Chibok: We are still reviewing video content – FG

The Federal Government on Monday said it is still reviewing the content of the video released by the Boko Haram sect on Monday.

At a briefing in Abuja on the released video, the Director -General of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, ruled out the option of negotiation with the sect for now.

He debunked the rumours being peddled in some parts of the media that the federal government has started negotiation with the sect.

Omeri, who spoke alongside heads of various security agencies said the government is considering all options to rescue the girls and unite them with their parents.

The DG said the issue of negotiation with the sect is not being considered for now.

“All options are on the table and open, we are interacting with the military and intelligent experts who are already on surveillance in the North Eastern part of the country. We will adopt all available options to get the girls out, but we will not negotiate with the sect.

While speaking on countries that have so far joined in the rescue mission, Omeri said more countries are set to offer help to Nigeria.

“The United States and the United Kingdom have already sent in their security personnel but we will not hesitate to seek help from other countries if there is need for such,” he stated.
On the operational measures, Omeri said the government will not reveal the operational measures as it will amount to giving information to the enemy.

Nyanya blasts: DSS parades five suspects

The Department of State Security (DSS) has paraded five suspects allegedly linked to the April 14 bomb blasts at Nyanya, on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory in which over 75 persons were killed and several others injured.

The DSS has also placed a N25 million reward on two fleeing suspects – Rufai Abubakar Tsiga and

At a joint security briefing, held at the headquarters of the DSS on Monday, the spokesperson of the DSS, Ms. Marilyn Ogar, said Tsiga, assisted by Ogwuche, drove the explosive laden car to the scene of the blasts a day to the incident.

He was said to have left the car at the Nyanya bus station and went back to detonate the explosives in the early morning of April 14.

The DSS said Tsiga used to run a decoy patent medicine kiosk at Utako area of the FCT from where he allegedly recruited other sect members who disguised as his apprentices.

Ogwuche was described as a British born Nigerian from Benue State who was in November 2011, arrested at the Abuja airport on his arrival from the United Kingdom, in connection with terrorism.

Ogar, however, said Ogwuche was released on bail to his retired Colonel father, Agene Ogwuche in October 2012 following intense pressure from the human rights community who alleged violation of his human rights.

The DSS added that the fleeing Ogwuche deserted the Nigerian Army in 2006 after serving in the Intelligence Unit of the Army at the Arakan Barracks, Lagos.

He reportedly absconded when he was posted to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Jaji, Kaduna, in 2006. Ogar gave his service number as SVC 95/104.

He is said to be studying Arabic language at the International University of Africa, Sudan.

The other five suspects paraded by the DSS are- Ahmad Rufai Abubakar, (43); Muhammadu Sani Ishaq, (30); Yau Saidu, (28); Adamu Yusuf, (43); and Anas Isah, (22).

They all confessed to having played different roles in preparations leading to the bombing of the Abuja bus station.

Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche who were alleged to have masterminded the attack.

You can't probe Sanusi — Court

Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday stopped the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) from further investigation of the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Specifically, the court held that the FRCN which had earlier indicted the suspended CBN governor, lacks the powers to investigate him.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed by Sanusi challenging the powers of the FRCN and its Executive Secretary, Mr. Jim Osayande Obase to probe him, Justice Tsoho who upheld all the prayers of Mr. Sanusi, declared that the action taken by the council was biased, malicious, premeditated, frivolous, deliberately skewed, malafide and an abuse of executive power.

Before the judgement, Justice Tsoho had earlier dismissed an application by FRCN that the judge lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, ruling that the matter before him was a fundamental right issue which the court could adjudicate upon.

It would be recalled that Sanusi had approached the court seeking to restrain the FRCN from investigating him. In a suit filed by his counsel, Kola Awodehin (SAN), he prayed the court for a declaration that the FRCN, by constituting itself into an investigating body in the manner expressed in some newspaper publications of March 24, went beyond its powers.

CAN condemns conversion of Chibok girls

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday said the forceful conversion of Christians school girl abducted from Chibok to Islam was a clear indication that the Boko Haram insurgency group was waging a war against Christianity.

The Boko Haram group  claimed in their new video released on Monday that the girls had been converted to Islam.
Reacting to the development, National secretary of CAN, Rev Musa Asake  said the said conversion was unacceptable and called on the government and the international community to act fast to save the situation.

He said that the reported forceful conversion of the girls was a confirmation that the Boko Haram sect has a religious agenda, adding that it was now clear that they are waging a war against Christians and Christianity iin the country.
The Christian umbrella body reject the demand by Boko Haram for the release of their detained members as a condition for freeing the girls.

CAN maintained that the Boko Haram members being detained were criminals who committed heinous crimes against humanity who should face the wrath of the law.
It accused the Nigerian correspondent of the Cable Network News (CNN) of downplaying the fact the majority of the girls kidnapped are Christians.

“We condemned the forceful conversion of abducted Christian girls from Chibok into the Islamic fold by the Boko Haram terrorist group.
“Our Muslim brothers told us that Islam is not by compulsion and we are surprised that our girls who were abducted in school by the terrorists have forcefully converted them to Islam.

“This is a confirmation that the Boko Haram is waging a war is against Christianity.  We are calling on the federal government and the internationally community to know that there is no ambiguity in what the  Boko Haram actually wanted – they are waging a war against Christians and Christianity.

“We also want to urge that the CNN reporter in Nigeria should be called to order because he is down playing the reality of what is going on. Majority of the girls kidnapped are Christians, but he is downplaying this fact and misleading the world. We don’t know whose agenda he is executing but we are calling on him let the world know the truth.

“Those girls are not Muslims and we are urging the terrorists to return them to their parents, ” Asake stated.

Lamido competent to rule Nigeria – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday said Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, is competent to rule the country in 2015.

The former president made the disclosure while answering questions from journalists during his one- day official visit to the state.

He said Lamido’s background makes him competent to rule the country.

“Going by Lamido’s background, performance and credibility, his competent and exposure, he can stand shoulder to shoulder with anybody in the country,” Obasanjo said.

He continued: “if it is the wish of the people, it is okay. He did not tell me he is vying for the post, but being the wish of the people let’s wait and see.”

“Based on his tracking his record would you say he is not competent?, He is competent, he can stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone in this nation.

“Our hope is to produce future leaders who would grow up with one Nigeria in their mind. I mean those who are committed and patriotic.”

Brazil 2014: Nigeria Supporters Club demand 62 million condoms

The Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters Club (NFSSC) on Monday demanded for the provision of 62 million condoms for fans attending the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Rafiu Ladipo, President-General of NFSSC, who made the demand in Abuja, appealed to the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) to take the demand very seriously.
Ladipo’s appeal came on the heels of assurance by Bilali Camara, UNAIDS Country Director, that two million condoms would be provided for the entire duration of the 2014 World Cup.

He said instead of two million for the entire duration, UNAIDS should provide two million condoms each day for the 31-day tournament.

“Of all football loving fans all around the world, I alone will be taking over 10,000 fans to Brazil, not only from Nigeria.

“You know that Nigeria will be playing their first three matches and there is going to be a match between Nigeria and Argentina.

“By the time we play that match, we will regard it as the match that will also qualify us to play Brazil in Rio de Janeiro during the final.

“If that is achieved, we want to be protected; we must be protected.

`So, I want to urge you (UNAIDS) to provide more condoms,’’ he added.

According to him, it is important for UNAIDS to look into the request to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS during the World Cup.

He said the availability of condoms would help protect football fans who might want to have sex in Brazil after their daily assignment.

Nigeria is drawn in Group F alongside Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Mundial, which kicks off on June 12.

Police offer N50M for information leading to girls’ rescue

A new twist into efforts aimed at rescuing the 200 girls of the Government Girls College, Chibok unfolded Wednesday with the Nigeria Police force announcing a mouth watering cash reward of N50million to anyone who volunteers credible information that will lead to their rescue

Making the disclosure in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations officer, CSP Frank Mba, the Police called on all Nigerians and general public to be part of the solution to the present security challenge.

It assured all citizens that any information given would be treated anonymously and with utmost confidentiality.

The Force urged all patriotic citizens with such useful information to contact the following numbers: 09-2914649, 08081777309, 08055547536, 08032125050, 08034617591 and 08035969731.