Friday 25 April 2014

Security Challenges of Rising Environmental Crisis in Ebubu


Security Challenges of Rising Environmental Crisis in Ebubu


Tragedy struck in Ejamah Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria when a young man was suffocated to death while digging a Suck Away pit.

We gathered that the victim, Mr. Emmanuel Okulu and his colleague were hired to dig the suck away pit. 

Investigations revealed that Okulu, an unemployed 30 years old man was inside the pit digging while his other colleague was outside the pit drawing out the bucket of sand when he noticed that the victim could no longer talk or move.  

Eye witness said when his colleague went into the pit with the aim of rescuing him; they were both trapped by the gas.

A rescuer who arrived few minutes later found Okulu and his colleague unconscious. His body, it was learnt, was seriously drenched in liquefied natural gas. He died on the spot while his colleague was rushed to the Sun and Star Clinic and Maternity at Ebubu from where he was referred to another hospital for further treatment.

It could be recalled that in January this year at Okpako Ejamah Ebubu, a woman was reported to have died after inhaling chlorine gas dumped in the area. 

Our investigation revealed that a chlorine gas container was said to have busted open and leaked into the atmosphere, affecting the respiratory system of many of the inhabitants of the area.

A Senior Minister of the Assemblies of God Church in the area, Reverend Eugene Osarobele decried the state of the environment of area. He pointed out that companies operating in Eleme and its environs use the place as a junkyard for various forms of toxic waste and other dangerous materials without recourse to environmental consequences of their actions. 

“My concern is how these businessmen that are inhuman can be controlled?” he said.

“Last year they dumped something which exploded and fire engulfed the whole place. People were burnt alive, properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, yet nothing was done about it.

“This year again, the same business people have come to dump chemicals and those mostly affected are pregnant women and children.”

The Paramount Ruler of Ejamah, Chief Isaac Osaro Agbara lamented the death of Emmanuel Okulu and called on Shell Petroleum Development Company to accept responsibility for his dead

 

A reliable community source also revealed that, “About two months ago, there was a crude oil leakage from the ground which was not far from where the pit was being dug which led to the dead of Okulu. SPDC visited the scene with their experts and armed soldiers. Indigenes and residents of the area were prevented from witnessing what they were doing. We believe that the chemicals spread around the area might have caused the death”. 

Expressing shock at the untimely death of Emmanuel Okulu his elder brother, John Okulu described the deceased as a cool and easy going person who would not look for people’s trouble. He wondered why SPDC who knows what killed his brother should now turn around to harass the bereaved family with police and other security agents.

 “They (SPDC) came here yesterday with their police saying they want to carryout autopsy examination on our brother. We have no answers to give to them, so we kept quiet. An autopsy on someone who died from liquefied natural gas’ suffocation after two weeks in the morgue?” he lamented.

“Besides, the police took my brother to the mortuary before informing me of his dead. Why is SPDC suddenly now interested in running from pillar to post, why are they playing hide and seek game, if they don’t know what killed my brother?” he queried. 

The level of pollution in the area is alarming. Right in the heart of the community, close to the stream (Wamba) that used to be the people’s only source of drinking water, fishing and swimming is a signpost erected by SPDC with the inscription, “WARNING! DO NOT DRINK, FISH OR SWIM HERE”; a multi-million Naira SPDC’s contract which we were informed was executed by the Eleme Local Government Council. Crude oil pipelines run through farmlands in all the communities of Ebubu, and functional pipelines are exposed to the elements here and there. Yet the people have nothing good to show for all these, except tales of devastation, deceases, sufferings and deaths.  

The Ejamah Ebubu Oil spill has been described as the earliest massive crude oil spill recorded in the Niger Delta. Although, literature on the spill is scanty, oral history in the area holds this catastrophic incident close to the people, and the lasting physical scars remain as real evidence of the disaster.  The Ejamah Ebubu spill site is a world-class oil pollution scene. A visit to the site recently by members of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) led by Professor C. P. Wolf, Dr. Amy Agofure and Dr. Osaro Ollorwi was heart touching and revealing.

A ruptured pipeline caused by an inferno that consumed nearly 40 homes, persisted for a long period and spread from Ejamaejor forest up to Wamba stream through Ochani swamp at which spots many people died in the fire. Large expanse of farmlands covering 255.369 hectares and biodiversity losses were recorded to the incident.

But despite judicial efforts to compensate and alleviate the suffering of the people arising from the pollution, ensure proper clean-up of the impacted areas and return the environment to its pre-impacted status, SPDC has continually turned down judicial pronouncements and regularly embark on endless appeals.  

The people are wondering aloud:  Having polluted the area to the point of warning the people to stay away from Wamba Stream, Ochani swamp and other impacted areas because the waters are not safe for human consumption, the fishes in it are contaminated and unsafe for human consumptionand swimming in the waters is dangerous, what alternative arrangements has SPDC made to take care of these essential needs of the people?

SPDC provided water for communities in Nchia, a distance of more than three kilometers from Ebubu and is busy blowing trumpets around the world announcing the provision of safe water for Eleme. What a shame? Our investigation disclosed that contract for second phase of the water distribution network has been concluded. But, even in the contract for the second phase of the distribution of the purported “Eleme Water Scheme” that is yet to be executed Ebubu and other clans of Odido are not captured therein as documents of the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources on the matter indicate.

Where do SPDC want the people of Ebubu to source for fish, a universal source of good protein from, despite visible poverty in the area perpetrated by SPDC’s donkey years of reckless oil and gas exploration and production activities? Who then is killing the people’s recreational life by polluting their waters and not providing them alternative swimming facilities and other water resources?

Despite being home of crude oil since 1956, Ebubu has been described as land of natural gas. Gas has been discovered in commercial quantities is Dabor, Mmeh and Nkoh Swamps and environs. A dig of up to 10 feet anywhere in Ebubu is enough to get to either oil or natural gas. It appears the people of Ebubu are living, moving and having their being on time-bomb that may likely explode anytime any day. While SPDC is invariably claiming sole ownership of natural resources in the area, we are of the opinion that the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law will go a long way to addressing the issues of exploration of abundant natural resources in Ebubu and across the country.  

 

The above scenario creates serious security challenges. It well known fact the world over, that national security is beyond the purview of military capability and blind application of force or strength. Effective and efficient management of the elements of national security is required for both national security and sustainable development. The correct mix of economic elements, social elements, environmental elements, women and youth elements and military elements, among others, is crucial to checking insecurity in our various communities.

Friday 18 April 2014

List of Nyanya Bomb Blast Victims Receiving Treatment in Various Hospitals in Abuja


List of Nyanya Bomb Blast Victims Receiving Treatment in Various Hospitals in Abuja


THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), yesterday, 17th April, 2014, in Abuja, released the names of 136 casualties of Monday’s bomb blast in Nyanya, Abuja, who were receiving treatment in various hospitals.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Sani Datti, NEMA’s Senior Public Relations Officer, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

A breakdown of the list showed that 11 of the casualties were receiving treatment at Nyanya and 26 in Asokoro General Hospitals.

The list showed that a 10-month-old baby was among the casualties receiving treatment in Asokoro General Hospital.

“Twenty-two casualties are also being treated in Maitama General Hospital, nine in Pan-Raf Hospital, Nyanya and 31 in the National Hospital, Abuja.

“Eight of the casualties are in Mararaba General Hospital, while 14 are in Custom Hospital Karu, including a physically challenged male.
 
 

Thursday 17 April 2014

MILITARY DENIES RESCUING SCHOOLGIRLS IN BORNO


Military Deny Rescuing Schoolgirls in Borno


The earlier statement issued by Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, Director of Defense Information, to the effect that the students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, who were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents were rescued by the military has been denied by the Defense Headquarters.

General Olukolade on Thursday had issued a statement which read, "The controversy that has been generated around the efforts at securing the lives of the abducted students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok is unfortunate. The ongoing frantic efforts of security forces along with vigilante groups including hunters working to locate and free the abducted students have continued to be keenly monitored at the Operation Centre of the Defense and Army Headquarters as regular progress reports are being received from troops on the ground.

"In this regard, a report was filed in from the field indicating that a major breakthrough had been recorded in the search. There was no reason to doubt this official channel; hence the information was released to the public immediately. Surprisingly however, the school principal, one of the sources quoted in the report has denied all that was attributed to her for whatever reasons. This is an unfortunate development indeed, yet the Defense Headquarters would not want to join issues with anyone.

"It has to be reaffirmed however, that the report forwarded to the public on this issue was in good faith and not intended to deceive the public as is being interpreted following the denials by the School Principal and Government of Borno State. Like all other citizens, the military is deeply concerned to ensure that the students are safe and freed alive. There is indeed no reason to play politics with the precious lives of the students. The number of those still missing is not the issue now as the life of every Nigerian is very precious.

"In the light of the denial by the Principal of the School, the Defense Headquarters wishes to defer to the School Principal and Governor’s statement on the number of students still missing and retract that aspect of earlier statement while the search continues” the statement concluded.

Liquefied Natural Gas Suffocates Man to Death


Liquefied Natural Gas Suffocates Man to Death


Tragedy struck in Ejamah Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria when a young man was suffocated to death while digging a Suck Away pit.
We gathered that the victim, Mr. Emmanuel Okulu and a colleague were hired to dig the suck away pit.  

Investigations revealed that Okulu, an unemployed 30 years old man was inside the pit digging while his other colleague was outside the pit drawing out the bucket of sand when he noticed that the victim could no longer talk or move.   

Eye witness said when his colleague went into the pit with the aim of rescuing him; they were both trapped by the gas.

A rescuer who arrived few minutes later found Okulu and his colleague unconscious. His body, it was learnt, was seriously drenched in liquefied natural gas. He died on the spot while his colleague was rushed to the hospital.

In January this year at Okpako Ejamah Ebubu, a woman was reported to have died after inhaling fumes from toxic materials dumped in the area. 

Our investigation revealed that a deadly chemical container was said to have busted open and leaked into the atmosphere, affecting the respiratory system of many of the inhabitants of the area.

A Senior Minister of the Assemblies of God Church in the area, Reverend Eugene Osarobele decried the state of the environment of area. He pointed out that companies operating in Eleme and its environs use the place as a junkyard for various forms of toxic waste and other dangerous materials without recourse to environmental consequences of their actions.  

“My concern is how these businessmen that are inhuman can be controlled?”, he said.

“Last year they dumped something which exploded and fire engulfed the whole place. People were burnt alive, properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, yet nothing was done about it.

“This year again, the same business people have come to dump chemicals and those mostly affected are pregnant women and children.”


Speaking to reporters in his palace the Paramount Ruler of Ejamah Clan, Chief Isaac Osaro Agbara lamented the death of Emmanuel Okulu and called on Shell Petroleum Development Company to accept responsibility for his dead.

A reliable palace source revealed that about two months ago, there was a crude oil leakage from the ground which was not far from where the pit was being dug which lead to the dead of Okulu. SPDC visited the scene with their experts and armed soldiers. Indigenes and residents of the area were prevented from witnessing what they were doing. We believe that the chemicals spread around the area might have caused the death.  

Expressing shock at the untimely death of Emmanuel Okulu his elder brother, John Okulu described the deceased as a cool and easy going person who would not look for people’s trouble. He wondered why SPDC should know what kills his brother and they are being harassed with police and other security agents.  “They (SPDC) came here with their police and staff saying they want to carryout autopsy examination on our brother. We have no answer to give to them, so we kept quiet. Autopsy on someone who died from liquefied natural gas’ suffocation after two weeks in the morgue?” he lamented.

“Why is SPDC interested in trying to evade responsibility if they don’t know what killed my brother?” he queried.  

The level of pollution in the area is alarming. Right in the community, close to the steam that used to be the people’s only source of drinking water is a signpost erected by SPDC with the inscription, “WARNING! DO NOT DRINK, FISH OR SWIM HERE”. The questions on the people's lips are:


http://www.ollorwiosaro.com.ng/
Having polluted the area to the point of warning the people to stay away from Wamba Stream because it is not safe for human consumption, the fishes in it are contaminated and swimming in it is dangerous, what alternative arrangements has SPDC made to take care of these needs of the people? SPDC provided water for communities in Nchia, a distance of more than three kilometers from Ebubu and is busy blowing trumpets announcing provision of safe water for Eleme. What a shame? From where do SPDC want the people of Ebubu to source for fishes, good suppliers of protein, despite visible poverty in the area perpetrated by SPDC donkey years of oil and gas exploration and production activities in the area? Why did SPDC choose to kill the people’s recreational life by polluting their water and not provide them alternative swimming facilities?   http://www.ollorwi.com.ng/

Wednesday 16 April 2014

National Conference Names Composition of 20 Standing Committees


National Conference Names Composition of 20 Standing Committees


 

The leadership of the National Conference on Tuesday, 15th April, 2014 announced the composition of 20 Standing Committees to facilitate the assignment of the Conference for the remaining period it would sit.

The National Conference was inaugurated on March 17 by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and is expected to last till June, 2014.

The list of the Standing Committees and their members was distributed to the delegates at the plenary session.

However, the Conference did not name the leadership of the committees. A source told reporters that the leadership of the committees will be announced during Wednesday’s plenary session, which begins at 4 p.m.

Many of the delegates did not get the list as the Chairman of the Conference, Idris Kutigi, announced with apologies that the machines printing the document broke down. He assured them that they would be given their copies on Wednesday.

The Committees are Devolution of Powers; Political Restructuring and Forms of Government; National Security; Environment; Politics and Governance; Law, Judiciary; Human Rights and Legal Reform; Social Welfare; and Transportation.

Others are Science, Technology and Development; Agriculture; Civil Society, Labour and Sports; Public Service; Electoral Matters; Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters; Land Tenure Matters and National Boundary; Trade and Investment; Energy; Religion; Public Finance and Revenue Generation; and Immigration and Related Matters.

All the committees except three have 24 members each. The Committees on Devolution of Powers and Political Restructuring, and Forms of Government have 28 members each while that on Religion has 18 members.

Prominent members of the committee on devolution are an elder statesman from the South West geo-political zone, Ayo Adebanjo; former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ahmadu Ali; former Petroleum Minister, Jubril Aminu; former National Chairman of the defunct National Advance Party, NAP, Tunji Braithwaite; former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; former Health Minister, Alphonsus Nwosu; and a former Senator, Gbemisola Saraki.

Some members of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government are a clergyman Tunde Bakare; former Ebonyi State Governor, Sam Egwu; Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae; President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Gary Igariwey; former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili; former Niger State Governor, Abdulkadir Kure; ThisDay publisher, Nduka Obaigbena; and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Ndongesit Nkanga; and former governor of Plateau State, Fidelis Tapgun.

The leader of the Odua Peoples Congress, Gani Adams; former FCT Minister, Jerry Useni; former governor of the old Cross River State, Paul Omu; and Zamani Lekwot are some of the prominent members of the Committee of National Security.

In the Committee on Politics and Governance are former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara; former senators, Femi Okurounmu’ and Florence Ita-Giwa; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba; former Environment Minister, Hassan Adamu; former Information Minister, Jerry Gana; legal luminary, Mike Ahamba; Onyema Ugochukwu; and Ray Ekpu.

Among the members of the Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Reforms are former NBA President, Olisa Agbakoba; former deputy governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor, Femi Falana; former Justice Minister, Bayo Ojo; former Legal Adviser to Sani Abacha, Auwalu Yadudu; and Mike Ozekhome.

In the Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters are former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba; former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu; former President of Ijaw National Congress, Kimse Okoko; former NUJ President, Sani Zoro; and former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa.

Some members of the Committee on Energy are former Justice Minister, Richard Akinjide; former Oyo State Governor, Rasheed Ladoja; former Minister of State for Petroleum, Edmund Daukoru; former senators, Yisa Braimoh, Femi Kila and John Brambaifa; and former governor of the old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo.

The former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; former Kaduna State Governor, Tanko Ayuba; a former senator, Azu Agboti; and Sergeant Awuse are the prominent members of the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue.

However, delegates could not comment on the list as a result of debate on the abduction of over 200 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State on Monday night in by Boko Haram insurgents.

Military Rescue Kinapped Students in Borno


Military Rescues Kidnapped Students in Borno


The Joint Security Operatives in Borno State have rescued about 80 students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School Chibok in Borno State who were abducted by the members of the Boko Haram insurgents on Monday, April 14, 2014.

The girls regained freedom on Wednesday morning after a group of vigilante, local hunters and soldiers went in search for the over one hundred girls abducted.

Our source reports that the insurgents, who were carrying the school girls in Tipper Lories, were alleged to have got stuck in the bush while they were trying to crossover some muddy area between Chibok and Askira/Uba.

According to the father of one of the rescued girls Malam Ali Iliya, “the girl said when the trailer got stuck; some of the girls jumped out and ran for their lives.

“They were scattered in the bush when the vigilante and local hunters found them. Some of them were wounded, some were with fracture, which I believe was as a result of jumping from the high vehicle, but we are happy that our children have been rescued.

“Now we are praying for those who are still with the Boko Haram; our prayer is that every father will have his child back”, he said.

Mallam Iliya disclosed that his daughter Hajara was sound and healthy but weak, stressing that “our children told us that when they started running, the insurgents didn’t shoot them.

“They allowed those who could run to go but those who could not run either as a result of fear or wound are still with them in the bush. My daughter said the abductors were over one hundred and that the girls were 243; she said the insurgents asked them to count themselves”.

Monday 14 April 2014

Abuja Bomb Blast: Deaths Toll Rises


Abuja Bomb Blast: Deaths Toll Rises


The authorities of the Nigeria Police and hospital sources have confirmed 71 people dead in Monday’s early morning bomb explosion at a Mass Transit Park in Nyanya, Abuja.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, said 71 people died, while 174 others were injured in the explosion which occurred at the rush hour.

Dr. Adetohun Osotimehin, the Chief Medical Director of Maitama General Hospital, Abuja told reporters that 14 dead and 27 injured people were brought into the hospital. She said that two others who were in critical conditions would be transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja for treatment.

She promised that the hospital would do everything within its capacity to ensure that those alive were given proper care.

The authorities of Wuse General Hospital confirmed that 15 dead people were brought into the hospital. Mr John Nimzing, the Head of Mortuary attendants in the hospital, told reporters that 11 people were brought in dead while four died on arrival at the hospital.

At Asokoro General Hospital, the Chief Medical Director, Dr Amodu Abubakar, said 27 bodies were deposited in the hospital morgue, while 25 people were receiving treatment for their wounds.

However, he said that more victims were still being brought to the hospital. He advised relatives of the victims to visit the hospital information centre to obtain information about their relations.

At the National Hospital, Abuja, 15 dead bodies were reported to have been deposited at the hospital morgue while no fewer than 40 casualties were receiving emergency treatment at the hospital.

Dr Yakubu Bukar, Consultant, Accident and Emergency, Garki Hospital, confirmed that one injured person was brought to the hospital.

He told reporters that the man was attended to upon arrival and found not to be in critical condition. According to him, the person sustained injuries at the back of his head and required several stitches.

Bukar said Garki Hospital was a private hospital so victims were not brought in to the clinic except for those whose relatives could afford the bill.

The victim, Mr Chima Okere, a businessman, told reporters that the explosion came from two white buses parked inside the Nyanya Motor Park by the gate.

“I was inside the El-Rufai (high capacity) bus as we were driving out to the highway we heard the explosion from the two buses. I saw so many people dead; some with their limbs dismembered from their bodies.

“I was lucky; I do not know how I survived. So, I thank God for my life as very many were not so lucky,’’ Okere said.

At Nyanya General Hospital, the authorities said no fewer than 100 injured persons received treatment.

Dr Frank Idekwu, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, said scores of the wounded were referred to other hospitals for further medical attention. The hospital, located less than 200m from the scene of the explosion, was the first port of call for those who sustained injuries.

“For those without open wounds we did a quick examination and asked them to report another day,’’ he said. Dr. Idekwu said the hospital had compiled a list of all persons treated and on admission at the hospital.

He advised those whose relatives had yet to be accounted for to verify from the hospital.

Meanwhile, the hospital, which is designed for women and children, has become a bee-hive of activity as relatives, friends and families combed the wards in search for their loved ones.

A relative of a survivor, Mr Friday Attah, a driver, who lives in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, told reporters that his brother’s cab was damaged by the blast.

“Somebody called to inform me that they saw my brother at Nyanya hospital and I am thankful to God that he is stable and alive,’’ Attah’s relative said.

A survivor, Charity Enang from Cross River, said she was inside a coaster bus when the blast occurred.

“All we heard was `boom’ and I saw people’s flesh flying out of the window of the bus. I couldn’t stand after I fell in the bus but one man carried me out of the bus and took me to an ambulance that brought me to Nyanya hospital,’’ she narrated.

Security Agencies on Red Alert as Bomb Explosion Rocks Abuja


Security Agencies on Red Alert as Bomb Explosion Rocks Abuja


The security agencies have been placed on red alert throughout the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja following the explosion that occurred in Nyanya bus stop on Monday morning.

CSP Frank Mba, Police Force spokesman, told newsmen in Abuja at the scene of the incident that the blast occurred at about 6.55 a.m.

“The FCT police are already on red alert; security in and around Abuja is being strengthened; we are paying very close attention to all vulnerable points.

“We are also paying close attention to motor parks. We advise the public to avoid unnecessary huge crowd. We are also paying close attention to government buildings.

“We want to appeal for calm, cooperation and patience,’’ he said, describing the incident as sad.

Mba confirmed that 16 high capacity buses, some cars and motorcycles were affected in the explosion.

He said investigation had begun.

“Experts from the Bomb Disposal Squad are on ground, the police are working with other security agencies.

“At this stage, we may not be able to give the casualty figure; the reasons are obvious; a lot of people are in the hospital; our detectives are visiting hospitals and taking count.

“We want to give you figures that we can back up with facts,’’ he said.

A survivor, Prince Igwe, however, said a vehicle was driven into the park and parked in front of the already loaded high capacity buses.

“The driver hurriedly parked and disappeared shortly after the explosion went off. I was inside one of the buses; I struggled to come out.

“Many people died,’’ Igwe said.

The car was burnt beyond recognition but its chassis number could still be located on the engine.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who got to the scene shortly after the blast, counted about 70 corpses at the scene.

The huge explosion left a big crater at the scene of the blast.

Those affected were passengers, mostly workers leaving the park to the city centre, petty traders and vehicles conveying passengers to other locations within and outside the FCT.

Police and other security agencies as well as paramilitary agencies carrying out rescue operation had hectic time controlling crowd at the scene.

The force spokesman appealed to them to leave the scene for unfettered investigation.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar; Commander of Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje and top security personnel visited the scene.

Sunday 13 April 2014

JAMB Postpones UTME in Borno State


JAMB Postpones UTME in Borno State


The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) yesterday postponed Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Borno State following Friday killings by Boko Haram in Borno State.

There were reports on Friday that Boko Haram insurgents attacked four communities in the State leaving scores of people dead including some JAMB candidates.

But, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of JAMB, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, while monitoring the conduct of the examination in Centres within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja however debunked the reports, saying the victims were not UTME candidates.

Prof. Ojerinde said the 400 candidates would be made to sit for the examination at a date to be announced later by JAMB, adding that they would be examined through the Computer Based Test (CBT).

Reacting to the reports of the killing of some UTME candidates by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno, Prof. Ojerinde said, “They were not JAMB candidates. Of course, they were attacked and Jamb candidates who supposed to go to Maiduguri have decided to stay at home.

“We will cater for them using the Computer Based Test. We are aware of that. In fact, they are just afraid of what would happen, that is why they did not go there. So they are not precisely JAMB candidates.

In the meantime, JAMB has insisted that the Paper Pencil Test (PPT) Examination mode would be scrapped from 2015, with all future enrolment to be on Computer Based Test.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, MacJohn Nwaobiala, confirmed the information while also monitoring the UTME at Base University, Abuja.

According to Nwaobiala, “The Computer Based Test is more efficient. It is something that is global in nature. I know that a lot of work has been done to ensure that by the time we transit completely next year to CBT, more candidates will easily flow and join the process.

A total of one million, six hundred and six thousand, seven hundred and fifty-three (1, 606, 753)candidates applied for the UTME examination  scheduled to be held in three hundred and ninety-two (392) examination towns in Nigeria and seven (7) foreign centres  this year.

The 2014 examination was conducted in the three modes namely, Computer Based Test (CBT), Dual Based Test (DBT) and Paper Pencil Test (PPT).

Saturday 12 April 2014

Child-Bride Murders Groom 17 Days after Wedding: Regrets Action


Child-Bride Murdered Groom 17 Days after Wedding: Regrets Action


Child-bride, Wasila Umar, accused of killing her husband and three of his friends while injuring many others after she served them poisoned food, in Kano, regrets her action.

Expressing her regret she said, “Mine was a typical example of youthful exuberance; it dawned on me shortly after that it was a joke taken too far to resolve a forced marriage question”, Wasila, 14, said. The killings happened only 17 days after their marriage.

The suspect, in tears as she spoke to reporters at Bompai police headquarters, Kano, where she is being detained, added: “I have never enjoyed the opportunity of going to Islamic school or acquiring Western education. My father forced me into this mess by stubbornly forcing me into a relationship I was not prepared to live in “.

Wasila Umar, who hails from Yansoro- Kademi in Gaya local government area of Kano State revealed that “though my target was my late husband, I must confess that my blood went cold when I realized I had committed mass murder”.

Wasila is now in police custody for killing her husband, Umar Sani, 35, and three of his friends on the spot even as 10 others were hospitalized shortly after eating a  local meal mixed with rat poison at Yansoro –Kademi, last week.

Narrating how she executed the mass murder, she confessed: “On the fateful day, my husband’s meal was prepared by the senior wife and put  in my room as I was due in fulfillment of his rotational duty in a polygamous setting.

“I obtained the rat poison for just N100 and, at my convenience, mixed it with the local dish prepared for him. When he returned home for the feast, he came with those who were destined to die with him. I was restless but could not stop it from happening.

“I felt normal and slept after the incident but the consequence of my action was clear when I was picked up by the police and I felt cold for the first time”.

She further explained that “destiny appears to have played a wicked one on me at this early stage of my life   and I would rededicate the rest of my life to sincerely seek Allah’s forgiveness”.

However, despite the overwhelming evidence the police have to prosecute the alleged culpable homicide, they seemed to be in a dilemma due to age of the suspect.

Commenting on the development the Kano State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Musa Majia, said “the case has been referred to appropriate authorities for the next line of action.:

“I am assuring you that Wasila would appear in court soon because we have limitation on the number of days we can keep a suspect no matter the perceived weakness of the case or the personality involved”, Magaji revealed.

JAMB Candidates Massacred in Borno


JAMB Candidates Massacred in Borno


Over 200 people including some students travelling to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Borno State have been reportedly killed by the Boko Haram insurgents. The students were among several persons that lost their lives in multiple attacks unleashed by the terrorists in four communities.

The Senator representing Borno Central in the Nigerian Senate, Zannah Ahmed, on Friday, accused the military of complicity in Thursday attack in parts of troubled Borno State where he claimed that 210 people were killed in attacks on four communities.

The communities included Dikwa, Gambulga, Gwoza and Kala Balge. Senator Ahmed claimed that the attackers were all dressed in military uniforms and spoke English language. This was a departure from the Hausa and Kanuri language spoken by the Boko Haram insurgents.

He also lamented that the authorities of the military post in Gamboru, which purportedly received a distressed call from the people of Kala Balge avoided the community, claiming that it was not in its area of command.

Ahmed who said he was compelled to speak out because his people were being killed on a daily basis, lamented “what happened in Borno was beyond understanding.”

“It is a must for me to speak since the people lives are involved and they are my people. All these are happening in my constituency and it will be wrong to keep quiet. I feel so much pained and would not have spoken but definitely my conscience will not let me do that”, he narrated.

He alleged that 210 people were slaughtered by marauders, who dressed in military uniforms and attacked the communities in two armored personnel cars and seven double cabin pickups.

According to Senator Ahmed, they attacked a Teachers College in Dikwa and killed seven people, burnt down the school library and administrative block.

He alleged that Kala Balge was the most devastated as 60 people were killed by the armed men who went on the rampage.


He explained that after they left Kala Balge they attacked three other communities in the area where a total of 150 persons were killed.

A reliable security source, however, said that the insurgents laid ambush for a group of students who were on their way to Biu from Maiduguri to write Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination (JAMB) scheduled for Saturday April 12, 2014.

It was also learnt that the JAMB candidates were riding in eight vehicles when they ran into the insurgents’ ambush.
It was, however, not clear whether the insurgents got the all occupants of the eight vehicles killed or not.
The incident was said to take place on Wednesday evening.

Stop this Underdevelopment of Nigeria


Stop this Underdevelopment of Nigeria

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? Ignorance of this truly explicit and indelible word is helping to under-develop Nigeria in this 21st century. Some of our politicians are best described as political cowards who speak from two sides of their mouth and act before thinking. Their deeds are underdeveloping us and therefore worrisome and wicked. They reflect the “Opposite Man” in all aspects of life. When they talk of democracy they mean dictatorship; when they speak of detribalization they signify ethnicity and religious fanaticism; when they say transparency and accountability they indicate secrecy and corruption; when they discuss competency they imply bad-apprenticeship; when they preach rule of law they connote rule of terror and impunity:  when they shout peace they unlash violence; when they pronounce security they suggest crime and fear of crime; when they announce  free and fair elections they saturate the whole place with guns and small arms and light weapons, entice the youths into political killing, propagate thuggrey, gangsterism and embark on do-or-die electioneering activities; when they proclaim loyalty they signify enslavement. But when you call for ideas they threaten and present excuses. We know why they stand excused! They cannot give what they don’t have. That is the reason why good people like you must come out to chase the bad people away through the instruments of ballot box. It is time for the good people of this country to come together to stop this underdevelopment of Nigeria through active participation in political activities. Don’t stand aloof; don’t sit on the fence. Remember, when the righteous rule, the people rejoice.  

Thursday 10 April 2014

Nigerian Security Agencies Invoked Protective Restriction on VIPs


Nigerian Security Agencies Invoked Protective Restriction on VIPs


 

The Nigerian Security agencies have restricted the movement of some dignitaries. The object of this restriction is not to curtail their fundamental human rights to freedom of movement, but to protect them.

According to the report, the Very Important Personalities (VIPs) affected by the “protective” restriction include: the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, former-President Shehu Shagari, former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and others are prominent emirs, governors, former-governors, ministers, former-ministers and some highly-placed Nigerians.

“The security agencies are usually updated with their movement schedules by their security details and where it is challenging to be in a place or an environment at any given period. But still there is a probability that something may go wrong when visiting any part of the Northeast – the heart of the Boko Haram insurgency”, the security source revealed.

It was learnt that where visits are inevitable, security will be strengthened to guarantee the passage of such personalities.

The travel advisory followed threats by Boko Haram to attack General Ibrahim Babangida and a former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari. Others targeted by the terrorists are Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his Borno State counterpart, Kashim Shettima, a former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and the Shehu of Borno.

Although the security walls around some of those on the wanted list of the insurgents seem impenetrable, it was learnt that the agencies have decided to take preventive measures to avoid any problem.

“Security agencies don't want the politically-exposed persons to be either victims of the insurgents or be caught in crossfire”, the source said.

According to security source, the restriction is in form of travel advisory. It is part of their new proactive steps to check insurgents who can hit any target.

"The killing of Gen. Muhammadu Shuwa, the attacks on the Emir of Kano and Shehu of Borno and others have made this restriction necessary," the source reiterated.

Many former-governors, Senators and members of the House of Representatives enjoy such services. Among them is a former governor in the Northeast who was once quizzed on alleged link with Boko Haram. The on-going security readjustment must, therefore, be made to trickle down for all Nigerians to embrace the attainment of a personal security-sufficiency as a long-term aspirational goal.

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Adopting Grassroots Intelligence System to Combat Terrorism and Other Crimes


ADOPTING GRASSROOTS INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM TO COMBAT TERRORISM AND OTHER CRIMES


One of the factors militating against Nigeria’s war against terrorism and other violent crimes is poor intelligence. Intelligence is an important factor in successful security operations management. Attempting to check insecurity without availability of real-time intelligence is like trying to cross a busy road blindfolded. It is suicidal as we are experiencing in the war against Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria and oil theft and vandalization of oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region. Intelligence information is the raw material with which security decisions are made and operations executed.   The case of the attempted jail break which led to the dead of no fewer than 21 Boko Haram detainees at the Department of State Security (DSS) Headquarters in Asokoro, a district of Abuja is a good example of failed intelligence. The increasing oil theft and vandalization of oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta is a proof of poor intelligence on the part of our security agents. The situation is deteriorating daily that those of us who are stakeholders in Nigeria’s security are beginning to wonder whether our advice and suggestions to improve the system is ever taken seriously.

The line separating national and corporate security management is so thin that it puts less pressure on efforts to adopt one to the other. In analyzing the ingredients of grassroots intelligence system (GIS) at the corporate level, it is the conviction of Osaro Ollorwi that managers of security at both national and corporate levels will benefit thereof. He pointed out that ignoring grassroots components of the social system exerts significant influence on strategic security management initiatives, resulting in escalating insecurity in all parts of the country. He stressed that there is urgent need for corporate bodies operating in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to establish, enlarge, train, equip and mobilize members of their Intelligence Units attached to Security Department or Division to penetrate hostile communities, identify key sources of information, and harness the appropriate intelligence information for effective security management and administration.  

We are aware that increasing awareness and agitation for better oil company and host community relations have made the task of security management in the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian economy more complex in recent times. Any approach short of a comprehensive Grassroots Intelligence-based strategy will settle for sub-optimum results. Playing the Ostrich will only worsen the already bad security situation in the country. Let us go back to the grassroots. It is simple, it is real, it generates the best of intelligence information.

Industrial security generally refers to measures designed to protect a company’s assets (tangible and intangible) and ensuring the protection of staff and customers interacting within the organization and its environment. Unlike in government, it is difficult to evaluate the environment of a particular company to determine if relative security has been achieved. Security is thus intended to reduce the possibility of detrimental incidents, and not necessarily to eliminate risks. Security then, is not static but dynamic as it depicts a state or condition that fluctuates in a continuum. As environment and human conditions change, so also does the logistics of protection. It is this phenomenal nature that makes security, within the context of productive business, highly complex. The sophistication is even more when the company is operating in a volatile multi-cultural environment like the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

It is in this light that companies operating in the Niger Delta region need to urgently reexamine their industrial security policy and strategy in relation to their main stream business operations. With respect to oil exploration and exploitation, most security agencies merely boast of peripheral security frameworks that do not adequately cover the entire business operations security-wise. The perennial crisis, intermittent fragile peace (uneasy calm) characteristic of the environment of most oil companies in the Niger Delta necessitate the urgent need for the establishment, enlargement, training, equipping and motivation of members of the Intelligence Units attached to Security Departments or Divisions to penetrate hostile communities, identify key sources of information, harness the appropriate intelligence information for effective security management and administration.

The gathering of these elements at the grassroots level and building a system of extracting relevant information that has intelligence values from them is the thrust of what is aptly described as Grassroots Intelligence System (GIS). These elements represent those vital intelligence sources that really do exist but are often ignored because of their apparent “commonness”.  Their nature portrays them as insignificant and therefore, of little or no value to strategic intelligence services’ administration. The status quo in question underscores the efforts to evolve a system that will cater for both the proactive and reactive security management system. This process is known as known as Grassroots Intelligence System builds from downwards to upwards. It is directed at forestalling the usual fire brigade approach to handling matters of strategic security and intelligence, particularly in the corporate environments.

Grassroots Intelligence is about the collection of information on a whole gamut of diverse issues. This collection must be selective if the efforts would serve any meaningful purpose. For an effective and result-oriented grassroots intelligence system which the corporate intelligence security can put in place to achieve meaningful results in host communities and other purpose, there must be a comprehensive systematic data collection scheme which should indicate the types and location of sources, informants, agents, and agencies to be used. With this plan, the priorities are defined according to the relative importance of the problems and threats faced by an organization.

Consequently, grassroots intelligence sources and agencies are employed with a view to:

1.       Detecting signs of the existence of clandestine activities in an area, which are inimical to growth of the company’s operations.

2.       Identifying persons of security interests and keep track on their activities.

3.       Penetrating and controlling suspects, their organizations and aims.

4.       Recognizing adversaries’ decision process, their targeting and attacking techniques.

5.       Making enquiries for the purpose of gathering information in aid of development of new sources.

6.       Assessing activities and progress of informants in order to determine or identify double agents who exploit corporate organization vulnerabilities.

7.       Assisting in information gathering for operatives as well as intelligence research concerns.

Technically, a Grassroots Intelligence System build-up is expected to make specifications of the following community perspectives:

·         Geographical and historical dimensions,

·         Population and active persons,

·         Administration including services and institutes,

·         Charity organizations and philanthropic individuals,

·         National and political organizations,

·         Past subversive, sabotage and criminal activities in the vicinities,

·         Critical predictions.

Let us deal with these specifications briefly, beginning with the geographical perspective.

The geographical specification usually addresses such crucial issues as:

1.       Particular location of host community.

2.       Main boundaries, with respect to rivers, mountains, hills, valleys fence, and open land.

3.       Topographic terrain of the area, relative to high, low, forest deserts, rivers, etc.

4.       Partitioning with respect to districts, villages, streets, and commercial/residential layout.

5.       Types of buildings found such as huts, tents, mansions, and others.

The historical specification addresses history of the area under scrutiny, which is of paramount importance in the build-up of the Grassroots Intelligence System. Under this section, the essential information has to do with the origin of the oil, gas or other natural resources settlement. Town or Local Government Area, occupants of the area, - place where the occupants migrated from; biological connections with other settlements outside the area, the extent of these connections (closeness or otherwise), and government recognition of the residents as real owners of the land or as mere settlers.

In terms of population and active persons, it is important to know the number of inhabitants of the area in order to help the company determine the type of developmental projects or infrastructure to be sited.

However, the actual in diligence need is not essentially a bout ascertaining this index. To cover an area effectively, it is strongly advised that the area be divided into several interest groups or sub-sections such as:

·         Ethnic groupings

·         Religious groupings

·         Age groupings

·         Political groupings

·         Economic groupings

·         Cultural groupings

·         Environmental groupings, amongst others.

Security intelligence will become more effective with the knowledge of the population of these sub-groups in relation to others and to the total population of the area.

In addition to the population, the following should also be identified within each sub-group or section:

a.       Leaders of each sub-section.

b.      Most important/influential personalities in each sub-section and the reasons why they are adjudged important.

c.       Relationship between sub-section, whether there are previous/existing wars, land disputes/tensions, or harmony/cordiality amongst them. Identify all the elements of hate and love and those possibly spearheading each.

Other vital characteristics of this sub-section include lifestyles, major occupants, dominant religious inclinations, marriage system, and commercial relationships.

Apart from leaders of the various sub-sections, every other person who in one way or another is capable of influencing any part or whole of the sub-sections need to be identified and placed under surveillance. In certain areas, these last, (but not the least) categories comprise the following:

·         Heads of Schools

·         Religious leaders

·         Business leaders

·         Community leaders

·         Youth leaders

·         Women leaders

·         Traditional leaders

·         Political leaders

·         Pressure group leaders

·         Labour leaders

·         Opinion leaders

Efforts must be made to specifically oversee their activities within the sub-section.

The administrative specification comprises services and institutes that make up the social system. The major components of this bit touch on education, health, religion, transport, water, electricity, charity, communication, commerce, centres of attractions, unions, associations, and so on.

The perspectives of educational system to be considered are:

a.        Total number/names of educational institutions in the area, especially Secondary Schools, Universities, Polytechnics and other Tertiary Institutions.

b.      Comprehensive list and total population of all students in these institutions, which should be updated annually.

c.       List of teachers, noting their levels of influence on the students.

d.      List of students’ associations in each of the institutions.

e.      List of academic and non-academic staff associations and their executives in the institutions

If there are students from the area studying elsewhere, their personal data should equally be on record. This would provide an opportunity to keep track on them in case they return to make trouble or try to provoke sympathy actions and reactions wherever they may be. Their places of study should also be noted, as well as those engaged in part-time programmes.

The health system has to do with hospitals and medical centres both private and public, existing doctors and nurses, and other paramedical personnel in the area; influential traditional medicine practitioners, and health insurance schemes, if any.

There is also the religious system which focuses on prevalent religions, principal officers of each religion, outreach associations including those set up on charity grounds, major sects having extremists, government-sectarian relations (noting especially the anti-government types), inter-sectarian relations, number of clashes in the past and the immediate and remote causes.

The means of transportation within an area as well as other parts of the region are of vital considerations. It is also important to consider the sources of water supply in the community, the providers of the amenities (is it the Federal, State, or Local Governments?). In some instances, the inhabitants’ sources of water are private ownership of bore-holes or possibly fetching drinking water from untreated and unsafe sources such as unclean streams or ponds must be examined vis-à-vis the internal anger it generates within the society, especially amongst women and children, and how this translate into violence in the area and disrupts economic operations.

As it is the case with potable water, data on electricity is of utmost relevance in Grassroots Intelligence System analysis. The critical questions include:

1.       Is the community linked to the national grid?

2.       Is the operating company or any other agency supplying the community electricity?

3.       Is electricity supply selective or comprehensive, covering the entire community?

In identifying available philanthropic organizations in the area, it is necessary to recognize their sponsors, which in most cases include governments, Non-Governmental Organizations, and private individual. The charity presentations may include money, projects, training, food, medicaments, scholarships, and others. The motive behind the charity, its donations, the movements of these funds, its custody and end use constitute security interest. Evidence abounds that some charities and zakats are used to fund terrorism and drugs trafficking, strengthen loyalty to the patron, and to back the patron’s radical ideology.  

Concerning communication, data could be generated by addressing crucial questions like:

·         Are there telephone facilities linking the community with outside communities?

·         Are there radio communication systems?

·         Are there other intercom media amongst community leaders? The impacts of GSM in information acquisition and dissemination within the area are also of security significance and must be incorporated into the grassroots intelligence system.

The centres of attraction also to be considered comprise public libraries, parks, gardens, cinema, sport/social clubs, and hotels (with accommodation facilities and those for catering only, alongside the rates chargeable). There may be some hotels patronized by prostitutes, which could serve as haven for criminals that should also be well noted. Some hotels may also be very popular for their conference halls facilities. The relationship between the owner of such private facilities and law enforcement agents is equally of security relevance.

For the unions and associations in the community, focus should be on pressure groups operating in the area, Community Development Committees, Community Based Organizations, Youths/Women Organizations, Clandestine Groups (Secret Cults, Area Boys, etc.), Social Clubs, Progressive Unions, and allied fraternities. Branches of unions and associations whose parents body exist outside the area which are either within or outside the country, leaders and prominent members of these unions and associations and their activities as well as places of gathering and meetings, and whether any of the unions and associations is operating illegally, should be identified and placed under surveillance and other security monitoring.

The economic perspectives in its own respect focuses on the main occupation of the people, their profession and places of engagement, existing stores and supermarkets and their owners (specifying their types and items dealt with), activities of employment agencies in creating jobs and expanding existing ones, labour union and their leaders, availability of markets and motor parks, and banks/insurance companies, as well as effectiveness of poverty alleviation programmes.

A community may also be playing host to some international, national and political organizations. Identities of their leaders should be known (whether they are charity or profit-oriented), and their movements and activities monitored for security reasons including acting as agents of terrorism funding.

Other concerns in this direction are number of registered political parties in active in the area and their leaders; the party in power in the local Government Area where the community is located, names of political office holders from the are at all levels of government, popularity of the party in the area and its followership, influential political party elders, and existence of notorious political party thugs in the community.

Alongside these are considerations of various forms of security threats and breaches, whose data have to do with:

1.       Nature of subversion in the past.

2.       Nature of on-going subversion, espionage activities, terrorism, etc.

3.       Prevalent criminal activities and pattern of violent crimes.

4.       Identified culprits, known ex-convicts, and juvenile delinquents.

5.       Rehabilitation programmes available in liaison with police and prison authorities and other voluntary agencies.