February 06, 2012

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Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News ACN kicks as INEC declares PDP winner in Adamawa Sport Hodgson backs Osaze despite 71st minute miss Business Nigeria’s forex reserves hit $34.7b, says Central Bank

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VOL. 7, NO. 2027 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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New security measures at airports By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

T

HERE will be stronger security at Nigeria’s 24 airports to prevent attacks by the deadly Boko Haram sect, it emerged at the weekend. Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director George Uriesi spoke of the new security plan, which includes the procurement of sophisticated counter terrorism gadgets and effective collaboration among security agencies. At the airports are State Security Services (SSS), Nigeria Air Force, Port Health Unit, Nigeria Customs Services and the Nigeria Immigration Service. The agencies, according to Uriesi, will share intelligence information for better policing of the airports. Uriesi said the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has also unveiled a new template on how to secure the airports against attacks. The office of the NSA provided funding to enable FAAN procure gadgets for its personnel to strengthen security around the airports with a view to ensuring that their vulnerability is analysed and proactive steps taken to stem trouble. The new measures were designed after a summit by security stakeholders. Ureisi said the strategy would bring about Continued on page 4

Y RETURNS: Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola surrounded by old and current students of Akoko Anglican Grammar •AN OLD BO BOY School, Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State (the Alma Mata of the governor), during the school’s 50th Anniversary Celebration ... at the weekend. He donated an ICT Centre named after former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. SEE ALSO PAGES 9 & 59.

Bomb suspect’s escape: Trial of Biu, others begins ACP, others face five-man panel tomorrow

A

•Biu

LL is set for the trial of an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and five others over the shocking escape of a Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto, from custody. Zakari Biu and the others will face the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) tomorrow, The Nation learnt. The suspects, who are being kept by the military, are to tell the Committee why they should not be punished for allowing the Christmas Day bombing suspect to escape from custody. The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Parry Osayande, last Thursday, mandated the Force Headquarters to constitute the committee to try the suspects. Although the FDC usually com-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

prises five Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, the Commission gave a waiver to the Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, to allow Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to be on the panel. The commission took the decision since most of the senior AIGs will soon be appointed DIGs. A source, who spoke in confidence, said the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) has been handling the investigation of Biu and five other policemen. “The military has concluded investigation into the escape of the wanted Boko Haram suspect. And if anything is being done to re-arrest

Kabiru Sokoto, it is the military and the State Security Service (SSS) that are handling that,” the source said, adding: “Biu and other suspects have been in custody of the military since they were arrested. He is neither under house arrest or police custody as being insinuated. It is from the military custody that they will be brought to face the Force Disciplinary Committee. “The chairman of the PSC has written the Force Headquarters to raise the FDC for the trial of all the suspects. In the absence of DIGs, the AIGs (led by the one in charge of Administration) will try these police officer and men.” The panel, which ought to start sitting last Friday, is expected to begin

its work tomorrow. The Force Headquarters considered today’s public holiday in fixing the time, it was learnt. Responding to a question, the source said: “There is nothing like court martial in the Police; the PSC will never allow the military to try any police officer.” On the duration of the trial, he said it would not last for more than one week, “except there are some circumstances beyond the control of the FDC”. A member of the Commission in charge of Publicity, Ms Comfort Obi, confirmed last night that the Chairman, DIG Parry Osayande (rtd), permitted the Force HeadContinued on page 4

•JOBS P17 •SPORTS P24 •POLITICS P25 •CITYBEATS P31 •CEO P50


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February 06, 2012 by The Nation - Issuu