iREPORTS-NG.com - Latest News, Breaking News, Nigeria News Online http://ireports-ng.com Latest News, Breaking News, News about Nigeria Tue, 21 May 2013 16:15:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 28 Years After, Ajimobi Awards N100m Bursary To Oyo Students http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/21/28-years-after-ajimobi-awards-n100m-bursary-to-oyo-students/ http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/21/28-years-after-ajimobi-awards-n100m-bursary-to-oyo-students/#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 16:06:52 +0000 irEditor http://ireports-ng.com/?p=12939 Gov Ajimobi presenting a symbolic cheque to a student

Twenty-eight years after scholarship awards were last awarded in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Tuesday presented a total of N100 million to the students of the state origin in tertiary institutions across the country for year 2011/2012. Both the students and the parents who were present at the House of Chiefs, venue of the ceremony, were overwhelmed as the governor presented a symbolic cheque of N100 million to representatives of the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries of the bursary/scholarship awards included final year students of universities and polytechnics, post-graduate students from tertiary institutions, both in Nigeria and overseas, as well as those from aviation colleges. While presenting the cheque, Governor Ajimobi described the occasion as memorable as this was the first time that bursary awards would be given to students in the state in the last 28 years. This, he said, was a demonstration of his administration’s high level of commitment to positively changing the face of education in the state and giving the proverbial dividends of democracy to all the citizens of the state. ``Without mincing words, no nation can hope to make any meaningful progress without sound and qualitative education,’’ the governor said, quoting Martin Luther King who posited that “If you want to keep a man in perpetual slavery, do not give him education”. According to him, the pivotal role of education in the development of any nation cannot be over-emphasized, stressing ``it is with this premise in mind that the state government, under the present administration, has always made the education of our children a high priority.  We have touched every local government area with meaningful and pupil-oriented projects. Aside the renovation of about 1,600 dilapidated primary and secondary school buildings, Governor Ajimobi said that his administration had procured 20,000 pieces of furniture to the schools. Notable efforts, he said, were also being made towards making the schools environment students-friendly and that workers and teachers’ welfare were placed on the front burner of government’s priorities. The governor said apart from the fact that education was free at both primary and secondary school levels in the state, his administration had also deemed it fit to sustain the establishment of the State Scholarship Board through the provision of adequate funding so as to make it functional. ``Our raison deter was to properly situate the board and make it effective in cushioning the harsh effects of the rising cost of education in all our tertiary institutions, a burden always carried by the parents,’’ he said. While congratulating the awardees, Governor Ajimobi charged them to pay back to the society more than they had taken from the society, saying ``to whom much is given, much is expected’’. One of the beneficiaries, Muili Olanrewaju Taofeek, a post-graduate student of Petroleum Geo-Science from Manchester University, United Kingdom, who spoke on behalf of others, expressed gratitude to the governor for giving them the opportunity to attain their potentials through the awards.  ]]> Gov Ajimobi presenting a symbolic cheque to a student

Twenty-eight years after scholarship awards were last awarded in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Tuesday presented a total of N100 million to the students of the state origin in tertiary institutions across the country for year 2011/2012. Both the students and the parents who were present at the House of Chiefs, venue of the ceremony, were overwhelmed as the governor presented a symbolic cheque of N100 million to representatives of the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries of the bursary/scholarship awards included final year students of universities and polytechnics, post-graduate students from tertiary institutions, both in Nigeria and overseas, as well as those from aviation colleges. While presenting the cheque, Governor Ajimobi described the occasion as memorable as this was the first time that bursary awards would be given to students in the state in the last 28 years. This, he said, was a demonstration of his administration’s high level of commitment to positively changing the face of education in the state and giving the proverbial dividends of democracy to all the citizens of the state. ``Without mincing words, no nation can hope to make any meaningful progress without sound and qualitative education,’’ the governor said, quoting Martin Luther King who posited that “If you want to keep a man in perpetual slavery, do not give him education”. According to him, the pivotal role of education in the development of any nation cannot be over-emphasized, stressing ``it is with this premise in mind that the state government, under the present administration, has always made the education of our children a high priority.  We have touched every local government area with meaningful and pupil-oriented projects. Aside the renovation of about 1,600 dilapidated primary and secondary school buildings, Governor Ajimobi said that his administration had procured 20,000 pieces of furniture to the schools. Notable efforts, he said, were also being made towards making the schools environment students-friendly and that workers and teachers’ welfare were placed on the front burner of government’s priorities. The governor said apart from the fact that education was free at both primary and secondary school levels in the state, his administration had also deemed it fit to sustain the establishment of the State Scholarship Board through the provision of adequate funding so as to make it functional. ``Our raison deter was to properly situate the board and make it effective in cushioning the harsh effects of the rising cost of education in all our tertiary institutions, a burden always carried by the parents,’’ he said. While congratulating the awardees, Governor Ajimobi charged them to pay back to the society more than they had taken from the society, saying ``to whom much is given, much is expected’’. One of the beneficiaries, Muili Olanrewaju Taofeek, a post-graduate student of Petroleum Geo-Science from Manchester University, United Kingdom, who spoke on behalf of others, expressed gratitude to the governor for giving them the opportunity to attain their potentials through the awards.  ]]> http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/21/28-years-after-ajimobi-awards-n100m-bursary-to-oyo-students/feed/ 0 100 Senators Vote For Emergency Rule In Borno, Yobe, Adamawa http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/21/100-senators-vote-for-emergency-rule-in-borno-yobe-adamawa/ http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/21/100-senators-vote-for-emergency-rule-in-borno-yobe-adamawa/#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 15:46:17 +0000 irEditor http://ireports-ng.com/?p=12936 DavidMarksen

A total of 100 senators today voted in support of the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states at a closed session of the assembly where  President Goodluck Jonathan's request for approval for the proclamation of emergency rule in the troubled states was considered. A senator who attended the session today said 93 of them signed the attendance register in addition to nine principal officers who by tradition and convention of the senate are not supposed to sign the register. This was also confirmed by the President of the senate, Senator David Mark who announced at the resumption of plenary that "100 senators approved the state of emergency in the three states while the remaining nine are out on essential duties." Consideration of the president's request began when the Senate Leader,  Victor Ndoma-Egba moved a motion predicated on Order 136 of the Senate Standing Rules (As amended) for the Senate to go into a closed session to "to discuss matter of urgent national importance." The motion was promptly seconded by the senate minority leader, George Akume. After the closed session discussion which lasted for more than one and a half hours, the senate president explained all that transpired behind the scene when the plenary resumed. According to him: "In a closed session, we extensively discussed some of the issues that we think are very important to this proclamation of state of emergency. We want to emphasis, very emphatically, that all the democratic structures must be left in place and must be allowed to operate fully and actively and they must also be involved in all the efforts that the federal government is putting up to bring this ugly situation to an end. "We also would like to emphasis that the Armed Forces are issued a proper code of conduct where they are humane and benevolent and make sure that all citizens are treated with utmost respect so that they do not lose their respect as human beings. "We are conscious of the fact that the government is taking this step as a last resort but alongside that, we want to encourage the government to also urge the committee on amnesty to work alongside the current functions that are put in place to bring this to an end so that at the end of the day, government can concentrate on their efforts to win the hearts and minds of the people in all the states that are affected. "We are conscious of the fact that there was lawlessness, there was anarchy and mayhem in most of the places that are involved in the declaration of state of emergency and we appreciate the fact that government must take every possible step to bring this to an end as quickly as possible with minimal loss of lives and materials. "At the end of the day, we would like to support the federal government  in this proclamation of the state of emergency in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States but we also would like to remind the President that federal government must fund the operations there properly and adequately and we must also remind the federal government as the operation is going on, relief and all medical materials should be as quickly as possible, moved to the area so that the people can benefit from government’s presence. "We are conscious of the fact that this problem ought to have been brought to an end long ago but it is better late than never. We want to appeal to the Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists that it is still not too late to cooperate with the forces that are there in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe so that we can bring this to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible. "We must emphasis that at the end of the day, a military solution is not the final solution to the problem on ground, it is to win the hearts of the citizens in the states that are affected and indeed, in the whole country that we see a final solution to the problem as we see it today. "I believe that when the whole military operation is over, that the federal government will ensure that development gets to these areas as quickly as possible. We implore the federal government to use the carrot and stick policy to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible. "While we support the declaration of State of Emergency in the three states that are involved, we urge the other states that are not directly involved to cooperate with the federal government and indeed, the states governments that are involved so that we can bring this to an end. The summary of our discussion is the fact that the democratic structures will remain in place, the governors and local government chairmen, as it were, the backing of the federal government and they should be supported maximally to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion."    
]]> DavidMarksen

A total of 100 senators today voted in support of the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states at a closed session of the assembly where  President Goodluck Jonathan's request for approval for the proclamation of emergency rule in the troubled states was considered. A senator who attended the session today said 93 of them signed the attendance register in addition to nine principal officers who by tradition and convention of the senate are not supposed to sign the register. This was also confirmed by the President of the senate, Senator David Mark who announced at the resumption of plenary that "100 senators approved the state of emergency in the three states while the remaining nine are out on essential duties." Consideration of the president's request began when the Senate Leader,  Victor Ndoma-Egba moved a motion predicated on Order 136 of the Senate Standing Rules (As amended) for the Senate to go into a closed session to "to discuss matter of urgent national importance." The motion was promptly seconded by the senate minority leader, George Akume. After the closed session discussion which lasted for more than one and a half hours, the senate president explained all that transpired behind the scene when the plenary resumed. According to him: "In a closed session, we extensively discussed some of the issues that we think are very important to this proclamation of state of emergency. We want to emphasis, very emphatically, that all the democratic structures must be left in place and must be allowed to operate fully and actively and they must also be involved in all the efforts that the federal government is putting up to bring this ugly situation to an end. "We also would like to emphasis that the Armed Forces are issued a proper code of conduct where they are humane and benevolent and make sure that all citizens are treated with utmost respect so that they do not lose their respect as human beings. "We are conscious of the fact that the government is taking this step as a last resort but alongside that, we want to encourage the government to also urge the committee on amnesty to work alongside the current functions that are put in place to bring this to an end so that at the end of the day, government can concentrate on their efforts to win the hearts and minds of the people in all the states that are affected. "We are conscious of the fact that there was lawlessness, there was anarchy and mayhem in most of the places that are involved in the declaration of state of emergency and we appreciate the fact that government must take every possible step to bring this to an end as quickly as possible with minimal loss of lives and materials. "At the end of the day, we would like to support the federal government  in this proclamation of the state of emergency in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States but we also would like to remind the President that federal government must fund the operations there properly and adequately and we must also remind the federal government as the operation is going on, relief and all medical materials should be as quickly as possible, moved to the area so that the people can benefit from government’s presence. "We are conscious of the fact that this problem ought to have been brought to an end long ago but it is better late than never. We want to appeal to the Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists that it is still not too late to cooperate with the forces that are there in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe so that we can bring this to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible. "We must emphasis that at the end of the day, a military solution is not the final solution to the problem on ground, it is to win the hearts of the citizens in the states that are affected and indeed, in the whole country that we see a final solution to the problem as we see it today. "I believe that when the whole military operation is over, that the federal government will ensure that development gets to these areas as quickly as possible. We implore the federal government to use the carrot and stick policy to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible. "While we support the declaration of State of Emergency in the three states that are involved, we urge the other states that are not directly involved to cooperate with the federal government and indeed, the states governments that are involved so that we can bring this to an end. The summary of our discussion is the fact that the democratic structures will remain in place, the governors and local government chairmen, as it were, the backing of the federal government and they should be supported maximally to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion."    
]]> http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/21/100-senators-vote-for-emergency-rule-in-borno-yobe-adamawa/feed/ 0 Anambra: N2 Trillion Or Half Trillion? http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/anambra-n2-trillion-or-half-trillion/ http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/anambra-n2-trillion-or-half-trillion/#comments Mon, 20 May 2013 21:30:49 +0000 irEditor http://ireports-ng.com/?p=12932 Peter Obi

Anambra State commissioner for works Arc Calistus Ilozumba has been in the news lately for all sorts of reasons. Ilozumba it was who flew into an uncontrollable rage because his principal and kinsman Mr Peter Obi, governor of Anambra State was asked to justify the expenditure of the sum of N2 trillion, based on available infrastructure and delivery in the state. In the process, he described the call made by Senator Chris Ngige, former governor of the state who represents Anambra Central District in the Seventh National Assembly as ‘ lunatic’. In this call Ilozumba drew flaks from a large segment of the society in Anambra and beyond, who looked forward to benefiting from civil discussions on germane issues affecting their lives. Ilozumba made the statement in Onitsha in the presence of Governor Obi, who was commissioning roads in the commercial city in the thick of the rainy season. Reports did not indicate that Obi called Ilozumba to order. Ngige had in his speech at occasion in which a coalition of past office holders in Anambra State from all political parties endorsed him for the 2014 governorship elections stated that Anambra State earned a total of N2trillion in the life span of Peter Obi’s administration in which Ilozumba serves. Perhaps in response to the reaction of decent Nigerians on his abusive intervention, Ilozumba drew back for a while and returned on Thursday May 16,through a 45-minute interview programme-‘Face the Press ‘on Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) Television to describe the call again as ‘mischievous’ He actually exaggerated the amount pronounced by Senator Ngige to N3 trillion. But just as I had done in my previous press statement on behalf of my party-Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),the four journalists in the studios corrected him to the N2 trillion order. Ngige had given the revenue   profile of Anambra State for Seven years and fraction to approximately N2 trillion, with 1.2 trillion coming from direct federal allocation to the state, while N800 Billion from federal allocation to Anambra State local government held by the state government from local government funds. Ilozumba denied in the programme that the state had earned N2 trillion. Rather ,clutchng a rough sheet of jottings on him  told the journalists  that comprising Egbuna Amuta,Director of News ,ABS Television (oderator) , Peter Okolie of he News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Odo Nyong of Silverbird Television and Vincent Ujummadu of Vanguard Newspapers  that the state earned roughly ‘half a Trillion’. In fact he said that the local government funds so far earned by the state since 2006 totals N209 billion, while the allocation to the state from the federation account  amounts to N264 billion totalling N475 billion. However when pressed further he gave a year-by-year breakdown of the allocation to states which added up to N 190 billion. Ilozumba claimed that Anambra State government earned N19 billion from federal allocation in 2006; 20billion in 2007,and N29 billion in the year 2008. For 2009.2010 and 2011Ilozumba gave N18 billion, N25billion and N33billion respectively as the direct earnings of the state. For 2012, Iozumba said he state earned N34 billion and for 2013 so far (January to April), the state earned N12 billion. Ilozumba’s annual breakdown adds up to N190 billion. If the journalists noticed the discrepancy in the figures supplied, they neither showed it, not asked any follow-up question on that. But Okolie of NAN was spot –on when he asked the commissioner if Federal allocation to states is on the decline, given the figures rolled out by the commissioner on behalf of Anambra State government, and the figures given by Ngige on the earnings of the state from 2003 to March 2006? The commissioner digressed into personal attacks on Ngige and appeared to forget the question, until insistent Okolie drew his attention back to the focus of his question. Then Ilozumba went I to a rigmarole about some of Nigeria’s customers who buy the country’s oil discovering their oil and global economic depression generally, but stopped short of answering if there is a decline in federal allocation to state. But the figures speak for him, and this is a new dimension to the debate. However, without dwelling, for the time being, on the graph movement of the allocations, it is important to understand that federal allocations to Anambra State in the period under review had been drawn mainly from three sources and so had local government allocations from the federal government. The sources are Allocation to the state from the federation account, State quote of execee crude account and SUR-P funds (from January 2012.  In fourth source is the internally generated revenue. For the Local government he funds ought to derive from the same four sources. Hence one is at pain to understand if the figures supplied by Ilozumba pertains to  the basic federal allocation or a sum total of the three for each year and how he plans to resolve the mathematical difference between the amounts he claimed the state has  earned and the breakdown. In any case, even the total that he is prepared to admit is doubtful placed on the pedestal of Peter Okolie’s thoughtful question which brought into focus a similar breakdown given  by ex-governor Ngige two weeks ago which totalled N150 billion in estimate, including local government funds and internally generated revenue. What this means in essence is that Olozumba or indeed any other person willing to assist him is not done in clearing the fog around the earnings before the focus changes to the utilisation. He may need one more television interview or better still advise the Comissioner for Finance, under whose portfolio these issues lie to issue a proper breakdown that will be devoid of inconsistencies and incoherence. That should be a good furtherance of the current productive debate while again it remains important to keep personal attacks out of the picture. This piece was contributed by Okelo Madukaife  ]]> Peter Obi

Anambra State commissioner for works Arc Calistus Ilozumba has been in the news lately for all sorts of reasons. Ilozumba it was who flew into an uncontrollable rage because his principal and kinsman Mr Peter Obi, governor of Anambra State was asked to justify the expenditure of the sum of N2 trillion, based on available infrastructure and delivery in the state. In the process, he described the call made by Senator Chris Ngige, former governor of the state who represents Anambra Central District in the Seventh National Assembly as ‘ lunatic’. In this call Ilozumba drew flaks from a large segment of the society in Anambra and beyond, who looked forward to benefiting from civil discussions on germane issues affecting their lives. Ilozumba made the statement in Onitsha in the presence of Governor Obi, who was commissioning roads in the commercial city in the thick of the rainy season. Reports did not indicate that Obi called Ilozumba to order. Ngige had in his speech at occasion in which a coalition of past office holders in Anambra State from all political parties endorsed him for the 2014 governorship elections stated that Anambra State earned a total of N2trillion in the life span of Peter Obi’s administration in which Ilozumba serves. Perhaps in response to the reaction of decent Nigerians on his abusive intervention, Ilozumba drew back for a while and returned on Thursday May 16,through a 45-minute interview programme-‘Face the Press ‘on Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) Television to describe the call again as ‘mischievous’ He actually exaggerated the amount pronounced by Senator Ngige to N3 trillion. But just as I had done in my previous press statement on behalf of my party-Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),the four journalists in the studios corrected him to the N2 trillion order. Ngige had given the revenue   profile of Anambra State for Seven years and fraction to approximately N2 trillion, with 1.2 trillion coming from direct federal allocation to the state, while N800 Billion from federal allocation to Anambra State local government held by the state government from local government funds. Ilozumba denied in the programme that the state had earned N2 trillion. Rather ,clutchng a rough sheet of jottings on him  told the journalists  that comprising Egbuna Amuta,Director of News ,ABS Television (oderator) , Peter Okolie of he News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Odo Nyong of Silverbird Television and Vincent Ujummadu of Vanguard Newspapers  that the state earned roughly ‘half a Trillion’. In fact he said that the local government funds so far earned by the state since 2006 totals N209 billion, while the allocation to the state from the federation account  amounts to N264 billion totalling N475 billion. However when pressed further he gave a year-by-year breakdown of the allocation to states which added up to N 190 billion. Ilozumba claimed that Anambra State government earned N19 billion from federal allocation in 2006; 20billion in 2007,and N29 billion in the year 2008. For 2009.2010 and 2011Ilozumba gave N18 billion, N25billion and N33billion respectively as the direct earnings of the state. For 2012, Iozumba said he state earned N34 billion and for 2013 so far (January to April), the state earned N12 billion. Ilozumba’s annual breakdown adds up to N190 billion. If the journalists noticed the discrepancy in the figures supplied, they neither showed it, not asked any follow-up question on that. But Okolie of NAN was spot –on when he asked the commissioner if Federal allocation to states is on the decline, given the figures rolled out by the commissioner on behalf of Anambra State government, and the figures given by Ngige on the earnings of the state from 2003 to March 2006? The commissioner digressed into personal attacks on Ngige and appeared to forget the question, until insistent Okolie drew his attention back to the focus of his question. Then Ilozumba went I to a rigmarole about some of Nigeria’s customers who buy the country’s oil discovering their oil and global economic depression generally, but stopped short of answering if there is a decline in federal allocation to state. But the figures speak for him, and this is a new dimension to the debate. However, without dwelling, for the time being, on the graph movement of the allocations, it is important to understand that federal allocations to Anambra State in the period under review had been drawn mainly from three sources and so had local government allocations from the federal government. The sources are Allocation to the state from the federation account, State quote of execee crude account and SUR-P funds (from January 2012.  In fourth source is the internally generated revenue. For the Local government he funds ought to derive from the same four sources. Hence one is at pain to understand if the figures supplied by Ilozumba pertains to  the basic federal allocation or a sum total of the three for each year and how he plans to resolve the mathematical difference between the amounts he claimed the state has  earned and the breakdown. In any case, even the total that he is prepared to admit is doubtful placed on the pedestal of Peter Okolie’s thoughtful question which brought into focus a similar breakdown given  by ex-governor Ngige two weeks ago which totalled N150 billion in estimate, including local government funds and internally generated revenue. What this means in essence is that Olozumba or indeed any other person willing to assist him is not done in clearing the fog around the earnings before the focus changes to the utilisation. He may need one more television interview or better still advise the Comissioner for Finance, under whose portfolio these issues lie to issue a proper breakdown that will be devoid of inconsistencies and incoherence. That should be a good furtherance of the current productive debate while again it remains important to keep personal attacks out of the picture. This piece was contributed by Okelo Madukaife  ]]> http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/anambra-n2-trillion-or-half-trillion/feed/ 0 Jonathan Goes For Amaechi’s Jugular, Moves Governors Forum Election To The Villa…Dumps Shema For Isa Yuguda http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/jonathan-goes-for-amaechis-jugular-moves-governors-forum-election-to-the-villa-dumps-shema-for-isa-yuguda/ http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/jonathan-goes-for-amaechis-jugular-moves-governors-forum-election-to-the-villa-dumps-shema-for-isa-yuguda/#comments Mon, 20 May 2013 19:38:44 +0000 irEditor http://ireports-ng.com/?p=12929 Amaechi and Mr Jonathan

Barely three days to the election of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, Chairmanship position, a desperate President Goodluck Jonathan has gone for the jugular of the incumbent Chairman of the body and current governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi by threatening the ruling PDP governors to pressure other opposition parties governors to agree to hold the election right under his watch in the presidential villa. An influential member of the NGF who is also a governor in one of the Northern states told iReports-ng.com on the phone today that "the Nigerian president has gone for the broke and so paranoid because of an ordinary governors forum election." The source further revealed that out of desperation for his return in 2015, Mr Jonathan has also dropped his support for the governor of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shema for his Bauchi state counterpart, Isa Yuguda. "As we speak, two of our colleagues who are the arrow heads of the group of governors promoting the Jonathan agenda within the forum, I mean Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state are in the villa with the president where they are calling the governors for the president to speak with them one after the other. This is in addition to the on-going collation of supporting governors' signatures for the election", the governor who will not want to be mentioned for fear of victimisation stated. The source further disclosed that in addition to the efforts of Jonathan, Suswam and Akpabio, the Board of Trustees Chairman of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih has equally been speaking with the governors to support the president's choice for the NGF. He said one of the governors that has been won over by Anenih is the Cross River state governor, Liyel Imoke who was until now a stauch supporter of Amaechi. "Imoke has turned his back because he was blackmailed that he has a number of cases pending in EFCC and was also promised some oil blocs", the source added. Indeed, it has been reported that Anenih was about a week ago in Calabar to meet Imoke. Another governor in the south- west who also spoke to iReports-ng.com on the matter today confirmed that President Jonathan had personally called him to seek his support for his choice for the NGF chairmanship. " I was surprised that the president will call me to ask me to support his choice for the chairmanship of our forum even when he knows i belong to another party and not a PDP member. It shocked me but it confirms our fear that the man (Jonathan) is becoming too desperate about this his 2015 ambition", the southwest governor added. Notwithstanding the president's desperation, there are indications that Governor Amaechi will still win the election scheduled for Thursday in Abuja if allowed to hold in a conducive atmosphere, free and fair. "There is no disputing the fact that the president's illegalities in Rivers in an attempt to cripple the state government has won some sympathy for Governor Amaechi. It is obvious the battle is about 2015, so majority of governors from the North will back Amaechi and it is certain that all the 11 APC governors are giving him their votes",the source added.]]> Amaechi and Mr Jonathan

Barely three days to the election of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, Chairmanship position, a desperate President Goodluck Jonathan has gone for the jugular of the incumbent Chairman of the body and current governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi by threatening the ruling PDP governors to pressure other opposition parties governors to agree to hold the election right under his watch in the presidential villa. An influential member of the NGF who is also a governor in one of the Northern states told iReports-ng.com on the phone today that "the Nigerian president has gone for the broke and so paranoid because of an ordinary governors forum election." The source further revealed that out of desperation for his return in 2015, Mr Jonathan has also dropped his support for the governor of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shema for his Bauchi state counterpart, Isa Yuguda. "As we speak, two of our colleagues who are the arrow heads of the group of governors promoting the Jonathan agenda within the forum, I mean Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state are in the villa with the president where they are calling the governors for the president to speak with them one after the other. This is in addition to the on-going collation of supporting governors' signatures for the election", the governor who will not want to be mentioned for fear of victimisation stated. The source further disclosed that in addition to the efforts of Jonathan, Suswam and Akpabio, the Board of Trustees Chairman of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih has equally been speaking with the governors to support the president's choice for the NGF. He said one of the governors that has been won over by Anenih is the Cross River state governor, Liyel Imoke who was until now a stauch supporter of Amaechi. "Imoke has turned his back because he was blackmailed that he has a number of cases pending in EFCC and was also promised some oil blocs", the source added. Indeed, it has been reported that Anenih was about a week ago in Calabar to meet Imoke. Another governor in the south- west who also spoke to iReports-ng.com on the matter today confirmed that President Jonathan had personally called him to seek his support for his choice for the NGF chairmanship. " I was surprised that the president will call me to ask me to support his choice for the chairmanship of our forum even when he knows i belong to another party and not a PDP member. It shocked me but it confirms our fear that the man (Jonathan) is becoming too desperate about this his 2015 ambition", the southwest governor added. Notwithstanding the president's desperation, there are indications that Governor Amaechi will still win the election scheduled for Thursday in Abuja if allowed to hold in a conducive atmosphere, free and fair. "There is no disputing the fact that the president's illegalities in Rivers in an attempt to cripple the state government has won some sympathy for Governor Amaechi. It is obvious the battle is about 2015, so majority of governors from the North will back Amaechi and it is certain that all the 11 APC governors are giving him their votes",the source added.]]> http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/jonathan-goes-for-amaechis-jugular-moves-governors-forum-election-to-the-villa-dumps-shema-for-isa-yuguda/feed/ 0 Boko Haram: Fresh Curfew Imposed In Yobe http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/boko-haram-fresh-curfew-imposed-in-yobe/ http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/boko-haram-fresh-curfew-imposed-in-yobe/#comments Mon, 20 May 2013 18:42:48 +0000 irEditor http://ireports-ng.com/?p=12924 Gov Geidam

Towing the line of Adamawa and Borno states which had imposed curfew, the Yobe state government today announced a 6pm to 6am curfew in the state. President Jonathan had in a nationwide broadcast declared a state of emergency in three North East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. He however said the emergency rule will not affect the democratic structures in the affected states. A statement issued today by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Yobe on Media and Information, Abdullahi Bego said a review of the security situation in the state necessitated the fresh curfew. “Consequently, restriction on movement now starts from 6:00pm to 6:00am daily throughout the state with effect from today Monday 20th May, 2013”, the statement said. The state government had earlier in the year imposed an 8pm to 6am curfew throughout the 17 local government areas of state following increasing attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. The government however said the adjustment in the curfew was a fall out of a meeting between the state governor and heads of security agencies in the state, stressing that the review is to ensure the security agencies sustain the emerging peace in the state. Governor Ibrahim Gaidam urged the people to "continue with the exemplary support and cooperation with security agents to ensure lasting peace in the state."  ]]> Gov Geidam

Towing the line of Adamawa and Borno states which had imposed curfew, the Yobe state government today announced a 6pm to 6am curfew in the state. President Jonathan had in a nationwide broadcast declared a state of emergency in three North East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. He however said the emergency rule will not affect the democratic structures in the affected states. A statement issued today by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Yobe on Media and Information, Abdullahi Bego said a review of the security situation in the state necessitated the fresh curfew. “Consequently, restriction on movement now starts from 6:00pm to 6:00am daily throughout the state with effect from today Monday 20th May, 2013”, the statement said. The state government had earlier in the year imposed an 8pm to 6am curfew throughout the 17 local government areas of state following increasing attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. The government however said the adjustment in the curfew was a fall out of a meeting between the state governor and heads of security agencies in the state, stressing that the review is to ensure the security agencies sustain the emerging peace in the state. Governor Ibrahim Gaidam urged the people to "continue with the exemplary support and cooperation with security agents to ensure lasting peace in the state."  ]]> http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/boko-haram-fresh-curfew-imposed-in-yobe/feed/ 0 JTF Arrests 120 Boko Haram Members During Burial Of Their Commander In Maiduguri…As Soldiers Take Over More Towns From Sect http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/jtf-arrests-120-boko-haram-members-during-burial-of-their-commander-in-maiduguri-as-soldiers-take-over-more-towns-from-sect/ http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/jtf-arrests-120-boko-haram-members-during-burial-of-their-commander-in-maiduguri-as-soldiers-take-over-more-towns-from-sect/#comments Mon, 20 May 2013 17:32:30 +0000 irEditor http://ireports-ng.com/?p=12921 JTF soldiers

The Defence Headquarters today announced the arrest of 120 members of the Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri, where they were gathered for the burial of one of their commanders who was killed in a gun battle with soldiers yesterday. Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade who announced the arrest in a statement obtained by iReports-ng.com today also said more towns and villages that have remained under the control of the insurgents have been taken over by the security forces. "The Special Forces have now secured the environs of New Marte, Hausari, Krenoa, Wulgo and Chikun Ngulalo after destroying all the terrorists camps sited in the vicinity of these localities.  The troops are already interacting with locals and citizens assuring them of their safety and freedom from the activities of insurgents. "Terrorists fleeing towards Chad and Niger Republic are being contained as they have had encounter with Multi-National Joint Task Force in various locations towards the border.  Advancing troops also observed a few shallow graves believed to be those of hurriedly buried members of the terrorist groups. "In Maiduguri, about 120 terrorists were arrested as they organized burial of one of their commanders who died in an encounter with Special Forces the previous day.  The arrested insurgents are in custody of the Joint Task Force where they are being interrogated", the DHQ statement explained.]]> JTF soldiers

The Defence Headquarters today announced the arrest of 120 members of the Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri, where they were gathered for the burial of one of their commanders who was killed in a gun battle with soldiers yesterday. Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade who announced the arrest in a statement obtained by iReports-ng.com today also said more towns and villages that have remained under the control of the insurgents have been taken over by the security forces. "The Special Forces have now secured the environs of New Marte, Hausari, Krenoa, Wulgo and Chikun Ngulalo after destroying all the terrorists camps sited in the vicinity of these localities.  The troops are already interacting with locals and citizens assuring them of their safety and freedom from the activities of insurgents. "Terrorists fleeing towards Chad and Niger Republic are being contained as they have had encounter with Multi-National Joint Task Force in various locations towards the border.  Advancing troops also observed a few shallow graves believed to be those of hurriedly buried members of the terrorist groups. "In Maiduguri, about 120 terrorists were arrested as they organized burial of one of their commanders who died in an encounter with Special Forces the previous day.  The arrested insurgents are in custody of the Joint Task Force where they are being interrogated", the DHQ statement explained.]]> http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/20/jtf-arrests-120-boko-haram-members-during-burial-of-their-commander-in-maiduguri-as-soldiers-take-over-more-towns-from-sect/feed/ 0 As Military-Boko Haram Battle Rages: 4 Soldiers, 14 Sect Members Confirmed Killed…7 Soldiers Wounded http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/19/as-military-boko-haram-battle-rages-4-soldiers-14-sect-members-confirmed-killed-7-soldiers-wounded/ http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/19/as-military-boko-haram-battle-rages-4-soldiers-14-sect-members-confirmed-killed-7-soldiers-wounded/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 18:48:29 +0000 irEditor http://ireports-ng.com/?p=12917 Soldiers during firing exercise

The Defence Headquarters today confirmed that a raging battle between the Nigerian military and Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state in the last 24 hours has led to the death of three soldiers, another one still missing and seven others wounded. The military also said that 14 sect members were also killed in the process. A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade released in Abuja today said : "The Special Forces troops have continued the advance and attack on identified terrorist camps in the Northern part of the country. Patrols are also ongoing to secure towns and villages from infiltration, while curfews on identified flash points are being enforced. "Dislodged terrorists have been noted to be in disarray with a large number of them heading backwards various borders. Their bases are being deserted but they are making efforts to evacuate most of the large stock of logistics including scores of vehicles in their holdings. "In the course of special forces pursuits and operations, a number of encounters have ensued since yesterday. After a mop up of scenes of battle, 14 terrorists were confirmed dead, while 7 vehicles and 13 telephone handsets were recovered. A total of 20 terrorists were apprehended as they fled.  Altogether, 3 soldiers died, while 7 are wounded and are being treated in military medical facility, one soldier is missing. "Meanwhile the required reinforcement and logistics have been delivered to forces in front where the forces have been engaging a large number of heavily armed terrorists since yesterday. "Defence Headquarters is quite satisfied with the high standard of compliance with operational order and strict observance of the rules of engagement so far. The forces have been directed to maintain the robustness of the patrols and enforcement of curfews where emplaced and ensure that civilians are kept out of harms way as much as possible."  ]]> Soldiers during firing exercise

The Defence Headquarters today confirmed that a raging battle between the Nigerian military and Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state in the last 24 hours has led to the death of three soldiers, another one still missing and seven others wounded. The military also said that 14 sect members were also killed in the process. A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade released in Abuja today said : "The Special Forces troops have continued the advance and attack on identified terrorist camps in the Northern part of the country. Patrols are also ongoing to secure towns and villages from infiltration, while curfews on identified flash points are being enforced. "Dislodged terrorists have been noted to be in disarray with a large number of them heading backwards various borders. Their bases are being deserted but they are making efforts to evacuate most of the large stock of logistics including scores of vehicles in their holdings. "In the course of special forces pursuits and operations, a number of encounters have ensued since yesterday. After a mop up of scenes of battle, 14 terrorists were confirmed dead, while 7 vehicles and 13 telephone handsets were recovered. A total of 20 terrorists were apprehended as they fled.  Altogether, 3 soldiers died, while 7 are wounded and are being treated in military medical facility, one soldier is missing. "Meanwhile the required reinforcement and logistics have been delivered to forces in front where the forces have been engaging a large number of heavily armed terrorists since yesterday. "Defence Headquarters is quite satisfied with the high standard of compliance with operational order and strict observance of the rules of engagement so far. The forces have been directed to maintain the robustness of the patrols and enforcement of curfews where emplaced and ensure that civilians are kept out of harms way as much as possible."  ]]> http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/19/as-military-boko-haram-battle-rages-4-soldiers-14-sect-members-confirmed-killed-7-soldiers-wounded/feed/ 0 More Troubles For Judges As CJN Threatens To Sack Lazy, Incompetent Members Of The Bench http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/19/more-troubles-for-judges-as-cjn-threatens-to-sack-lazy-incompetent-members-of-the-bench/ http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/19/more-troubles-for-judges-as-cjn-threatens-to-sack-lazy-incompetent-members-of-the-bench/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:52 +0000 irEditor http://ireports-ng.com/?p=12914 Justice-Aloma-Mukhtar

Aside dealing deadly blows on judges fingered in corrupt practices, incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar has again said that beside  the outcome of petitions filed against judges, the National Judicial Council would henceforth use its performance evaluation reports to weed out incompetent and indolent judges out of the bench.
The CJN who gave this indication while receiving ‘’Nigeria’s Judicial Performance Evaluation 2008 - 2011’’ compiled in seven volumes by the Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies(NIALS)  in her office said that it is highly absurd to observe that some judges can’t even deliver up to two judgements in a quarter.
‘’We are now thinking of looking at the performance evaluation of the judges for the purpose of discipline. If a judge cannot deliver three to four judgements in a year, there is no use keeping him on the bench other than to be shown his or her way out’’, Mukhtar said weekend.
Justice Mukhtar said that she didn’t know how bad the situation was until she directed all judges to seek for permission through their heads of courts before travelling abroad.
‘’The Nigerian Bar Association has also been complaining about the attitudes of judges to work this days. Many will leave their work and travel for days abroad. This is why I insisted they must obtain approval before travelling abroad. Until this directive, I never thought things were all that bad, because some of the judges will be seeking for permission to travel abroad while the courts were in session, despite  the six weeks holiday they are entitled to in a year’’.
The CJN went further to state that the judges are expected to commence with the court proceeding by 9 am, but there were instances where many of them do not resume to work until 11 am or 12 noon while the litigants, their witnesses and lawyers keep waiting in the courts.
‘’These litigants are human beings. They go to court sometimes with their witnesses and lawyers and were told that the judges were not around. Sometimes after coming to court without seeing the judges, they abandoned their cases in the court.  It is not fair.
‘’These are part of the reasons the NJC undertakes performance evaluation from time to time  both at the trial and appellate courts to determine productivity of the judges and their courts in the states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Supreme Court is not exempted.
‘’The NIALS’ performance evaluation has come at a better time because it will go a long way to compliment the ones carried out by NJC performance evaluation committee’’.
While presenting the seven volumes of the performance report, the project director who doubles as the head of NIALS, Professor Epiphany Azinge (SAN) said the work will go a long way to compliment the CJN’s present drive to cleanse the judiciary.
However, he urged the CJN to put necessary in place to standardize process of performance evaluation nation wide
]]> Justice-Aloma-Mukhtar

Aside dealing deadly blows on judges fingered in corrupt practices, incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar has again said that beside  the outcome of petitions filed against judges, the National Judicial Council would henceforth use its performance evaluation reports to weed out incompetent and indolent judges out of the bench.
The CJN who gave this indication while receiving ‘’Nigeria’s Judicial Performance Evaluation 2008 - 2011’’ compiled in seven volumes by the Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies(NIALS)  in her office said that it is highly absurd to observe that some judges can’t even deliver up to two judgements in a quarter.
‘’We are now thinking of looking at the performance evaluation of the judges for the purpose of discipline. If a judge cannot deliver three to four judgements in a year, there is no use keeping him on the bench other than to be shown his or her way out’’, Mukhtar said weekend.
Justice Mukhtar said that she didn’t know how bad the situation was until she directed all judges to seek for permission through their heads of courts before travelling abroad.
‘’The Nigerian Bar Association has also been complaining about the attitudes of judges to work this days. Many will leave their work and travel for days abroad. This is why I insisted they must obtain approval before travelling abroad. Until this directive, I never thought things were all that bad, because some of the judges will be seeking for permission to travel abroad while the courts were in session, despite  the six weeks holiday they are entitled to in a year’’.
The CJN went further to state that the judges are expected to commence with the court proceeding by 9 am, but there were instances where many of them do not resume to work until 11 am or 12 noon while the litigants, their witnesses and lawyers keep waiting in the courts.
‘’These litigants are human beings. They go to court sometimes with their witnesses and lawyers and were told that the judges were not around. Sometimes after coming to court without seeing the judges, they abandoned their cases in the court.  It is not fair.
‘’These are part of the reasons the NJC undertakes performance evaluation from time to time  both at the trial and appellate courts to determine productivity of the judges and their courts in the states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Supreme Court is not exempted.
‘’The NIALS’ performance evaluation has come at a better time because it will go a long way to compliment the ones carried out by NJC performance evaluation committee’’.
While presenting the seven volumes of the performance report, the project director who doubles as the head of NIALS, Professor Epiphany Azinge (SAN) said the work will go a long way to compliment the CJN’s present drive to cleanse the judiciary.
However, he urged the CJN to put necessary in place to standardize process of performance evaluation nation wide
]]> http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/19/more-troubles-for-judges-as-cjn-threatens-to-sack-lazy-incompetent-members-of-the-bench/feed/ 0 Court Jails Delta LG Ex-Boss Over N7M Fraud…As ICPC Nabs Nigerian Prison Official Over Fake Employment Racket http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/19/court-jails-delta-lg-ex-boss-over-n7m-fraud-as-icpc-nabs-nigerian-prison-official-over-fake-employment-racket/ http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/19/court-jails-delta-lg-ex-boss-over-n7m-fraud-as-icpc-nabs-nigerian-prison-official-over-fake-employment-racket/#comments Sun, 19 May 2013 18:16:37 +0000 irEditor http://ireports-ng.com/?p=12910 Delta state map

The former Chairman of Patani Local Government Council of Delta State Mr Austin Bebeteidoh has been sentenced to 3 years in jail for paying his wife a monthly imprest of N110,000, thereby contravening Section 19 of the ICPC Act. The former Chairman was charged to Court by the ICPC in 2007 on a seven count charge for violating Sections 16,19 and 25 of the ICPC Act. He was accused of converting for his personal use the sum of N7million overdraft facility he obtained on behalf of Patani Local Government Council from the New Nigerian Bank Plc and another sum of N710,000 which he purportedly used for hiring a vehicle for official use. Mr Austin Bebeteidoh was also accused of approving for fueling of his wife's car the sum of N110,000 monthly as imprest, even though his wife had no official car. Justice G.B Briki-okolosi, while delivering his judgement on Thursday 16th May 2013 discharged and acquitted the accused person on counts 1-5 but found the accused guilty on counts 6 and 7. He then sentenced the former Local Government Chairman to 3 years with an option of N200,000 on count 6 and another N200,000 on count 7. Meanwhile, the ICPC has arrested an officer of the Nigerian Prison Service ASP Ikwuobe Yusuf and his accomplice Usman Musa, for operating a fake employment syndicate through which they extorted hundreds of thousands of naira from applicants. ASP Yusuf is alleged to have collected the sum of N100,000 from 70 applicants through Usman Musa who promised to offer the applicants employment with National Task Force To Combat Illegal Importation and Smuggling of Goods, Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons. The suspects were arrested in Kano and Kaduna and have been transferred to ICPC headquarters for further investigation.]]> Delta state map

The former Chairman of Patani Local Government Council of Delta State Mr Austin Bebeteidoh has been sentenced to 3 years in jail for paying his wife a monthly imprest of N110,000, thereby contravening Section 19 of the ICPC Act. The former Chairman was charged to Court by the ICPC in 2007 on a seven count charge for violating Sections 16,19 and 25 of the ICPC Act. He was accused of converting for his personal use the sum of N7million overdraft facility he obtained on behalf of Patani Local Government Council from the New Nigerian Bank Plc and another sum of N710,000 which he purportedly used for hiring a vehicle for official use. Mr Austin Bebeteidoh was also accused of approving for fueling of his wife's car the sum of N110,000 monthly as imprest, even though his wife had no official car. Justice G.B Briki-okolosi, while delivering his judgement on Thursday 16th May 2013 discharged and acquitted the accused person on counts 1-5 but found the accused guilty on counts 6 and 7. He then sentenced the former Local Government Chairman to 3 years with an option of N200,000 on count 6 and another N200,000 on count 7. Meanwhile, the ICPC has arrested an officer of the Nigerian Prison Service ASP Ikwuobe Yusuf and his accomplice Usman Musa, for operating a fake employment syndicate through which they extorted hundreds of thousands of naira from applicants. ASP Yusuf is alleged to have collected the sum of N100,000 from 70 applicants through Usman Musa who promised to offer the applicants employment with National Task Force To Combat Illegal Importation and Smuggling of Goods, Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons. The suspects were arrested in Kano and Kaduna and have been transferred to ICPC headquarters for further investigation.]]> http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/19/court-jails-delta-lg-ex-boss-over-n7m-fraud-as-icpc-nabs-nigerian-prison-official-over-fake-employment-racket/feed/ 0 65 Fleeing Boko Haram Members Arrested, Says Defence Headquarters http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/18/65-fleeing-boko-haram-members-arrested-says-defence-headquarters/ http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/18/65-fleeing-boko-haram-members-arrested-says-defence-headquarters/#comments Sat, 18 May 2013 17:22:22 +0000 irEditor http://ireports-ng.com/?p=12906 Azubuike Ihejirika

The Defence Headquarters today announced that troops deployed in the on-going war between security forces and insurgents have arrested 65 persons suspected to be Boko Haram members fleeing some camps under military bombardment. A statement by the DHQ and signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.Gen. Chris Olukolade said some vehicles and tricycles were also recovered from the suspects. The statement reads in part: "In continuation of the mission to rid the nation’s territories of all insurgents activities, the Special Forces have apprehended 65 persons confirmed to be terrorists as they made attempt to infiltrate Maiduguri while fleeing from various camps now under attack.  A total of 11 vehicles, 4 tricycles and 24 handsets were also seized in the process.  All the suspects are in custody of Joint Task Force and are currently being interrogated. "Meanwhile of the camps of the terrorists have been found deserted by fleeing insurgents when troops of the Special Task Force stormed the localities.  The facilities have been occupied by troops. "In another development, troops have engaged and dislodged elements of insurgents groups who carried out attacks on citizens in localities such as Gamboru ward yesterday.  At the end of the encounter, a total of 10 suspected terrorists were confirmed dead while weapons such as Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers, assorted ammunition and rifle magazines were recovered.  The area is being combed to fish out any of the surviving insurgents. "Also, some of the fleeing insurgents from various camps have been noted to be in search of fuel from neighboring communities.  Citizens are advised to report to JTF, any group of persons roaming around the local communities with large quantities of containers in search of fuel. The advance of troops is continuing in all fronts as scheduled. "The Defence Headquarters has further enjoined the troops to sustain the intensity of the operations."  ]]> Azubuike Ihejirika

The Defence Headquarters today announced that troops deployed in the on-going war between security forces and insurgents have arrested 65 persons suspected to be Boko Haram members fleeing some camps under military bombardment. A statement by the DHQ and signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.Gen. Chris Olukolade said some vehicles and tricycles were also recovered from the suspects. The statement reads in part: "In continuation of the mission to rid the nation’s territories of all insurgents activities, the Special Forces have apprehended 65 persons confirmed to be terrorists as they made attempt to infiltrate Maiduguri while fleeing from various camps now under attack.  A total of 11 vehicles, 4 tricycles and 24 handsets were also seized in the process.  All the suspects are in custody of Joint Task Force and are currently being interrogated. "Meanwhile of the camps of the terrorists have been found deserted by fleeing insurgents when troops of the Special Task Force stormed the localities.  The facilities have been occupied by troops. "In another development, troops have engaged and dislodged elements of insurgents groups who carried out attacks on citizens in localities such as Gamboru ward yesterday.  At the end of the encounter, a total of 10 suspected terrorists were confirmed dead while weapons such as Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers, assorted ammunition and rifle magazines were recovered.  The area is being combed to fish out any of the surviving insurgents. "Also, some of the fleeing insurgents from various camps have been noted to be in search of fuel from neighboring communities.  Citizens are advised to report to JTF, any group of persons roaming around the local communities with large quantities of containers in search of fuel. The advance of troops is continuing in all fronts as scheduled. "The Defence Headquarters has further enjoined the troops to sustain the intensity of the operations."  ]]> http://ireports-ng.com/2013/05/18/65-fleeing-boko-haram-members-arrested-says-defence-headquarters/feed/ 0