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Boko Haram: What Air Force did to insurgents on Monday
The Nigeria Air
Force (NAF) says its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has degraded
another Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) hideout in the Sambisa Forest in Borno
State.
Air Commodore
Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who
disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the operation was
conducted on Sunday.
”The operation was
executed on June 16, after persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance (ISR) missions reveal heavy presence of BHTs at a new camp with
several structures hidden under the thick foliage of the Forest.
”Accordingly, the
ATF dispatched an Alpha Jet to attack the location.
”Its bombs hit the
target area, with devastating effects on several of the camouflaged structures,
neutralising their BHT occupants,” he said.
Daramola added that
the NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, would sustain efforts to
completely degrade the terrorists in the Northeast.
Zamfara: Buhari reacts to latest killings, issues fresh order
President Muhammadu
Buhari has directed state governments across the Northwest to pursue an urgent
revamp of the national security apparatus in the subregion.
A statement issued
in Abuja on Sunday by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, said the partnership followed the infiltration of bandits into areas
that were hitherto secure.
”This is coming on
the heels of the recent killing of 34 persons in an attack on Tungar Kafau and
Gidan Wawa communities in Shinkafi Local Government Areas of Zamfara,” the
presidential aide said.
Shehu quoted
President Buhari as expressing sorrow over the renewed attacks and extended his
sympathies to the governments and people of Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The president
charged all stakeholders, including the federal security agencies and the
states involved in drawing up the long-term strategic defence plan to begin its
immediate implementation.
”Under the plan,
states are joining the federal government in supporting the security and
military operations by providing logistical support.
”States are
providing additional vehicles in addition to those provided from the center.
”The federal
government is establishing new forward operation bases and when all of these
come together, the ongoing operations will be scaled up,” the presidential aide
added.
According to him,
the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the various State Emergency
Management Agencies (SEMA) are expected to streamline their operations to
provide succor to displaced persons.
He noted that
thousands of the displaced persons were taking refuge in the neighboring Niger
Republic.
Shehu expressed the
hope that the full implementation of the plan would provide security for
residents to return to their deserted communities.
He reiterated the
determination of the Buhari administration to safeguard lives and property of
all citizens, assuring that the government ”will not fail in that regard”.
Army claims killing key Boko Haram social media personalities
The Nigerian Army
on Monday said it has killed nine social media personalities of the Islamic
State for West African Province (ISWAP).
Col. Sagir Musa,
Director of Army Public Relations, who disclosed this in a statement, said the
annihilation of members of the Boko Haram media team further confirmed that the
Nigerian Army has decimated the group and they no longer have freedom of
action.
He gave the name of
the personalities as: ”Abu Hurayra al-Barnawi, Ali al-Ghalam al-Kajiri, Abu
Musab Muhammed Mustafa al-Maiduguri, Abu Abdullah Ali al-Barnawi, and Abu Musa
al-Camerooni.
”Others are Ahmed
al-Muhajir, Abu Ali al-Bamawi, Abu Khubayb bin Ahmed al-Barnawi, Abu al-Qa’qa’
al-Maiduguri.
“The terrorist
group is known for its online media propaganda and quest to maintain a virtual
caliphate,” Musa said.
Boko Haram/ISWAP: FG reacts to Obasanjo’s claim on islamization, fulanization of Nigeria/Africa
The federal
government has asked former president Olusegun Obasanjo to withdraw his recent
comments which imputed ethno-religious motive to Boko Haram, ISWAP, terrorism
in the country, as well as apologise to Nigerians.
We had
reported that Obasanjo on Saturday decried
the high level of insecurity in Nigeria, stating that the Federal
Government alone cannot tackle the menace.
He regretted that
both Boko Haram and herdsmen acts of violence were not treated as they should
at the beginning.
According to him,
“They have both incubated and developed beyond what Nigeria cannot handle alone.
They are now combined and internationalized with ISIS in control.
“It is no longer an
issue of lack of education and lack of employment for our youths in Nigeria
which it began as, it is now West African fulanization, African Islamization
and global organized crimes of human trafficking, money laundering, drug
trafficking, gun trafficking, illegal mining and regime change.”
But reacting in a
statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture,
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, averred that such “indiscreet, deeply offensive and
patently divisive comments are far below the status of an elder statesman”.
He added that, “It
is particularly tragic that a man who fought to keep Nigeria one is the same
one seeking to exploit the country’s fault lines to divide it in the twilight
of his life”.
The minister stated
that Boko Haram and ISWAP are terrorist organisations pure and simple, adding
that they care little about ethnicity or religion when perpetrating their
senseless killings and destruction.
”Since the Boko
Haram crisis, which has been simmering under the watch of Obasanjo, boiled over
in 2009, the terrorist organisation has killed more Muslims than adherents of
any other religion.
“The terrorist
group blown up more mosques than any other houses of worship and is not known
to have spared any victim on the basis of their ethnicity.
“It is therefore
absurd to say that Boko Haram and its ISWAP variant have as their goal the
‘Fulanisation and Islamisation’ of Nigeria, West Africa or Africa,” he said.
Mohammed pointed
out that President Muhammadu Buhari put to rest the mis-characterization of
Boko Haram as an Islamic organisation when he said, in his inaugural speech in
2015, that ”Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from
Islam as one can think of”.
He reiterated that
Obasanjo’s comments were therefore, “as insensitive and mischievous as they are
as offensive and divisive in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like
Nigeria”.
“It is wondering
whether there is no limit to how far the former President will go in throwing
poisonous darts at his perceived political enemies.”
The minister noted
that Obasanjo’s prescriptions for ending the Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis, which
include seeking assistance outside the shores of Nigeria, are coming several
years late.
He said President
Buhari had done that and more since assuming office, “hence, the phenomenal
success he has recorded in tackling the terrorists”.
”Shortly after
assuming office in 2015, President Buhari’s first trips outside the country
were to rally the support of Nigeria’s neighbours – Benin, Cameroon, Chad and
Niger – for the efforts to battle the terrorists.
“The President also
rallied the support of the international community, starting with the G7, and
then the US, France
and the UN.
”That explains the
massive degrading of Boko Haram, which has since lost its capacity to carry out
the kind of spectacular attacks for which it became infamous, and the recovery
of every inch of captured Nigerian territory from the terrorists,” he said.
The Minister also
noted that Obasanjo’s call for wide consultations with various groups as part
of the efforts to tackle the Boko Haram crisis has been neutralised by his
ill-advised comments which have served more to alienate a large number of
Nigerians, who are offended by his tactless and distasteful postulation.
He called on the
former president, whom he said took bullets for Nigeria’s unity, not to allow
personal animosity to override his love for a united Nigeria.
Borno Attack: ISIL claims killing of 11
Nigerian soldiers in Borno
ISIL has claimed killing of 11 Nigerian
soldiers in an attack on the northeastern town of Gajiganna, Borno.
Al-Jazeera reports that the group made the
claim at the weekend through its news agency, AMAQ.
ISIL published pictures of burned barracks
and dead bodies it claimed belonged to the soldiers.
The fighters fled after the military called
in air force support and reinforcements from a battalion in a neighbouring
town.
There have been renewed attacks on troops
since the start of 2019.
In a similar attack late April, several
soldiers were reportedly killed at Sabon Gari, Mararaba Kimba, a village
between Biu and Damboa Local Government Areas in Borno.
ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack.
Residents of Sabon Gari, who spoke to news men said unspecified numbers of
Boko Haram fighters riding in several vehicles and motorcycles attacked a
military base located along the Biu–Damboa road.
“The military base is isolated and this made
it a vulnerable target for the attack. The militants arrived at the location in
their numbers outnumbering the military.
“They set the base on fire, destroyed and
looted equipment before reinforcement arrived and they were repelled after
several hours of battle”, Mallam Usman Kimba said.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a
policeman and a soldier for illegal possession of ammunition.
This was contained in a statement on Monday
by Col. Sagir Musa, the Acting Director Army Public Relations.
Musa said that a Mobile policeman, Sgt.
Markus John, with number PNo 383106 was arrested at Njimtilo checkpoint on
Maiduguri-Damaturu road, while on transit to Lagos.
He said that at the time of arrest, John was
in possession of two magazines, 146 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition and
one round of anti-aircraft gun concealed in his bag.
Musa added that the army in conjunction with
the police also nabbed Pte Paul Ojochegbe (14NA7113208) and Lance Cpl. Oko Eke
(12NA672586), also at the Njimtilo checkpoint.
He alleged that they were in possession of
one disassembled AK 47 Rifle.
Musa restated the army’s appeal to the public
to continue to provide useful information about suspicious movement of
terrorists/criminals wherever they were seen hibernating in the country.
Boko Haram: Troops rescue
54 abducted women, children in Borno
In continuation of their operations to clear
Boko Haram terrorists, troops of 22 Brigade, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in
collaboration with local vigilantes, have rescued 54 persons suspected to be
kidnapped victims.
A statement from Colonel Sagir Musa, Acting
Director Army Public Relations said, troops have continued moving into the
hinterland on clearance operation to destroy Boko Haram terrorists.
According to the statement, troops
effectively cleared Ma’allasuwa and Yaga – Munye villages in Borno State.
“No encounter with Boko Haram terrorists was
made as they run away before troops’ arrival leaving behind 54 suspected
kidnapped victims.
“Out of the number, 29 are grown up women and
25 are children of various ages and sex. They have all been rescued.
“Similarly, at Zari – Kasake and Jumachere
villages in Damasak general area of Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno
State, troops of 145 Battalion Operation LAFIYA DOLE on clearance operation
discovered and destroyed two Boko Haram terrorists’ logistics vehicles.
Deserted BHTs make up shift accommodation was also destroyed.
“Additionally, Mopol Sergeant Markus John –
Personal Number – PNo 383106 was arrested at Njimtilo check point along
Maiduguri – Damaturu road in possession of 2 magazines, 146 rounds of 7.62 mm
Special ammunition and one round of Anti Aircraft Gun concealed in his bag
while on transit to Lagos State.
“Recall that on the 10th of May 2019, troops
of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in conjunction with the Nigerian Police, arrested
14NA7113208 Private Paul Ojochegbe and 12NA672586 Lance Corporal Oko Eke in
possession of one disassembled AK 47 Rifle at the same N’jimtilo check point.
“Nigerian Army will remain resolute in ending
terrorism and other forms of insecurities across the country,” the statement
said.
The army also reiterated its appeal to the
public to continue to provide useful information about suspicious movement of
terrorists/criminals wherever they are seen hibernating in Nigeria.
Boko Haram: Buhari asked to
pardon 54 soldiers in jail over mutiny
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called
on President Muhammadu Buhari to grant presidential pardon to the 54 soldiers
who are currently serving a 10-year jail term.
The Islamic human rights organization made
the appeal in a press statement issued on Monday signed by its Director,
Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The 54 soldiers were rounded up in 2014 when
they complained to their commander that their weapons were too poor to confront
better equipped Boko Haram fighters.
They had earlier lost 23 men and four
officers due to poor equipment when they advanced on Damboa on July 9, 2014.
MURIC said it is “deeply concerned about the
plight of these heroes of Nigeria who have been wrongly treated. Yes, we strongly
believe that they have been wrongly treated. They had defended Nigeria on
several fronts before the incident. Their comrades fell on the battle field in
their presence.
“While other soldiers knew that money meant
for weapons were being syphoned into private pockets of top officers but chose
to remain quiet, the gallantry and patriotism in the 54 soldiers motivated them
to speak up and demand better weapons. Their demand actually exposed the rot in
the top military hierarchy regarding the high level corruption involving the
diversion of funds meant for weapons.
“It was the eye-opener that led to the
popular case of $2.1 billion weapons fund diverted to the 2015 electioneering
campaign by the then ruling party. It is therefore paradoxical that the 54 soldiers
who exposed corruption in the military are now rotting in jail.
“We in MURIC have been calling for their
release since 2015. We have issued several statements on the matter but to no
avail. What kind of people are we in this country? How can we leave our heroes
to rot in jail? How can we allow the defenders of our territorial integrity to
suffer years of alienation and deprivation?”
The organization revealed that it had met the
Nigerian Vice President on the matter and also sent a petition to his office at
Aso Rock.
Akintola said, “The leadership of MURIC went
beyond issuing press statements on this matter. We met Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo during his visit to Lagos around November 2018 and tabled the case of
the 54 soldiers before him.
“The Vice President showed understanding and
requested that we should send a petition to his office. We did that within one
week and his office responded. We were hopeful. That was about six months ago.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
“The Presidential Committee on Prisons Reform
and Decongestion (PCPRD) which was inaugurated on Tuesday 28th August, 2018 has
freed about 5,000 prisoners but not a single one of them is among the 54
soldiers. The PCPRD, headed by Justice Ishaq Bello, has reportedly visited 15
states. We are not certain that the committee has seen the 54 soldiers.
“There is no better time for President
Muhammadu Buhari to invoke the prerogative of mercy on the 54 soldiers than
now. The month of Ramadan is the month of mercy. It is the month of giving and
sharing.”
The United
Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, who is on a visit to Nigeria, on
Thursday, expressed his home government’s commitment to ensuring successes in
Nigeria.
Hunt gave the assurance to Nigerians in his response to questions sent
to him by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
“Nigeria’s success really matters to the U.K. As we leave the European
Union, now is the time to redouble our efforts and commit to the partnerships
we have with our African friends.
“The opportunities we see right now in Africa are tremendous, with
enormous potential to grow.
“We must see African nations as partners and destinations for
investment and trade,’’ he said.
According to him, a free press is the first secure basis for prosperity
in a world where innovation and technological advance are the central conditions
for progress.
The foreign secretary, who visited the North-East region of the country
on Wednesday, also reaffirmed the U.K. government’s commitment to fighting Boko
Haram terrorists and the Islamic State in West Africa.
“The conflict here involving Boko Haram and Islamic State has displaced
two million people.
“U.K. support for World Food Programme has helped feed 1.5 million but
we are also focusing on the long term solutions to improving livelihoods and
opportunity,’’ he said.
Nigerian Govt Has Made Boko Haram Richer - Bishop Kukah
The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has
alleged that the Nigerian government has made members of the Boko Haram
insurgents richer through ransom.
Kukah said there was urgent need for the government to accommodate the
complaints of the aggrieved persons and put human face to ending activities of
the insurgents in the North-East.
The Bishop, in a chat during a Channels TV programme, ‘Hard Copy’ on
Sunday, lamented that the government had reduced the fight against terrorism to
only military operations and failed to address the roots of the problem.
He said, “Why do we assume that security is just about guns and bullets?
When Boko Haram started, I published an article titled ‘Breath not Bullets.’ I
made a point that we would probably spill into a time when we would not be able
to contain ourselves when those conflicts become a military operation.
“The first problem is that it is becoming capital intensive. The second
problem is the human angle to the conflict. What is it that has made a decent
human being to take up arm against his country?
“The problem we have is that the government has turned the Boko Haram war
into military operations and turning the concept of security into guns and
bullets. The question is that what is it that has been producing this
discontentment? Why has the northern Nigerian become the centre of fire? We
have failed to ask the right questions
“I have said it several times, we could close the window on Boko Haram
today, but what is going to happen next we don’t know. The point I am making is
that a country has to have high quality of listening devices about the voices
of the weakest; about how people are hurt and what people are interested in.”
He said the Dapchi schoolgirls’ abduction nullified the claim that Boko
Haram had been weakened and called for comprehensive dialogue with the
terrorists.
Kukah said, “Those with superior information and superior knowledge,
which is what the government is all about, know something that the rest of
those don’t. There is no war that has ended whereby everybody is declaring
victory and going home. It has never happened; everybody has ended up around
the table.
“When it comes to closing a conversation of that nature, you have to have
a screening system. There are people who will tell you people found themselves
in Boko Haram by all kinds of means; some voluntarily went there while some
were compelled to go there. There are criminals who got into the game and there
are some of them who have done terrible and horrible things. Their numbers,
leaders and so on, have to be taken together.
“There is no way we can end the conflict without carrot; it is not
possible.
“We say they are no longer holding our territory, but if they can come
and take away this number of children, now the Boko Haram is richer than it
was. Who knows what they are going to do with the money they have collected.”
Tension In Ile Ife As Explosion Rocks Down Buildings Killing One
One person was killed during the weekend after explosion rocked a popular
pharmaceutical company in the Moore area of Ile Ife, Osun State.
It was gathered that pharmaceutical products worth millions of naira were
also consumed.
The explosion was also said to have affected some of the adjoining
buildings, while the area was cordoned off by the police.
A resident, who gave his name as Tola, told journalists that an
improvised explosive device was planted in the building.
According to Tola, “The building came down around 10pm on Saturday. The
owner of the building died in November 2017 and there was a crisis on the
sharing of his property, which included the building.
“The workers at the pharmaceutical company closed around 8.30pm and we
learnt that somebody sneaked into the building and planted the explosive.
“The injured man was taken to the OAUTHC where he died from the injuries
he sustained. The victim was one of the owner’s family members.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Mrs. Folasade Odoro,
said the cause of the incident had yet to be ascertained.
“One Adebayo Seun of Moore Street, Ile Ife, reported at the ‘A’ Division
that around 10.15pm, after closing their pharmaceutical shop, someone called
him that there was a fire incident in their shop.
“As they turned back to Ife, they discovered that the whole equipment
used in the pharmacy, drugs and other goods therein, valued at about N50m, were
razed by fire, while the storey-building also collapsed. The cause is unknown.
No life was lost. Investigation is ongoing.”
Nigerian Army Speaks On Withdrawal Of Troops From Volatile Areas
The Nigerian Army has reacted to insinuations and complaints in some
quarters on the alleged withdrawal of troops on Internal Security Operations in
some parts of the country.
It called on the general public to ignore the speculations.
Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, Director Army Public Relations in a
stemmed on Sunday, said the Nigerian Army will continue to live to the
expectations of Nigerians in the discharge of its constitutional duties of
defending the territorial integrity of the nation and in aid to civil
authorities.
He said, “Consequently, troops on the ground will continue to intervene
decisively to checkmate any form of criminality.
“We however, appeal for the general public for continuous understanding,
support and cooperation.
“We also wish to specifically appeal to the state Governors and Local
Government Councils Chairmen to also be responsive to the needs of the citizens
through the provision of social and developmental infrastructures. This will
help reduce incidences of crime and criminality in our society.
“The public is therefore advised to report any suspicious movements in
their area to the security agency for prompt action.”
Recently, no fewer than eighty communities in five local government areas
in Niger State pleaded with the federal government of Nigeria not to withdraw
troops deployed to the communities.
The communities, which cut across Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Gurara, Raffin
and Chachanga, bemoaned
the withdrawal of the military troops may bring renewed onslaught to their
communities.
Similarly, the Benue
State Caucus in the House of Representatives recently cried out over withdrawal
of soldiers, which they said had led to fresh attacks on communities.
$1 Billion Arms Fund: No One should Play Politics With Security Of Nigerians - Presidency
The Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media,
Lauretta Onochie, on Thursday said the $1 billion approved by the President is
not illegal.
The
sum was approved for the procurement of military equipment.
Onochie pointed out that the release was approved by the National
Economic Council and the state Houses of Assembly.
In a series of tweets on Thursday, Onochie, said, “The NEC, made up of
state governors, approved the $ 1 bn given to the military to purchase arms.
“The state Houses of Assembly approved same. There is no illegality in
the release of the fund to the military.
“No one should play politics with the security of Nigerians.”
$1 Billion Arms Fund: Those Who Kick Against It Are Playing Politics With The Lives Of Nigerians - Presidency
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina says those criticizing President
Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of one billion dollars for security funding are
only playing politics with the lives of Nigerians.
President Buhari
had approved the fund during a meeting with the Minister of Defence,
Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), and the service chiefs on Wednesday at
the Presidential Villa in Abuja. .
Governor Fayose, on his part, alleged that the approval was a clever move
by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government to
raise funds to finance the 2019 presidential election and the July 14
governorship poll in Ekiti.
Similarly, the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday condemned the presidential approval of
the one billion dollars without recourse to the National Assembly.
Responding to criticisms, Femi Adesina, Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media
and Publicity, who spoke on Channels Tv, Thursday night said that proper procedures
for the release of the fund were being followed.
He dismissed reports that the amount was too huge to be spent only on
security matters, saying no individual or government could quantify the value
of human lives.
He said: “As we speak now the communication to the National Assembly is
about ready. Those who have been flexing muscles over the matter should just
have bothered to make inquiries from the Senior Special Assistant to the
President on National Assembly matters.
“If they had inquired, they would have been told that the communication
would soon be on the way to the National Assembly.
“Talking about the timing, there is no timing that is not good for
security. Every time is security time. Those who are reading political meaning
into it is just unfortunate they play politics with everything and they will
play politics with the very lives of Nigerians, which is very bad.’
“It is not something that I think any government could begin to disclose.
But we know that it is expensive. I remember that the Chief of Army Staff spoke
about some trillions of naira recently – security is expensive but human life
is much, much expensive.’’
Gov. Fayose Is Ignorant Of Why $1 Billion Arms Procurement Fund Was Approved By Buhari - Col. Hassan Labo
A retired military officer, Col. Hassan Labo has said Governor Ayodele
Fayose is ignorant of why President Muhammadu Buhari approved the sum of
$1billion for the purchase of military equipment.
The ex-military personnel said this on Thursday during his appearance on
Channels Television’s Politics Today.
President Buhari
had approved the fund during a meeting with the Minister of Defence,
Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), and the service chiefs on Wednesday at
the Presidential Villa in Abuja. .
Reacting to the governor’s comment, Labo said, “I just listened to His
Excellency, Governor Ayo Fayose and with due respect, I want to say His
Excellency is speaking from a position of ignorance.
“How do I mean? This money, to start with, is going to help in enhancing
the procurement deficit we have presently (which has existed) for quite some
while now because we’ve never taken the pain to allot adequately to the
military.”
“The military has always been short-changed at the point of statutory
appropriation – that is to say in the Congress (National Assembly) – such that
at the end of the day, there is no single pin that you buy in the military that
is produced in this country, we import nearly everything,” he explained.
Amid the insecurity issues in the country, including the Boko Haram
insurgency and herdsmen attacks in parts of the country, the retired colonel
noted that Nigeria can afford to use and should use such huge sum of money for
security.
He further reminded Nigerians that the fund was not just meant for the
fight against insurgency in the North East, but also to tackle other insecurity
challenges in the country.
Fayose Kicks Against The Approval of $1 Billion By Buhari For Procurement Of Arms, Says It's Illegal
Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has queried President Muhammadu Buhari’s
approval of $1 billion for the procurement of security equipment to fight
Boko Haram insurgency.
He described it as pooling of public funds for the purpose of funding
President Buhari’s reelection as well as the coming governorship elections in
Ekiti and Osun States.
The governor demanded to know whether the $1 billion was from the Excess
Crude Account (ECA), adding that, “it will be illegal and against the principle
of federalism that operates in Nigeria for the President, who is the head of
just one of the federating units to approve spending of fund belonging to the
three tiers of government without the consent of heads of other federating
units.
In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, and signed by his
Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka,
Governor Fayose asked: “When did the National Assembly approve the spending of
the $1 billion? Or can the President spend $1 billion belonging to Nigerians
without the approval of the National Assembly?”
He said “Nigerians required explanations from the federal government as
to where the $1 billion will be sourced because the President lacked power to
unilaterally spend money from the Excess Crude Account.
“Not even when there is a pending suit by Ekiti State Local Council
Chairmen, challenging the powers the 36 state governors to purportedly execute
the constitutional duty of the Federal government without their consent.
“Another question the federal government must answer is; which insurgency
are they buying arms worth N370 billion to fight? Is it the same Boko Haram
that they told Nigerians they completely defeated?
“Since they said they have defeated Boko Haram, and later told Nigerians
that they had ceasefire agreement with the insurgents, what else do they need a
whopping sum of $1 billion (over N370 billion) for; if not to fund the 2019
elections?
“Also, up till now, the government is yet to give satisfactory
explanations as to the abduction and return of the Dapchi School Girls. With
the hurried approval of $1 billion, is it not being reinforced that the Boko
Haram insurgency has become a source of looting public fund by this government?
“It is on record that Transparency International (TI) once said in its
report that some top military officials in the country were feeding fat from
the war against Boko Haram by creating fake contracts and laundering the
proceeds in the United States, United Kingdom and elsewhere.”
The governor reiterated his challenge to the federal government to make
available to Nigerians, how the money released by international donors for the
fight against Boko Haram was spent.
He said; “Like I have maintained, they are building a very huge financial
war chest towards the 2019 elections and our treasury is daily being looted to
achieve this. One of such means is the $1 billion approved by the President,
purportedly for the procurement of arms to fight a Boko Haram insurgency they
claimed to have defeated.”
The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has
alleged that the Nigerian government has made members of the Boko Haram
insurgents richer through ransom.
One person was killed during the weekend after explosion rocked a popular
pharmaceutical company in the Moore area of Ile Ife, Osun State.
The Nigerian Army has reacted to insinuations and complaints in some
quarters on the alleged withdrawal of troops on Internal Security Operations in
some parts of the country.
The Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media,
Lauretta Onochie, on Thursday said the $1 billion approved by the President is
not illegal.
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina says those criticizing President
Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of one billion dollars for security funding are
only playing politics with the lives of Nigerians.
