Three blasts hit the city of Maiduguri in northeast Nigeria on Tuesday killing a number of people, locals and the Red Cross said.
The "huge explosions" happened in the Ajilari Cross area of the city, which has been targeted by similar attacks twice in the last month, including on September 20 when at least 117 were killed.
The previous attacks were blamed on Boko Haram Islamists, which has increasingly hit "soft" civilian targets in recent months using suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices.
It was not immediately clear what caused the latest blasts, which happened in quick succession from 8:10 pm (1910 GMT), said Bashir Mohammed, whose house is near the scene.
"We are all confused and people are running helter-skelter," he said.
Sheriff Ahmad, a cleric in the area, said: "Many people have been killed. I don't know how many and I don't think anyone can tell you now."
Ahmad described seeing body parts on his house, while Hafsat Sani, a nurse at the nearby Umaru Shehu Hospital, said: "There are many houses around the area and the blasts have affected many of them."
The hospital quickly began receiving the injured while police, soldiers, the Red Cross and officials from Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were mobilised, he said.
A Red Cross official said: "Obviously there are people that died but I don't have figures."
There was no immediate comment from the police or military while details were sketchy as Maiduguri is subject to a night-time curfew.
On October 1, at least 10 people were killed and 39 injured when four suicide bombers blew themselves up in a wave of attacks in Ajilari Cross, which is near Maidugiri airport and a military base.
At least two bombs were strapped to teenage girls, witnesses and the police said at the time.
The September 20 attack targeted a mosque and killed football fans watching a televised match as well as bystanders.
- Abuja arrests -
Amnesty International said last month that the Boko Haram conflict had killed at least 1,600 people since the start of June in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon and called for more protection for civilians.
An AFP tally puts the death toll at more than 1,320 in Nigeria alone since Muhammadu Buhari became president on May 29.
Boko Haram claimed responsibility for three suicide attacks in the satellite towns of Kuje and Nyanya outside Nigeria's capital Abuja on October 2, which killed a total of 18 people and injured 41.
On Tuesday, Nigeria's most senior police officer, Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase, said two people had been arrested on suspicion of masterminding the blasts.
The suspects' identities were not disclosed but Arase said in a statement the arrests had "foiled another attempt... to undertake further attacks in the FCT (Federal Capital Territory)".
Items recovered from the suspects included 12 "prepared and primed" home-made explosives concealed in soft drink cans, 28 electronic detonator parts and a "large quantity" of bomb-making equipment, he added.
Nigeria's military has claimed a series of successes in recent months and has characterised the upsurge in attacks on civilian targets as desperation on the part of the Islamic State group-alled militants.
Attacks have also continued across the border. At the weekend, 41 people were killed and another 48 injured in triple explosions in Baga Sola, on the Chadian side of Lake Chad, where Nigeria meets Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
One targeted a fish market and two a refugee camp for those displaced by the violence.
AFP
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Video - Nigeria seeks help from Britain to fight Boko Haram
Nigeria has called on the British army to help meet its deadline for defeating Boko Haram. The government has given itself until the end of the year to beat the ISIL-affiliated group. But the presidency says it needs British help in training troops, and to fix vital equipment.
Amnesty International establishes office in Nigeria
The Amnesty International (AI) has announced the opening of its new national office in Nigeria, as part of a major drive to increase the impact of its human rights work in the country.
The establishment of Amnesty International Nigeria sets out a new way of working for the world’s leading human rights organization in the West African country.
Responsibilities that were previously held in London have now been transferred to the new national office in Abuja which will act as the main base for the global movement’s research, campaign and communications work addressing human rights violations in Nigeria. The office has a staff of seven people and is led by M.K. Ibrahim.
Speaking on the matter, the Amnesty International Secretary General, Salil Shetty, said, “Nigeria has achieved remarkable things — but serious violations continue, unpunished. In establishing a permanent base in Nigeria, we want to send a clear message: Amnesty International stands in solidarity with the victims of human rights violations, alongside the individuals and organizations already fighting abuses,”
“The new government has made promises of accountability, and we welcome that. Now, we must hold them to their words.”
According to Shetty, the AI will campaign and lobby on a wide range of issues in Nigeria. These include the ongoing attacks and atrocities by Boko Haram, violations committed by the military and other security forces, use of torture, forced evictions and the right to adequate housing and the devastating impact of decades of oil pollution on communities in the Niger Delta.
Shetty added that Amnesty International Nigeria will also strengthen partnerships with national human rights organizations and support campaigning by civil society organizations across the country.
Former Ambassador M.K. Ibrahim brings a wealth of experience to the role of Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, having served in Nigeria’s Foreign Service in various capacities and specializing in human rights. Amnesty International Nigeria, under the direction of MK Ibrahim, will continue to work for the protection and promotion of human rights and social justice in the country, and hold the Federal and state governments to account through its campaigning, research projects and lobbying.
“From the relatives of the thousands killed and missing in north-east Nigeria to the thousands of villagers in the Niger Delta who cannot plant crops or drink clean water because of oil pollution, Amnesty International will stand in solidarity with all the people in Nigeria who face human rights violations and abuses,” said M.K. Ibrahim, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“Having a permanent base in Abuja, will enable us to campaign harder, shout louder and deliver research and analysis into human rights abuses more rapidly than we could before. More than that, we will be able to stand in solidarity with Nigerian activists and human rights defenders who tirelessly seek justice and better rights for all in Nigeria.”
Leadership
The establishment of Amnesty International Nigeria sets out a new way of working for the world’s leading human rights organization in the West African country.
Responsibilities that were previously held in London have now been transferred to the new national office in Abuja which will act as the main base for the global movement’s research, campaign and communications work addressing human rights violations in Nigeria. The office has a staff of seven people and is led by M.K. Ibrahim.
Speaking on the matter, the Amnesty International Secretary General, Salil Shetty, said, “Nigeria has achieved remarkable things — but serious violations continue, unpunished. In establishing a permanent base in Nigeria, we want to send a clear message: Amnesty International stands in solidarity with the victims of human rights violations, alongside the individuals and organizations already fighting abuses,”
“The new government has made promises of accountability, and we welcome that. Now, we must hold them to their words.”
According to Shetty, the AI will campaign and lobby on a wide range of issues in Nigeria. These include the ongoing attacks and atrocities by Boko Haram, violations committed by the military and other security forces, use of torture, forced evictions and the right to adequate housing and the devastating impact of decades of oil pollution on communities in the Niger Delta.
Shetty added that Amnesty International Nigeria will also strengthen partnerships with national human rights organizations and support campaigning by civil society organizations across the country.
Former Ambassador M.K. Ibrahim brings a wealth of experience to the role of Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, having served in Nigeria’s Foreign Service in various capacities and specializing in human rights. Amnesty International Nigeria, under the direction of MK Ibrahim, will continue to work for the protection and promotion of human rights and social justice in the country, and hold the Federal and state governments to account through its campaigning, research projects and lobbying.
“From the relatives of the thousands killed and missing in north-east Nigeria to the thousands of villagers in the Niger Delta who cannot plant crops or drink clean water because of oil pollution, Amnesty International will stand in solidarity with all the people in Nigeria who face human rights violations and abuses,” said M.K. Ibrahim, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“Having a permanent base in Abuja, will enable us to campaign harder, shout louder and deliver research and analysis into human rights abuses more rapidly than we could before. More than that, we will be able to stand in solidarity with Nigerian activists and human rights defenders who tirelessly seek justice and better rights for all in Nigeria.”
Leadership
Screening of President Buhari's ministers begins
The Nigerian senate will Tuesday (today) in Abuja begin the screening of the first batch of ministerial nominees forwarded to it by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The nominees include Nigerians drawn from across the states and different professions.
The batch include the spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed; former governors Chibuike Amaechi and Babatunde Fashola; Abubakar Malami; former defence chief, Abdurahman Dambazzau; former governorship candidate in Taraba state, Aisha Alhassan; Adebayo Shittu; former senator, Udo Udoma and Ibrahim Jibril.
Others are Suleiman Adamu; former senator, Chris Nigige; Kemi Adeosun; Ahmed Ibeto and Hadi Sirika.
Also expected to appear before the upper legislative chamber are former PDP chairman, Audu Ogbeh; former Abia governor, Ogbonnaya Onu; NNPC group managing director, Ibeh kachikwu; Amina Mohammed; Solomon Dalong; Suleiman Adamu; and former Ekiti governor, Kayode Fayemi.
PREMIUM TIMES’ national assembly correspondent, Adebayo Hassan, is in the senate chambers and will bring you updates of the session, expected to kickoff at 10:00 a.m. Nigerian time
Latest Updates
9.38. Former Ekiti Governors and APC Chieftains, Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni, arrived National Assembly to boost Kayode Fayemi’s morale before the Senate during the screening.
9.43. Kaduna ministerial nominee, Amina Mohammed, arrives
9.51. APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, arrives the National Assembly
10:04 Ahead of the screening session, slated to commence at 11am, the Senate gallery is now filled to the brim, especially by associates and family members of the nominees. Many people are locked out.
10.20. The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and other principal officers of the Senate, arrive.
10:37 Only 10 nominees will be screened today by the Senate. They are: Udoma Udoma, Kayode Fayemi, Audu Ogbeh, Ogbonaya Onu, Osaghie Ehanire, Abdulrahman Dambazzau.
Others are Lai Mohammed, Amina Mohammed, Suleiman Adams, Ibrahim Jibril.
Others are to be screened on Wednesday and Thursday.
11:05: The Kano State ministerial nominee, Abdulrahman Dambazzau and APC spokesperson, Lai Mohammed arrive.
11:45: The Senate went into a closed-door session during which it perhaps considered the reports of its Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Committee on petitions against Rotimi Amaechi and Amina Mohammed.
A group, Integrity Group, had submitted a petition against Mr. Amaechi, alleging cases of fraud.
On the other hand, a group, Southern Kaduna Coalition, submitted another petition against Ms. Mohammed, challenging her nomination from Kaduna State, saying she is not an indigene of the state.
11:55: Following the submission of the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, on the petition against Amina Mohammed, the Senate has ruled that she be a nominee from Gombe State.
South Kaduna Coalition had forwarded the petition challenging her nomination from Kaduna State.
11.48 APC leaders, led by John Oyegun, and Presidential Advisers on NASS, Ita Enang and Kawu Samaila allowed into the Senate Chamber following Senate vote.
11.53. Udo Udoma now being screened.
12: 05: “I can assure Nigerians, if I am confirmed by this Senate, I’ll perform in that onerous task,” Udoma addressing the Senate.
He claims to have sufficient experience in both private and Public sector to perform. He said he would not be going into government to learn.
12:08: Senators asked Mr. Udoma, former chief whip of the upper chamber, to bow and go. He exited.
12: 10: Former Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi, moves in for screening. He is currently talking about his antecedents.
12:12: Mr. Fayemi talked about his work in journalism, academics, governorship of Ekiti state, and contribution to the victory of the APC in the last elections.
12: 15: Senators Sola Adeyeye, Shehu Sani and Andy Uba asked the nominee questions about his stewardship in Ekiti State, especially the allegation that he left a heavy debt burden for Ekiti state, and that he spent billions building a magnificent Government House.
He was also asked about his operation of an illegal radio, Radio Kudirat, during the Abacha days, and why he escaped Nigeria through unconventional borders.
12:20: Mr. Fayemi answered, saying he served well and that the Government House he built is for the people of Ekiti. He said he built the complex because the state never had a befitting Government House. He said at N2.5 billion, it’s perhaps the cheapest Government House in Nigeria today.
“I’m not given to irresponsible behaviour,” he said.
12:37: Answering a question, Mr. Fayemi said when he took over in Ekiti, the internally generating revenue was N109Million a month. He said he was able to raise that to between N500million to N600million per month. He said following the economic crisis that hit the country in the dying days of his administration, the IGR fell to about N350 to N400million a month.
Mr. Fayemi said majority of Nigeria’s graduates have no work place skills.
Reporter Adebayo Hassan filed this additional reports on Fayemi:
Kayode Fayemi is faced with questions that bordered on his tenure as Governor. Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye, asked to clear the allegation that he spent “untoward amount” on the renovation of the Government House at the expense of public welfare and also that of leaving a heavy debt burden for his state.
His response:
On debt, he said he met obligations in excess of 30bn naira when he became governor in 2010. He said he had to complete his predecessor’s project before he moved on to commence his original promises and programmes.
With low allocation from the federation account, he had to look for ways of raising funds, particularly from the capital market and multilateral development agencies. He said he raised 25bn from the capital market and “the results are there to see”.
“I borrowed but not in rank of the figure being bandied around.” No country exists without borrowing, he said. He said his most profound legacy was the social security safety programme which gave N5,000 to indigent people monthly.
On the renovation of the Government house, He justified the action, saying Ekiti for 19 years did not have a befitting Government House.
He denied buying 50million naira bed for Ekiti Government House and challenged anybody to bring evidence to the contrary.
Responding to Shehu Sani, he said he had never gone out of Nigeria through non conventional borders.
12: 55: Mr. Fayemi was asked to bow and go
12: 56: The next nominee – Audu Ogbeh – comes in and is introducing himself. He described himself as “a farmer who has interacted with some of you in the past”.
He said most of Nigerian universities have become intellectual ghettos.
Reacting to criticisms of his nomination, Mr. Ogbeh said he was before the senate not because he wanted anything new, but because President Buhari asked him to serve in his cabinet. “I wouldn’t be here if I don’t believe I can do it.”
“For a party to surrender authorities to the President or governors, at state levels, is harmful”
“Since I left office in the Second Republic as minister, I have been in school, not in any classroom but in the school of life, travelling around the world and exploring agriculture, why we are failing where others are succeeding”.
It must be said that Mr. Ogbeh, with facts, statistics and elucidation, clearly dazzled the senate.
1: 14: Godswill Akpabio moves a motion that Chief Audu Ogbeh, being a donation by the PDP, should take a bow. Mr. Ogbeh bowed and moved out.
1:16: Next nominee, former Abia Governor, Ogbonnaya Onu, enters the chamber, and bowed before senators.
Mr. Onu says, “there are too many abnormalities in our country”.
Premium Times
The nominees include Nigerians drawn from across the states and different professions.
The batch include the spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed; former governors Chibuike Amaechi and Babatunde Fashola; Abubakar Malami; former defence chief, Abdurahman Dambazzau; former governorship candidate in Taraba state, Aisha Alhassan; Adebayo Shittu; former senator, Udo Udoma and Ibrahim Jibril.
Others are Suleiman Adamu; former senator, Chris Nigige; Kemi Adeosun; Ahmed Ibeto and Hadi Sirika.
Also expected to appear before the upper legislative chamber are former PDP chairman, Audu Ogbeh; former Abia governor, Ogbonnaya Onu; NNPC group managing director, Ibeh kachikwu; Amina Mohammed; Solomon Dalong; Suleiman Adamu; and former Ekiti governor, Kayode Fayemi.
PREMIUM TIMES’ national assembly correspondent, Adebayo Hassan, is in the senate chambers and will bring you updates of the session, expected to kickoff at 10:00 a.m. Nigerian time
Latest Updates
9.38. Former Ekiti Governors and APC Chieftains, Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni, arrived National Assembly to boost Kayode Fayemi’s morale before the Senate during the screening.
9.43. Kaduna ministerial nominee, Amina Mohammed, arrives
9.51. APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, arrives the National Assembly
10:04 Ahead of the screening session, slated to commence at 11am, the Senate gallery is now filled to the brim, especially by associates and family members of the nominees. Many people are locked out.
10.20. The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and other principal officers of the Senate, arrive.
10:37 Only 10 nominees will be screened today by the Senate. They are: Udoma Udoma, Kayode Fayemi, Audu Ogbeh, Ogbonaya Onu, Osaghie Ehanire, Abdulrahman Dambazzau.
Others are Lai Mohammed, Amina Mohammed, Suleiman Adams, Ibrahim Jibril.
Others are to be screened on Wednesday and Thursday.
11:05: The Kano State ministerial nominee, Abdulrahman Dambazzau and APC spokesperson, Lai Mohammed arrive.
11:45: The Senate went into a closed-door session during which it perhaps considered the reports of its Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Committee on petitions against Rotimi Amaechi and Amina Mohammed.
A group, Integrity Group, had submitted a petition against Mr. Amaechi, alleging cases of fraud.
On the other hand, a group, Southern Kaduna Coalition, submitted another petition against Ms. Mohammed, challenging her nomination from Kaduna State, saying she is not an indigene of the state.
11:55: Following the submission of the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, on the petition against Amina Mohammed, the Senate has ruled that she be a nominee from Gombe State.
South Kaduna Coalition had forwarded the petition challenging her nomination from Kaduna State.
11.48 APC leaders, led by John Oyegun, and Presidential Advisers on NASS, Ita Enang and Kawu Samaila allowed into the Senate Chamber following Senate vote.
11.53. Udo Udoma now being screened.
12: 05: “I can assure Nigerians, if I am confirmed by this Senate, I’ll perform in that onerous task,” Udoma addressing the Senate.
He claims to have sufficient experience in both private and Public sector to perform. He said he would not be going into government to learn.
12:08: Senators asked Mr. Udoma, former chief whip of the upper chamber, to bow and go. He exited.
12: 10: Former Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi, moves in for screening. He is currently talking about his antecedents.
12:12: Mr. Fayemi talked about his work in journalism, academics, governorship of Ekiti state, and contribution to the victory of the APC in the last elections.
12: 15: Senators Sola Adeyeye, Shehu Sani and Andy Uba asked the nominee questions about his stewardship in Ekiti State, especially the allegation that he left a heavy debt burden for Ekiti state, and that he spent billions building a magnificent Government House.
He was also asked about his operation of an illegal radio, Radio Kudirat, during the Abacha days, and why he escaped Nigeria through unconventional borders.
12:20: Mr. Fayemi answered, saying he served well and that the Government House he built is for the people of Ekiti. He said he built the complex because the state never had a befitting Government House. He said at N2.5 billion, it’s perhaps the cheapest Government House in Nigeria today.
“I’m not given to irresponsible behaviour,” he said.
12:37: Answering a question, Mr. Fayemi said when he took over in Ekiti, the internally generating revenue was N109Million a month. He said he was able to raise that to between N500million to N600million per month. He said following the economic crisis that hit the country in the dying days of his administration, the IGR fell to about N350 to N400million a month.
Mr. Fayemi said majority of Nigeria’s graduates have no work place skills.
Reporter Adebayo Hassan filed this additional reports on Fayemi:
Kayode Fayemi is faced with questions that bordered on his tenure as Governor. Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye, asked to clear the allegation that he spent “untoward amount” on the renovation of the Government House at the expense of public welfare and also that of leaving a heavy debt burden for his state.
His response:
On debt, he said he met obligations in excess of 30bn naira when he became governor in 2010. He said he had to complete his predecessor’s project before he moved on to commence his original promises and programmes.
With low allocation from the federation account, he had to look for ways of raising funds, particularly from the capital market and multilateral development agencies. He said he raised 25bn from the capital market and “the results are there to see”.
“I borrowed but not in rank of the figure being bandied around.” No country exists without borrowing, he said. He said his most profound legacy was the social security safety programme which gave N5,000 to indigent people monthly.
On the renovation of the Government house, He justified the action, saying Ekiti for 19 years did not have a befitting Government House.
He denied buying 50million naira bed for Ekiti Government House and challenged anybody to bring evidence to the contrary.
Responding to Shehu Sani, he said he had never gone out of Nigeria through non conventional borders.
12: 55: Mr. Fayemi was asked to bow and go
12: 56: The next nominee – Audu Ogbeh – comes in and is introducing himself. He described himself as “a farmer who has interacted with some of you in the past”.
He said most of Nigerian universities have become intellectual ghettos.
Reacting to criticisms of his nomination, Mr. Ogbeh said he was before the senate not because he wanted anything new, but because President Buhari asked him to serve in his cabinet. “I wouldn’t be here if I don’t believe I can do it.”
“For a party to surrender authorities to the President or governors, at state levels, is harmful”
“Since I left office in the Second Republic as minister, I have been in school, not in any classroom but in the school of life, travelling around the world and exploring agriculture, why we are failing where others are succeeding”.
It must be said that Mr. Ogbeh, with facts, statistics and elucidation, clearly dazzled the senate.
1: 14: Godswill Akpabio moves a motion that Chief Audu Ogbeh, being a donation by the PDP, should take a bow. Mr. Ogbeh bowed and moved out.
1:16: Next nominee, former Abia Governor, Ogbonnaya Onu, enters the chamber, and bowed before senators.
Mr. Onu says, “there are too many abnormalities in our country”.
Premium Times
Monday, October 12, 2015
Nigeria fighter jet crashes after bombing mission
A Nigerian Air Force fighter jet on a bombing mission against Boko Haram crashed in a windstorm in the country's northeast, killing the pilot, an official statement and a witness said.
The jet "returning to base from an interdicted mission crashed due to bad weather and not under enemy fire," Air Force spokesman Commodore Dele Alonge said in a statement issued Saturday.
The Chinese-built Chengdu F7 went down in a rural area of Adamawa State, Alonge said. The crash happened in an area where Boko Haram Islamic extremists last year shot down a military jet and beheaded its pilot.
Farmer Moses David said he watched the pilot parachute from the plunging jet, only to ram into a tree, which killed him.
He said there was a violent windstorm when the jet hit the ground with such force that its nose is buried.
In August, a Nigerian Air Force plane crashed into a home in northern Kaduna city, killing all four crew and three passengers. In November 2014, a military helicopter exploded in the northeast, killing all three crew members. In December 2013, Boko Haram destroyed two helicopter gunships and three fighter jets in northeastern Maiduguri city.
The Air Force commander reported ordering new aircraft last year after the U.S. confirmed it had refused to sell Nigeria attack helicopters because of concerns about its ability to use and maintain the aircraft, as well as the military's failure to protect civilians in the Islamic uprising.
Nigeria's president of four months, Muhammadu Buhari, has criticized the United States for its decision although President Barack Obama has promised other help to end the uprising that has claimed some 20,000 lives in six years, according to Amnesty International.
AP
The jet "returning to base from an interdicted mission crashed due to bad weather and not under enemy fire," Air Force spokesman Commodore Dele Alonge said in a statement issued Saturday.
The Chinese-built Chengdu F7 went down in a rural area of Adamawa State, Alonge said. The crash happened in an area where Boko Haram Islamic extremists last year shot down a military jet and beheaded its pilot.
Farmer Moses David said he watched the pilot parachute from the plunging jet, only to ram into a tree, which killed him.
He said there was a violent windstorm when the jet hit the ground with such force that its nose is buried.
In August, a Nigerian Air Force plane crashed into a home in northern Kaduna city, killing all four crew and three passengers. In November 2014, a military helicopter exploded in the northeast, killing all three crew members. In December 2013, Boko Haram destroyed two helicopter gunships and three fighter jets in northeastern Maiduguri city.
The Air Force commander reported ordering new aircraft last year after the U.S. confirmed it had refused to sell Nigeria attack helicopters because of concerns about its ability to use and maintain the aircraft, as well as the military's failure to protect civilians in the Islamic uprising.
Nigeria's president of four months, Muhammadu Buhari, has criticized the United States for its decision although President Barack Obama has promised other help to end the uprising that has claimed some 20,000 lives in six years, according to Amnesty International.
AP
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