Aftermath of Shekau’s latest video: Military set for total war against Boko Haram

Angered by the latest video of Boko Haram, the military yesterday drew final battle line with the sect by unveiling a “once-and-for-all comprehensive operation” in the North-East.

The full-scale ‘war’ will be heightened in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in the next few days.

Those who live in the affected areas in the North-East have been asked to relocate.

Already, troops have been given the marching order to eliminate safe havens and escape routes of Boko Haram in the country before the February elections.

The massive attack against the insurgents will be backed by troops from Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Also, the Presidency has endorsed the military plan which might lead to a total declaration of war against the insurgents in the North-East.

According to findings, the military was disturbed by the alleged claim of the sect that it has enough weapons to take on Nigeria.

It was learnt that the military offered to confront the insurgents headlong to “settle the insurgency problem” once and for all.

A top military source said: “It is now fight-to-the-finish between the troops and the insurgents. There will be a total blockade of all the routes being used by the insurgents.

“Neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Niger and Chad have bought into the latest offensive plan, having realised the danger in continuing to allow terrorists free movement across the borders.

“Nigerian military is reviewing strategy in the combat against terrorists to accommodate joint and combined operations with neighbouring military organisations.”

The source gave an insight into the new Action Plan against Boko Haram, saying: “Massive deployment of air and amphibious assets are expected to feature in the operation. Preparatory to this mission, the Defence Headquarters has changed the General Officer Commanding the 7 Division which is the leading formation in the counter-terrorism campaign.

“The deployment for the mission is expected to facilitate the elimination of safe havens and escape routes of terrorists in or out of Nigeria.

“The arrangement has enlisted the support of the military forces of neighbouring countries towards ensuring that the plan to effectively block the terrorists for elimination while they are being pounded in the ongoing counter terrorism campaign is effectively attained. “

Responding to a question, the source said: “The operation is expected to terminate well before the February 14 elections so that Nigerians living in every part of the country can vote in their towns and villages.

“However, it is expected that innocent citizens living in the areas where the terrorists presently operate are temporarily moved to safe towns away from the theatre of operations.

The Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, however declined to give details.

He simply added: “The military would not relent in its efforts to restore peace to every part of the country as quickly as possible. But details of such efforts would not be disclosed now.”

He however admitted that “all the countries bordering Nigeria are willing to complement the efforts in Nigeria as terrorism has remained a menace or threat to all in the region.”

The leader of the insurgents, Abubakar Shekau, had in a 36-minute video in the week boasted of more deadly attacks by the sect in the next few weeks.

He said: “Insha Allahu, we are going to do His work with these arms at our disposal. We are going to sacrifice our lives in doing God’s work.

“As you can see, we have thousands of AK 47 rifles, we have so much that we are still conveying them to our camp here. We have AA; we have different kinds of them that can be mounted on vehicles. We Shell Car; we have RPGs; We have mag and so on.

“We cannot just mention them. We have dozens of vehicles and tanks that God has given us.”

Jega - Nothing will stop February polls

National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, (retd) came under verbal attack, yesterday, for his call on the Independent National Electoral Commission, to shit the conduct of the 2015 polls.

Former Defence Minister Musliu Obanikoro, former Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, spokesman of the House of Representatives were among the numerous Nigerians and bodies that condemned Dasuki’s call for election postponement. (See more stories on page 7)

As the attacks on Dasuki continued, the Chairman of the INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega, on yesterday assured Nigerians that there was no going back on the conduct of the elections next month.

Jega told a stakeholders meeting in Abuja that the issue of permanent voter cards distribution had been laid to rest as those who were yet to get their cards had been directed to where they could do so before the end of the month.

Jega said if Nigerians who registered to vote fail to show up and collect their PVCs, there was nothing the commission could do to force them to go and collect their cards. While some Nigerians have genuine cases of their cards not being available there many whose cards are at the various centres for collection.

The chairman said that there was no need to postpone the election, whose timetable was issued about a year ago without any opposition from any of the parties.

Several groups and individuals rose swiftly to denounce the Presidential adviser for what they see as a callous, self-serving and a potentially dangerous move to abort the election and throw Nigeria into avoidable crisis that can tear the nation apart.

Dasuki, seen as the most powerful leader of President Jonathan’s think-tank, went offshore to the British Chatham House and made his damning advocacy that the polls be shifted since INEC had not been able to distribute all the cards it printed for the electorate.

Although INEC said it had distributed 68.8 million cards so far, Dasuki told the London audience that only 30 million PVCs had been made available to Nigerian voters. This was apparently to justify his call for the poll shift. It triggered off an immediate condemnation by Nigerians.

Kano-based politician, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, descried Dasuki’s call for the poll postponement as a ploy by President Jonathan to plunge Nigeria into chaos, having seen clearly that his opponent, Gen. Buhari, was poised to win the forthcoming election.

Mohammed warned Dasuki to jettison their thoughts and allow INEC to conduct the elections as planned, as neither Jonathan nor himself would be able to predict the fall-outs of the planned poll shift.

The former House of Representatives member noted that Dasuki had not been able to marshal out any good reason to justify the poll shift, asking why he waited till the last minute to make such a malevolent demand with only three weeks to the elections.

Kicking against Dasuki’s idea, the Muslims Rights Concern, a group that promotes the interest of Muslims in Nigeria, described the call by the NSA as diversionary and unpatriotic, smacking of moral debauchery.

The group in a statement by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said it was worrisome and suspicious for a senior officer working for one of the parties in the election to suggest to INEC the postponement of the election.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Movement, the political group linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, has thrown its weight behind the candidature of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in next month’s election.

The party at its National Executive Meeting in Abuja on Friday, noted that Buhari had what it takes to solve the myriad of challenges facing Nigeria as opposed to the current leadership of President Jonathan.

“In a communique jointly signed by its National Chairman, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim and Secretary, Ifeanyi Igwe, PDM noted that it did not field a Presidential candidate for the poll, it was solidly behind Buhari in the poll.

The PDM said: “NEC observed that of the available presidential candidates, two clearly stand out and the two represent a clear contrast and reference point for making a clear and informed choice.

“On the five critical issues which NEC believes constitute the nation’s top and urgent priority at this material time, namely, National Unity, Public Security, Job Creation, Fight Against Corruption and the Economy, it is the opinion of NEC that the incumbent who has been at the helm of affairs of the nation in the past six years had failed.

“In contrast, his opponent had a track record of achievement in these areas as a former Head of State and, later, Executive Chairman of Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund. NEC believes it is time for Nigerians to give him a chance. In view of the foregoing, NEC unanimously resolved to support the candidature of General Muhammadu Buhari for President of Nigeria and called on all members and supporters of PDM across Nigeria to vote for him in the presidential election of February 14, 2015,” the party said.

KANO SHUT DOWN BY BUHARI CAMPAIGN

Crowd waiting for Buhari's arrival

2015 JAMB (UTME) CBT Commencement Date Announced

The management of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the date for the 2015 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Computer Based Test (CBT).

The JAMB PRO, Mr Fabian Benjamin, who made the announcement said that the exam is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, 4th March, 2015.

He said that the computer mode examination will be written by about 1.4 million candidates nationwide.

Benjamin urged public spirited individuals and corporate organisations to invest in CBT by way of building and equipping more centres.

The JAMB spokesman added that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO) and other examination bodies would soon be migrating to the computer-based examination mode soon.

Soldiers rescue 14 pregnant teenagers, 8 children in Abia

Soldiers from 144 Battalion, Asa, in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State have rescued 14 pregnant teenagers and eight children from a motherless babies’ home at Umunkpeyi Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

Also arrested by the soldiers were six young men, who claimed to be staff of the home, and two girls, aged 16 and 25. However, the proprietress of the home, Mrs. Nma Charity, is still at large.

It was gathered that Mrs. Charity claimed to be running a government-approved home, but engages in child trafficking and hiring of men who impregnates the teenage girls.

Sources told Vanguard that on delivery, each girl got N20,000, while their babies were sold for between N80,000 and N150,000 for females and males, respectively.

One of the suspects, who was caught at Eke-Akpara in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, while trying to steal a baby, confessed that he had been in the business with Mrs. Charity for a long period, stating that his role was to steal a child and deliver it to the her, who in turn sold it to her customers.

Acting on the confession of the suspect, the Commanding Officer 144 Battalion, Lt. Col. Omolori Rasheed, ordered his men to raid the home where about 14 pregnant teenagers and six young men were arrested, while the proprietress of the home was away at the time of the raid.

A soldier, who declined to have his name in print, told Vanguard that the babies, between the ages of one and six, and the pregnant teenagers, would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters, NAPTIP, while the other persons would be handed over to the police for prosecution.

Boko Haram would have overrun half of Nigeria, if not for Jonathan – PDP

NATIONAL leadership of  the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP  has said Boko Haram terrorists would have overrun half  the country if not  for the nature, character and leadership style of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking with Journalists in Abuja yesterday, National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh declared the tactics adopted by President Jonathan in fighting the insurgents was responsible for the progress in the anti-terrorism crusade so far, said, “‎The problem that we have in the north east to deal with  is insurgency, it is not the making of this government, but this government has tried as much as possible to contain it and I must proclaim, every now and then, Nigerians encourage us by saying that if not for the character, candour, personality of the president, the insurgents would have overrun more than half of Nigeria. We would have been under occupation of terrorists if not for the determination, the style and the character and personality of the president.

“He has been able to offer ceasefire, dialogue and other things to engage them, he has been trying all sorts of methods and engaging them in serious warfare and Nigerians have noted that if not for his character, Boko Haram would have overrun half of Nigeria.”

Life And Death Of Muna! Comprehensive Details Of Muna Obeikwe’s Family, Kidney Diagnoses And How He Died

Just so sad to be reading this a new report on how Muna Obiekwe has surfaced online. In a chat with AquaVibes, actress Vera Kanu who was a mother figure to the late actor, disclosed that he discovered his kidney problem a long time ago but like most people, he thought he could manage it.

According to her, he ignored the pain and continued working without paying much attention. He only took his drugs and medication once in a while as ‘Muna never believed the ailment could lead to his death. He believed he would survive it like he did the gunshot and death of his parents. He was not a man given to worrying about things. He believed it was not a coincidence his parents named him Munachimso, a name which means God is walking with me.’[cont.]

The kidney problem persisted and Muna was eventually forced to seek the help of a doctor in a Lagos. The doctor gave him a ray of hope. He assured Muna that his worst fear of Kidney transplant might not happen if only he could do up to 20 dialyses.

“I was with him to the last hour.  He was to do up to 20 dialyses; the doctor said if the dialysis improved his condition, the worse would certainly be over. He will be okay only if he stays away from alcohol but you know our artiste,” she concluded.

Another source told the online news portal that “the dialysis was expensive for Muna. He was doing two in a week sometimes. And he would need blood injection on each occasion. Each appointment was costing him between N250, 000 to N300, 000; money he did not really have to spend. His health was eating deep into his purse yet Muna refused to go cap in hand begging for alms. He was a private guy who didn’t want the press or his colleagues to feast on his pain, and cast aspersions on Nollywood’s industry of beggars’.

Vera, his godmother corroborated the point. “He was managing it on his own. As a matter of fact, he has been managing it for a while until Ejiro Okurame and I came on board to help. We were combining resources to help him but there was very little we could do to save him. We had to enlist the help of Patience Ozokwor and Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK) at a point. They rendered the help they could until he died.

“The guy was private. He kept to himself a lot and most importantly, kept his private life private; for instance, many people did not even know he was married with two children. Such was his life. He didn’t want press or his colleagues to start prying. He was particularly afraid of the press, hence his shutting his colleagues out of his pain. He knew if some Nollywood people got to know about it, the press would also get to know. He refused to beg to save Nollywood’s image, he in-turn, lost himself.”

Further more, it was reported that he was a chain smoker and heavy drinker. Despite his condition, it was revealed he was still consuming alcohol on a regular basis.

“Everybody in the industry knows Muna drinks a lot; even when he’s shooting in the North, he has a way of finding alcohol. He fell into it, after he lost his parents in a ghastly motor accident. ‘As a matter of fact, he was supposed to be in that car with them but by stroke of luck, he wasn’t and was spared. Afterwards, Muna took solace in liquor but that never affected his job. He was just like Sam Loco; he could drink the whole sea but when he hears the director shout ‘action,’ he gets into character. Muna was a method character despite his flaws’’ a source tod the online portal.

Speaking on the drinking habit despite his ailment, his godmother, Vera Kanu said ‘It’s not like he drinks heavily like you guys said. He drank but not as you are putting it. Muna even called me during the holiday that he is now okay and ready to work so I should start bringing jobs because I was his producer. I told him thank God and that I would start as long as he does not do what the doctor told him not to do, which was drinking. The problem came back and he has been on it since then till he died.”