NAIJAFEED

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Death toll in Boko Haram Kano attack rises to 215

The death toll arising from the multiple explosions that rocked Kano metropolis last Friday has reportedly hit 215 counting still goes on, with several other victims lying critically injured in various hospitals, LEADERSHIP SUNDAY findings have shown.

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY had exclusively reported in August 2011, about a planned attack on the ancient city by the Boko Haram sect. The sect had sent a letter to the Kano State governor, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, warning them that they were prepared to launch an attack on the city.

The letter which was signed by the sect's spokesman, Abu Zaid, claimed that the Kano State government was conniving with security agents and some district heads, to arrest their members. The sect who demanded the immediate release of their members, also threatened to make Kano State more ungovernable than Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and hot bed of the sect's attacks.

Our correspondent reports that the mortuary of the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital has recorded the highest number of dead bodies followed closely by that of the Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital all in Kano metropolis. Other notable hospitals where dead bodies have been deposited are Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Sir Muhammadu Sanusi Hospital.

It was learnt that more than 95 percent of the dead bodies were removed from the streets yesterday morning as people were afraid of venturing out of their homes, owing to the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state after the explosions.

An official of the Red Cross Society who craved for anonymity put the death figure at 121. Effort to speak with the Kano coordinator of the society, Musa Abdullahi, failed as he refused to respond to our reporter's several calls.

Kano police command refused to speak on the death casualties. But Executive Secretary of the state Hospital Management Board, Dr Bello Umar Dikko could only confirm to LEADERSHIP the death of 20 persons with 40 injured.

"We have recorded 40 injured and up till now we can't ascertain the actual number of those that died as we are still conducting body count. We have 20 dead bodies so far.

"Due to the 24-hour curfew, there is panic and pandemonium and so people are afraid to collect dead bodies from the streets. It is therefore premature to say how many people have died. The victims died of gunshot, burns and stampedes", he said.

Bombai area, which houses the headquarters of the state police command, police barracks and official residence of AIG Zone One of the Nigeria Police Force, recorded the highest casualties because of the intense encounter between the police and Boko Haram members who had claimed responsibility for the Friday's deadly onslaught on the metropolis.

A resident of the Bompai area, for example, said he saw five dead bodies right in front of Pink Peacock Chinese Restaurant on Umaru Babura Road while another resident around the place claimed to have seen seven corpses near the official residence of AIG Zone One of the Nigeria Police Force at St. Louis Avenue.

A female police source said she saw many corpses being evacuated from the Bompai police barracks to various hospitals. An assistant Inspector of Police was killed in the compound while another officer was killed inside a toilet. The female police personnel also said they took cover in one corner within the barracks not knowing the place was so crowded with dead persons, saying the entire barracks was thrown into confusion as almost every person was mourning the loss of his or her loved ones.

It was learnt that the high casualties inside the barracks followed another onslaught on the police personnel and their families in the night by Boko Haram members who were said to have worn police uniforms to gain easy access into the huge compound.

A resident of Tudun Wada area that shares boundary with the barracks said the death toll recorded as at yesterday morning rose to more than 50, saying most of those killed were passersby.

Failed attempt To Abduct AIG Family members

An eye-witness told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY how the sect members engaged security operatives in a shoot-out after their attempt to take them into hostage, the family members of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG), Zone One, Abubakar Muhammed. The AIG's Personal Assistant PA and his driver were killed in the shoot-out.

It was revealed that the Boko Haram members, disguised as police officers had visited the AIG's residence and requested to take the family members into protective custody following the confusion in the city. The security men at the gate of the AIG were said to have smelt a rat and refused them entrance.

"As they came to the house, they were all in police uniform but one of the security guards suspected their plan and declined to cooperate with them. They said they came to the residence and wanted to go along with the family members on the orders of the AIG and said they would give them adequate protection", our source disclosed.

The security guards were said to have objected to their request insisting on hearing directly from the AIG. "As the guards refused to cave in, one of the Boko Haram members said let one of the security men speak with the AIG to get them convinced but they refused the entreatise," the source added.

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY learnt that while the disagreement was going on, the sect members suddenly brought out their weapons and started shooting at the guards. The Personal Assistant and the AIG's driver who ran from the AIG's office to give cover to his family were killed. Two other security men were also killed during the shoot-out.

AIG ESCAPED IN Keke-NAPEP

When the merchants of death came calling at the headquarters of the Zone One of the Nigeria Police Force last Friday, they knew that the AIG in-charge was right in his office within the premises. As the bomb exploded and the massive building began to shake, the AIG's orderly swiftly moved in and grabbed his boss. They practically jumped down from the one storey building and scaled the fence from behind.

An eyewitness told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that the AIG's shirt was bloodied.

"Once they scaled the fence, they ran to a tarred road that passed by the office from behind and flagged down a Keke-NAPEP, popularly called A Daidaita Sahu in Kano.

By then, about five other officers had joined them, and they all squeezed into the small vehicle and drove straight to the Police Divisional Office in Sharada. No sooner had they arrived than they were informed that the police station could also be targeted by Boko Haram, and they left for the residence of a retired police commissioner - a member of Kano royal family, Alhaji S. K Bayero. It was there that first aid was administered the AIG and the other officers that went with him, after which they were ferried to safety.

BOKO HARAM DISTRIBUTES FLYERS

Many Kano residents spoken to by LEADERSHIP SUNDAY confirmed that on their way to various mosques to pray, about three hours to the first attack on the AIG's office on Friday, they saw flyers on the ground. Alhaji Muhammadu S. Gabari told this newspaper that on his way to Al-Furqan Mosque on Alu Avenue, he saw a flyer on the ground.

"I picked it and saw that it was written in Hausa. The authors claimed to be Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, and in it, they recounted the efforts they made to draw the attention of Kano authorities to what they called arbitrary arrests of their members and their threat to attack Kano if nothing was done about it." The source added that though there was nothing in the letter to suggest an attack was in the offing, he expected the security services to intensify on intelligence "which might have averted the disaster that befell the state," he said.

Excerpts From the Boko Haram Letter To Kano People and authorities:

"Everybody knows that a lot of our people were killed in Kano State, especially in Wudil town. We had perfected plans to take revenge but some notable scholars intervened by pleading with us. They also assured that our members would never be persecuted again and we took them by their words. Unfortunately however, about five months ago, security agencies began trailing and arresting our members who are carrying out their legitimate businesses, alleging that they were thieves and armed robbers.

The statement was signed personally by Imam Muhammad Abubakar Shekau, leader of the group.

SAINT LOUIS SECONDARY SCHOOL ALSO ATTACKED

Checks by LEADERSHIP SUNDAY confirmed that among the many targets hit was a famous secondary school on St. Loius Avenue, Bompai GRA, a stone throw from the AIG's residence. They pursued someone they thought was a policeman up to the gates of the school. As it was locked, he scampered out of the vehicle and scaled the fence. But once they arrived, the Boko Harma members bombed the gate and gained entry. They then bombed a hall usually rented by Muslims and Christians in organising social events and razed down the school's store, located within the premises. They killed the only person they sighted in the premises.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday vowed to get to the root of the multiple bomb blasts and acts of violence, saying those behind these acts of terrorism would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

In a statement by his Special Adviser On Media and Publicity, Dr. Rueben Abati, the president expressed his condolences to all victims, including the management and staff of Channels Television, saying he was greatly saddened by the incident which led to the loss of lives of innocent Nigerians.

"As a responsible Government, we will not fold our hands and watch enemies of democracy, for that is what these mindless killers are, perpetrate unprecedented evil in our land. I want to re-assure Nigerians, the international Community, and members of the fourth estate of the realm, who lost one of their colleagues, a reporter with Channels Television, that all those involved in that dastardly act would be made to face the full wrath of the law", Jonathan stated.

In another development, a new and violent chapter was yesterday opened in the political crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa state following the detonation of multiple bombs in some parts of the state capital, including the Peace Park positioned opposite the State Government House and an iron bridge linking the hometown of the former Governor D.S.P Alamieyeseigha with the state capital.

While the authorities of the State Police Command headed by Commissioner Hillary Opara has ruled out the possibility of the involvement of the Boko Haram sect in the bomb explosions, a cross section of residents and politicians viewed the bombing as an off- shoot of the battle of wits between the Governor Timipre Sylva group and the President Goodluck Jonathan faction of the party.

The explosions are coming few days to the tomorrow's presentation of party flag to Hon. Seriake Dickson as the flag-bearer of the party for the February 11th Governorship election in the State by a campaign committee to be led by Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered that the explosions, which occurred few minutes from one another, started at about 11pm. One of the bombs, reportedly drilled into a part of the iron bridge, exploded and shook the foundation of most of the buildings along the Tombia roundabout. Clubbers at the popular Camp Murphy bar were thrown into panic and hurried home in fear.

Leadership

Boko Haram attack Churches on Christmas day - 40 dead

Boko Harram attack foiled - Police seize bombs

Eight vehicles fully loaded with various improvised explosives have been impounded by the police in Kano State.

The vehicles were found to have been abandoned by their owners.

Another vehicle also loaded with explosives, was impounded along with the owner at Gwauron Dutse in the state capital.

THISDAY in Kano reliably gathered from security sources that the vehicles were said to have been abandoned by their owners since last Friday at various locations within Kano metropolis.

It was learnt that a Honda Civic car was found abandoned close to NNPC Mega Station in Hotoro adjacent to Kano deport with improvised explosives while the second car, a Kia, was discovered at Tula in the suburb of Kano by the eastern by pass.

It was also learnt that the vehicles were discovered and evacuated safely from the area by security agents with the help of residents of the area.

The third car which is a Honda car Brahma series packed with explosives was found abandoned on Sunday at Sheka quarters. It was with the cooperation of the residents of the area who reported the unusual presence of the car since Friday to security agencies who immediately removed the car from the area.

THISDAY also reliably informed by source who pleaded anonymity that the fourth car, a Toyota Camry, was intercepted Monday during security's wait and search at Goron Dutse quarters in Kano city.

When both the car and its driver were impounded, items found in the car were; bullet proof verse, a gun and some chemicals believed to be used in making improvised explosives.

THISDAY efforts to get the police to comment on the discoveries proved abortive as several phone calls made to the Kano police command's PPRO, ASP Magaji Musa Majiya could not go through.

But according to AFP, a senior police officer confirmed the frightening finds.

"We have discovered eight bomb-laden cars in different areas of the city," a senior police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity Monday. "We are still facing serious security threats."

Another car was found filled with explosives outside a government-run fuel station in Kano on Sunday, as President Goodluck Jonathan paid a visit of solidarity to the city.

Meanwhile, special prayers were conducted in various mosques throughout Kano Monday to seek divine intervention in order to prevent recurrence of last Friday's bomb blasts that claimed several lives.

The prayer session conducted at Kano Central mosque was led by the Chief Imam of Kano, Professor Sani Zaharadeen, Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and all ulamas in the state.

"I will pray to God that we should never re-live the catastrophe that resulted in the deaths and maiming in our city," Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said.

Kano's emir Ado Bayero told the clerics: "I enjoin you to continue praying for peace and stability in our city. I call upon you to use any religious fora to pray for peace in our land."

A purported spokesman for Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they were in response to a refusal by the authorities to release its members from custody.

Some detainees being held at a police station in Kano were thought to have been freed during Friday's attacks.

Boko Haram is a shadowy group believed to have a number of factions with differing aims, including some with political links and a hard-core Islamist cell.

Jonathan has said some Boko Haram members have infiltrated government -- from the security agencies to the legislature and the executive arm of government.

Senate president David Mark said he and the speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, had ignored security risks to travel to Kano.

"We want to ensure that a few misguided Nigerians who have been led into this action don't take this country hostage... it is not about religion, this affects the entire nation," he said.

However, former president Olusegun Obasanjo sought to downplay the crisis.

"Even though it is a big challenge to the Nigerian people and its government, it is not one that... shakes Nigeria to its foundation," Obasanjo said in Banjul on Sunday.

Relief workers said the death toll from Friday's attacks was at least 166 but a doctor at a major hospital said the toll could soar to 250.

Around 50 people were gathered Monday outside the main hospital's morgue waiting to collect remains of their loved ones for burial.

Lying on a bed in a ward at the hospital with a bullet wound in his leg, tannery worker Monday Joseph, 29, said he was driving home from work with four colleagues when one of the bombs went off.

They abandoned the car and started running.

"The four of them died. I am the only one who survived," he told AFP.

Nigeria's supreme Muslim leader, the Sultan of Sokoto Sa'ad Abubakar, said the attacks were "perhaps the worst in terms of the loss of lives".

"It is evidently clear that Nigeria is passing through a trying moment of general insecurity of overwhelming magnitude," he said.

Most of the recent major attacks have occurred in the northeast of the country, with many taking place despite the state of emergency.

Boko Haram claimed a Christmas Day bombing at a church near the capital Abuja which killed at least 44 people and an August attack against UN headquarters in Abuja that killed 25.

Attacks targeting Christians have given rise to fears of a wider religious conflict in Nigeria, which is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south.

But attacks blamed on Boko Haram have included a wide range of targets, including Muslims.

This Day

Video - Boko Haram leader declares war on Christians

Video - Nigeria's fight against Boko Haram

Monday, January 23, 2012

1,000 Nigerians detained in Chinese prisons

Minister of Youths Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, at the weekend, said there were about 1,000 Nigerian youths detained in various prisons in China for drug-related offences.

Abdullahi, said in Ilorin during a chat with journalists, that he had already written to the government of China for the details of their offences so that the Federal Government could use them as a form of campaign to discourage Nigerian youths from embarking on drug trafficking.

“This is a very serious matter. I have written to the government of China and I am planning to actually travel there on behalf of the Federal Government to have the details of their cases,” he said.

The minister expressed regret that many Nigerian youths who indulged in drug trafficking business in a bid to get rich quick were not always aware of the dire consequences and the risks involved.

According to him, “The risks far outweigh the benefits, in fact there is none. Whoever gets involved will get caught sooner than later and whatever that might have been acquired will go with it. So where is the benefit?”

Abdullahi added: “The only way to good living is to be involved in legitimate business where nobody is running after you for committing an offence. There is nothing like getting rich quick and there is no short cut to it.”

The minister, however, commended the initiative of Lagos State Government where youths and others found guilty of committing certain offences were made to serve the community, instead of sending them to prisons.

“Lagos State is doing great thing in this particular area and I think it should be commended and others should emulate it,” he said.

This Day

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Video - 120 killed in bomb blasts in Kano, Nigeria

The death toll has risen from the series of co-ordinated bombings and attacks in the northern Nigerian city of Kano.

According to the government and the Red Cross, at least 120 people were killed. Hospital officials say more than 140 died.

The city has been put under a curfew after police stations across the city were targeted on Friday.

Aljazeera

Boko Haram attack Churches on Christmas day - 40 dead

Boko Haram gives ultimatum to Christians

Video - Boko Haram leader declares war on Christians

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

President Goodluck Jonathan apologizes to international community over fuel subsidy protests

The Federal Government yesterday apologised to members of the diplomatic community and the international community resident in Nigeria for the inconveniences caused by the withdrawal of fuel subsidy and the protests.

President Goodluck Jonathan, speaking during the Annual Diplomatic launch held at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, assured that the government will work hard to ensure this does not repeat itself. He added that the experience of the past week has made Nigeria stronger and better.

'We will make sure we work hard to ensure we will not experience that again. We appreciate your understanding, I know some people must have come to you and send all kinds of messages to your various governments. I believe that you know that the position of the government is the best for the people.

'I can assure you that it has even made us stronger and indeed better. We promise that we will continue to grow from strength to strength and the incident of last week, we have put them behind us and we are moving forward. We will not experience that kind of situation again,' he said.

The president also said government will ensure that while adjusting the pump price subsequently, it will not do it in a way that will bring suffering to the people. 'We know we were misunderstood; prices couldn't have gone up that way. But that is a human society and is a human factor.' he said.

He said, 'I regret the inconveniences some of you passed through because of the government attempt to see the way we can look at our oil industry by adjusting the pump price and the issue of deregulating the oil sector that led to demonstrations by labour and civil societies.

I believed some of you suffered some inconveniences because you couldn't go out for a week, you couldn't visit people you would have loved to visit.'

While recalling the bombing of the United Nations building by members of the Boko Haram sect, he said Nigeria will continue to work together with the members of the diplomatic corps and their organisations and countries to ensure world peace.

'Let me assure all of you that Nigeria will continue to maintain a very warm relationship with all the organisations and all the countries in spite of our experiences with the Boko Haram. Nigerian government is totally committed to the maintenance of peace and order in line with UN Charter.

'We believe that all citizens of the world should live freely and peacefully wherever they find themselves. We will work with you and all your countries and organisations to make sure that the world is a place where all of us will live without fear or favour,'he stated.

He stressed that the world over was facing similar challenges, but 'collectively, we will work towards that.'

He thanked them for the role they played during last year's elections and assured that democracy has not just come to stay in Nigeria, 'but democracy that is sanctioned by an election that is credible, election that is free and fair. And using our own slogan, election that the votes of Nigerians must count, where we say one man one vote, one woman one vote and one youth one vote.'

He noted that 'democracy that is not dictated by the vote of the people is not good democracy, adding that until the votes of the people account that is when we can say this is a democracy.

And I believe also that it is difficult for you to topple such a democracy because it is the people that elect those that are ruling. But if people impose themselves on ordinary people of course such a democracy may not be able to stand on a solid ground.

'With a little turbulence such a government will fall. In Nigeria we are totally committed to democracy and enduring democratic culture that the votes of individuals will count.

At the end of our elections in April, we did promise the whole world that our subsequent elections will even be better and promising. But as we march towards 2015 for another round of elections, the elections will be conducted better than the elections in 2011,' he said.

Earlier the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Yamego Dramane, the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Nigeria, commiserated with the President on the happening of the past week, stating that Nigeria, which is playing a major role not only in Africa but the world over, has their support.

The Moment

President Goodluck Jonathan slashes price of petrol by 30 percent in response to protests

Video - Three shot dead in fuel subsidy protests

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Video - Reaction to reinstated fuel subsidy

Nigerian labor groups suspending their nationwide strike after hearing from the president.

National strike called off by Nigerian unions

Monday, January 16, 2012

President Goodluck Jonathan slashes price of petrol by 30 percent in response to protests

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday announced a 30% cut in petrol prices as soldiers moved to disperse activists in a bid to end more than a week of nationwide strikes called by unions to protest against the end of fuel subsidies.

Nigerian soldiers seized protest sites and used armoured vehicles to disperse demonstrators after the president watered down a hike in petrol prices Monday in a bid to end an eight-day nationwide strike.

About 1,000 protesters in the economic capital Lagos had gathered on a road near the main protest site, which armed soldiers seized early on Monday. None of the protesters appeared to have been wounded.

Some 10,000 protesters had been gathering daily at the main site last week.

Troops began by driving trucks toward the protesters, but later used armoured vehicles, an AFP correspondent reported. Around 200 demonstrators were seeking to regroup nearby, but soldiers were moving in their direction.

Soldiers also Monday seized the main protest site in the capital Abuja where hundreds of people had been gathering daily, an AFP journalist reported.

President Goodluck Jonathan announced Monday that petrol prices would be cut by about a third in a bid to end the strike triggered after the government removed fuel subsidies.

Unions vowed to press ahead with the strike which is now in its second week but called off street protests in response to security concerns voiced by Jonathan. However demonstrations have been organised by a range of civil society and political groups.

A number of groups vowed to continue protests.

Jonathan announced the price cut in a televised national address after a week that saw him remain largely silent in public as the strike and mass protests shut down Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer.

The president's announcement came after talks with unions had failed to resolve the dispute, with labour leaders demanding a return to pre-January 1 petrol prices.

He charged that the protests had been "hijacked" by those seeking to promote "discord, anarchy and insecurity".

"Government will continue to pursue full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector," Jonathan said in his address.

"However, given the hardships being suffered by Nigerians, and after due consideration and consultations with state governors and the leadership of the National Assembly, government has approved the reduction of the pump price of petrol to 97 naira (about 60 US cents) per litre."

He added: "I urge our labour leaders to call off their strike and go back to work."

The government had ended fuel subsidies on January 1, causing petrol prices to more than double from 65 naira per litre to 140 naira or more, sparking the strike and protests that began on January 9.

Most in the country of some 160 million people live on less than two dollars a day, and Nigerians weary after years of blatant corruption view the subsidies as their only benefit from the nation's oil wealth.

Besides seizing main protest sites, soldiers on Monday also set up roadblocks at key points in the economic capital Lagos for the first time since the protests began, stopping cars and searching them.

One senior police officer at the main Lagos protest site made no pretense of the aim of the deployment.

"It is total surrender to the might of the federal government," he said. "They cannot come here again today in view of this situation."

One protest organiser said musical instruments were destroyed at the site, where Seun Kuti, son of late legendary musician and harsh government critic Fela Kuti, had been playing regularly.

"Soldiers have destroyed our instruments in Ojota and brought down our stage," said rights activist Jo Okei-Odumakin.

She added: "I have been receiving strange calls threatening me with death. They send these texts to me with unknown numbers."

Jonathan had late Sunday sought a deal with labour leaders aimed at ending the strike. Unions did not call off the strike after the talks, but said they were cancelling street protests after Jonathan expressed security concerns.

Nigeria Labour Congress chief Abdulwahed Omar said: "We came to a conclusion that we will stay at home, that is stay off the streets, in order to make sure that we don't in the first instance endanger innocent lives because of the security situation in the country."

Nigeria has faced spiralling violence, most of it in the country's north and blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram, prompting warnings of a wider religious conflict and even the possibility of civil war.

But the main fuel protests have been largely peaceful, although at least 15 people are believed to have been killed in various incidents.

While the strike was suspended for the weekend, labour leaders had warned it would resume Monday if a deal had not been reached. An earlier threat to shut down oil production however has been put on hold.

Government officials and economists have said removing subsidies would allow much of the $8 billion a year in savings to be ploughed into projects to improve the country's woefully inadequate infrastructure.

AFP

Video - Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaks on fuel subsidy crisis

National strike called off by Nigerian unions

Union leaders in Nigeria have called off a week-long nationwide strike that has been paralysing the country's economy, following a decision by Goodluck Jonathan, the Nigerian president, to roll back fuel-price increases.

Jonathan announced on Monday that he would reduce fuel prices, while soldiers moved to shut down demonstrations in the country's major cities.

His government will reduce the prices by 30 per cent, to around $2.75 per gallon, by restoring some subsidies that it removed at the beginning of January. Prices will still be considerably higher than they were before the subsidies were removed.

The removal of subsidies sparked street protests and, as of last week, the national strike. Unions announced early on Monday morning that they would halt protests after being warned by Jonathan that "people outside organised labour may try to hijack" the demonstrations, Abdulwahed Omar, the head of Nigeria Labour Congress, said.

Earlier security forces opend fire into the air and used tear gas to disperse protesters in the country's commercial capital, Lagos, and other parts of the country.

An AFP news agency correspondent said soldiers first shot into the air to disperse the protesters before police fired tear gas, forcing them to flee. No injuries were reported.

'Protests hijacked'

In an address on national television, Jonathan said provocateurs had hijacked the protests and demonstrations, which had seen tens of thousands march in cities across the nation.

"It has become clear to government and all well-meaning Nigerians that other interests beyond the implementation of the deregulation policy have hijacked the protest,'' he said.

"This has prevented an objective assessment and consideration of all the contending issues for which dialogue was initiatefd by government. These same interests seek to promote discord, anarchy, and insecurity to the detriment of public peace.''

The nationwide strike and protests since January 9 have brought much of Africa's most populous country to a standstill.

While the strike was suspended for the weekend, labour leaders warned it would resume on Monday if a deal had not been reached. An earlier threat to shut down oil production however has been put on hold.

Roots of crisis

Unions launched the strike after the government deregulated the downstream petroleum sector and ended fuel subsidies on January 1, which more than doubled petrol prices overnight, angering many who saw the subsidies as one of the few public benefits of the country's oil wealth.

The costs of food and transportation also largely doubled in a nation where most people live on less than $2 a day.

At least 10 people have died as a result of the violence, while Red Cross volunteers have treated more than 600 people injured, officials said.

Jonathan and other government officials had argued that removing the subsidies, which were estimated to cost $8bn a year, would allow the government to spend money on badly needed public projects across a country that has pot-holed roads, little electricity and a lack of clean drinking water in many areas.

However, many remain suspicious of government as military rulers and politicians have plundered government budgets since independence from Britain in 1960.

Aljazeera

United Nations supports President Goodluck Jonathan on subsidy removal

President Goodluck Jonathan's address to the Nation on fuel subsidy removal

Friday, January 13, 2012

Video - Christians and Muslims unite to protest fuel subsidy removal

The leader of Nigeria's Islamist group Boko Haram has defended recent attacks on Christians, and warned of more to come.

In a video posted on Youtube, he warned that Nigeria's security forces would not be able to defeat the group.

The rise in religious tensions is another headache for President Goodluck Jonathan who's facing a fourth day of nationwide strikes over the rising cost of fuel.

Aljazeera

President Goodluck Jonathan's address to the Nation on fuel subsidy removal

United Nations says Boko Haram must not divide Nigeria

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Navi Pillay, has urged Nigerians not to allow the violent activities of Boko Haram to precipitate retaliatory attacks that will divide the country.

Pillay said this yesterday in Geneva, Zurich in a briefing while reacting to the violence across Nigeria, following the increasing attacks by Boko Haram sect.

She said, "The religious tolerance that has been a central tenet of Nigeria's federation is being threatened, and I urge all Nigeria's leaders to avoid falling into the trap of calling for, or sanctioning, retaliation or making other provocative statements. Everybody will be the loser if Boko Haram succeeds in its aim and efforts to sow discord between Muslims and Christians, or pit Northerners against Southerners.

"The fact that people are already leaving some areas where they are in a minority, out of fear of reprisal attacks by the majority, shows just how dangerous this is becoming for the country as a whole. Anyone inciting violence or hatred must be held accountable, no matter who they are."

In its video message released on Wednesday on You Tube, Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, had claimed that the sect carried out attacks against Christians to revenge the killings of Muslims by Christians in some parts of the North.

On how to fight the group, Pillay urged the government, religious and opinion leaders to make a bold and concerted effort to halt the spread of sectarian violence as a result of Boko Haram attacks.

She said, "It is essential that the country's leadership, and especially its Muslim and Christian leaders, join forces to unequivocally condemn all violence, including retaliation, and encourage their followers to identify and help arrest all those involved in killings and other acts of violence that have been taking place."

She, however, called on security forces not to violate the fundamental human rights of people while conducting operations in areas under threat of attacks. "

On the legal implications of Boko Haram attacks, the UN High Commissioner said, "Members of Boko Haram and other groups and entities, if judged to have committed widespread or systematic attacks against a civilian population - including on grounds such as religion or ethnicity - could be found guilty of crimes against humanity.

Deliberate acts leading to population "cleansing" on grounds of religion or ethnicity would also amount to a crime against humanity." She pointed out that the International Criminal Court was established to hold individuals and groups accountable for violent activities. "There must be no impunity for any acts of violence, including those committed in retaliation for earlier attacks," Pillay added.

Leadership

Video - Boko Haram leader declares war on Christians

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Video - Boko Haram leader declares war on Christians

Leader of the militant Islamic sect, Jama'atu Ahlus Sunnah Lid Da'awati Wal Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, has broken his silence and revealed why his organisation has continued to attack government agencies and Christians in the country.

In a message posted on YouTube, Shekau said the recent attacks carried out by his sect were revenge attacks over the killing of Muslim in Jos and other northern states.

In the 15-minute video, in Hausa language, titled "Message to Jonathan 1 Shekau, wearing a red and white turban, a bullet-proof vest,with two Kalashnikov rifles, at the background, warned President Jonathan that the government forces would not be able to defeat his militant sect.

Imam Abubakar Shekau was the second-in-command to Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed by the police in July last year after days of fighting between security forces and the sect's followers.

The police said in 2009 that Shekau was shot dead in the clashes. But a 25-minute video clip, shot on April 19 and obtained by the media showed Shekau answering questions from a journalist at his hideout believed to be in Maiduguri.

Proclaiming himself as leader of the sect, Shekau said during the interview that with the death of the former leader, he "being the deputy (to Yusuf), stepped in and assumed leadership to continue in the pursuit of religious knowledge." Shekau was, besides being a second-in-command of the sect, the most influential and feared member of the Boko Haram group.

Vanguard

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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Video - Three shot dead in fuel subsidy protests

Three people have been shot dead during a nationwide strike in Nigeria against the government's decision to scrap fuel subsidies.

The price of a litre of fuel has more than doubled from 31 to 66 euro cents after regulators made the move on January 1.

Protesters say they will continue striking until the old price is restored.

Two demonstrators were killed and thirty injured during a rally in the northern city of Kano, whilst one person was shot dead by police officers in the economic capital, Lagos.

euronews

Mass protests across Nigeria over fuel subsidies

President Goodluck Jonathan's address to the Nation on fuel subsidy removal

Monday, January 9, 2012

Video - Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaks on fuel subsidy crisis

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan is facing opposition to his decision to cut fuel subsidies, which saw petrol prices double overnight when the decision was made at the start of the year.

Labour unions have now called for a nationwide strike to begin on Monday. This comes following a series of demonstrations held over the past week.

Sectarian violence in the country has also worsened recently, causing a rise in tensions on the street.

Aljazeera

President Goodluck Jonathan's address to the Nation on fuel subsidy removal

United Nations supports President Goodluck Jonathan on subsidy removal

The United Nations (UN) yesterday, said the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan on fuel subsidy removal was a 'bold and correct policy.'

The UN's position was made known when the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, Ban kimono, Prof. Jeffery Sachs, visited the president at the State House, Abuja yesterday.

Sachs said the funds realised from the subsidy removal would go a long way in fast-tracking rapid infrastructural development in all sectors of the economy.

The UN envoy also commended President Jonathan for the conditional grants being made available to local governments for the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, describing it as "one of the most innovative schemes of using national resources for local government development".

President Jonathan said the country's 2010 capital budget was funded with borrowed money, the equivalent of which was used to fund the subsidy last year, adding "no meaningful infrastructural development is possible in such an environment.'

He said that his administration was committed to making significant and enduring interventions in the areas of power generation and supply, roads, railways, capacity building and health, adding that these sectors have already been opened to private sector participation.

The President expressed appreciation to Prof. Sachs for his concern for the development of Nigeria and Africa.

The removal of the subsidy has led to an increase of over 100 per cent in petrol prices across the country, with an accompanying multiplier effects on transportation fares and prices of goods and services in the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan said deregulation of the petroleum sector was a necessary change that Nigeria must make if government will have a significant impact in the lives of its citizens.

The Moment

Video - Fuel subsidy protests turn violent in Nigeria

Video - Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaks on fuel subsidy crisis

President Goodluck Jonathan's address to the Nation on fuel subsidy removal

NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, ON THE DEREGULATION OF THE DOWNSTREAM PETROLEUM SECTOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012

1. A week ago, I had cause to address Nigerians on the security challenges we are facing in parts of the country, which necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 Local Government Areas in four states of the Federation. That course of action attracted widespread support and a demonstration of understanding. With that declaration, government had again signaled its intention to combat terrorism with renewed vigour and to assure every Nigerian of safety.

2. The support that we have received in the fight against terrorism from concerned Nigerians at home and abroad has been remarkable. We believe that it is with such continued support that progress can be made on national issues. Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has expressed a commitment to support us as we strive to improve on the country's security situation, and build a stronger foundation for the future. The recent mindless acts of violence in Gombe, Potiskum, Jimeta-Yola and Mubi are unfortunate. I urge all Nigerians to eschew bitterness and acrimony and live together in harmony and peace. Wherever there is any threat to public peace, our security agencies will enforce the law, without fear or favour.

3. This evening, I address you, again, with much concern over an issue that borders on the national economy, the oil industry and national progress. As part of our efforts to transform the economy and guarantee prosperity for all Nigerians, Government, a few days ago, announced further deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. The immediate effect of this has been the removal of the subsidy on petrol.

4. Since the announcement, there have been mixed reactions to the policy. Let me seize this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that I feel the pain that you all feel. I personally feel pained to see the sharp increase in transport fares and the prices of goods and services. I share the anguish of all persons who had travelled out of their stations, who had to pay more on the return leg of their journeys.

5. If I were not here to lead the process of national renewal, if I were in your shoes at this moment, I probably would have reacted in the same manner as some of our compatriots, or hold the same critical views about government. But I need to use this opportunity as your President to address Nigerians on the realities on the ground, and why we chose to act as we did. I know that these are not easy times. But tough choices have to be made to safeguard the economy and our collective survival as a nation.

6. My fellow Nigerians, the truth is that we are all faced with two basic choices with regard to the management of the downstream petroleum sector: either we deregulate and survive economically, or we continue with a subsidy regime that will continue to undermine our economy and potential for growth, and face serious consequences.

7. As you all know, the subject of deregulation is not new, we have been grappling with it for more than two decades. Previous administrations tinkered with the pump price of petroleum products, and were unable to effect complete deregulation of the downstream sector. This approach has not worked. If it did, we would not be here talking about deregulation today. I understand fully well that deregulation is not a magic formula that will address every economic challenge, but it provides a good entry point for transforming the economy, and for ensuring transparency and competitiveness in the oil industry, which is the mainstay of our economy.

8. As a President, elected and supported by ordinary Nigerians, and the vast majority of our people, I have a duty to bring up policies and programmes that will grow the economy and bring about greater benefits for the people. Let me assure you that as your President, I have no intention to inflict pain on Nigerians.

9. The deregulation of the petroleum sector is a necessary step that we had to take. Should we continue to do things the same way, and face more serious economic challenges? Or deregulate, endure the initial discomfort and reap better benefits later? I want to assure every Nigerian that whatever pain you may feel at the moment, will be temporary.

10. The interest of the ordinary people of this country will always remain topmost in my priorities as a leader. I remain passionately committed to achieving significant and enduring improvements in our economy that will lead to sustained improvement in the lives of our people.

11. I am determined to leave behind a better Nigeria, that we all can be proud of. To do so, I must make sure that we have the resources and the means to grow our economy to be resilient, and to sustain improved livelihood for our people. We must act in the public interest, no matter how tough, for the pains of today cannot be compared to the benefits of tomorrow. On assumption of office as President, I swore to an oath to always act in the best interest of the people. I remain faithful to that undertaking.

12. To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices. On the part of Government, we are taking several measures aimed at cutting the size and cost of governance, including on-going and continuous effort to reduce the size of our recurrent expenditure and increase capital spending. In this regard, I have directed that overseas travels by all political office holders, including the President, should be reduced to the barest minimum. The size of delegations on foreign trips will also be drastically reduced; only trips that are absolutely necessary will be approved.

13. For the year 2012, the basic salaries of all political office holders in the Executive arm of government will be reduced by 25%. Government is also currently reviewing the number of committees, commissions and parastatals with overlapping responsibilities. The Report on this will be submitted shortly and the recommendations will be promptly implemented. In the meantime, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must reduce their overhead expenses.

14. We are all greatly concerned about the issue of corruption. The deregulation policy is the strongest measure to tackle this challenge in the downstream sector. In addition, government is taking other steps to further sanitize the oil industry.

15. To ensure that the funds from petroleum subsidy removal are spent prudently on projects that will build a greater Nigeria, I have established a committee to oversee the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme. I sincerely believe that the reinvestment of the petroleum subsidy funds, to ensure improvement in national infrastructure, power supply, transportation, irrigation and agriculture, education, healthcare, and other social services, is in the best interest of our people.

16. Fellow Nigerians, I know that the removal of the petroleum subsidy imposes an initial burden on our people, especially the rising cost of transportation. Government will be vigilant and act decisively to curb the excesses of those that want to exploit the current situation for selfish gains. I plead for the understanding of all Nigerians. I appeal to our youth not to allow mischief-makers to exploit present circumstances to mislead or incite them to disturb public peace.

17. To address the immediate challenges that have been identified, I have directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to embark immediately on all projects which have been designed to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal in the short, medium and long-term, as outlined in the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Document.

18. Tomorrow, 8th January, I will formally launch a robust mass transit intervention programme to bring down the cost of transportation across the country. The programme will be implemented in partnership with state and local governments, labour unions, transport owners, and banking institutions, and supported with the provision of funding at zero interest rate as well as import duty waiver on all needed parts for locally-made mass transit vehicles, which will create additional jobs in the economy.

19. We will keep these incentives in place for as long as it takes. I want to assure you that Government will not rest until we bring down the cost of transportation for our people. Let me thank the transporters' associations that have agreed to reduce transport fares. I have directed the Minister of Labour and Productivity to work with these associations to come up with a sustainable plan to guarantee this within the shortest possible time.

20. In addition, I have ordered the mobilization of contractors for the full rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt -Maiduguri Railway Line and the completion of the Lagos-Kano Railway Line. I have also directed the immediate commencement of a Public Works programme that will engage the services of about 10, 000 youths in every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. This will create an additional 370, 000 jobs.

21. Government has taken these decisions in the best interest of our economy, so that we not only have benefits today, but to ensure that we bequeath even greater benefits to our children and grandchildren.

22. Let me assure Nigerians that every possible effort will be made to ensure that we march forward, with a collective resolve to build a Nigeria that can generate greater economic growth, create and sustain new jobs, and secure the future of our children.

23. This Administration will aggressively implement its programme to reposition and strengthen our economy, while paying adequate attention to the immediate needs of our citizens.

24. I assure you all that we will work towards achieving full domestic refining of petroleum products with the attendant benefits.

25. As I ask for the full understanding of all Nigerians, I also promise that I will keep my word.

26. Thank you. May God bless you; and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

President

Federal Republic of Nigeria

January 7, 2012

Vanguard

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Friday, January 6, 2012

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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Boko Haram gunmen attack church in Gombe - 6 dead

The terrorist organization Boko Haram on Thursday night attacked a Deeper Life Bible Church in Gombe, northern Nigeria, killing at least six (6) worshippers and wounding ten (10) others.

The church is located in the Nasarawo district of Gombe city.

Casualties have been taken to Gombe Specialist Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre, THEWILL gathered from a source in the state.

Security forces, who engaged the terrorists in a gun fight have cordoned off the area where the attack took place.

This attack is the third since the ‘ultimatum’ Boko Haram Islamists issued Christians to vacate the north expired on Wednesday.

The group bombed multiple locations in Maiduguri and Damaturu on Wednesday, but no casualties were recorded.

TNV

Boko Haram attack Churches on Christmas day - 40 dead

Video - Fuel subsidy protests turn violent in Nigeria

At least one person has been killed in protests over rising fuel prices. The cost of petrol more than doubled on Sunday night after the government cancelled fuel subsidies.

But hundreds of angry demonstrators responded to the government move in the commercial capital, Lagos, on Tuesday. Protesters shut down petrol stations, formed human barriers along motorways and hijacked buses as police used riot-control tactics to control them.

Aljazeera

Video - Nigeria looks beyond petrodollars

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

President Goodluck Jonathan attacked on facebook over fuel subsidy

President Goodluck Jonathan has come under serious attack with many Nigerians taking to the president's Facebook page to vent their anger against the removal of fuel subsidy by the government.

Daily Trust's checks on the president's page showed that his New Year message, which was posted on the site, has attracted more 7000 comments, mostly criticising the government for ending the fuel subsidy regime. Some even went as far as calling the president in unprintable names.

In his post, Matthew Arikanki said "When Nigerians voted for President Goodluck Jonathan, they thought now they have their man at the seat of government, that he will take decisions that will alleviate the suffering of the masses. But we were wrong."

Justice Emeka Obi said "Mr President is taking us to the biblical Golgotha- a place of misery, destitution and death. We must stop him now before we get there."

Adebayo Ibikunle Farounbi said "Mr President Sir, laudable as your achievements in 2011 seems, your 1st step in 2012 has rubbished them."

Shaman Felix Egi-Jesu said "Mr President, God pass you. I have been stuck in traffic at Lokoja for the past one hour. We truly love your fresh air"

Adeolu Paul said "Can somebody tell me: is Jonathan a disgrace to the entire academic world or to his alma mata?"

Amaechi Anakpe said "Why not experiment with say 25% subsidy removal and show Nigerians the benefit thereof before a dive into abyss. I only pray the complexes that abound now do not consume our entity and cohesion."

Some of the president's however pleaded with Nigerians to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Chris Okechukwu Dike said, "Nigerians should please give Goodluck a chance and let history be the judge. He is anxious to serve the nation well. Example is power, regular fuel, aviation and works. God bless us."

Mike Omeri said "If Okonjo-Iweala, Allison-Madueke and Aganga are World Bank/IMF agents and that is why they pushed for subsidy removal, I know for a fact that Lamido Sanusi is not and he was pushing for subsidy removal even before Iweala came on board. Oshiomhole, labour leader per excellence, (I'm not necessarily saying he's a good governor) supports the subsidy removal and has said as much to his labour union colleagues. If Sanusi and Oshiomhole support the subsidy removal, there must be some sense in it. Let's rally round the government to ensure the policy works for all of us."

Daily Trust

Video - Fuel subsidy protests turn violent in Nigeria

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Mass protests across Nigeria over fuel subsidies

Mass protests rocked many state capitals and adjoining towns yesterday as Nigerians registered their anger against the removal of fuel subsidy.

The state capitals, including Lagos, Kaduna, Makurdi, Lokoja, Osogbo, Ilorin and Benin, erupted in street protests propelled mainly by angry youths and civil society groups, who insisted that the Federal Government must reverse its decision on removal of subsidy.

The protests, which started in city centres and spread to important locations and streets, occurred in the state capitals 24 hours before the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress, the two umbrella labour bodies in the country, met to take an official position on Saturday's fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

However, while the mass protests have recorded their first casualty in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, with the death of a middle-aged man, commercial and traffic activities were yesterday grounded in many places in the country consequent upon the demonstrations and hike in fares.

Hard hit was Lagos, the nation's commercial capital, where wide public demonstration organised by the Joint Action Front (JAF) against the subsidy removal stretched from Yaba through the long stretch of Ikorodu Road to Maryland and Ojota, the popular exit to other states from the metropolis.

In his speech at the Nigeria Labour Congress Lagos (NLC) office at Tejuoso , Yaba, where the demonstration took off, the JAF President-General, Dr. Dipo Fashina, said their action is a clarion call to President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind the fuel subsidy removal with immediate effect, or face the wrath of Nigerians.

He advised the president not to take Nigerians for a ride by taking a unilateral decision on the controversial issue like the fuel subsidy removal, which affects every aspect of Nigerians.

Thousands of people joined the Lagos rallies yesterday as protesters moved through Yaba, Maryland and Ojota trailed by bonfires on the roads.

The protesters marched from NLC Lagos Headquarters office in Yaba through Ojuelegba junction towards the Ikorodu-Ojota Expressway, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with various anti-subsidy removal captions, some of which read: 'Jonathan is worse than Boko-Haram;' 'Jonathan is a traitor;' Jonathan, leave the masses to decide their fate;' 'Goodluck is becoming Badluck now;' 'PDP, ACN, CPC are the same;' Okonjo-Iweala and World Bank, leave Nigeria now;' 'NLC, TUC, declare national strike now,' among others.

The long trek by the protesters caused a gridlock on the stretch of the ever busy Ikorodu expressway and stranded commuters were held up for hours.

Lagos-based lawyer and social critic, Chief Femi Falana, who joined the protest on solidarity note, declined comment, but promised to address the press later.

Other notable Nigerians at the rally include NLC's National Vice-President, Comrade Isa Aremu, wife of the late Gani Fawehmi, Chief (Mrs.) Ganiat Fawehmi, Funmi Iyanda, among others.

Iyanda, in a chat with the press, asked President Jonathan to curb corruption and refurbish the refineries, as well as the rail system to serve as palliatives before removing subsidy on fuel products.

'Fight corruption first; put infrastructure in place to ameliorate the suffering of the people before deregulating,' she said.

On the issue of timing, she said: 'Timing or no timing, people must fight and demand for their right. Nigeria cannot continue this way; we are in the eighteenth century and we must move forward. If the people of Nigeria keep quiet, then we will be dead.

'Therefore, the timing cannot be right until certain things have been put in place. You have to show the people that you care; you have to put certain palliatives in form of infrastructure in place. This is not the time you have to begin to talk of subsidy removal.'

Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi, while addressing the protesters at Maryland, Lagos, asked Jonathan to tell Nigerians how the new pump price of petroleum products, especially, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol) currently at N141 per litre was arrived at.

She called on Nigerians to demand trial of former military president Ibrahim Babangida over the disappearance of alleged N12.8 billion oil windfall Nigeria earned during the Gulf War.

She accused Nigeria's former military leaders of siphoning and squandering the country's monies during their rule over the years at the detriment of Nigerians.

'Nigerians should ask Babangida where is our N12.8 billion oil wind fall. The Nigerian leaders have continued to embezzle our money, which is presently starched away in foreign banks; Abacha, during his tenure, did the same thing, Abdulsalami Abubakar did the same thing, Obasanjo did the same thing. Now, President Jonathan is doing the same thing,' she said.

She stated that, 'This time we all say no to fuel price increase, because with that, food prices will increase, house rents will increase, transport fares will increase, school fees will increase,' adding that the fuel price increase has made nonsense of the minimum wage.

Comrade Aremu commended Nigerians fighting spirit over the raging issue by turning out enmass to reject the subsidy removal, describing the protest as a 'struggle for second independence of Nigerians from the privileged few in power.' He said that Nigerians cannot sit and watch the present administration take them.

The Moment

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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Chelsea offers John Mikel Obi for sale

The days of Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, at his Premier League club, Chelsea, is numbered as the outfit is seeking to offload him.

Mikel has been a regular feature on Blues' line up since arriving the club in 2005 but his playing time has been impaired lately with the emergence of certain Oriol Romeu.

The Spanish starlet has really limited the playing time of the Nigerian midfielder this season because coach Andre Villa-Boas has considered him as an integral part of his long-term plan.

According to the Express Chelsea are ready to splash the cash as Stamford Bridge owner, Roman Abramovich, looks to flex his financial muscles and attempt to push his West London club onwards and upwards towards both Man City and Man United at the top of the Premier League.

Despite Villas-Boas's fairly average performance as Blues boss, the young Portuguese manager will be handed funds to mount significant raids to land four top class players either next month or more likely in the summer.

To help make way for new additions, Villas-Boas will apparently listen to offers for seven of his first team squad.

Among those said to be on their way are John Obi Mikel, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Alex and Florent Malouda. There is also growing speculation that midfielder and fan favourite Frank Lampard may seek to leave after being told that he wasn't guaranteed first team football.

Chelsea boss, Villas-Boas, is looking to reverse the ageing nature of the club's squad and has brought in youngsters like Romelu Lukaku, Juan Mata and Romeu and has trusted more to youthful members of the squad he inherited, the most prominent example of which has seen youngster, Daniel Sturridge, go from strength to strength.

Chelsea owner, Abramovich, will reportedly hand Villas-Boas £150 million to invest in the following four players.

The Moment

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Monday, January 2, 2012

Boko Haram gives ultimatum to Christians

A purported spokesman for Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram has issued an ultimatum to Christians in the country's north and threatened to confront troops after the president declared a state of emergency in hard hit areas.

Abul Qaqa, who has spoken on behalf of the group blamed for scores of attacks in Africa's most populous nation numerous times in the past, said he was giving southerners living in the north a three-day ultimatum to leave.

"We find it pertinent to state that soldiers will only kill innocent Muslims in the local government areas where the state of emergency was declared," he told journalists in a phone conference late Sunday.

"We would confront them squarely to protect our brothers."

Speaking in the Hausa language common throughout the north, Qaqa said "we also wish to call on our fellow Muslims to come back to the north because we have evidence that they would be attacked.

"We are also giving a three-day ultimatum to the southerners living in the northern part of Nigeria to move away."

Boko Haram is believed to include different factions with varying aims. Its structure remains unclear and other people have claimed to speak on its behalf.

Nigeria's 160 million population is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.

Muslims have been victims of Boko Haram attacks, but a wave of Christmas day bombings particularly targeting churches set off fears of retaliation from Christians.

President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency on Saturday in parts of four states hard hit by violence blamed on Boko Haram.

The declaration came in response to scores of attacks attributed to Boko Haram, particularly the bombings on Christmas that killed 49 people, most of them in a gruesome blast at a Catholic church outside Abuja as services were ending.

Qaqa also criticised Jonathan for visiting the church, where 44 died in the explosion, on Saturday.

"The President had never visited any of the theatres were Muslims were massacred," he said, naming areas where scores of Muslims were killed in post-election riots in April.

While Boko Haram has been carrying out increasingly deadly attacks for months, including an August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in Abuja that left 25 dead, the Christmas violence sparked intense fear and outrage.

It also led to warnings from Christian leaders that they would defend themselves if such attacks continued, raising deep concern.

While declaring the state of emergency in Africa's largest oil producer, Jonathan acknowledged that the attacks "have threatened our collective security and shaken the foundations of our corporate existence as a nation."

It was declared in parts of the states of Borno, where Boko Haram has traditionally had its base, as well as Niger, Plateau and Yobe.

In the northeastern city of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, residents reported increased patrols on Monday. Soldiers had been entering homes in search of weapons and bombs, they said.

After the searches, soldiers told residents to report any unusual behaviour or abandoned vehicles which may contain planted bombs.

AFP

Video - Healing the wounds from Christmas Day Boko Haram attack

Army sent to guard Abuja after Christmas bombings

Mass Protests on the horizon over fuel prices

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared a showdown with the Federal Government through mass protests and strikes until the price of petrol is reversed to N65 per litre.

The leadership of the labour movements in a joint statement issued yesterday directed their state councils to take steps to resist any price above N65 per litre of PMS, and await a date for the commencement of general strikes and mass protests across the country.

Nigerians were also urged to begin mobilisation for the commencement of the protests.

In the statement signed by the NLC's Acting General Secretary, Comrade Owei Lakemfa, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade John Kolawole, the congresses said the action of the Presidency at this period when Nigerians were mourning the victims of recent bomb blasts showed "insensitivity and callousness".

The Federal Government was also accused of thriving on falsehood as it had recently told Nigerians that consultations were still going on with various stakeholders including oganised labour and if any fuel subsidy was being contemplated, it would be with effect from April 1, 2012.

"We also have information that it intends to make a litre of PMS N150.00 and then ask the NNPC to reduce the price at its fuel stations by a few naira. Nigerians must defeat whatever are the schemes of this government," the statement read.

While expressing the readiness of organised labour to engage in a long drawn battle, the statement called on the National Assembly and governors to side with the people over the matter.

The labour unions urged the police and other security personnel not to accept any order to shoot protesting Nigerians or attack them, noting that there would be insistence that any officer who does so will be brought to justice.

"We also put the Jonathan Presidency and its surrogates on notice that we shall ensure that they are prosecuted up to the International Criminal Court if they, by acts of commission or omission spill the blood of any Nigerian over the protests that follow their inhuman acts against the people," the congresses warned.

The statement added that the leadership of the NLC and TUC would jointly issue directives in the next few days on the date the organised national strikes, street demonstrations and mass protests would commence.

President General of TUC, Comrade Peter Esele, viewed the latest development as "a stab in the back" by the Federal Government who only last week entered into a dialogue with the organised labour in a bid to forestall a looming anarchy.

He explained that the action of government was a total declaration of war on the "poor masses who are being punished by an inefficient system that is anchored on few corrupt oil thieves who are major sponsors and backers of government".

He disclosed that the National Executive Council (NEC) of TUC would meet in the next few days to take a firm decision on the issue.

"The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) rejects without reservation the reported removal of petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government as announced by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) executive secretary Reginald Stanley, which ushered in an anti-people based price of N141 per litre. This is unacceptable to us and to the Nigerian masses who have been ambushed by a government they expressively gave a popular mandate to represent them some few months back.

"We are surprised that the government could proceed to implement the removal without recourse to the National Assembly who all available indices indicate that they have not given it any legislative backing neither was it mentioned in the 2012 national budget.

"This action by President Goodluck Jonathan is therefore dictatorial, undemocratic and a total declaration of war on the poor masses of this country who are being punished by an inefficient system that is anchored on few corrupt oil thieves who are major sponsors and backers of government. This is why the government cannot muster enough political will to arrest and prosecute them. What we expect the Federal Government through the PPPRA to do is to tackle the corruption in the system first before this present action.

"For the avoidance of doubt, TUC insists that until new refineries are built and the old or existing ones are made to function optimally, there cannot be a removal of petroleum subsidy. Therefore, TUC on behalf of the Nigerian workers and the masses have declared a dispute of interest with the Federal Government," he said.

Also, a civil society group, the Joint Action Front (JAF), has called for civil disobedience to force the Federal Government to rescind its pronouncement.

The statement jointly signed by the group's Chairman and Secretary, Dr. Dipo Fashina and Comrade Abiodun Aremu, respectively, urged Nigerians to turn up en-mass for the protest.

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