6 news extra
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Ekiti APC/PDP Clash: IG Assures Fayemi Of Action Over Killing The Inspector general of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar, has assured the Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, that he would investigate the alleged killing of a party member during a clash between members of the All Progressive Congress and those of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. Abubakar gave the assurance yesterday when Governor Fayemi visited the police headquaters to lodge a complaint about the killing allegedly carried out by an agent of the Police Mobile Force (PMF). Fayemi, who spoke with journalists shortly after the closeddoor meeting, said he was given the assurance that the police would investigate the incident before taking any action. “I have lodged a complaint to the IG, and I believe the IG will look at it dispassionately. He will investigate and take appropriate action. That is the least I expect from the IG. I think officers have to be restrained in their conduct. I don’t think any officer is paid by the tax payers to shoot and behave in an irresponsible manner. “It is just not an assault on the collective cause that we have to deepen this democracy; it is also a denigration of the institution the officer represents. I do not believe the OC, MOPOL ought to have behaved the way he did; he wasn’t professional,” the governor said
By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja
Council Refutes Directive On Clearance For Live Political Broadcasts The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) yesterday denied giving broadcast stations directives to obtain a 48-hour clearance from it before transmitting live political programmes. Mr Nnamdi Njemanze, the acting executive secretary of the council, made the denial in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja. The statement said that the council did not issue such a directive as reported by a national daily, adding that its purview did not include oversight of broadcast media and its contents. It advised the newspaper to always crosscheck its facts before going to press. ``We need to state that factual, accurate, balanced and fair reporting is the ultimate objective of good journalism and the basis of earning public trust and confidence.” The statement also urged the newspaper to refrain from publishing inaccurate and misleading information. By NAN
L-R: Sure P Members: Mr. Chike Churchill Okogwu, Mr. Patima Adamu, Mrs. Maraim Mattar, President Goodluck Jonathan and Chairman Subsidy ReInvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Gen. Martin Agwai (rtd) during their meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY REMI AKUNLEYAN
Military Kills 50 Boko Haram Members In Borno, Yobe By Bayo Oladeji, Chika otuchikere, Ejike ejike and patience ihejirika, Abuja
Troops conducting anti-terrorists campaign in northeast Nigeria averted attempted massive raids on villages in Borno and Adamawa states during the weekend. This was disclosed yesterday by the Defence Headquarters in a statement issued and signed by its spokesmen, Major General Chris Olukolade. Troops acting on a tip-off ambushed the terrorists along Biita, Borno State, when the insurgents were on their way to attack selected communities in that area. The soldiers were said to have attacked the terrorists as they
filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at about 10pm on Saturday killing over 50 of them in the fierce encounter that ensued. They also recovered 30 rifles, 36 hand grenades, seven machine guns, 11 rocket propelled grenade (RPGs) tubes, 3,500 rounds of ammunition, 6 smoke grenade canisters, four vehicles and other locally fabricated guns. The DHQ further disclosed that four soldiers were wounded in the operation but that they are currently receiving medical treatment. DSS Nabs Frauster Impersonating Boko Haram The Department of State Services has apprehended a man
fronting for the dreaded Boko Haram sect and extorting money from influential Nigerians in exchange for protection. National coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, made this known yesterday during the briefing on the efforts to rescue the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. He said the suspect is currently undergoing interrogation. The suspect, whose name was not immediately disclosed, was alleged to have been going around and demanding huge sums from people and communities with the promise that the Boko Haram sect would not attack them. Also speaking at the centre, the SSS spokesman, Merlyn Ogar said that the Boko Haram sect had be-
come a franchise, hence the need for everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security operatives for necessary action. Ogar also explained the long delay in perfecting the arrangement for the extradition of Aminu Ogwuche, the suspected mastermind of the deadly Nyanya bomb blast which killed over 70 persons, saying that the extradition process was still in progress. The SSS spokesman revealed that the whereabouts of the second mastermind of the Nyanya bomb attack, Rufai Abubakar Tsiga, was still unknown and urged the media and citizens to help inproviding information that could lead to the arrest of the Boko Haram fugitive.
2015 Elections: Tambuwal Charges INEC To Resist Inducement Few bad eggs sabotaging our efforts – Jega By Adesuwa Tsan and Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja
As preparations for the 2015 general elections gain steam, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal has expressed concern on the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist external influence during
election conduct. Tambuwal said this while speaking on the challenges that the national electoral umpire may face in ensuring credible elections in 2015, in a speech he delivered at a two-day dialogue/stakeholders’ forum organised by the House Committee on Reform of Government Institutions at the National Assembly yesterday. He said, “Notable amongst the challenges that may confront INEC in ensuring free, fair, credible and transparent 2015 gener-
al elections include the issue of transparency in the conduct of elections, without fear or favour by not succumbing to any external influence or dictatorship, security of election results at all levels, returning and declaring the winners by respecting the choice of the people, issues of electronic rigging, snatching of ballot boxes and papers, timely disposal of election cases, etc”. In his presentation, chairman of the INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega, said the commission had been
consistent in its effort to conduct free, fair and credible elections except for a few staff members who are bent on sabotaging the commission’s efforts. He said, “When we came into the commission, we made it very clear that it was not going to be business as usual. From our own assessment, overwhelming majority of the staff in INEC are honest, decent and are doing their best. A few bad eggs exist who create negative impression for everybody.”
Etsu Nupe To Mark Nupe Day With National Prayers By Abu Nmodu, Minna
The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has set up the main organizing committee for this year Nupe Day celeberation. The day would feature inter-religious special prayers for the country. The royal father who set up the committee headed by the former House of Representatives leader, Hon Baba Agaie,
over the weekend in Bida, said this year’s Nupe Day celebration would be special. Unlike the previous year, the Nupe Day this would be one day marked with special prayers and lectures from both Muslim and Christian clerics drawn from all over the country. At the special Nupe Day, Sheik Ahmed Lemu, President General Islamic Education Trust, Minna, and Catholic
Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onayekan, are expected to deliver special lectures on moral decadence, youth restiveness and national security. The event will also feature special prayer session for the nation led by the Chief Imam of Nupeland, Sheik Adamu Yakatu and Bishop of Bida Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Jonah Kolo. Former head of state Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida is
expected to chair the occasion, Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal would be the special guest of honour.while the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar would be the royal father of the day. The Governors of Niger, Kwara and Kogi states would be the chief hosts of the occasion which would take place at the Wadata Palace, Bida, on June 26, 2014.