s government to protect a convoy attempting to open a trade route between Pakistan and Central Asia. This group, made up of Afghans trained in religious schools in Pakistan along with former Mujahidden holy warriors who were the Islamic fighters of AI Queeda, proved effective as bodyguards. They prevented other Mujahidden groups who attempted to attach and loot the convoy. The Taliban was formed by Mullah Mohammed Umar, a one-eyed puritanical cleric who was described as one of the most improbable characters in Afghanistan’s tortuous history. He recruited students from Qur’anic schools and this resulted in the Taliban being referred to in its early days as a student movement.

Between 1979 and 1989, there were visible armed Taliban uprisings against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. The Talibans from Afghanistan, however, succeeded in forcing the Russians out of their country. The Federal Government’s intelligence arm is apparently aware of the infiltration of Nigeria by foreign Islamic fundamentalists. A renowned Islamic scholar and leader of a popular Islamic scholar believed to have escaped arrest in either troubled Sudan or the war-ravaged Afghanistan. The unidentified Islamic scholar was for eight months allegedly hidden by Alhaji Musa. A national daily reported that it was because of this that Musa himself was arrested in Katsina prior to the rounding up of his guest by security agents. The police swooped on Musa’s IBB Way residence in Katsina in anticipation of getting incriminating evidence in connection with the expatriate.

A faceless Islamic group was also recently indicted in connection with recruiting several students from Qur’anic schools in Nigeria for terrorist training in Mauritania. This was carefully done under the cover of Islamic training. The state security service had on July 7, 2004, released Alhaji Bello Damagun (a businessman and director of Media Trust Ltd) along with Mallam Mohammed Nazifi Inuwa and Mallam Mu’awuya Babayo, who were arrested, interrogated and detained since June 2001, on the allegation of illegally sponsoring some students to Mauritania for Islamic studies.

Reports from national dailies had it that some of the youths absconded from the camp less than seven months into their four year training programme because they were allegedly dumped in a desolate and isolated area 58 kilometres from Mouakchott, capital of Mauritania.

The reason for taking these youths to a desolate place for training, it was learrnt, was to harden them so that when they come back, they would have been conditioned to be full of bitterness for the Nigeria’s socio-economic and political situation. The training of these youths, who are said to be about 10 years old, was to orientate them to be capable of inhuman responses to issues.

The Yobe Talibans

The self-styled Talibans of Yobe were not Afghans who infiltrated Nigeria; rather, they were Nigerian university undergraduates, ex-military personnel and professionals. They were easily identified by their Spartan dress code and long beard, reminiscent of Osama Bin Laden. The Yobe Talibans emerged around 2002. the group, on emergence, decided to call itself AI Sunna Wal Jamma, which in Arabic language is literally translated as, “followers of Prophet Mohammed’s Teaching”.

The sect had its first camp at Zagi-Biriri, a desert village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, located some 70 kilometres, north of Damaturu, the state capital. The sect had deliberately withdrawn to the desert settlement, so that they could be totally immuned from what they perceived as the corrupt Nigerian system, and to also effectively dedicate themselves to the life of prayer and the study of the Qur’an. This is preparatory to a revolution that would overturn the corrupt administration at all levels in the country. The Talibans had hoped to replace the corrupt incumbent administration with a more holier government founded purely on the teachings of the Qur’an and the Hadith. Security reports had it that the group was also engaged in covert military training and warfare.

The Identity of Yobe Talibans

There was confusion as to the true identity of the group that enacted the bestial act that held Yobe hostage for three weeks. Those who seem to know, saw them as the reformed Maitatsine sect of the 1980s. while others said the Yobe Talibans could be those sympathetic to the Al-Qaeda Cabal of Osama bin Laden, who spilled over to Nigeria in their bid to escape the United States aggression in 2001. From the foregoing, it is evident that the true identity of the Yobe Taliban was a mystery.

The Taliban and the Government

The Yobe Talibans were unreservedly acerbic in their public criticism of government officials for failing to implement “True Sharia” in the 12 northern states where the system was operational.

The Yobe Taliban’s Crush

At its first camp at Zaji-Biriri, the Yobe Talibans were said to have lived a simple and quiet lifestyle. They had refused to mix freely with the larger society for obvious reasons. They were said to have worked on people’s farms where they got paid. They in turn used the money to buy food. They Yobe Talibans soon exhausted the good will they had until that moment enjoyed, after they had beaten up a middle-aged married woman who dared to challenge their fishing rights in the local pond. The woman had told them that since they did not own any portion of the pond, they had no right whatsoever to fish in the stream. The Yobe Talibans were said to have told her that since the pond was created by Allah, who also created the fish that swam in it. An ordinary mortal could not lay claim to any section of the pond, let alone decide who should fish in it. A hot exchange of words was said to have ensued between the group and the woman. She was thus beaten black and blue for daring to challenge them.

The Yobe Taliban quickly became unpopular among the villagers who alerted the police of their presence in Zaji-Biriri. Following police reports indicting them of criminal activities, the Yobe State Government convened a security council meeting which resolved that the group be given a three-day ultimatum to leave Zagi-Biriri. With great reluctance, the group relocated to Kenanma, a homogenous community of about 3000 inhabitants, east of Zagi-Biriri, in Yunusari Local Government Area of the State on Sunday, December 21, 2003. Kanamma, a very remote area, located some seven kilometers away from the Nigerian border and Niger Republic was strategically chosen. This is with the hope of getting away from the attention of the authorities while going ahead with their training and hermetic meditation on the teachings of Islam. Having set up a new camp in Kanam, they had refused to forgive the police for the previous role it played in their hurried exit from Zaji-Biriri. Their renewed intention to avenge on the police thus led to a bloody confrontation..

The Yobe Taliban Revolution

The following day, the Yobe Taliban went into the town, where they demanded to see the DPO, the local government chairman and the district head of Kanama. But the villagers told them that none of these people were around, so they left a message that when they returned to town, they would only come back to kil all those whom they had requested to see. When the people concerned received the message, the DPO sent a report to the police headquarters in Damaturu requesting permission could come, they (Taliban) returned on Wednesday, December 24, 2003, and burnt the police station, local government secretariat, local government’s logde as well as the residence of the chairman, DPO and the district head, killing a new police recruit. The residence of the community leader was torched because they saw him as the representative of government in the village.

After burning down government-owned structures in the village, they clearly knew the repercussion which would follow. They therefore, initiated a series of fortification measures for the eventual confrontation which they knew must come. They had abducted eight villagers and forced them to dig trenches around their camp. They were to later engage armed troops in battle from these trenches. Before the confrontation with armed soldiers, some mobile police force units had arrived their camp, intent on sacking the group, but retreated in the face of the superior fire power of the Talibans, coupled with the advantage provided by the trenches that fortified their camp.

Sects in Islam

Who are Boko Haram?

Book Haram are Islamic sect based largely in the North Western part of Nigeria. Their leader was one Mallam Muhammad Yusuf, until he was killed in a questionable circumstances.

Yusuf was born in Girgir village of Yobe State. The Boko Haram group started as Sahaba group in 1995. The main leader of the group then was one Abubakar Lawan who later left for the University of Medina to study, when he left, the older clerics conceded the leadership to Yusuf, who was young and versatile man.

But immediately Yusuf took over, the doctrine of the sect changed and he abandoned the older cleric and came up with Boko Haram. At the initial stage of their growth, the sect was entrenched in Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe and Kano States, but now have covered virtually all northern states and are advancing their frontiers to other parts of the country.

Muhammad Yusuf, because of his brilliance was a favorite student of Sheik Jafar Mohammed, the highly influential and well known preacher who was shot dead in Kano by gun men while leading the dawn prayers in his mosque on the eve of 2007 general election. Yusuf later fell out with his mentor Sheik Jafar, even before his death.

On at least seven occasion, teacher and student met, sometimes one on one at other times in company of third parties, with the aim of ironing out their differences, on other occasion, several other clerics also tried to dissuade Yusuf from his rigid ways. On most of those occasion, the student gave the impression that he would mend his ways, yet no sooner did he return to his base than he reverted to his condemnations of all things western, often he went even further by more or less declaring his counselors apostates. Yusuf had severally described his groups as non-militants, but simply a group of youths who are bent on upholding the words of Allah. He warned that they will rather die than to succumb to the present corrupt system in the country. That they vowed to continue to fight the authorities and their accomplices until they succeed or die in the process.

The Name

Although the group has come to be popularly known as Boko Haram, it is not clear whether the group actually called itself by this name. some called them Yusufuya sect. but some called them Jamaatul Takfur Wal Hyra Ahlus Sunna, some still called them Khawaarji and some called them Jamaatu Alhlissunnah Lidda’awatiwal Jihad, which they approved oof.

Book itself is the Hausa name for western education. It was derived from the word “Boka” or sorcerer. As years rolled by, though and the educated elite took charge of things and (initially) did a good job of it. Book became a respected word in the Muslim North. The Boko school taught Islam more effectively than the local Islamiya school (Makarantar Allo) did and many Yan Boko have a deeper knowledge of Islam than most peasant have. The local Islamiyah schools production of Almajiri was also a minus for them and the armies of Boko Haram sect must have been recruited from the Almajiri. Besides the Muslim community’s initial fear that Boko could lead to wholesale proselytization did not happen.

Even though Boko improved the community’s material lot and did not lead wholesale conversion as the Muslim feared, it led to wholesale westernization and secularization, to the chagrin of traditionalist. It brought great dependence on income and the lifestyle, opulence, ego and vanity of the yan Boko alarmed traditionalist. Governance become ineffectual in Yan Boko’s hand and their white collar crime tarnished the country’s image. On collapse of societal values, thus triggering a call for a change.

Origin and Values

Available information indicates that the group emanated from an orthodox teaching slightly resembling that of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Their school of thought considers anything western as an aberration or completely unislamic. The group viewed the western influence on Islamic society as the basis of the religion’s weakness. Hence their declaration that western education and indeed all western institution is infidel and as such must be avoided by Muslims.

At first, both cleric and the larger community ignore the gospel as they dismissed the preacher as unknowledgeable, other see them as share age propagandist who will not get the attention of the modern Muslims but events proved all wrong as the sect began to grow from strength to strength. In Bauchi, Yobe, and Borno State, many young people dropped out of school, including university student to join them, workers including highly placed administrators and tertiary institution lecturers also joined them. That was when the clerics began to fire at them with great vehemence knowing fully well that it was no longer a tea party. But it was getting late then, as many youth have already separated from their families, while many people abandoned their jobs for the group. It was gathered that most people sold their belongings to contribute to the coffers of fighting the cause of Allah to save Islam from the clutches of western influences and domination.

Their Belief

Some of the fundamental argument of beliefs held by the group is that banking, taxation and jurisprudence in the country are completely infidel submitting to these void. The entire faith of a true Muslim, they also argue that western education was unislamic as it embodies all that Islam projected, while it propagates the negative of what Allah and his prophet had ordained.

For instance, the mixing of boys and girls under the same shade, the propagation of the theory of that men evolved from the family of monkey as well as the sun in the sky is static. According to them, all these are in conflict with the direct words of Allah who said Muslim must not mix sexes under the same umbrella and that he created men from clay as well as the sun, earth and the moon each move on its own axis.

They further argue that today’s banking system is shylock and Islam forbids interest in financial transaction, just as the laws of the land are manmade, in replacement of the ones ordained by Allah.

It was on their bid to run away from all of these vices that members of the sect decided to cluster themselves in strategic location in the outskirt of most major town of Bauchi and Yobe.

Another Angle to Mohammed Yusuf’s emergence

As early as 2002, Yusuf was seen by many as a likely heir to the renown late Sheik Jafaar Mahmud Adam in Maiduguri on account of his brilliance and closeness to the late renowned scholar. But all that changed shortly when one Mohammed Alli (now late) approached late Yusuf with reasons to boycott democracy, civil service and western oriented schools.

Late Yusuf then disengaged his service with the Yobe State government. Then in a 2006 press release signed by the sect’s Shura (consultative) council, they stated that Islam permits them to subsist under a modern government like Nigeria but has explicitly prohibited them from joining or supporting such government in so far as their systems, structures and institutions contains elements contradictory to core Islamic principles and beliefs.

However, the late Alli argued that the sect must embark on Hijra (migration), but late Yusuf decline and Alli proceeded to Kannamma in Yobe with his faction, and one thing led to another, the group launched an insurgent attack on the police that resulted in the loss of many lives and properties in Kanamma and later in Gwuza in Borno State.

Although the insurgent, a renegade group that called itself “Taliban” led by Alli, fiercely disagreed with late Yusuf and many of the escapees later returned to Yusuf.

Unlike Alli, Yusuf went on undeterred, though he was prevented from preaching in several mosques and was denied TV/Radio appearances in the state, but he set up a preaching outlet in the front of his house at the Railway quarters and at Anguwar Doki, millionaires quarters among others. The demand for his tapes increased by the day all over the north and the proceeds there from increased tremendously. He then asked his landlord and in law, late Baba Fugu Mohammed to allow him to build a mosque who he named Ibn Taimiyya Masjid.

It was in Ibn Taimiyya Masjid that the late Yusuf together with his hard line top --- Abubakar Shekau, alias “Darul tauhid”began to build an imaginary state within a state. Together they set up laginas (department), they had a cabinet, the shura, the Hisbah, the brigades of guilds, a military wings, a large farm, an effective microfinance scheme, and late Yusuf played the role of a judge in settling disputes.

Each state had an Amir (leader) including Amirs in Chad and Niger that gave account of their stewardship to Yusuf directly.

The sect led by Yusuf, took advantage of the poor quality of our educational system, the incessant strike, cult activities, widespread malpractices and prostitution that is made worse with no offer of job after graduation to lure many youths to abandoned schools and embrace Yusuf’s new and emerging state that promises to offer them a better education.

Late Yusuf also took advantage of the irresponsible leadership of all level of government, unemployment, poverty, corruption and insecurity. And as he point out such failures, citing verses of Quran and the saying of the prophet, the youth see him as the leader that will indeed deliver them from malevolence to the promises lend.

Membership

In the early stage of the group, he was able to attach membership from the families of the high and mighty in Borno State. Infact, at a point, one of the sons of the former SSG in one of the State of the North East region was a member of this group. His father was from jakusko while his mother is from Barde. Many other members of prominent families from Borno and Yobe States reportedly join or later became sympathetic to his cause and supported it financially.

His Threats

Sheikh Muhammed Yusuf style of preaching was reportedly inecting yet he bothered less, but nonetheless had some confrontations with the law enforcement agents. In truth, the authorities could hardly claim ignorance of the activities of Mohammed Yusuf and his men. As a matter of fact, he was arrested on several occasion by the police in Maiduguri but before the police could roll out the drums and start celebrating his capture, Yusuf would have resurface in his vast compound in Maiduguri.

There was a time when the man returned from Abuja barely five days after his arrest. Infact people from all the way from Kaduna, Bauchi and Kano came to welcome him. There was a long motorcede from the airport as thousands of his members trooped out to lead him to his house. He came back like a hero – a resident observed.

In January 2009, Yusuf was arrested and prosecuted in Abuja, but he was reportedly granted bail and subsequently returned to Maiduguri.

“Before he was killed, you should have been here on a Friday, you would think a big party was going on here. The whole area (Railway Quarters) would be lined by exotic cars as very powerful individuals went to see Yusuf. They went in cars with tinted glasses and so nobody would be able to see them. That is why many people believed that the man was being sponsored by some very powerful individuals”, said a resident.

The First Attack-shooting of 17 mourners

The Operation Flush was a Borno State owned security outfit launched for an all war against robbers who had become very daring and were terrorizing residents, motorist and commuters plying highways. At the onset, the Operation Flush tackled robbery to a near standstill. However, with innocent people becoming the squad’s victim, it became a source of worry for the residents of the state. The security outfit became notorious for brutalizing people in Maiduguri, causing traffic disorder extorting money from people and usurping the functions of the law enforcement agencies on the state.

The shooting of 17 mourning followers of Sheik Yusuf by men of the Operation Flush raised concerns about the excesses and human rights abuse indulged by security outfit with impunity.

Investigation revealed that trouble began when the sect members were on their way to a cemetery in a procession to bury four of their members who died in a motor accident along Biu – Maiduguri road, a day earlier. Some of them who rode on motorbike were intercepted by an Operation Flush petrol team and asked why they were not wearing crash elements. The sect members did not take kindly to the enquiry which they thought was a provocation given that they were in a funeral procession. The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Christopher Dega, said the group had disagreement with members of the joint military and police petrol team known as “Operation Flush” in Maiduguri “over traffic-related violations by the procession”. He said “one thing led to another and a member of the patrol team stationed at the custom’s roundabout opened fire to save his colleagues from the mob”. The members of the group and three onlookers were crowded in the process.

Those injured were rushed to the emergency of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital where they were treated and discharged.

Days later, the cleric, Sheik Yusuf, made a pronouncement through his well circulated Friday sermon in Maiduguri to retaliate the shooting of his men, boasting that his group would be prepared to confront all the security agencies in the State as well as government which he described as the enemies of Islam. Government sources claimed President Umaru Yarardua and the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Abdullahi Sakin Muktar were adequately briefed on Mohammed’s threats.

The Bauchi Strike

The Boko Haram men were largely known to have lived at Jadaman Mada and near the Airport where they have their jummat mosque. They neither buy commercial food, nor eat from dishes prepared by non members, due to its sources (Haram). Infact, they do not eat much, some of them are said to live on fruits and dates only. They normally dress in similar costumes as the Taliban of Afghanistan or Pakistan, with long sleeve robe, shortened trousers, a turban, long beard, a small coat cover the long sleeve robe, covering the abdomen (like a bullet proof jacket) and a chewing stick.

That fateful day on July 26, 2009, a small group of about 30 youths marched towards the Dutsen Tanship Police Station in Bauchi Town around 6.00am. All of them were carrying assorted weapons that include matchetes, bows and arrows, daggers and dene gun. The police seemed to be prepared as they opened fire on them as soon as they attacked. Five of them attacked were left dead instantly. Soon the police inconjunction with the military swiftly surrounded the entire house suspected to be their abode, early that morning.

Most of their belonging were taken along and displaced for official inspections. Items found include sewn military uniform, boots, live ammunition, shells, locally made explosives, lethal gun powder.

Immediately after the encounter, the houses belonging to their sect were destroyed by the authorities. Those who were neither killed nor arrested escaped into the thin air. Most of those arrested were found to be indigenes of Yobe and Borno States.

In a chat with newsmen that fateful Sunday morning, Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame said the police will further their investigations to ensure that all tose connected to the attack were arrested, while their sponsor will be brought to justice, whoever they may be in the society.

Governor Isa Yuguda told the newsmen he was satisfied with the commitment and accuracy of the security operatives. “This calls for celebration as we have succeeded in the pre-emptying them”.

He indicated that intelligence report had showed that they had prepared well to attack, but government preempt them and caused them to be on the defensive. He said that he had earlier warned his neighboring colleagues and had informed them of his intention that is why there were less civilian involvement in the conflict.

“This is not a religious violence. It is a case of military. I consider them as lunatics who should be referred to the psychiatrist. Infact their action is not religious, but a case of wanton militancy” Yuguda said.

The Assistant Inspector General (IGP) of Police, Zone 12, Mr. Moses Anegboda confirmed that 41 persons were killed in the crisis between the police and the sect. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that 39 persons were members of the group while a policeman and a soldier were also killed.

He said 176 suspected members of the sect had been arrested. The police according to him were working in collaboration with the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to draw up charges for the prosecution of the suspects.

“The police will continue to do 24 hours surveillance and mop-up operations on the activities of the sect across the zone”, he said.

The AIG noted that about 210 weapons were recovered from the sect with 200 detonates, two corrusters, two bags of lethat gun powders, seven bags of poltesum, one basis of nitrate used for making explosives and an AK-47.

Reactions of Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf

The leader of the sect in his reaction said his group will not take kindly to the killing of dozens of its supporters in Bauchi. While speaking to journalist on the clashes, between his supporters and the police in Bauchi, said his men were ready to die to ensure the institution of a strict Islamic society.

The Yobe Crises

Few days later, the Bauchi conflicts between the Boko Haram sect and the security operatives spread to Yobe State. The sect members launched attack on the central police station on Potiskum on Monday and soon retreated into a hide out at Mamudo, where security agent swooped on them. Three police officers and one fire service officer died on the clash.

Briefing reporters in his office, Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abba, said, “At about 0800 hours, a combined team of the Police/Army launched a counter attack on the hide out of the extremist at a location opposite CGC Construction Company, near Mamudo village along Damaturu – Potiskum Road.

“The encounter with the hoodlum left thirty three (33) of the extremist dead. Six rifles, one pistol, one dene gun, three AK-47, empty magarines, thirty two (32) rounds of 7.62 mmm live ammunition and eighty one (81) of 9 live ammunitions were recovered from the suspects”.

Abba said the extremist were using a bus and a J5 vehicle with registration number XB 591 KTG and XA 888 MKA. The vehicles, he said were equally recovered by the security agents.

“Two of the suspects that escaped from the scene were arrested at Potiskum town based on information from members of the public and two other suspects were arrested in Fika”

“Information has it that the Boko Haram sect were about fifty in number when the attack was launched at their hide outs. Some of the suspects snatched a hilux vehicle belonging to Yobe State government around Mamudo and escaped into the bush.

“A man hint for the fleeing suspects has been launched by the security agents with a view to arresting the suspects”. He said.

Response of the Governor

Governor Ibrahim Geidem condemning the sectarian strife, describing it as an embarrassment to Islam. The governor was at the Police Command Headquarters on Gugbe Road in Damaturu. He thanked the police and other security agencies for containing the situation.

The combined team of soldiers and policemen embarked on a house to house search for this sect. The security men were said to have stormed houses occupied by the sect members, freeing hundreds of women and children. The sect believed that women and children should be kept indoors. No fewer than 2000 people were said to have fled to police station and hospitals to escape being killed.

In Kano

The house and mosque of the sect leader in wudil, Salihu Al-min model at Sabon gari was demolished by the Kano State Police Command order. The police are however still on wudil’s trail. He went into hiding following the attack on Wudil Police Station.

The building were marked “illegal structure” before demolition. Before dawn the building was pulled down including his mosque men of Kano State Urban Development Authority was directed to destroy the structure. A government source said one unit of mobile force was drafted to Wudil before the demolition to forestall resistance from remnant of Boko Haram followers.

During the raid on Wudil’s house, explosive substances including fuel bottle, jack knife, dane gun, locally made pistol, arrows and charms were discovered.

According to the police command anti-bomb unit, a bag of yellow powdered substance discovered in the house contain 15% charcoal, 25% potassium nitrate, 20% sulphur as is highly inflammable when ignited with fire.

Arrest were made. At the Bompai Police Headquarters, in Kano, a member of the Boko Haram arrested told the journalist that he was not disturbed by this present condition.

“Allah be praised, we are simply passing a period of tribulation and I know that even if I die now, I would be hugely rewarded by Allah. They cannot stop us. We must propagate the message of Allah. Only sharia we believe and western education is a taboo”. He said as he groaned in pain.

The Maiduguri main battle

The Bomb Blast

A few hours after the Borno State Police Command paraded nine followers of Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf, with 74 locally made bomb shells in Biu local government area, that a locally made bomb exploded in the residence of another followers, blasting him to death, while his friend sustained severe injuries and is being hospitalized at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

The follower, whose name was given as Hassan Sani Badamu from Biu was killed on (Friday July 20) night after the explosion occurred in his bedroom at his residence in Gwaindangari, behind Railway Quarters while he was with a friend, also a follower of Yusuf.

A guide book on bomb making was recovered from the blasted room. Commander of a joint military and police petrol team, tagged operation flush, Colonel Ben Ahanotu told newsmen.

Wife of the deceased, sect member, sect member, Zainab Dauda who was weeping while answering questions from newsmen narrated that she was in the kitchen preparing evening meal for her husband when she heard a loud explosion from the room and before she knew what was happening, her husband was lying in his own blood while his fraud who was inside the bedroom with the husband was rushed to the hospital by members of the operation flush who rushed to the scene.

Zainab who said she was pregnant as she held her four year old son, added that she had been advising her late husband to stay away from the sect as she had been told that the group carried weapons.

“I had always warned my husband to leave that group, I was told that they moved about with knives and because of my fear, I used to check my husband’s handbags which he used when he was going for activities of the sect, but every time, I checked, I only saw copies of Holy Quran. I didn’t even know his friend was inside his room, I was in the kitchen”, Zainab said crying.

Commander of Operation Flush, Ben Ahanotu told journalist that they received intelligence report that the men was trying to fix something in the locally made bomb along with his friends, when it exploded and killed him. He said when security men arrived at the scene, the man was found dismembered and he gave up the ghost after he was taken to hospital.

Colonel Ahanotu said that some components for making local bombs were recovered from the scene. He said security men were working round the clock to guarantee peace and security of lives and properties in the state.

On Friday afternoon, the police had paraded more members of the sect in whose possession 74 empty home made bomb shells and bomb head were found. Other items found in the possession of the nine were three swords, three bags containing gun powder, 11 motorcycles filters, one tin of plastic filter, bottle of methanol, explosive acids, seven rubbers containers of sodium chemicals, an equipment for measuring chemicals, two screw drivers, and other components for making bombs.

The Maiduguri Battles

In Maiduguri, the sect members appeared to have grouped themselves on batches and simultaneously attacked targets around the city at about 12.30am. They ambushed at the State Police Headquarters, sparking off a shoot out that lasted for over three hours. Fifty of the sect followers were killed there and the other retreated.

In the various battles, at least eight police officers, two soldiers and three prison officers were reportedly killed, the new prison in the city was broken and prisoners freed, while homes of policemen and police stations were also set ablaze in an apparent fulfillment of the promises of retaliations, attack made by the sects leader, Sheikh Yusuf.

The sect members killed a police sergeant by the gate of the police headquarters, burnt nine residents of mobile police trainees college near the city and also killed four policemen undergoing promotional courses in the college.

They also killed the second-in-command officer of a mobile police unit whose name was given as Superintendent Usman Farouk.

Somewhere in the city, another batch of the sect members overpowered men of the Nigerian Prison and freed inmates. A team of the sect members also killed a policeman at the residence of the Commandant of the Mobile Police Training College. They also burnt Lamisula and Gamburu Police Stations in Maiduguri and vandalized properties. The sect member had a long exchange of fire with men of operation flush a combined military and police anti-robbery team.

A similar attack was reportedly launched by the sect members in Damasak Headquarters of Mobber local government area of the state and killed a policeman.

All activities were brought to standstill in Maiduguri as fewer vehicles moved around amidst intense stop and search mounted by the police and the military. Communications were disrupted and telecoms installations in Maiduguri were attacked.

Later in the day, Governor Ali Modu Sheriff declared a dusk to dawn curfew in all parts of Maiduguri and Jere, a neighbouring local government area. The governors Director of Press, Usman Chiroma, said in a statements that the curfew was from 7.00pm to 6am and will continue until security situation improves.

Security Response

The next day, security forces raided the enclave of the radical Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri in an all act attempt to crush the group whose supporters ignited violence in five states in union more than zoo persons, including security personnel died.

The army moved in six light armoured war tanks and deployed hundreds of heavily armed soldiers and mobile policemen and regular policemen around Maiduguri to destroy the residents of the sect leaders, Yusuf, which also serve as the group’s headquarters.

The security forces also cordoned off Maiduguri, Galadima, Kasuwan Sharu and low cost areas, which have been under the control of the sect members since Sunday nights when the crises began.

The military action came a day after more than 150 people were killed in Borno, Yobe and Kano States in a gun battles between the sects followers and security forces.

The offensive which started in Maiduguri was led by the GOC 3rd Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, Major General Salah Maina, came on the order of President Umaru Yaradua, who said his administration would no longer tolerate any armed insurrections in any part of the country.

The military ordered resident to evacuate the affected areas and as 5.30pm, sounds of explosions were being heard and thick smoke billowing into the sky.

Security source said the leader of the sect in Kano, was killed while he was about to enter Maiduguri to bring reinforcement to his members. Streets of Maiduguri remained deserted as very few cars moved around. Residents were seen in fronts of their homes speaking in small group.

The traditional Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said over 4000 persons took refuge at different military and police quarters. Assistant Zonal Coordinator of the Agency in the North East, Apollos Jedial said of the displaced resident, 3000 persons were taking refuge at the Maimalari Barracks, 600 were at the State Police Headquarters while 19 were at the Giwa military barracks.

He said the agency ordered release of relief materials mostly food items and beddings, which he handed over to the Borno State government for distribution to the victims.

Spokesman for the Borno Police Command, Isah Azare, confirmed that 90 of the rioters as well as eight police officers, three prison officials and two soldiers had been killed in the clashes with the security forces that Monday.

President Umaru Yar’Adua’s Reactions

Speaking to newsmen at the Nnamdi Azekiwe International Airport, shortly before he jetted out to Brazil on a free day visit, Yaradua said he had asked security agencies to deal squarely and promptly, with the leader of the Boko Haram, sect and end the crisis by yesterday evening.

The Arrest and Death of Mohammed Yusuf

The battle between security forces and followers of the Boko Haram sect came to an end with the killing of the leader of the group (yesterday, Thursday July 30) few hours after he was captured in Maiduguri. The police claimed that Mallam Mohamed Yusuf whose followers battled troops and policemen for five days in many state, was reportedly killed in a shoot out with security men, but a BBC reporter in Maiduguri said Yusuf was arrested and paraded before journalist with apparent signs of injuries.

“He has been killed. You can come and see his body at the state police command headquarters, spokesmen for the Borno State Police Command, Isa Azare told Reutes news agency.

The State Police Commissioner, Christopher Dega had earlier announced the capture of Yusuf and said he was being held at Giwa Barracks. Announcing the death of the late sect leader, Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 12, Mr. Moses Anagbode, said Yusuf was killed in a shoot out with security men yesterday in afternoon. Security sources told newsmen that the sect leader was arrested hiding among cattle inside his father inlaws home, situated around the sects bombed enclave, which was destroyed by the military and a counter insurgency operation.

At 8.31 last night news Agencies flashed the story of the killing of Yusuf.

A journalist said the body outside the state police headquarters had several gunshot wounds. It was learnt that before he was killed, Yusuf requested that people should pray for him to have the mercy of God.

Security source said Yusuf had tricked the military into believing he fled out to the bush after a stage on his headquarters, but he instead remained within the area taken over by security forces.

Federal Government Apologizes to UN over Killing

A federal government delegation was in Geneva, Switzerland to apologize to the United Nations for the alleged extrajudicial killings of Boko Haram sect leader. Head of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Roland Ewubare said in Abuja.

The delegation comprised the Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondakaa, the NHRC boss and the State House Counsel.

Speaking when he reacted visiting Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jeff Hert, the NHRC Executive Secretary, Ewubare said the Nigerian delegation told the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay that they were in Geneva to plead so that the country would not be sanctioned by the United Nations. He said Nigeria assured the United Nation that as soon as ongoing investigation is concluded, those found culpable would be punished in accordance with the law.

Alhaji Buji Fai killed, so also Baba Fugu

A two time Chairman of Kaga local government areas of Borno State and former Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Water Resources who was a member of Boko Haram was captured in his farm along Bui – Danboa Road and later killed in the early hours of the next day at the Police Headquarter, Maiduguri.

Alhaji Fai, who dumped politics to join the sect, left the services at Borno State government when he was the Commissioner for Religious Affairs and fully involved himself in the activities of the sect. It was reliably gathered that his farm was used to habour the families of the militant sect, where he was later arrested after a fierce gun battle with the security operatives.

After he was arrested, the former commissioner demanded to meet the state governor, Alhaji Modu Sherif, who was not in office, when he was taken, had tied, to the Government House. The late Buji Fai was later carried to the police headquarter where he was reportedly killed.

The Role of Mohammed Fugu, a Maiduguri based businessman in the episode

Fugu was reportedly shot to death by the police at the police headquarters in Maiduguri. He had reportedly gone to the police headquarters to give himself up after having been told that the police were looking for him. He did not even wait for his lawyers before going to meet with the police. Since he did not have any skeleton in his cupboard, he had no reasons to fear. He was reportedly detained with his gown removed and handcuffed. It was later on the day that the family started hearing that he had been killed and his corpse deposited in the mortuary. His corpse alongside with others was reportedly dumped in a mass grave in Maiduguri.

The state government officials reportedly later stormed Railway Quarters with bulldozers and demolished Mohammed Yusuf’s house as well as Fugu’s compound. Items worth more than N160 million were reportedly destroyed in the house.

Dissatisfied with the development, the family went to court, accusing the police of extrajudicial killing of their patriarch. The court gave its judgment asking the Nigerian Police to pay the sum of N100 million to the family, but the police appealed the verdict.

Borno Probes Sect Violence

Governor Ali Modu Sherif of Borno State later inaugurated a 13 man administrative committee of inquiry on the Boko Haram sectarian violence or party of the state.

The committee however didn’t have representatives from the Jammatul Nasiru Islam (JNI), an umbrella body of Muslims and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Members of the committee include Past Public office holders, serving civil servants, retired police and representatives of security agencies.

Sheriff explains that inquiry would give government clear information on the mayhem and advise it on strategies to prevent re-occurrence. The committee was to submit its report within three weeks.

Boko Haram Bombs Police Headquarters

Eight persons were feared dead and 44 others injured when a powerful bomb ripped through the car park of the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The police headquarters bomb blast, which the police described as a suicide attack, was apparently targeted at the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim.

The attack came four days after Ringim announced renewed efforts by the police to eliminate the dreaded sect in Borno State, where it has been blamed for a number of killings and bomb attacks.

The IG’s convoy had driven into the force headquarters also known as Louis Edet House around 10:40am unaware that there was a Honda Civic trailing it.

The suspected bomber reportedly drove into the premises a few minutes after the IG’s four vehicle convoy entered and attempted to park close to it near the entrance of the building. According to a witness policemen, who observed the driver’s suspicious moves directed a traffic warden to escort him to the car park and search the car. The traffic warden joined the strange man in the car and as they got to the parking area, the bomb went off, causing a huge fire that wrecked 77 vehicles in the park.

Ringim was yet to enter his office located on the sixth floor of the building when the blast went off, causing panic among police personnel, visitors and contractors in the premises.

Chunk of human flesh were splattered all over the scene of the explosions and on vehicles at the car park. The impact of the blast was so massive that it shook the building, shattering its glass windows.

Policemen abandoned their duty post and fled to safety just as a truck colum of smokes billowed from burning cars. Firemen were swiftly deployed in the complex to put out the blaze.

Chronicle of Boko Haram menace

26 July 2009 – First clash with security agencies in Bauchi State after an all-night attack on Dutsen-Tanshi Police. 39 members, two policemen, one soldier killed.

27 July 2009 – First attack in Yobe State during an invasion of Potiskum Divisional Headquarters, leading to the death of three policemen, one fire service officer.

29 July 2009 – Confrontation with security men at Mamudo Village, along Potiskum/Damaturu Road, Yobe. 33 Boko Haram members killed.

29 July 2009 – An all-night battle with combined security operatives at Railway Terminus, Maiduguri, Borno State. Scores killed and operational base destroyed.

8 Sept 2010 – Set ablaze Bauchi central prison and fired members of the sect who were jailed there.

28 January 2011 – Killed governorship candidate of the Borno State chapter of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Modu Fannami Gubio and six others at Lawan Bukar ward, Maiduguri.

2 March 2011 – Killed two policemen attached to the residence of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mustapha Sandamu at Rigasa area of Kaduna State.

30 March 2011 – Bomb explosion in Damaturu injuring a policeman.

2 April 201 – Bombed Dutsen-Tanshi police station, injured two policemen.

4 May 2011 – Shot dead a prison warder at Maiduguri Prison on Kashim Ibrahim Way

5 May 2011 – Shot Duty Officer at Maiduguri Government House, Umaru Shehu, at his Abuja Talakawa residence of Maisandami ward killing a 13-year-old boy and injured another.

9 May 2011 – Killed two Islamic clerics, Sheikh Goni Tijani and Mallam Alhaji Abur at their residences in Mairi and Bulabulum wards of Maiduguri.

9 May 2011 – Killed Bauchi State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ibrahim Dudu Gobe and injured his son, Mohammed.

13 May 2011 – Two people killed by bomb explosion at London Chinki, Maiduguri.

15 May 2011 – Planted bomb at Lagos street, Maiduguri which injured two soldiers, three policemen. A policeman was also shot dead same day in the city.

29 May 2011 – Bombed Bauchi military barrack, killing 14.

31 May 2011 – Shot dead Shehu of Borno’s brother, Alhaji Abba Anas Garba El-Kanemi.

1 June 2011 – Five people killed during attack on police stations in Maiduguri.

12 June 2011 – Four persons killed at a drinking joint in Bulumkutu, Maiduguri.

16 June 2011 – Four children killed in a bomb explosioin at Damboa town, Maiduguri.

16 June 2011 – Bombed Force Headquarters, killing two people.

Timeline of bomb explosions

· October 19, 1986 – A parcel bomb kills Dele Giwa, the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch Magazine in Lagos.
· March 31, 1995 – A bomb explosion occurs during the launch of Maryam Abacha’s Family Support Programme.
· January 18, 1996 – A bomb blast at Darbur Hotel, Kaduna claims the life of a correspondent of The News, Bagauda Kaliho.
· April 25, 1996 – Explosion occurs at Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos.
· January 20, 1996 – A bomb explosion at Aminu Kano International Airport.
· November 14 1996 – A bomb explosion near the Murtala International Airport, kills the chief security officer of the airport, Olushola Omoshola and a man named Nelson Gbolahor Kasim.
· December 16, 1996 – Bomb blast rocks Colonel Buba Marwa’s convoy in Lagos.
· December 18, 1996 – A bus belonging to Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation was hit by a bomb explosion
· April 22, 1997 – A bomb blast in Evans Square, Lagos claims three lives and injures several.
· December 13, 1997 – Lt Gen Oladipo Diya escapes death at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
· May 12, 1997 – A bomb explosion occurs in front of the Federal Min of Works and Housing at Eleyele Road, near Jericho Hospital, Ibadan
· January 20, 2002 – An explosion at the Ikeja Military Cantonment after an accidental detonation of explosives leaves over 600 dead.
· May 28, 2005 – A bomb blast occurs at the residence of the Ikono Head of Council of the area, in Ikono Akwa Ibom State.
· November 25, 2006 – An explosion destroys parts of PDP secretariat in Bayelsa State.
· November 28, 2006 – A car bomb explosion kills one Godwin Aigbekhai in Owan East Local Council, Edo State.
· December 5, 2006 – Dynamites explode at the then Governor Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign office in Bayelsa State.
· December 11, 2006 – Thugs attack Ndudi Elumelu’s campaign office in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Delta, with dynamites in Delta State.
· December 23, 2006 – MEND claims responsibility for a car bomb that exploded outside the offices of Nigeria’s Rivers State government in Port Harcourt
· March 18, 2009 – A student of a Government Secondary School in Nasarawa State is blown to pieces by a bomb on a farm in the Ikeja Military Cantonment.
· July 12, 2009 – MEND attacks Atlas Cove, an oil facility in Lagos with dynamite and guns, killing 5.
· December 22, 2009 – A letter bomb purportedly targeted against Superscreen Television explodes midway to the station ‘s office.
· April 11, 2010 – A military grenade explosion at Dandin Kowa area of Jos, chops off the hands of Abdulsamad Mohammed (18) leaving him with multiple bruises.
· March 16, 2010 – Two bombs detonated at the post-amnesty dialogue organized by Vanguard newspapers in Warri, Delta State, killing one person.
· May 2, 2010 – A car explodes in he Yenagoe, Bayelsa, close to a guesthouse owned by the deputy state governor Peremobowei Ebebi.
· May 3, 2010 – An explosive device is detonated at a mechanic’s workshop along Melford Okilo Road, Bayelsa.
· October 1, 2010 – A twin car bomb explodes close to the Eagle square Abuja, killing 12, injuring 36.
· December 27, 2010 – A bomb explodes in Barkin Ladi, a town on the outskirts of Jos, Plateau State.
· December 24, 2010 – Three bombs explode in the central Nigerian city of Jos, kills 30
· December 31, 2010 – Explosion at Mogadishu Mammy Market, Abuja, claim four lives.
· April 7, 2011 – An explosion hits a polling booth at Unguwar Doki, Maiduguri, Borno State injuring more than ten people.
· April 8, 2011 – Bomb explosion at the Independent Electoral Commission office in Suleja, kills 11
· April 15, 2011 – Youths riding on a motorcycle, throw a locally made bomb into the premises of the Maiduguri council office of the INEC.
· April 21, 2011 – Two suspected bomb makers die in a blast in Kaduna.
· June 11, 2011 – A bomb blast is averted during at the United Methodist Church opposite the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi during a church service.
· April 25, 2011 – Three bomb blasts rip through Tudu Palace Hotel and Kano Motor Park in Maiduguri, Borno State.
· April 27, 2011 – A bomb blast is averted at on INEC collation centre in Oron, Akwa Ibom State several hours before the commencement of voting in the state.
· May 28, 2011 – 13 people die and 40 are injured after a blast occurred at the mammy market of Shandawanka Barracks in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital.
· May 29, 2011 – Eight victims lose their legs after an explosion occurred at Zuba, a suburb of Kubwa in Abuja.
· June 16, 2011 – A massive explosion at the National Police Headquarters building in Abuja.

Ways out of Boko Haram

1) Almajiri reform and enhanced
2) Effective poverty alleviation policies and enforcement by the government.
3) Isolate and address grievances of all interest groups as fair as possible.
4) Government regulation of preaching in religious gathering
5) Effective job provision and sustainability by the government
6) Enhanced criminal intelligence by the security agencies
7) Cooperation and intelligence sharing by the different intelligence agencies.
8) Effective implementation of police reform policies reducing the high turn over of the inspector general of police and establishing a legal procedure to elongate or fix a tenure of say five years for them.
9) Enhance border petrol and regulations of the influx of immigrants or aliens.
10) Put in place good policies to promote effective and efficient leadership, good governance transparency and a mechanism to check, prevent and totally eliminate corruption.
11) Put in place effective mechanism for conflict mediation and resolution and also an alternative dispute resolution.
12) Enhance the citizen security agencies relationship towards maintenance of Internal Security and stability.

Video: God Will Recover Nigerians From Boko-Harram Violence. Labaran Maku Minister for Information

2011-12-29T20:33:00.003-08:00