Thursday, August 6, 2009

Family of executed Boko Haram Leader Threaten to Sue Police

The family of executed Boko Haram Leader, Mohammed Yusuf, are threatening to take legal action against the police after it was revealed that Mohammed Yusuf's 72 year old father-in-law, Baba Fugu Mohammed, was also killed in police custody.


Spokesman for the family , Baba Kura Alhaji Fugu,  said his father fled his residence when the sectarian crisis erupted. But voluntarily gave himself up to the police when he heard that he was a wanted man.


Alhaji Fugu said news came back to the family that his father was killed and his corpse deposited at the morgue of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). He was later buried in a mass grave at an undisclosed location.


"The news of his assassination came to the family and we are surprised how he would be assassinated by the police and his corpse deposited at the UMTH mortuary on Friday and he would be buried in a mass grave on Saturday." Alhaji Fugu said.


Alhaji Fugu  revealed that his father gave the land on which Mohammed Yusuf built his house and mosque. His father also continually warned Mohammed against his anti-government, anti-Western education rhetoric. Fugu stated that he had sent a petition on the activities of his brother-in-law to the Borno State government before the incident last week and accused the government of laxity.


The petition was titled "Threatening Situation to Peace and Security of the State posed by Mallam Mohammed Yusuf and his Disciples." It was written on July 15,2009. Here are some excerpts from the petition:


"It could be recalled that few weeks ago, some members of Mohammed Yusuf's disciples had a logger-head with Operation Flush II team near the Custom Bridge in Maiduguri in which few of Yusuf's disciples sustained injuries."


"Against this background, since the occurrence of this incident, the group under the leadership of ill-educated Mallam Mohammed Yusuf is mobilizing both men and resources to retaliate the injuries inflicted on them by the said Operation Flush II team."


"The spate of which most of his disciples both with and far flung of Maiduguri are paying allegiance and solidarity visits to their leader shows they are busy preparing to launch an offensive attack on members of the Operation Flush II stationed at strategic locations in Maiduguri. In addition to this, they are targeting many government agencies and departments such as courts, the state house of assembly, police stations and formations across the state, the university and other tertiary institutions. They are also targeting all the democratic institutions and political office holders."


Alhaji Fugu advised the government to take action by alerting all security agencies in the North-east region.


This Day


Related stories:


Video and transcript of Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf interrogated before his execution


Video report on the widows of Boko Haram militants


Training school belonging to Islamic radical group Boko Haram found in Taraba, Nigeria



Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Interview with G.I. Joe star Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje part 2


Watch Adewale Interview in Entertainment  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com


In the 2nd part of the interview with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, he talks about how he started his career in Hollywood. From living in London with his Nigerian parents, where he got his masters degree in criminal law by working as a bouncer and a model to pay for University. And to how his modeling got him into Hollywood.


G.I. Joe comes out this Friday. Should be fun!


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Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Africa's Tallest building to be built in Lagos,Nigeria

The multi-level, 65-storey building tagged as the "World Trade Tower", is set to be constructed in the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, which will will act as the home for the Lagos World Trade Centre. The construction of the building is being handled by BHS International Limited.


BHS Managing Director, Mr. Martin Baines, says the firm is projecting a 24-hour, seven days a week, and 12 month influx of international visitors within five years after completion:


"We remain consistent in our basic goal of turning the complex into a city centre providing top class hotel, business and leisure facilities and encapsulating the spirit and tradition of Lagos and Nigeria."


"The proposed city centre will have regular art activities with the atmosphere of Hollywood and little Las Vegas, with artists and movie stars working on a regular visit. With assorted restaurants, nightclubs, a huge shopping arena with about 2,000 shops, a modern world trade centre for the first time in Africa is here in Nigeria.


Mr. Baines mentioned the execution of the project would be handled by international experts working with local contractors. "The aim is to stimulate employment as well as acquisition of skill by the Lagos labour force."


Africa's tallest building is currently the 36 year old, 50 storey "Carlton Centre" in Johannesburg. South Africa, that stands at 223 metres tall.


Daily Independent


Related story: Minister wants Abuja in the top 20 cities in the world



Video and transcript of Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf interrogated before his execution


 



In the video, Mohammed Yusuf is seen to be calm and composed while being interrogated by Nigerian security forces after his capture. He was later executed by Nigerian police in what the police say was a "shoot out".


Here is a transcript from the interrogation that has been translated from Hausa to English:


NPF: Yesterday we went to your house; we saw a lot of animals, students and stuff you guys are putting together. What are you going to do with all these stuff?

MY: To defend our self.

NPF: Is there no authority to defend you?

MY: I don’t know what I did for this arrest?

NPF: You are a Muslim person.

MY: I don’t know why you are disturbing us?

NPF: You said Boko Haram (Western education is sin) who made the pants you are wearing?

MY: My pants are cotton and cotton is made by God.

NPF: God in the Quran’s chapter said ‘Ikra’ – or seek knowledge?

MY: Is not same with Islamic knowledge. There certain western knowledge that is bad.

NPF: We saw Computer and many things in your house are they not made from knowledge?

MY: These are technology different from Western schooling.

NPF: You are eating good food, driving a nice car, and wearing nice clothes.

MY: Is not like that. People have different means and abilities. Some have in their hand while others don’t.

NPF: Why did you leave your compound?

MY: Because you came to attack me.

NPF: You send others to fight and you left?

MY: All my people have left too.

NPF: What about the people that come to fighting?

MY: My people have left.

NPF: Where are your followers now?

MY: Bauchi, Gombe. Adamawa, Taraba and police have already attacked them before Maiduguri.

NPF: What happened to cut on your arms?

MY: I fell.

NPF: Where is your headquarters or branch offices.

MY: You have attacked my headquarters; my branches are in Gwange ward, Bulumkutu, etc.

NPF: Who is helping you, do you have soldiers, organizers and if you are not here who is second in command?

MY: Abubakar Shekau.

NPF: Where is your GSM Cell phone?

MY: I don’t know.

NPF: You ran away with many people, where are they now?

MY: I don’t know.

NPF: Are you getting any help from Niger Republic?

MY: No, no one is helping us – Insha Allahu Warahamatullah, Insha Allahu Warahamatullah.

NPF: Do you have a farm in Benishiek?

MY: Yes.

NPF: You made many die fighting, who do not know what they are fighting for, what is your opinion on their death?

MY: It is on the conscious of the killers of my people.

NPF: What about your Children that were killed?

MY: My children are killed? Again it is on the conscious of the killers.

NPF: Where are you from?

MY: From Yobe State.

NPF: Where from Yobe?

MY? From Jakusko.

NPF: Where is your mom from?

MY: From Gashua.

NPF: Have you travelled overseas?

MY: Yes. Only to Pilgrimage or Haji.

NPF: When?

MY: 2000 to 2003.


Nigerian News Service


Related stories: Video report on latest counter attack by Nigerian security forces on radical Islamist group Boko Haram


Training school belonging to Islamic radical group Boko Haram found in Taraba, Nigeria


Video report on the widows of Boko Haram militants




Monday, August 3, 2009

Nigeria's Wole Soyinka on CNN's special African Voices


Watch Wole Soyinka - Nigerian Legend in Activism & Non-Profit  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com


Africa's first Nobel Prize winner, Nigerian Legend Wole Soyinka talks to CNN's Christian Purefoy about his illustrious career and political activism. Great story. 


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