Tag Archives: Arms

“Surrender your arms”, Governor Bello issues ultimatum to armed groups in Kogi.

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The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has given seven days ultimatum to those in possession of fire arms and ammunition, in the central senatorial district of the state to surrender them to security agents or face the full wrath of the law.

Gov. Bello who gave the warning in Okene, the Headquarters of Central Senatorial District of Kogi state during a stakeholders meeting on the security challenges in the area, said the security and safety of Ebira land is pivotal to the security of the nation.

He also stressed that the geographical location of the district was enough for the government to take a decisive action in tackling insecurity in the area.

The insecurity challenges that as bedeviled the area which is made up of five Local Government Area is of top discussion.

The hall was filled to the capacity with the elder statesman, traditional ruler from various clan, National House of Assembly members, youths, top government functionaries all from Central Senatorial District are all in attendance.

Governor Bello, in his opening remark welcome the people to the town hall meeting, while he urged them to speak out their mind without fear, he said this will go a long way in saving the land from miscreant.

”Today we are here holding a town hall meeting with respect to security challenges not only in Kogi state,but in Central Senatorial District comprising of five local government, Okene, Okehi, Adavi, Ajaokuta and Ogori-mangogo.

”These senatorial areas are dominantly by Ebira people, If I am not mistaken we are 90 percent of Ebira people in these Senatorial Districts”.

The Governor had recently ordered the demolition of over 15 buildings in Okene that had been identifed as kidnappers den discovered with arms.

“This is the first time the people will come together to brain storm on  how to tackle the insecurity situation which has been a daily event since the creation of the state, while previous government paid no attention.

One of the elder statesman, Dr. Tom Adaba, who spoke to Channels Television  lamented over the incessant criminal activities in the area which had brought disgrace to the land, while he appealed to the Governor not to spear any one in his quest to rid the district of criminal element.

“The governor is making an attempt in wiping them out which is the best thing to do and having started, it is only right and proper that he gets to hear what the people think about it” Dr. Adaba lamented.

Also speaking, the Asema of Ezuka CLAN, Momoh Sani Isa, while thanking the governor for fighting crime in the area, he identified politicians as the problem, he said they formed the habit of arming thugs to unleash terror on their opponent.

“What almost destroyed the effort of the traditional ruler in tackling crime is dirty politics you know when the time come for politicians to campaign most of them don’t even regard the traditional rulers as people because they know, this people have no voice at the top and in an effort to get supporters they will not do what is right at whatever level, Isa added.

The Governor while speaking with newsmen warned politicians in the district who armed thugs to retrieve the weapons and hand them over to the nearest police station, to avoid being caught by the law.

Governor Bello also said there will be no sacred cow in the fight against criminality in the state.

 

Source: Channels TV

UPDATE: 2 customs officers surrender, another declared wanted.

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Abdullahi I and Odiba Haruna Inah, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officers declared wanted in connection with the importation of 661 pump-action rifles in Lagos, have reported to the authorities.

 

According the PUNCH, the wanted officers surrendered to the federal operations unit (FOU) of the NCS in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday.

 

Quoting a source, the newspaper  said the officers were being interrogated.

 

“They have surrendered for arrest. They came today shortly after they were declared wanted,” the source reportedly said.

 

“While one came in the morning, the other surrendered around 4pm. They have been taken into custody and are currently undergoing interrogation.”

 

On Monday, officials of the NCS uncovered 49 boxes in a mark truck with registration number BUG 265 XG, in the Mile 2 Apapa Road axis of Lagos.

 

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The weapons were concealed in the boxes.

 

Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of customs, had vowed that the officials who cleared the firearms would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

 

Subsequently, they were declared wanted.

 

Meanwhile, customs has also declared Yola Babakiri Ibrahim, another officer, wanted in connection with the rifles recovered.

President Buhari should work on mopping up arms in wrong hands – Journalists

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Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), a Nigerian media rights group, says the unpleasant situation in southern Kaduna has the potential of “throwing the entire country into a faith-induced mayhem”.

In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, the group recommended the launch of an intensive campaign aimed at mopping up arms in the hands of non-state actors across the country.

It also urged the president to create time to visit southern Kaduna, saying such a step will boost the dwindling trust in his government.

JODER counseled Buhari to appeal to northern leaders to organise  an all embracing ethnic and religious conference to deal with the festering crisis in the region.

Adewale Adeoye, executive director of JODER, said it was obvious that the political authorities in Kaduna state do not enjoy the trust and confidence of the disputants in the conflict, which necessitates the need for a third party to intervene.

“The Southern Kaduna crisis is just a metaphor for more crisis that may occur in the nearest future,” read the letter signed by.

“The moral authority of the mediating parties is very weak. There is deep suspicion by all the parties that the government sponsored mediators will not be able to resolve the deep-seated problems.

“One major solution is for the government to embark on a massive campaign to mop up arms in the hands of non-state actors, this should be backed by amnesty for those who hand over their arms in the first three weeks. The government should follow this task by encouraging people to hand over their illegally procured arms with barter for amnesty.

“The most frightening aspect is the international dimension to the crisis. A party in the dispute has succeeded in luring foreign interests whose primary motive is the continuation of the crisis instead of assisting in looking for a peaceful solution.

“The best that should happen is for all the state governors irrespective of political or religious affiliation, Christian and Muslim groups across the north to initiate a peace process that will bring together all the parties concerned for a peaceful resolution of the lingering feud. If this is not done on time, the possibility of chain solidarity reactions in Kaduna and outside Kaduna state is almost imminent.”

JODER urged Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to put together a working group of experts drawn from “ethnic, labour, religious” groups from across the country and from the international community to examine the reports of the past national conferences, including the Henry Willink commission of inquiry.

“If the government is courageous enough to do this, peace is certain to return and threats to peaceful communities will likely subside,” it said.

President Buhari authorizes airport security personnel to carry arms

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President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised aviation security personnel to bear arms in order to enhance security of passengers and installations across the nation’s airports.

Hadi Sirika, the minister of state for aviation, disclosed this when he briefed state house correspondents at the end of Wednesday’s federal executive council (FEC) meeting.

He said his ministry would partner with the ministry of interior and other stakeholders in the training of the affected aviation security personnel in arms’ handling.

“We are very serious about aviation security, just last week the president approved that aviation security should bear arms, so we are trying to make them take the form and shape of TSA of the US with K-9 dogs, handcuffs, the guards, the batons, light weapons, etc,” Sirika said.

“The minister of interior is helping us in that regard from the directive of Mr President, to partner with them and other stakeholders to ensure we keep our airports secure.

“So, very soon you will them with uniform, doing different functions and securing our airports.

“All these will be unveiled at the next stakeholders meeting.”

The minister also disclosed that the council approved N1.1 billion for the completion of the Kaduna international airport terminal building.

He said the contract for the rehabilitation of the building was initially awarded in 2011 at the cost of about N500 million.

He said the contractor noticed some structural damages to the building, which necessitated the variation of the contract sum to the N1.1 billion.

“FEC has approved the completion of Kaduna terminal building. It was awarded in 2011 and commenced in 2012,” he said.

“During the rehabilitation of the terminal building a contractor noticed some structural damages to the building itself and then increased the scope of what to be done to put it to use and that necessitated the variation of contract sum.

“The cost of variation is in excess of 15 per cent, it had to go to the then President Goodluck Jonathan for approval anticipation, that was approved and they went to BPP.

“So, we brought it to council today to ratify and of course taking into cognisance the exchange rate and inflation that has increased the cost of completion of the terminal building.

“Council has approved the completion of that terminal building and it will be completed in six months.”

Police Arrest Man Who Supplies Herdsmen Arms

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The police in Enugu have arrested a man who allegedly supplies AK-47 rifle to herdsmen.

The suspect, one Alhaji Samaila Garuba, alias Bakassi, who is from Shagari village in Sokoto State, was arrested in the 9th Mile area of Enugu on Tuesday morning.

Spokesman for the Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who disclosed this, said a herdsman, Ibrahim Adamu, who was arrested with an AK-47 in the Udi area of Enugu on August 29, implicated Garuba as the one who supplied the weapon to him.

Amaraizu added that the police had been on Garuba’s trail since Adamu’s arrest.

Garuba, according to the police spokesman, had been on the run, until he was arrested at a motor park on Tuesday morning.

Amaraizu said, “The Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force through its operatives of the 9th Mile Division, today, 6th December, 2016, nabbed a suspected notorious gun runner who allegedly supplied AK-47 rifle to one herdsman, Ibrahim Adamu, earlier arrested by the Command.

“Suspect who gave his name as one Alhaji Samaila Garuba, aka Bakassi, was earlier implicated by Ibrahim Adamu as the one that sold the AK-47 rifle to him.

“Garuba escaped when he got the information about the arrest of Ibrahim Adamu.

“His luck however ran out when intelligence information by the operatives paid off as he was trailed to a motor park situated at 9th Mile in Enugu early this morning, where he was nabbed after several efforts by him to escape.”

Amaraizu added that Garuba is currently helping the police in investigations into his “nefarious” activities.

The herdsman that implicated Garuba, Adamu, a 20-year-old man from Nasarawa State, was earlier arrested with an AK-47 assault rifle and 24 rounds of live ammunition in a bush in Affa community in the Udi area of Enugu State.

Until his arrest, Adamu resided at Hausa Quarters in the 9th Mile Area of Enugu State, but rears cattle in communities within the Udi environs.

Adamu had tried to evade arrest by firing several shots into the air, before the police took him into custody.

Many communities in Enugu State have recorded violent attacks by herdsmen, in which several persons have lost their lives.

Credit: punchng

FRSC Officials To Start Bearing Arms

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The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) says it is taking steps to arm its roadside personnel for their safety.

 

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, made this known after detailing an increased rate of personnel casualties at the commission.

 

This was one of the issues that emanated from the year-ending strategy session convened by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

 

Bringing together all state commanders and sector heads of the FRSC, Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi noted that 2016 has seen an unprecedented rate of intentional violence against Road Safety officials.

 

 

With the implementation of a reviewed road safety enforcement strategy, the FRSC has recorded an unprecedented 25% reduction in road fatalities and a 15% reduction in road accidents.

 

In actual terms, there were 4,005 deaths and 7,657 road crashes at the end of the 47th week in 2016. And while progress has been made with greater operational efficiency, unprovoked vehicular criminality has proven much more difficult to check.

 

He emphasized that with the death of over 70 FRSC personnel in 2016 alone, there has been an increase in personnel casualties at the hands of motorists who drive on the wrong side of the law.

 

The Corps Marshal emphasized that such violent acts would soon be met with the full force of arms.

 

He made it clear that the act establishing the commission allows them to bear arms.

 

While the FRSC intends to protect road users, they believe recent trends necessitate measures that will safeguard the guardian; measures they hope would eliminate unjustifiable acts of violence against their personnel.

Lagos Police recover cache of arms in FESTAC

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The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, on Monday announced the recovery of caches of arms in FESTAC area of the state.

 

Mr. Owoseni said the recovery was made at 6th Avenue. He said two AK 47 Riffles, 24 AK 47 fully loaded magazines, one Browning Pistol and magazine were recovered.

 

Other arms recovered, he said, included 951 ammunition of 752 mm size and 1,107 ammunition of 6mm size.

 

Mr. Owoseni, who confirmed this during his weekly briefing on the activities of the command, stated that the Police are doing their best possible to uncover the persons behind the stockpile.

 

He, however, did not say if anyone was arrested in connection with the recovery.

 

The commissioner further said that in the last two weeks, 28 robbery suspects and two kidnap suspects were arrested.

 

He added four of the robbery suspects were shot dead during an exchange of gunfire with the police.

 

Mr. Owoseni said 16 different types of guns, 24 AK 47 magazines, one pistol, 1, 083 ammunition, three cutlasses and 10 vehicles were recovered from the suspects.

 

The suspects, arms, ammunition, vehicles and other items were shown to journalists at the state police headquarters, Ikeja.

Arms scandal: Panel submits final report, indicts top FG officials.

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After 14 months of painstaking work, the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Nigerian Armed Forces (2007-2015) has submitted its final report to President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was gathered from highly placed sources that Buhari received the final report at the presidential villa on Sunday from the Air Vice Marshal J.O.N Ode (rtd)- led panel.

It was authoritatively gathered that the report, a copy of which was made available to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), indicted some influential officials of the administration.

Also indicted in the report, according to sources, are former ministers of defence, senior military officers, a permanent secretary and top officials of the Ministry of Defence.

A former Chief of Army Staff, an erstwhile Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) and some former service chiefs were indicted in the final report.

Some firms, which executed contracts with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Ministry of Defence, were also recommended for prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for various infractions.

The probe cut across the Ministry of Defence, Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian Navy (NN), and Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

One of the sources, who spoke on the final report, said: “I can reveal to you that the 13-man panel, which was set up in August last year, submitted its report to the C-in-C on Sunday.

“A copy of the report was given to the NSA, having regard to the fact that he inaugurated the panel.

“The report is very weighty, as it indicted and recommended for further investigation, a very officials in the current government, a former minister, who was very influential in the last administration, and a permanent secretary.

“Some top officials of a strategic ministry were also indicted and recommended for further probe by the EFCC.”

The source added that recommendations were made for the recovery of huge sums of money from individuals and firms indicted. It was learnt that some top government officials were indicted for “sharing” money meant for procurement of equipment among themselves.

The arms panel established that the procurement processes were arbitrarily carried out and generally characterised by irregularities and fraud. A highly placed source said the panel had interrogated some of the indicted officials, serving and retired officers, and some contractors. The Federal Government is expected to release the final report any moment from now.

Three months after he assumed office last year, Buhari had inaugurated a 13-man panel to probe procurement of arms and related military contracts, between 2007 and 2015.

Before the final report,the panel had turned in two interim reports, which indicted serving and retired military officers. Before the final report, the 13-man panel had released two interim reports, wherein it indicted a former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd); former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd); former Chiefs of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Azubike Ihejirika (rtd), and Lt.- Gen. Kenneth Minimah (rtd); and ex-Chiefs of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal M.D Umar (rtd), and Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd).Other serving and retired senior officers earlier indicted were: Maj.- Gen. E.R. Chioba (rtd), AVM I.A. Balogun (rtd), AVM A.G. Tsakr (rtd), AVM A.G. Idowu (rtd), AVM A.M. Mamu, AVM O.T. Oguntoyinbo, AVM T. Omenyi, AVM J.B. Adigun and AVM R.A. Ojuawo. Also indicted were: AVM J.A. Kayode-Beckley, Air Cdre S.A. Yushau (rtd), Air Cdre A.O. Ogunjobi, Air Cdre GMD Gwani, Air Cdre S.O. Makinde, Air Cdre A.Y. Lassa, Col. N. Ashinze and Lt Col. M.S. Dasuki (Rtd). Many contractors, former ministers and government officials are facing prosecution in respect of the arms scandal. The panel had said at the time that:

“The procurement processes were arbitrarily carried out and generally characterised by irregularities and fraud. “In many cases, the procured items failed to meet the purposes they were procured for, especially the counter insurgency efforts in the North-East.

“A major procurement activity undertaken by ONSA for NAF was that concerning the contracts awarded to Societe D’ Equipment Internationaux (SEI) Nig Ltd. between January 2014 and February 2015, NAF awarded 10 contracts totalling $930,500,690 to SEI Nig. Ltd. “Letters of award and End User Certificates for all the contracts issued by NAF and ONSA respectively did not reflect the contract sums.

Rather, these were only found in the vendor’s invoices, all dated 19 March 2015.” A statement by presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, had said the Ode-led panel “comes against the background of the myriad of challenges that the Nigerian Armed Forces have faced in the course of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, including the apparent deficit in military platforms with its attendant negative effects of troops’ morale.

“The committee will specifically investigate allegations of non-adherence to correct equipment procurement procedures and the exclusion of relevant logistics branches from arms procurement under past administrations, which, very often resulted in the acquisition of sub-standard and unserviceable equipment.”

Lalong Grants Plateau Residents Amnesty On Arms

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Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has promised to grant amnesty to  residents in possession of illegal arms who are willing to surrender them  to security operatives.

Governor Lalong made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven in Jos, the state capital.

Plateau State has had its own share of crisis in recent times which has claimed many lives, leaving many people displaced while properties worth millions of naira was destroyed.

The unfortunate situation  has paved way for the proliferation of light and small arms which is now the challenge bedevilling security operatives in the state.

Governor Simon Lalong who was on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Special Task Force, Operation Save Haven, with some of his officials were taken round the base for an inspection of the environment.

The large arms and ammunition displayed were to said to have been seized in various parts of the state by the Special Task Force deployed to restore peace, law and order in the state.

Governor Lalong who was surprised by the large quantity of the seized arms immediately announce his decision to grant amnesty to any one in possession of illegal weapons either locally made or foreign.

In his remarks the Commander Operation Safe Haven, Brigadier General Nicholas Rogers, suggested that some of the manufacturers of such weapons can be employed by the defence weapons industry if they sincerely come out.

He advised Plateau State residents in possession of illegal arms  to take advantage of this opportunity to surrender their weapons for the sustainability of the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.

Credit:

http://leadership.ng/news/555038/lalong-grants-plateau-residents-amnesty-on-arms

Army Kills Seven Militants In Bakassi, Recover Arms

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Troops from the 13 Brigade Nigerian Army Calabar, at the early hours of Friday, repelled an attack on its soldiers by killing seven armed militants at Efut Esighi in Bakassi local government area of Cross River State.

Capt. Kayode Owolabi, Army Public Relations Officer who disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Calabar, said the militants attacked the Army post in Efut Esighi.

Owolabi linked the militants to be `boys’ of the most wanted militant leader, Benjamin Ene a.k.a `G1’, who has been on the wanted list of security agencies in the state.

“The very determined troops from the 13 Brigade and Operation Delta Safe, repelled an attack from armed militants at Efut Esighi in Bakassi local government area this morning.

“The militants tried to attack the Army post in Efut Esighi. Some of them were wearing Nigerian military camouflage.

“We recovered 250 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, rocket propelled gun luncher, GPMG belt links and various charms on their bodies. Other militants escaped with very serious gun shots injuries.

“There was no casualty on the side of the military. Our men were in full combatant during the attack.

“We have also destroyed their camps and shrines in the creeks,’’ he said.

The APRO said the 13 Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Bulama Biu, had warned that no militant group or criminal under any guise would be spared.

Read More:

http://punchng.com/army-kills-seven-militants-bakassi-recover-arms/

“We Shall Take Up Arms If The Government Tries To Displace Us Again” – Abuja Indigenes

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Ten years ago, Bala Iyah and his family left their home in the Nigerian capital of Abuja never to return. He says the Nigerian government forced him and hundreds of families to leave their ancestral homeland.

 

They resettled in another neighbourhood of the capital, Kpaduma. There was no running water and no electricity, but Iyah and the others had to make the place habitable.

 

“We were never compensated [for our land],” the 49-year-old farmer says. “[The government] just told us to go, and that’s why we are here now.”

 

Iyah and the Kpaduma community dwellers are among the indigenous people of the Nigerian capital. Nine ethnic groups, numbering at least a million, claim Abuja as their ancestral homeland.

Abuja was designated as the new Nigerian capital in 1976, replacing Lagos, which had become highly congested and over-populated. It was considered an ideal alternative because of its central location and the fact that it did not belong to any of Nigeria’s three largest ethnic groups: Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa-Fulani. As such, it was perceived as a neutral area that wouldn’t cause any unrest.

Bala Iyah, a 49-year-old farmer, says Abuja is his ancestral land

Not a no-man’s land

 

But thousands of the original inhabitants of Abuja were displaced to make way for the construction of Nigeria’s new capital. Many of these people are angry at the way the only home they’ve ever known has been portrayed as a “no-man’s land”.

 

Under Nigerian law, the government can revoke land ownership from its citizens. Abuja indigenes say they are frustrated by what they see as an injustice.

 

After pressure from the residents of Kpaduma, the government provided them with electricity, which, according to locals, is intermittent. Open sewage runs through their yards, and rough dirt roads rise and fall on the crevices of rocky hills.

 

There is no hospital, the primary school is falling apart and the community is pleading with the government to build a secondary school. The community’s older children must trek several kilometres outside of Kpaduma to attend the nearest secondary school, crossing busy roads en route.

 

At least three youths from Kpaduma have died this year in road accidents on their way to school. Iyah says that the number of children in Kpaduma who have been hit by cars in the past decade is too many for him to remember.

‘Ready to take up arms’

 

Abuja indigenes pride themselves on their non-violent culture. They refer to themselves as a “peace-loving people”, but say that their ongoing displacement means they must become more aggressive in their protests.

“It’s now clear that the federal government has never given attention to unarmed citizens,” says Yunusa Yusuf, the spokesman of the Coalition of the Federal Capital Territory of Indigenous Groups.

 

“Now, our people have sworn due to the continuous marginalisation, deprivation and exclusion from the government, our people are ready to take arms if that is the only solution for dialogue.“

Why Buratai, Danbazau Were Not Indicted In Arms Scandal Report – FG

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The Muhammadu Buhari administration says the report of the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Armed Forces (2007-2015) was not doctored to remove some names.

A statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, dismissed claims that the arms report was doctored as “untrue”.

The statement was signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Segun Adeyemi.

The report, released Thursday, indicts former chiefs of army staff, Kenneth Minimah and Azubuike Ihejirika, and other senior past and serving military and civilian officials.

But the findings, approved by President Buhari, have sparked widespread allegations of bias.

Many Nigerians accuse the government of being selective and refusing to indict key members of the current administration, believed to have played questionable roles in military procurement since 2007.

Critics cite the Minister of Interior, Abdurrahman Danbazau, who was the Chief of Army between 2008 and 2010, as an example.

In his statement, however, the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, said what had been released in the arms report so far was the report of the audit covering the period 2011 to 2015.

He added that the committee would commence the audit of procurement from 2007 to 2010 as soon as the necessary documents were available.

“When the documents regarding procurement from 2007 to 2010 are available and scrutinised, the committee will then issue its report on that.

“The audit is being done on phases, and the report that was released on Thursday is the third of such,’’ he said.

Mr. Mohammed said the federal government’s anti-corruption fight was non-discriminatory and called on Nigerians to keep an open mind as events unfold.

“No one should attempt to distract from the seriousness of the issues involved in this audit of defence equipment procurement,’’ he urged.

The minister said with more than N185.8 billion and 685.3 million dollar spent on procurement and operations within the period, the irregularities in the awards denied the military from getting value for money.

He emphasised that the corruption in the defence sector had very serious consequences for the country.

Credit: PremiumTimes

US To Give $600m As Assistance To Nigeria This Year – John Kerry

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US Secretary of State, John Kerry, says the US government will be giving $600 million as assistance to Nigeria this year. He said this while speaking at the opening session of the U.S- Nigeria Bi-National Commission meeting in Washington DC yesterday March 30th.

“Our development assistance this year will top $600 million, and we are working closely with your leaders – the leaders of your health ministry – to halt the misery that is spread by HIV/AIDS, by malaria, and by TB. Our Power Africa Initiative is aimed at strengthening the energy sector, where shortage in electricity has frustrated the population and impeded growth” he said

Over 1,500 Militants To Surrender Arms To FG

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Following the intervention of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, over 1500 Niger Delta militants have expressed their desire to embrace amnesty and surrender arms to the federal government.

Commanders from Arepo, Ikorodu, Abule, Fatorla, Ibafo, Magboro, Epe, Itokin, Ilepete, Okenekene, Agric, Gbokoda camps, Camp 5 and environs, in a statement made available to Daily Sun, expressed their desire to surrender arms and embrace the amnesty program as long as the Federal Government is sincere.

The groups hinged their decision on the peaceful approach of Kachikwu, even as they declared that all Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) facilities and its subsidiaries must work for Nigeria’s progress and economic efficiency in the face of dwindling oil prices.

The statement signed by General OC Babaeere and General America Tekeiminikpoba on behalf of other commanders, said: “We write to express our desire to surrender our arms and embrace the amnesty program as long as the federal government is sincere.

“With the timely intervention of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, we the Commanders from Arepo Camp, Ikorodu Camp, Abule Camp, Fatorla Camp, Camp 5, Ibafo Camp, Magboro Camp, Epe Camp, Itokin Camp, Ilepete Camp, Okenekene Camp, Agric Camp, Gbokoda Camp and their environs, have made up our minds to accept amnesty because of the peaceful approach of the Minister of State for Petroleum.”

Credit: Sun

Dasuki Opposes FG’s Application To Revoke Bail

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The immediate past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has filed a notice of preliminary objection opposing applications by the Federal Government for the revocation of the bail granted him by a Federal High Court in Abuja after his arraignment for four counts of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms on September 1, 2015.

Dasuki’s lawyer, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), also informed Justice Adeniyi Ademola on Tuesday that he filed on behalf of his client another notice of preliminary objection against an application by the Federal Government seeking to halt the execution of the order granted the ex-NSA on November 3, permitting him to travel abroad on health grounds.

Dasuki, whose presence in court had been dispensed with pending the hearing of pending interlocutory applications, was absent from the Tuesday’s proceedings.

Prosecuting counsel, Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), informed the court that he was just served on Tuesday morning the defendant’s notice of preliminary objection to the Federal Government’s application for stay of execution of order permitting Dasuki to travel abroad.

He asked for an adjournment to enable him to respond to the notice of preliminary objection.

With consent of Dasuki’s lawyer, Justice Ademola adjourned hearing of the applications till January 20, 2016.

Justice Ademola had granted bail to Dasuki on self recognition and seizure of his passport on September 1.

‘The N4.6billion I Received From Dasuki Was For Spiritual Purpose’ – Ex-Sokoto Governor, Bafarawa

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The alleged diversion of $2.2 billion meant for arms purchase by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan continue to generate more revelations as former Sokoto State Governor Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa denied receiving any money from the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA) retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

Controversy has led to arrest of Dasuki and some prominent Nigerians by the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A statement in Abuja yesterday by one of his aides, a former Special Adviser on Youths and Students Matters during his term as Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Akibu Dalhatu said Bafarawa has no deal
with the former NSA nor collected any money from him for any purpose.
Besides, Dalhatu lamented what he called deliberate media campaign aimed at tarnishing the image of the former governor saying it appears that the media was being used to play out a script that has been written long before now.

“The truth is that Governor Bafarawa went to the EFCC to honour an invitation made to him by the agency while he was abroad. He had informed them through a letter by his lawyers that he was abroad and would honour their invitation on return. Governor Bafarawa went to the office of EFCC with his lawyer and an aide,” he added.

However, Bafarawa had stated that he received N4.6 billion from Dasuki for “spiritual purposes.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also added its voice to the matter calling for stringent punishment for those found guilty.
NLC president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba told journalists yesterday in Abuja that capital punishment for offenders cannot be ruled out to stem the tide of corruption bedeviling the country.

Wabba noted that the mind-boggling revelation by the erstwhile Director of Finance to Dasuki, Shuaibu Salisu, should be commended and should be well protected as a whistle-blower.

Source: DailyTrust

Dokpesi’s Lawyer Speaks On EFCC Probe, N2.1bn Arms Money Scandal

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Mike Ozekhome, the lawyer to Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, has said he was not aware his client received money from the office of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki.

Mr. Ozekhome also said reports that Mr. Dokpesi was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ,EFCC, over the alleged payment, were not correct because Mr. Dokpesi went on his own to the anti-graft agency after receiving a call from its chairman.

“I am not aware the chief collected any money,” he said, referring to Mr. Dokpesi.

“The chief called me earlier in the afternoon to say he received a call from the chairman of the EFCC wanting to see him and I sent one of my lawyers to accompany him. He was not arrested by any group of operatives,” he said.

Mr. Ozekhome said prior to Tuesday’s invitation of Mr. Dokpesi, there was no formal communication from the EFCC to him.

“What I know is that the EFCC wrote to Daar Holdings asking for a list of directors and whether it has done any business or contract with the office of the NSA in the past and how much was involved.

“We wrote them a reply to say Daar did not do any contract with the office of the NSA and we are ready to give them all the information they need,” he said.

The EFCC has arrested a number of individuals indicted by a presidential investigations committee into arms procurement by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Police Uncover Plans To Import Thugs, Arms For Kogi Governorship Poll

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The Police said on Friday said it has uncovered plots by some unknown persons to “smuggle in” thugs and ammunitions with the intention to disrupt Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, Leroy Sotonye, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Lokoja, the state capital, also said travelers going through the state would be restricted, screened and properly searched in order to forestall breakdown of law and order during the poll.

The police chief spoke as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and governor of the state, Idris Wada, alleged that one of the parties, the All Progressives Congress, had concluded plans to manipulate the election.

Mr. Sotonye, who was briefing journalists on the rules of the election, urged travelers to either postpone their journeys, seek alternatives routes or go by flight in order to avoid the inconveniences that might be experienced on Election Day.

“If you know you are going to travel through Kogi State, you are advised to either postpone, suspend the trip, go by flight or take alternative routes because you will be stopped by the police,” Mr. Sotonye said.

“We have intelligence that some people are trying to smuggle in thugs and ammunitions and all sorts of things.

“You will be screened and searched. It will be a distraction to the police and we don’t want to be distracted.”

The DIG warned politicians and troublemakers to stay away from polling units and election area as the police were prepared to deal with offenders during and after elections.

Credit: PremiumTimes

I Was Never Invited By Panel On Arms Purchase– Dasuki

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The former National Security Adviser (NSA) Colonel Sambo Dasuki, has denied ever receiving any invitation letter to appear before a committee set up by the current administration to investigate procurement processes relating to any arms transaction by the last administration, under which he served.

Colonel Dasuki told an online publication, Premium Times that the DSS is determined to re-arrest him without any court warrant or fresh charges.

He said that his current travails started on Tuesday after Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court ordered his passport returned to him to enable him go abroad for medical treatment.

He added that he received “intelligence” that an order was given to the operatives to effect his arrest at the airport.

As a result, he failed to leave on Wednesday as arranged.

Credit: ChannelsTV

DSS Takes Dasuki To Court Over Illegal Firearms Possession

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The Department of State Services has charged a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), to court over illegal possession of firearms.

The service, in a statement by a DSS official, Tony Opuiyo, on Monday in Abuja, said Dasuki was charged to court for owning firearms without license.

The DSS had, on July 16, 2015, carried out a search operation on the ex-NSA’s residences in Asokoro, Abuja, and Sokoto, where its operatives claimed to have recovered seven high calibre rifles, including magazines and military gears at the houses located at 13, John Khadya Street, and 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both in Asokoro, Abuja, and 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

The agency also recovered 12 new vehicles, including five bullet-proof cars from Dasuki’s house, the ownership of which could not be explained by the embattled former NSA, and which investigators believe must have been purchased with proceeds of corruption.

The DSS had claimed that it searched Dasuki’s homes “based on credible intelligence linking the imme­diate past NSA with alleged plans to com­mit treasonable felony against the Nigerian State.”

But in the statement on Monday, the service said it charged him to court based on evidence so far obtained, which relates to possession of fire arms without license punishable under section 27(i)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.

The statement reads, “You may recall that on July 16, 2015, the Department of State Services carried out a search operation on properties belonging to the immediate past National Security Adviser, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (Col/rtd), in Abuja and Sokoto.

“This action was necessitated by credible intelligence which linked him to acts capable of undermining national security. The search operation led to the recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition, among other things and for which further investigation was conducted.

“?Consequently, on Monday 24, August, 2015, he was charged to court based on evidence so far obtained, but which relates to possession of fire arms without license punishable under section 27(i)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.”

The service said Dasuki’s arraignment was in line with democratic practice and “our avowed commitment to the rule of law, in which nobody is deemed to be above the law no matter how highly placed in the society.”

It added that the public would be duly informed as the matter progresses.

Meanwhile, the service said it had recommitted itself to the fundamental role of providing adequate security for all Nigerians to enable them pursue their legitimate aspirations and businesses.

Buhari To Probe Arms Purchase Under Jonathan

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President Muhammadu Buhari will order an investigation into contracts involving the procurement of weapons for the military under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this while featuring on a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, on Sunday evening. Shehu spoke a few days after the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, said he led a military that was ill-equipped.

A former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), had also said while some weapons and equipment procured by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan were used to
fight insurgency during the latter days of his tenure, some others were still being awaited.

The presidential spokesman said Buhari was interested in taking stock of every naira that left the national treasury and for what purpose. He said Nigerians were aware that books were already being checked and the exercise was not limited to the oil sector.
He said, “The President is interested in every penny that leaves the Nigeria’s treasury.

“As you are aware, records are being checked right now, not only in the oil sector, but also in the various departments of g overnment.

“So, Mr. President is really interested in what has happened to the equipment that have supposedly been bought and supplied, some of which might be there on the ground or might not be.

“Only a thorough audit will actually reveal this. The disclosure has been made about substandard (equipment) in the Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram.”

Shehu reiterated Buhari’s desire to urgently end the activities of the Boko Haram sect. While saying that normalcy is gradually being restored, the presidential spokesman noted that there is currently no territory in the control of Boko Haram.

“The insurgents have been degraded. They are in disarray without a central command and coordination,” he declared.
Shehu said the President would not send troops to the warfront without ensuring that they are properly equipped and taken care of.

“Just on Friday, at the National Defence College, Mr. President was committing himself to the fact that our military will be well taken care of in terms of their welfare, in terms of their equipment and in terms of the motivation they need to confront these insurgents.

“We are already beginning to see the fruits of this because as we speak right now, Boko Haram is in disarray.

“And what we are witnessing now; that is, occasional bombings and suicide attacks, characterise only one thing globally. And that is that, the dying days of the insurgency. It’s just a matter of time, we’ll get there,” he said.

Boko Haram Runs Out Of Arms, Ammunition, Says Escapee

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Remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists have run out of arms and ammunitions, as the Nigerians military intensifies attack on Sambisa Forest, an escapee and military sources have revealed.

This is even as the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade confirmed to newsmen in Abuja that ground troops with support from airstrikes have stormed sambisa forest combing terrorists from their hideouts.

Although, Olukolade did not disclosed whether military troops have succeeded in killing or destroying terrorists camps in the ongoing raid which began on Wednesday, an escapee from Tabe village of Damboa local government area who narrowly escaped from the area said “the Boko Haram terrorists have run out of arms and ammunitions as the military intensify attacks on Sambisa Forest”.

He said “you can find more than 500 members of the insurgents with only few of them having rifles and even when one or two of them have rifles, it is like a stick, as they have run out of ammunitions, because the usual supplies they get are not forthcoming. “I am optimistic that the military will succeed by killing many of these sect who have been terrorising residents in the past three years in the shores of Sambisa forest””. He stated

Another resident of nearby Yamtake village who does not want his name in print told our correspondent that “ As a result of the recent aerial bombardment on the Sambiza forest, many of the sect members including their commanders have fled into the nearby bushes of Yamtake, Tabe and Jangoro villages of Damboa local government area of the state.”

Read More: vanguardngr

Military Recovers Weapons From Borno Terrorist Bases

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The military said several weapons and equipment were captured during a raid on terrorists’ camps in Alagarno in the Borno State. A statement from the Defense Headquarters in Abuja confirmed that the weapons captured include armoured vehicles, several arms and ammunitions of various sizes.

Other items recovered included power generating sets, grenades and Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs), bows and arrows, megaphones and rolls of copper cable.

The military added that cordon and search as well as mop up of the community is still on going to make the environment safe for displaced locals to return.

 The Defense Headquarters added that aside being one of the strongholds of terrorists in the State, Alagarno also provided routes used by the terrorists to neighbouring towns and countries. “The thick forest in the area had made it a safe haven for the terrorists for a long time as the terrain was not easily accessible and it was endowed with natural hideouts from aerial bombardments. Alagarno is the major haven of terrorists ahead of Sambisa forest,” Defense Headquarters said.

Credit: CAJ News

West Supplying Kiev with Arms- Putin

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Russian President Vladimir Putin says Ukrainian forces are being supplied with Western weaponry, while expressing optimism about the potential success of a truce pact for eastern Ukraine.

“According to our data, weapons are already being supplied [to Kiev],” Putin said at a Tuesday press conference in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, after a meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The Russian president warned that the supply of Western arms to Kiev would only contribute to higher casualty figures. “This is not surprising. I am convinced that whoever is supplying the weapons, the number of victims may grow, but the outcome will not change,” Putin noted as quoted in an RT report.

Read More: presstv.ir

 

Nigeria Detains Russian Cargo Plane with Military Shipment to Chad

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Nigeria detained a Russian cargo plane and its French-speaking crew on Saturday after it made an unauthorised landing in the northern city of Kano with military hardware bound for neighbouring Chad, a security source said. An air force spokesman confirmed the plane had been detained but gave no further details.

The plane had been travelling from Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, to the Chadian capital N’Djamena but was forced to make an emergency landing in Kano because N’Djamena airport was closed, the security source said.

He said after the five crew members were detained, inspectors found two helicopters, a bullet-proof jeep and boxes of what were suspected to be military hardware.

The Russian embassy in Abuja did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was not clear what the shipment was for. Chadian fighters have been involved in Central African Republic’s conflict since Muslim Seleka rebels seized the southern capital Bangui in 2013.

Mysterious arms shipments have caused controversy in Nigeria before. A Nigerian court sentenced an alleged member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and a Nigerian accomplice to five years in prison in May last year over an illegal shipment of mortars and rockets seized in the main port of Lagos in 2010.

Credit: Reuters

Army Arrests 3 Igbos Suspected for Supplying Arms to Boko Haram?

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Three suspected gun runners of Igbo origin, were reportedly  heading to the North from Imo State but intercepted in Nsukka, Enugu State, by officers and men of the Nigerian Army while travelling in a bus.

Items recovered from them include 40 AK47 magazines, 4 boxes of AK47 live ammunition,100 pieces of live cartridges, one piece of Denim Mopol khaki and charms concealed in a cap.

One of the army officers who spoke to reporters under anonymity disclosed that a police corporal serving in Imo State Police Command was also involved in the arms running.

He said: “When we asked the occupants of the vehicle to come down, we discovered a police corporal in uniform among them. The corporal on getting down pretended to be pressed; he later ran away.

Credit: Osun Defender