NAIJAFEED

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Nigeria on alert as U.S. warns of Boko Haram attacks

Nigeria was on high alert after the United States warned of fresh attacks following a wave of deadly blasts claimed by Islamists that killed 150 people in the northeast of the country.

Friday's attacks in the city of Damaturu were among the deadliest ever carried out by Boko Haram, an Islamist sect based in the north of Africa's most populous country.

The US embassy in Nigeria warned the sect could next strike hotels and other targets in the capital Abuja during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

"Following the recent Boko Haram, aka Nigerian Taliban, attacks in Borno and Yobe State, the US embassy has received information that Boko Haram may plan to attack several locations and hotels in Abuja," the embassy said.

Security was stepped up in Abuja, which has been a target of past attacks, including an August 26 suicide bomb at the UN headquarters which claimed 24 lives.

Embassy staff were told to avoid the venues and US citizens were urged to exercise "additional caution".

As well as normal in-house security checks, police were also deployed to the hotels, while armed soldiers stopped cars driving close to the hotels in the capital and searched their bonnets and trunks.

The country's state security services played down the latest threat, arguing that police had been on high alert for three months.

"The current threat of attack on the three hotels in Abuja is not news, and for over three months the security services have taken pro-active measures to protect the designated critical facilities and others," the president's security advisor, Andrew Azazi, said in a statement.

Some 13,000 policemen and specialist anti-terror squads were nevertheless deployed to mosques and churches and other locations across Abuja on Sunday, police officials said.

Worshippers were screened by metal detectors before they entered some churches.

The British Foreign Office on Sunday also warned of "a heightened threat of terrorist attacks during the Eid ... weekend across northern states in Nigeria."

It advised British nationals to maintain a "high level of vigilance."

Police have been placed on red alert. "We don't want to take chances, particularly in Abuja," said national police spokesman Yemi Ajayi.

A Western diplomat in the capital said: "Obviously what happened in the last few days, and the US warning, has called for extra monitoring."

In the grief-stricken city of Damaturu where the 150 died, thousands of Muslims gathered for Eid el-Adha prayers at an open ground patrolled by dozens of armed police.

Celebrations in the sleepy city, which is under a curfew, were low key and on Monday its streets were almost deserted and businesses shut. Some people went to a hospital morgue to collect the remains of their loved ones for burial.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who described the wave of gun and bomb attacks in the capital of Yobe state as "heinous", appealed to Muslims to pray for peace as they marked Eid, which ended at sundown on Monday.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, chief of the world's largest pan-Islamic body the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, "strongly condemned the terrorist attacks" describing them as "criminal ... contrary to all human values and the noble Islamic values."

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton sharply condemned the "brutal attacks" adding: "Such mindless and heinous acts cannot under any circumstances be justified."

While churches and police were among the initial targets, gunmen fired indiscriminately in the streets. Muslims and Christians alike were among those killed.

Militants from Boko Haram, whose name means "Western Education Is Sin" in the regional Hausa language, have in the past targeted police and military, community and religious leaders, as well as politicians.

The latest attacks point to the group's growing determination to take on the government.

"The truth of the matter is we are (now) faced with armed insurgency," said northern-based rights activist Shehu Sani, of the Civil Rights Congress group.

Boko Haram has claimed to be fighting for the establishment of an Islamic state in Nigeria, whose 160 million population is roughly divided in half between Christians and Muslims.

RNW

Nigerian government dismisses U.S. bomb warning

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Canada to invest in Nigeria's mining sector

Nigeria's efforts to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) into the mining industry has started yielding results with the Canadian government indicating interest in the development of the sector.

To this end, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Musa Mohammed Sada, at the weekend received in audience at the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Chris Cooter, and the Deputy High Commissioner, Jean J. Gautheir in his office.

Describing the meeting as timely, Sada said the federal government was working proactively at diversifying the economy of the country to other sectors particularly minerals and metal sector.

He noted that the regulatory frameworks, which were being operated in the nation's mining industry were Canadian-based, adding that draft copies of the mining regulations were circulated to prospective mining investors at the last Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, (PDAC) Forum in Canada.

This is to enable them get additional inputs in order to have regulatory frameworks that conform to international best practices.

The minister informed the delegation that the federal Government had already put in place a Committee on Bitumen for the Country to develop its bitumen belt.

He disclosed that he had directed the Chairman of the committee to liaise with the Canadian Embassy on the way forward for the exploration of the bitumen resources.

He disclosed that the state governments where the solid minerals resources for the economic development of their states and the country.

Sada reiterated the Federal government's readiness to collaborate with state governments and the private sector in the sustainable growth of the minerals and metal sector.

He assured the delegation that Nigerian Government would do necessary things to facilitate operations of investors in the minerals and metal sector for the benefit of investors and Nigerians.

On the invitation for participation at International Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exchange under the auspices of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, (PDAC) in Canada next year, the Minister assured that the ministry would attend.

PDAC is a yearly event that normally attract over 100 countries since its inception 39 years ago to present the opportunity of sharing of ideas and networking on new development in the mining industry.

Cooter, who led the delegation, said the purpose of their visit was to indicate their interest as well as seek for areas of collaboration in the development of the nation's mining industry.

He praised the existing healthy economic relationship between Canada and Nigeria, expressing the preparedness of Canadian Government to foster more cooperation.

Cooter said Canada was the second largest mining country in the world with about 250 mining operators dotted around the globe in countries like Zambia, Tanzania, Liberia, Congo among others.

He extended the invitation of the Canadian Government to the Minister for participation in the forthcoming (PDAC) forum in Canada, stressing that this would go a long way in boosting the economic relationship between the two countries.

This Day

Trade between Nigeria and China reaches U.S.$10 Billion

rade volume between Nigeria and China will hit $10 billion by the end of 2011, the Chinese government has said.

China's Deputy-Minister for Commerce, Mr. Chen Jian, disclosed this during a meeting with the Nigerian Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, yesterday in Beijing.

He added that Chinese companies had invested a total of $8.3 billion in Nigeria, noting that they were also involved in engineering projects worth $28.1 billion in the country.

Jian said the Chinese government would encourage Chinese companies to continue to invest in Nigeria if the Nigerian government could pay more attention to improving the business environment, pursue consistent policies and provide security for foreign investors.

He said: "This year marks the 40th year of bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China. By the end of this year, trade volume between China and Nigeria will be $10 billion. This will be record high. Chinese companies also have actual investments worth $8.3 billion in Nigeria.

"We will encourage our companies to step up their investments in your country if the Nigerian government can make the business environment more friendly, ensure consistent policies and provide adequate security for foreign investors."

He noted that the decision to have a ministry oversee investment issues in Nigeria, however, showed that the government was committed to attracting Foreign Direct Investment into the country, adding that China's Ministry of Commerce would cooperate with the Nigerian Ministry of Trade and Investment in the area of capacity building for ministry officials.

According to the deputy minister, going forward, the two countries should focus on further developing bilateral trade and further increasing the quality of trade between them.

Special Assistant to the Minister of Trade and Investment on Corporate Communications, Mrs Yemi Kolapo, added that China said it was willing to take measures to increase the import of oil and non-oil products from Nigeria in order to boost trade.

On his part, Olusegun Aganga, the Nigerian Trade and Investment Minister, noted that Nigeria regarded China as a strategic partner, assuring the Chinese government that the investment climate reform which the Nigerian government commenced recently, would provide the right environment for the Chinese to further invest in critical areas such as infrastructure.

He urged the Chinese government to make Nigeria a manufacturing zone for most of China's products, saying that this would help to create more jobs in the country and resolve the trade imbalance issue.

"Nigeria has the raw materials and the market needed for fruitful investments. Your country (China) has the capital and technology. An enhanced investment relationship will be a win-win situation for the two countries," Aganga noted.

He called on the Chinese government to help reduce the infrastructure deficit in Nigeria by encouraging Chinese companies to invest more in power, rail and road projects, adding that "Nigeria will continue to record double-digit growth every year for the next 20 years if infrastructure is fixed."

The trade and investment minister, however, implored the two countries to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the trading of quality products to solve the problem of sub-standard goods being imported into Nigeria.

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Massive amounts of explosives smuggled from China seized

Guests flee hotels in Abuja due to Boko Haram bomb threat

Guests yesterday deserted the three major hotels in Abuja which were listed on the security alert issued by the United States government.

The security alert had indicated that members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect might launch an attack on Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Sheraton Hotel and Towers as well as Nicon Luxury Hotel.

Investigations by LEADERSHIP showed that guests virtually deserted the three hotels during the day, even when extra security measures were put in place to forestall attack on the facilities.

One of our correspondents who visited Transcorp Hilton reported that soldiers guarded the main gates to the hotel while vehicles going into the premises were carefully checked before being allowed in.

Bags and other personal effects of guests, seeking entry into the hotel were also subjected to thorough searches before tallies were issued by the gatemen.

The back gates of the hotel were locked and a Volkswagen Passat car was packed directly behind a stone hedge apparently built by the hotel management.

Our correspondent reported that virtually all the parking bays in the hotel were empty while a few foreign guests were spotted discussing in front of the main lobby of the hotel complex.

He said the Piano Lounge, the Bukka, the Capital Bar and other facilities which enjoy immense patronage in the past were empty.

A guest, who gave his name simply as Dr. John noted that the security alert issued by the US Government has scared a lot of guests, especially foreigners, forcing them to relocate from the hotel.

He said, "I am still here because I can't run away from my country. I know that a lot of foreigners have fled and even Nigerians too. But we will be making these criminals (Boko Haram members) happy that they have caused people to panic and run.

"There is no basis whatsoever for them to attack innocent people. I don't understand why the federal government should allow these people to terrorise the country and get away with it.

At Sheraton, our correspondent reported that soldiers and riot policemen mounted sentry at the main gates and personally checked every vehicle going into the hotel.

The security operatives, who showed high level of professionalism politely, asked visitors to the hotel to open the boots of their cars and their luggage for checks.

After searching a vehicle, the security operatives thanked the driver for being patient with them and waved him to drive on.

However, our correspondent said the parking areas within the complex were almost empty while a few persons where found inside the reception hall.

Fresh security screening was carried out on guests before they were allowed into the swimming pool area.

The main bar, the Obudu Grill and other exclusive areas of the hotel were patronized by a handful of guests while the hitherto busy walkways were deserted.

A guest who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the security concern in the capital city was responsible for the low patronage of the hotel.

He said soon after the security situation in Abuja deteriorated, a lot of people who patronised major hotels in the city have moved into smaller and more secure hotels.

He said, "The situation is scary. In fact, nobody would want to experience what happened at the UN House or the Police Headquarters. But we pray that God would help us restore sanity in the country. We cannot go far as a nation with these threats.

At Nicon Luxury, our correspondent reported that operatives of the State Security Service watched over the main gates of the complex from a reasonable distance.

The SSS men who spotted black T-shirts watched the hotel gates from two jeeps they parked slightly behind the security house.

While they were not involved in checking vehicles coming in to the premises, they however, watched as the hotel security men and women frisked cars and passengers before being allowed in.

Apart from the swimming pool area where a few guests were found bathing and dancing to music played by an in-house Disc Jockey, the other facilities were deserted.

Our correspondent reported that the reception area, the Oxygen Bar and the restaurants were empty while a few guests including foreigners were seen moving in and out of the hotel.

However, a staff who pleaded anonymity told LEADERSHIP that a lot of guests checked out of the hotel due to what he described as a false security alert.

He said unlike last years, the level of patronage has drastically reduced and blamed the situation on the activities of the Boko Haram sect in some parts of the country, including Abuja.

When contacted, Sheraton's general manager, Mr. Morten Ebbesen said he has no opinion to give on the matter but, however, referred LEADERSHIP to a news item on Reuters web site.

The development came just as the federal government yesterday stepped up security in and around the three hotels, Sheraton, Transcorp Hilton and Nicon Luxury. LEADERSHIP investigations reveal that large numbers of US citizens yesterday heeded the warning by their home government to abstain from the targeted hotels.

But our correspondents observed that some foreign nationals, some of whom were US citizens still went about their normal businesses in the listed hotels despite warnings about their safety. A British businessman who spoke with LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity, explained that the reason he maintains his residency in one of the luxury hotels was because he had nowhere else to go.

He said: "It's true we heard in the news that there was an alert about a bomb attack, but my reason of being here is to transact my business. We only heard it yesterday in the news. Where else do I go, anyway?" He said.

But the federal government has said that it has taken adequate counter security measures to secure lives and property in the country despite multiple attacks by Boko Haram that left more than 100 persons dead in Yobe and Borno States, with threats to bomb parts of Abuja.

This was disclosed by the national security adviser, General Owoye Andrew Azazi (retd) in a press release made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Abuja.

"The current threat of attack on the three hotels [Nicon Hilton, Sheraton and Nicon Luxury] in Abuja is not news. For over three months, the security services have taken pro-active measures to protect the designated critical facilities and others," the Federal Government said.

It also called on Nigerians "to go about their normal business without fear or hindrance".

When asked if the United States Security Service share information with its Nigeria counterpart, the spokesperson of the State Security Service (SSS), Marilyn Ogar, agreed that Nigeria is having security challenges just like other nations but its security system is not overwhelmed.

Ogar said, "We all know that we have internal security challenges and it is nothing new. And of course we all know that the Internet is raw because if you ask 'where did this information come from' they will say it came from the Internet, a tweet, which was something that somebody sent as an email. And we hoped that has been addressed.

"I don't think there is anything that is beyond Nigeria's security agencies because we have deployed men and we have beefed up security everywhere. So whether information was shared or not, I know this very well and I can say very well whether information was shared or not."

Leadership

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