One Sudanese soldier was killed Monday during a military confrontation between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the South Sudanese Army in the oil-rich Heglig area on the Sudanese territories.
Sawarmy Khalid Saad, spokesman of the SAF, said in a statement that a patrol of the South Sudanese Army entered the oil-rich Heglig area on the Sudanese territories, the official Sudanese News Agency reported. The report added that a Sudanese soldier was killed and two others injured in the fighting before the patrol pulled back to South Sudan. "At 3:00 p.m. (1200 GMT) today, a patrol from South Sudan crossed our border at Tashween site, getting a few kilometers into our territories in the Heglig area," Saad said. "The situation has been contained by the leadership of the two sides and the conditions are now stable," he added.
The Heglig area, which had been a scene of bloodshed between the two sides, was seized by South Sudan army on April 10, 2012 and taken back by the Sudanese army 20 days later. Monday's confrontation came at a time when the two sides had agreed to settle their differences, particularly with regard to the disputed areas, through peaceful means under the mediation of the African Union. New clashes flared up recently between the Sudanese army and rebels erupted in the country's main oil-producing state of South Kordofan, bordering South Sudan.Diplomats said that hardliners among the rebels and inside the Sudanese army usually try to stir up clashes during such mediation efforts as they do not want a peaceful settlement.
Khartoum accuses Juba of supporting insurgents operating on Sudanese soil and using the South's territory as retreat bases, which Juba has denied. South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 under a peace deal, ending decades of civil war. But the two sides have so far failed to demarcate their joint border and come to agreement on disputed border territories. The United Nations currently deploys a peacekeeping mission in the disputed region of Abyei which is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. The UN force helps to mark the border in the oil-rich region and monitors a demilitarized zone.
SOURCE: Xinhua
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Monday, 5 August 2013
5 Dead As Rival Civilian JTF Groups Battle For Supremacy
At least five persons were killed over the weekend following a deadly clash between two rival vigilante youth groups seeking to curb the menace posed by the Boko Haram in Borno State.
The two groups, popularly called ‘civilian JTF’ were fighting over the control of Bui, a town about 190 kilometers from Maiduguri, residents said.
"The Civilian JTF in Biu had asked those that came from Maiduguri to leave the town because their presence is likely to cause more harm than good to residents of Biu town," Abdullahi Mohammed said, adding that it was during the ejection of the Maiduguri civilian JTF that fight ensued between the two youth groups, which led to the killing of five persons.
" I saw five dead bodies before I was rushed to hospital. It is possible the casualty figure may be more than five because only two of us survived the shooting, I can't tell where other dead bodies were deposited," he said.
SOURCE: TheWILL
The two groups, popularly called ‘civilian JTF’ were fighting over the control of Bui, a town about 190 kilometers from Maiduguri, residents said.
"The Civilian JTF in Biu had asked those that came from Maiduguri to leave the town because their presence is likely to cause more harm than good to residents of Biu town," Abdullahi Mohammed said, adding that it was during the ejection of the Maiduguri civilian JTF that fight ensued between the two youth groups, which led to the killing of five persons.
" I saw five dead bodies before I was rushed to hospital. It is possible the casualty figure may be more than five because only two of us survived the shooting, I can't tell where other dead bodies were deposited," he said.
SOURCE: TheWILL
Sunday, 4 August 2013
Tension Brews between Jonathan, Dickson over Hotel Project
Ahead of the 2015 general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan and his protégé, Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson might already be dealing with a potentially sour relationship over delay in construction of a five-star hotel project flagged off years back.
Jonathan, as Governor of Bayelsa State back then, began constructing the hotel following the removal of then-Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. Alamieyeseigha conceived the hotel project to bolster the state’s tourism capabilities but it was Jonathan who began pumping funds into it.
After he was nominated as vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), funding for the project became an avenue for financially fuelling the party’s 2007 presidential campaign. The scope of the project was also widened, ostensibly to allow for further siphoning of funds worth more than N5bn for the presidential election.
Timipre Sylva, who became Governor of Bayelsa after Jonathan, was not exactly a fan of the hotel project, which had gulped over 450 per cent of the total contract value while work remained below 40 per cent completion. His supposedly lackadaisical disposition to the project angered Jonathan, who was reportedly desperate to cover up for the amount of money laundered under the guise of erecting a five-star hotel. His thinking was that it would be difficult to question the huge spending once the project is completed.
With the arrival of his godson, Dickson as the new governor, President Jonathan had expected the completion of the project. But Dickson was himself unwilling to carry on with the project and instead sited a new five-star hotel project less than 1km away from Jonathan’s original project five-star hotel.
Dickson earmarked N3.5bn for the new hotel around Oxbow Lake, and hired a contractor named Anyim Osigwe Group, which is to collaborate with a foreign partner. Dickson also allocated N2.6bn for renovating the new government house with 19 presidential suites.
This development has reportedly landed Dickson in First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan’s bad books, particularly for refusing to turn in money to the stakeholders him in removing Timipre Sylva from office and installing him instead. Sylva is reportedly aware of the first lady’s stance as well as the disappointment of President Jonathan but he is reported to have himself expressed lack of confidence in President Jonathan.
“Dickson has of recent become very suspicious that President Jonathan may likely give him the Sylva Treatment by not allowing him to return for a second term,” a source said.
To avert this treatment, Dickson is reportedly finalising plans to secure the services of a judge, who would pronounce a judgment bringing the governorship election in the state from 2016 to 2015, which means the president will be too busy with his own election to be removing a governor. This judicial project, it is believed, will gulp N3bn.
It is also believed that Jonathan and his wife are considering Special Adviser to the President on Domestic Affairs, Hon. Waripamowei Dudafa. Dudafa was initially picked as Dickson`s running mate in the last gubernatorial elections,but was dropped.
But the Bayelsa Government has denied all these stories. “The story is not true. The Governor is concentrating on roads now. Several meetings have been held concerning the International Conference Centre and four-star hotel,” Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Social Media said in a statement.
“In fact, the restoration administration is anchored on investment promotion and of course, that includes tourism. To underscore this, an Institute of Tourism and Hospitality management is being put in place. The institutions that will promote tourism are being established. It is untrue that Governor Dickson has abandoned the Tower Hotel.”
Jonathan, as Governor of Bayelsa State back then, began constructing the hotel following the removal of then-Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. Alamieyeseigha conceived the hotel project to bolster the state’s tourism capabilities but it was Jonathan who began pumping funds into it.
After he was nominated as vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), funding for the project became an avenue for financially fuelling the party’s 2007 presidential campaign. The scope of the project was also widened, ostensibly to allow for further siphoning of funds worth more than N5bn for the presidential election.
Timipre Sylva, who became Governor of Bayelsa after Jonathan, was not exactly a fan of the hotel project, which had gulped over 450 per cent of the total contract value while work remained below 40 per cent completion. His supposedly lackadaisical disposition to the project angered Jonathan, who was reportedly desperate to cover up for the amount of money laundered under the guise of erecting a five-star hotel. His thinking was that it would be difficult to question the huge spending once the project is completed.
With the arrival of his godson, Dickson as the new governor, President Jonathan had expected the completion of the project. But Dickson was himself unwilling to carry on with the project and instead sited a new five-star hotel project less than 1km away from Jonathan’s original project five-star hotel.
Dickson earmarked N3.5bn for the new hotel around Oxbow Lake, and hired a contractor named Anyim Osigwe Group, which is to collaborate with a foreign partner. Dickson also allocated N2.6bn for renovating the new government house with 19 presidential suites.
This development has reportedly landed Dickson in First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan’s bad books, particularly for refusing to turn in money to the stakeholders him in removing Timipre Sylva from office and installing him instead. Sylva is reportedly aware of the first lady’s stance as well as the disappointment of President Jonathan but he is reported to have himself expressed lack of confidence in President Jonathan.
“Dickson has of recent become very suspicious that President Jonathan may likely give him the Sylva Treatment by not allowing him to return for a second term,” a source said.
To avert this treatment, Dickson is reportedly finalising plans to secure the services of a judge, who would pronounce a judgment bringing the governorship election in the state from 2016 to 2015, which means the president will be too busy with his own election to be removing a governor. This judicial project, it is believed, will gulp N3bn.
It is also believed that Jonathan and his wife are considering Special Adviser to the President on Domestic Affairs, Hon. Waripamowei Dudafa. Dudafa was initially picked as Dickson`s running mate in the last gubernatorial elections,but was dropped.
But the Bayelsa Government has denied all these stories. “The story is not true. The Governor is concentrating on roads now. Several meetings have been held concerning the International Conference Centre and four-star hotel,” Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Social Media said in a statement.
“In fact, the restoration administration is anchored on investment promotion and of course, that includes tourism. To underscore this, an Institute of Tourism and Hospitality management is being put in place. The institutions that will promote tourism are being established. It is untrue that Governor Dickson has abandoned the Tower Hotel.”
Thursday, 1 August 2013
Boko Haram: Borno Requests For More Troops
IN order to track down the fleeing members of the Boko Haram sect who have fled Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to the outskirts of the state, the State Government on Wednesday requested for the deployment of more troops to the state.
The request was made on a day the State Government inaugurated a 12-man committee to oversee the training of its youths on behavioural change, empowerment and employment.
The State deputy governor, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha, who made the request while receiving the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 12, Mr. Edgar Tam Nanakumo, in his office, said Bama and two other Local Government Areas in the state are still infested with members of the sect.
Mustapha asked the AIG to deploy more policemen to the state to flush out the remnants of the Boko Haram sect in three Local Government Areas of the state where the insurgents are currently terrorising the people.
Assuring that the government would collaborate with the police to ensure that peace fully returns to the state, the deputy governor said lack of perimeter fencing had made many police stations and formations in the state susceptible to Boko Haram attacks.
He noted that the police might have recorded less casualties during attacks on them if their barracks were fenced ..
According to the deputy governor, "Most of the police stations in the state and country generally are not secured and this made it possible for the hoodlums to penetrate and wreck havoc.
"It is sad and regrettable that we've lost quite a number of policemen in the state and other parts of the country. The Federal Government should do something about it."
He advised that the welfare of police men and women should be given more attention even as he called for more training for the conventional police personnel whom, he said, often disappear from scenes of Boko Haram atacks when confronted by the superior fire power of the insurgents unlike the mobile force and anti/counter terrorism squad.
"We have seen policemen in other countries; well-equipped and being properly taken care of. That is why they do their work with passion because their welfare is guaranteed. It is when we take care of our policemen and women that they can in turn protect us and police our communities well," he added.
Noting that Borno was a home of peace until few years ago when the Boko Haram insurgents began their offensive, he assured that peace will eventually return, saying the efforts of the volunteer youth groups were already paying off as no Boko Haram can now operate freely in Maiduguri due to the resistance from the residents.
In his speech earlier, the AIG said he was in the state to familiarise with the area, government, people and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
He stressed further that he was also using the visit to condole with the government and families of the policemen who were killed in Bama and other attacks by the Boko Haram.
Source:THE WILL
The request was made on a day the State Government inaugurated a 12-man committee to oversee the training of its youths on behavioural change, empowerment and employment.
The State deputy governor, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha, who made the request while receiving the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 12, Mr. Edgar Tam Nanakumo, in his office, said Bama and two other Local Government Areas in the state are still infested with members of the sect.
Mustapha asked the AIG to deploy more policemen to the state to flush out the remnants of the Boko Haram sect in three Local Government Areas of the state where the insurgents are currently terrorising the people.
Assuring that the government would collaborate with the police to ensure that peace fully returns to the state, the deputy governor said lack of perimeter fencing had made many police stations and formations in the state susceptible to Boko Haram attacks.
He noted that the police might have recorded less casualties during attacks on them if their barracks were fenced ..
According to the deputy governor, "Most of the police stations in the state and country generally are not secured and this made it possible for the hoodlums to penetrate and wreck havoc.
"It is sad and regrettable that we've lost quite a number of policemen in the state and other parts of the country. The Federal Government should do something about it."
He advised that the welfare of police men and women should be given more attention even as he called for more training for the conventional police personnel whom, he said, often disappear from scenes of Boko Haram atacks when confronted by the superior fire power of the insurgents unlike the mobile force and anti/counter terrorism squad.
"We have seen policemen in other countries; well-equipped and being properly taken care of. That is why they do their work with passion because their welfare is guaranteed. It is when we take care of our policemen and women that they can in turn protect us and police our communities well," he added.
Noting that Borno was a home of peace until few years ago when the Boko Haram insurgents began their offensive, he assured that peace will eventually return, saying the efforts of the volunteer youth groups were already paying off as no Boko Haram can now operate freely in Maiduguri due to the resistance from the residents.
In his speech earlier, the AIG said he was in the state to familiarise with the area, government, people and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
He stressed further that he was also using the visit to condole with the government and families of the policemen who were killed in Bama and other attacks by the Boko Haram.
Source:THE WILL
Prison Officials Rape Terror Suspect - Keyamo
Barring any cover-up by the Nigerian Prisons Authorities, some top officials of the organization may end up in jail for raping and aiding in the rape a male inmate in Kuje prison.
Festus Keyamo, attorney of the rape victim cum terror suspect, Charles Okah, has decried the sodomisation of his client by officials of the Nigerian Prison.
In a letter dated, Tuesday, July 30, 2013, addressed to the Comptroller-General of Prisons and titled open compliant on the attempt to sodomize Mr. Charles Okah by Mr. Isah Musa(The chief clerk), Tanko Gokuje,(The assistant yard master) and three other warders in kuje prisons,Mr Keyamo, gave a narrative of the sodomisation.
In his words, “on Wednesday, 3rd July, 2013, at about 6.30 am, some Prison Warders, specifically Mr. Isah Musa (the Chief Clerk), Mr. Tanko Gokuje, (the Assistant Yard Master) and three (3) other Prison Warders entered Mr.Okah`s cell (No.1) and demanded to search his anus because they claimed they had information that he was hiding “incriminating” materials therein. Before entering his cell, they made sure all other inmates were locked up in their various cells.”
“Having heard from other inmates in the past that this is a known pattern used by warders to sodomize inmates, Mr.Okah initially resisted the attempt, but was forced to succumb after much pressure and insistence by the culprits.”
“However, having succumbed, to the utter shock and dismay of Mr.Okah, he saw that Mr. Isah Musa pulled off his clothes and sustained erection and attempted to carry out the acts of sodomy on him.”
“To achieve this, Mr. Okah was then held to the ground by Mr. Tanko Gokuje and three (3) other warders. Mr.Okah had to intensify his struggle and resistance to prevent the completion of the criminal act. Mr Okah screamed for help and this was heard by other inmates.”
“Mr. Okah reported the foregoing event to the Officer in Charge of Kuje Prisons, DCP. Felix Lawrence who, in conjunction with the Kuje Prison authorities pleaded with him not to make a formal complaint, and further suppressed the incident.”
“We find the forgoing events very unfortunate, disheartening and totally unacceptable to our client and the entire society. This criminal act has been reported as a common and recurring phenomenon in the Nigerian Prisons. It simply shows the despicable level of moral decadence of the officers who are paid to take charge of prison inmates. It is our considered opinion that such criminal and immoral acts should not be tolerated or condoned in anyway.”
“We hereby call on you to use your good offices to urgently investigate the foregoing complaints and effect appropriate sanctions on the culprits, including their dismissal from Nigerian Prisons Services forthwith.”
Source: HUHU
Festus Keyamo, attorney of the rape victim cum terror suspect, Charles Okah, has decried the sodomisation of his client by officials of the Nigerian Prison.
In a letter dated, Tuesday, July 30, 2013, addressed to the Comptroller-General of Prisons and titled open compliant on the attempt to sodomize Mr. Charles Okah by Mr. Isah Musa(The chief clerk), Tanko Gokuje,(The assistant yard master) and three other warders in kuje prisons,Mr Keyamo, gave a narrative of the sodomisation.
In his words, “on Wednesday, 3rd July, 2013, at about 6.30 am, some Prison Warders, specifically Mr. Isah Musa (the Chief Clerk), Mr. Tanko Gokuje, (the Assistant Yard Master) and three (3) other Prison Warders entered Mr.Okah`s cell (No.1) and demanded to search his anus because they claimed they had information that he was hiding “incriminating” materials therein. Before entering his cell, they made sure all other inmates were locked up in their various cells.”
“Having heard from other inmates in the past that this is a known pattern used by warders to sodomize inmates, Mr.Okah initially resisted the attempt, but was forced to succumb after much pressure and insistence by the culprits.”
“However, having succumbed, to the utter shock and dismay of Mr.Okah, he saw that Mr. Isah Musa pulled off his clothes and sustained erection and attempted to carry out the acts of sodomy on him.”
“To achieve this, Mr. Okah was then held to the ground by Mr. Tanko Gokuje and three (3) other warders. Mr.Okah had to intensify his struggle and resistance to prevent the completion of the criminal act. Mr Okah screamed for help and this was heard by other inmates.”
“Mr. Okah reported the foregoing event to the Officer in Charge of Kuje Prisons, DCP. Felix Lawrence who, in conjunction with the Kuje Prison authorities pleaded with him not to make a formal complaint, and further suppressed the incident.”
“We find the forgoing events very unfortunate, disheartening and totally unacceptable to our client and the entire society. This criminal act has been reported as a common and recurring phenomenon in the Nigerian Prisons. It simply shows the despicable level of moral decadence of the officers who are paid to take charge of prison inmates. It is our considered opinion that such criminal and immoral acts should not be tolerated or condoned in anyway.”
“We hereby call on you to use your good offices to urgently investigate the foregoing complaints and effect appropriate sanctions on the culprits, including their dismissal from Nigerian Prisons Services forthwith.”
Source: HUHU
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