Headline

ISIS Sneaking Jihadists into Nigeria from Syria, Says Report

Published

7 years ago

June 19, 2018

Eric

Leaders of the terrorist group, Islamic State, are sneaking battle-hardened jihadists from Syria into Nigeria to train terrorists for possible attacks in Britain, a United Kingdom newspaper, The Sun, reported on Monday.

Fanatics including Boko Haram insurgents were also being sent to the Middle East for training in a chilling “exchange programme,” the newspaper added.

The newspaper said there were fears that strong links between Nigeria and the UK would make it easier for ISIS to send its killers to Britain to orchestrate terror attacks, death and destruction.

It noted that more than 150 British troops were conducting counter-terror training with Nigerian forces in an attempt to stem the bloody tide — and stop IS from taking hold of the West African region.

At one training mission in the northern city of Kaduna, a senior Nigerian Air Force commander revealed how local jihadist groups were learning from IS after swearing allegiance to its black flag.

Group Captain Isaac Subi, 46, who has been fighting terrorism across Africa since 1991, said, “They come and train their fighters here and some of our insurgents too are granted access to their training in Yemen and Syria, acquiring those skills and they come back and teach others. They have this exchange programme of fighters.”

The report stated that the poisonous influence of the fighters had already ended in horror attacks on British streets, citing the stabbing to death of Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013 in London by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, both of Nigerian descent.

It is feared IS would exploit regular flights between Lagos and London to export more evil to the UK.

Subi further told the UK Sun that the lack of secure borders across Africa also made it easy to spread the bloodshed.

He added, “There are hundreds of fighters. It’s a virus that spreads across our borders. Their action leaves trails of blood and tears and sorrow.”

Over the past four years, more than 20,000 people have been killed in the North-East where the population is now dominated by up to 3,000 terrorists.

Another two million people have fled the bloodshed with those captured by Boko Haram made to fight for the insurgents while seized women are forced into marriages.

Britain’s defence adviser in Abuja, Brig. Charles Calder, said the IS posed a threat to British interests and the UK mainland.

“In time, unchecked it could present a threat to both UK interests and conceivably the UK mainland.”

Calder said sending small, hand-picked teams out to military training hubs across the country “was the best way to prevent Nigeria from collapsing,” adding that British troops had so far trained 35,000 military personnel.

He noted that Nigerian troops are now performing better on the frontline.

The Defence Headquarters’ spokesman, Brig. Gen. John Agim, could not be reached for comment on the IS threat on Monday as calls to his phone failed to connect.

But Agim had in an exclusive interview with one of our correspondents last Wednesday, admitted that the military was aware that some of the attackers in the country “were foreigners who sneaked in as a result of the porous borders.”

“We know that some of the attackers in the North-East are also not Nigerians. Some of the attackers were brought in because they thought they could make money.

“Those who are recruited sometimes do it for money. You must have seen the video where hoodlums in Niger and Chad were begging to be recruited into the Boko Haram group and to come to Nigeria. So the issue is that some people, who are looking for something to do, are willing instruments in the hands of whoever wants to recruit them.

“So the problem is that some idle people who are willing individuals are available for whoever wants to recruit them. And sadly enough, our borders are porous,” Agim said.

Asked what the Nigeria Immigration Service was doing to strengthen border security, its spokesman, Sunday James, said the agency had strengthened border security to ensure that “no foreign entity is allowed by whatever means into the country by land, air or waterways.”

He added in a statement that NIS operatives had been proactive “going by the several arrests in recent past around the country by the Special Border Patrol Corps operatives of the NIS trained and deployed to carry out reconnaissance patrol.”

James advised Nigerians to report suspicious individuals or groups to the Immigration Service or other security agencies for necessary action.

The Punch

Headline

Atiku Slams APC over Inflammatory Remarks Against Peter Obi

Published

5 days ago

January 7, 2025

Eric

For Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, over what he described as inflammatory remarks directed at Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

Atiku described Morka’s comments as a “disturbing emblem” of the current administration’s strategy to stifle opposition voices.

He also expressed concern over the prolonged detention of Mahdi Shehu, a prominent government critic, and others, suggesting these actions indicate a shift toward authoritarian governance.

“The choice of words used by the APC spokesperson, particularly the ominous suggestion that Obi has ‘crossed the line,’ reveals an alarming disdain for democratic principles,” Atiku said.

“Such language, rooted in hostility, has no place in a free society where civil discourse and engagement should reign supreme.”

Atiku emphasized the vital role of opposition leaders in fostering accountability and improving governance, arguing that a true democracy thrives on a healthy exchange of ideas.

He expressed alarm over Morka’s statement that Obi should “be ready for whatever comes his way,” calling on the APC to clarify this “chilling threat.”

The former Vice President also condemned the APC spokesperson’s framing of Obi’s calls for constructive engagement, likening them to a lawless “Wild West” scenario.

Atiku described this language as crude and unbecoming of a ruling party, urging the APC to issue a formal apology to Obi and the Nigerian public.

In addition to the remarks against Obi, Atiku highlighted the case of Mahdi Shehu, who remains in detention without clear justification.

He argued that the Tinubu administration’s actions are eroding fundamental freedoms and setting a dangerous precedent.

“If there is anyone who has truly ‘crossed the line,’ it is the Tinubu administration, whose continuous vilification of opposition figures as mere irritants to be crushed is a dangerous precedent,” Atiku said.

The PDP candidate called on Nigerians and the international community to demand an end to what he described as “the stifling of dissenting voices”, warning that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the protection of free speech and opposition rights.

Atiku concluded by urging President Tinubu’s administration to recalibrate its approach to dissent, emphasizing the need for dialogue, engagement, and respect for democratic principles.

Headline

Mahama Takes Oath of Office As Ghana‘s President, Promises Economic Renewal

Published

5 days ago

January 7, 2025

Eric

We need a reset of faith — in our country, in our institutions, and in ourselves. You are Ghana, I am Ghana – President John Mahama

John Mahama was inaugurated on Tuesday as president of Ghana after defeating vice president Mahamudu Bawumia in the December elections, vowing to reset the nation’s economy.

Thousands of jubilant citizens dressed in the red, white, green, and black colours of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) thronged Ghana‘s capital Accra to welcome President John Mahama. They waved flags, blew vuvuzelas, and danced to traditional drumbeats.

The colourful ceremony, attended by several African leaders, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Kenyan President William Ruto, was a celebration of democracy and hope for a nation battered by years of economic hardship.

In his inaugural address at the iconic Black Star Square in Accra, Mahama struck an optimistic tone, declaring the day a turning point for Ghana, as it marked the start of his unprecedented second term in office.

“We have endured severe economic hardships, moving from one crisis to another in recent years. But there is hope on the horizon,” he said. “Today marks the beginning of a new opportunity – an opportunity to redefine our governance and economic strategies. Together, we shall reset our beloved nation, Ghana.”

Mahama attributed his 7 December electoral victory, where he decisively defeated Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, to the youth’s demand for change. He pledged to prioritise inclusivity, accountability, and innovation while focusing on critical areas such as economic restoration, governance reforms, and the fight against corruption.

“Your courage to bring change will not go in vain,” Mahama said. “We will focus our initial efforts on four critical areas: economic restoration and stabilisation of the macroeconomic environment; improvement of the business and investment environment; governance and constitutional reforms; and accountability and the fight against corruption.”

Mahama’s vision includes transforming Ghana into a 24-hour economy, leveraging agriculture and agribusiness to stimulate local industries and create jobs.

“This is a patriotic call to action for all of us to participate in building a nation that lives up to its promise, where hope thrives, and dreams become a reality,” he said.

Economic promises

As the crowd at Black Star Square erupted in cheers, Ghanaians looked forward to a new chapter under Mahama’s leadership. His promises of economic restoration and governance reforms have set high expectations, with the coming months expected to test his ability to deliver on his ambitious agenda.

“I am here because I believe President Mahama will bring real change,” says Priscilla Oforiwaa, 32, a trader from Kumasi who attended the inauguration. “We have suffered for too long, and now is the time for a leader who truly understands our struggles.”

For his part, Andrews Brown, a 25-year-old university graduate who has been unemployed for two years, tells The Africa Report he feels positive about this new era.

“The 24-hour economy he promised gives me hope. We need jobs, innovation, and a leader who listens to the youth. I believe President Mahama can deliver.”

Source: The Africa Report

Headline

Height of Disrespect: Obasanjo Berates NNPCL over Invitation to Tour PH Refinery

Published

1 week ago

January 4, 2025

Eric

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has slammed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) over the recent invitation extended to him, to tour both Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

Obasanjo reacted to the invitation via a statement issued by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, in which he described the invitation as disrespectful to his office and person.

He argued that the oil company had not sent any formal invitation to him as of Thursday, January 2, 2024.

The NNPCL invitation was sequel to the former president’s doubt on the repairs of the refineries. Obasanjo had in a recent interview on Channels television revealed that although the NNPCL was aware of its inability to effectively manage the national refineries, it rejected a $750 million offer from Aliko Dangote to manage the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries in 2007, during his administration.

He questioned why NNPC is now working with Dangote, saying,: “Not only will he make it (his refinery) work, he (Dangote) will make it deliver. And whether we announce our own government refineries working or not working, it is like a man who plants 100 heaps of yam and says he planted 200 heaps. After he harvests 100 heaps of yam, he will also harvest 100 heaps of lies.”

Responding to the former president, the corporate communications officer of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, said the company recently achieved the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery, stressing that the exercise was not the typical Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a comprehensive overhaul designed to meet world-class standards.

Soneye went ahead to extend an invitation to Obasanjo to have a tour of the refineries.

In return, Obasanjo’s media aide said: “Is that the right way to invite a former president of the country? Who says Baba has even seen the statement or read the news? It is a total disrespect for the office of the former president.

“Ask the NNPCL that as of January 2, have they written to him? Is there any official letter addressed to him, inviting him to the refinery? It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response.”