Extra Reporters

Troops of 27 Task Force Brigade deployed at Buni Gari have arrested another suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Isah Garba aged 20 years while on perimetre patrol on 25th June 2017. Preliminary investigation was initially difficult as he was found to be under influence of heavy dosage of drugs. He has since stabilized and making useful statement. TROOPS RECOVER AND DESTROY IED Troops of 29 Task Force Brigade while on patrol on 28th June 2017, along Wajiro-Mallam Kuramti cattle route discovered an IED planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists. The EOD team safely removed and detonated it. TROOPS CLEAR BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS AMBUSH AND RECOVER BOMB Today Wednesday 28th June 2017, at about 3.30pm, troops of 151 Battalion of 21 Brigade on patrol to Mayanti Village were ambushed by suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorists. The troops successfully cleared the ambush by neutralizing some of the terrorists, while a reinforcement was immediately dispatched to mop up the gener...

Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed in various parts of the northeast under the auspices of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and the Multinational Joint Task Force in conjunction with sister Services and other Security Agencies have continued the fight against terrorism relentlessly. They have been doing so through patrols, clearance operations, patrols and maintaining blocking positions. They have also been contributing their bits in humanitarian activities to enhance civil-military relations with their respective host communities. TROOPS PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO RETURNEE REFUGEES IN BANKI Troops of 152 Battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed in Banki have been rendering humanitarian assistance to over 887 Nigerian refugees returned from Cameroon since Tuesday 27th June 2017. The troops out of sheer love have apart from organizing their safe return have been using their resources to feed and make them comfortable through feeding and provision of accommodation pending whe...

Troops of 146 Battalion, 16 Brigade Nigerian Army while on routine patrol on Wednesday 28th June 2017, along Sucrucho-Kalarogbana Fishing Ports general area, discovered and destroyed a reactivated illegal oil dumb. Items recovered include 1 Cooking pot, 2 Storage tanks (iron and plastic) loaded with suspected stolen crude oil, 1 Cylinder and a pumping machine. In related development, on same day, troops stationed at Forward Operation Base Ahoada, while on routine patrol around Ogbogu general area arrested a suspected cultist. Items recovered from the suspect include local charms and substances suspected to be marijuana. The suspect has been handed over to SARS at Erema for further interrogation. Similarly, on Tuesday 27th June 2017, following a tip off from well-meaning citizens, about suspected armed bandits terrorizing residents of Ogbolo-Ogbolo community, combined troops and and personnel of Mobile Police stationed at Akinima Division, carried out cordon and search ope...

  The persistent drop in the prices of crude oil in the international market has impacted negatively on allocations to the three tiers of government, with statutory allocations recording a shortfall of N1.32tn in the last one year. This is even as the nation witnessed a shortfall of N1.49tn in gross federally collected revenue between October 2014 and September 2015. Figures obtained from the Federal Ministry of Finance on Wednesday indicated that the sum of N5.59tn was distributed between October 2014 and September 2015 to the three tiers of government. A breakdown of the N1.32tn shortfall showed that the country recorded a negative of N160bn in allocations in the last three months of 2014, while the balance of N1.16tn was the shortfall for the first nine months of this year. Based on the 2014 budget, the three tiers of government were expected to share on monthly basis N653.39bn, making up N1.96tn for the last quarter of 2014. The N1.96tn, when compared to the actu...

Re: Nigeria Letter To Gen Tukur Buratai-You Are Not The President Of Nigeria- Ladan Mohammed By Ladan Mohammed  Angwan Kwarbai, Zaria, Kaduna State. Since the unfortunate incident of 12th December 2015 at the ancient city of Zaria, Kaduna State, some people have arrogated themselves various appellations and status all aimed at obliterating the attempted criminal but failed assassination of the Nigerian Army Chief. A case in point was a disappointing piece by a renown writer Prigenih Brimah calling for the resignation of the Army Chief and just yesterday one obscure Adeolu Ademoyo, of the Africana Studies and Research Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.  Added to the spew through “a personal open letter” to the General. Ordinarily, one would care less about such things, but for the fact that they are far detached from reality and hurting our sensitivities-we the people of Zaria city and victims of the 30 years of molestation, harassment and intimidation by the le...

By Abdullahi Yusuf  Abuja The recent happings in Zaria regarding the  Islamic Movement of Nigeria  Army clash m a y have come to some people as a surprise, with some citizens describing the group as an unarmed and peaceful group. But it is never a surprise to especially those living in the northern part of the country especially those  who   live  in Zaria, Kaduna, katsina, Kano Sokoto  and other Northern States . There is no one who lives in the north that will ascribe peace to  this group  of peaple who operate with impunity, without regard s to  other people’s right. Before I go into the details of so many incidences involving these people in different parts of the north, let me state here that the account am about to give, is the truth about these people. Let me also state here that telling lies is permitted under the doctrine of the Shiites sect, therefore their account of what happened may not be the truth of what act...

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, on Wednesday, distanced the people of the South East geo-political zone from the protest over the arrest of the director of Radio Biafra Mazi Kanu by security operatives saying that such a protest had no supporter or blessing of the governors and leaders form the zone. Okorocha who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemedo, in a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri, regretted that the protest over Radio Biafra and arrest of its director would not add any value to development of the zone and life of the people in the area. The governors and leaders of the South-East condemn the protests, especially for the manner they were carried out in the name of Biafra. If a section of the people in the South-East or even the whole people in the geo-political zone protest over the bad shape of the federal roads in the area or protest over the total negligence of the geo-political zone, every governor and leader in the area would su...

President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Barrister Danladi Kifasi, in a bid to ensure the entrenchment of the Federal Character principle as enshrined in the Nigeria's Constitution of 1999 (as amended). Kifasi is born in Taraba hails from the same North-East zone as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal. Lawal is from Adamawa State. Danladi Kifasi had served as Permanent Secretary in several ministries including Federal Ministry of Finance and Petroleum and is said to have prepared for smooth handover in an event of the announcement of new HOS. It was gathered that President Buhari is looking at the South-East region for the replacement of Kifasi. Since Buhari took over power on May 29, 2015, the South-East has been the least favoured zone in his appointments. Source: The Summary

The Nigerian Petroleum Sector accounts for over 80% of Nigeria's revenue, consequently being the largest source of our economic dependence. President Buhari's desire to oversee the affairs of the Petroleum Industry/Sector has seen a series of unfounded attacks on the President's decision from both legal and moral viewpoints. Nigeria cannot joke with this profound sector. On the other side, it is of significance to note the fact that the Petroleum sector accounts for over 60% of our revenue leakages. It is lucent that the Nigerian Petroleum sector has been bereft of prudence and accountability. President Buhari's consequent decision to put a special eye on this sector by personally overseeing the Ministry of Petroleum is in order. I would not pretend or shelve beneath the carpet the moral and legal argots flying here and there giving credence to or castigating Mr. President's decision. It is important that I state here that, in fact, after President Buhar...

By Dr Idris Ahmed  Following the shenanigans and the preposterous delays surrounding the ministerial screening of Rotimi Amaechi at the Senate, we at CUPS feel obliged to shed more light on the matter. As always, our covenant with God and fellow Nigerians is to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, no matter whose ox is gored. The Integrity Group, which claims to be a grassroots anti-corruption civil society organisation based in Rivers state alleged that Rotimi Amaechi has a case of grandeur theft to answer for. In their petition letter addressed to his Excellency, President Muhamamdu Buhari, on 31/7/2015, they alleged that Amaechi is guilty of corruption, criminal breach of trust, unlawful enrichment, and wanton conversion of Rivers state financial resources for personal use to the tune of N70 billion. They alleged that the offences were committed between 10/2007 and 28/5/2015. They sent the same petition letter to the EFCC on 28/7/2015. While Th...

The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful Protest over the Arrest of the Director of Radio Biafra Tuesdaay along Ikwerre road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke Chanting songs of grievances and displaying placards which bore various inscriptions such as "Freedom for Biafra, free Nnamdi Kanu", "We are not terrorists, we are freedom fighters", "We are tired of intimidation and harassment by Nigeria Government", "Biafra on the move" amongst others, the protesters said they were no longer comfortable with the Nigerian government. Speaking during the protest, Secretary of IPOB, Delta State chapter Nnenna Nwaoha, said: "The reason for the protest is for Nnamdi Kanu to be released; we have suffered enough in the hands of the Nigerian Government and we are no more comfortable with it. "We want our freedom that is why we are here. We are not comfortable with the Nigerian government, the intimidation, killing an...

Director of  Radio Biafra and Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,  Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested at Golden Tulip Essential Hotel, Ikeja, on Saturday, has been granted bail. Although, he is yet to fulfill his bail conditions. IPOB's lawyer, Mr. Egechukwu Obetta lamented that Nnamdi Kanu was  put in the same cell with terrorists despite his life threatening health challenges. He said Kanu is selective to delicacies, adding that he (Kanu) vowed never to eat any food served by the Federal Government of Nigeria. However, midway into the chat with his lawyer, a call came in, indicating that Kanu has been granted bail in the sum of N2 million or with surety of N2 million with a civil servant of grade level 16. Obetta further said that "Last week, the Afenifere threatened to secede but nobody was vilified. I am talking about the recent Olu Falae's kidnap case. The militants in the Niger Delta has done same." Source: Vanguard

The people of Ezeakam Eziudo community in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, still shudder at the recol­lection of the heinous act of their kinsman, 39-year-old Chamberlin Ojoko, who allegedly gave his pregnant girlfriend, Chinonye Ella, 25, a local abortion concoc­tion. The concoction caused fatal adverse reaction that resulted in her death, on July 20, 2015. Like some­one acting out a well-scripted plan, Ojoko was alleged to have calmly gone home to borrow a shovel from his brother, Pastor Sopuruchi and buried the corpse of the deceased girlfriend in a shallow grave, which he dug at the back of an uncom­pleted building owned by one Dr Maduakolam Ukaegbu, a kinsman. According to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, the chain of events that ultimately led to the untimely death of Chinonye began the day she boarded the same bus with Ojoko in December 2014, at Achingali, in Obowo Local Government Area, Imo State. They chatted along the way ...

The World Bank has said it needed time to give detail on how it dispense the recovered assets stolen by Late General Sani Abacha and how it was spent by the Nigerian government. The bank made the disclosure in a response to a request by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) asking for information on the spending of recovered assets stolen by the late Head of State. In her letter dated October 15, 2015 and signed by Ann May of the Access to Information Team, AIT, the Bank said: “In response to your request under AI3982, we would like to inform you that we are still considering your request and need additional time to provide you with a more comprehensive response.” It stated further that, “In most cases, we will be able to respond within twenty (20) working days from receipt of a request for information. However, we may need additional time in special circumstances, for example, if the request is complex or voluminous or if it requires further...

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State The governor warned that failure to heed his order would not only lead to withholding of their salaries but also termination of appointments. It would be recalled that in the heat of Boko Haram activities, almost 22 of the 27 local government areas were sacked by insurgents, leading to destruction of lives and property and displacement of 1.5 million people who had taken refuge at Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps in the North East. But with the relative peace being witnessed now, reconstruction of houses, schools, hospitals, police stations, courts, local government secretariats, worship places, among others, destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in parts of the state, has advanced, with the first phase of work currently ongoing in different parts of Kaga Local Government Area in the northern part of Borno State as Shettima visited16 project sites. Shettima, who was impressed with the level of work at the general hospital, ...

If we can think enough, what we have is enough. The "channel" of understanding is the "remote" of outstanding. Understanding yourself is part of the purpose of your life, and it will represent your value. It is all about courage and understanding, not to mention a sense of purpose, hope, diligence, and the belief that you have special talents and skills to share. When you aren't getting the results you want, no matter how deep or complex, we must have it as tongue phrase that - "defining life is understanding life; and understanding life is the source of life. Understanding life is talking about your value, raising questions about the value of your value, and how you define yourself. Believe it or not, you view the world and others through your own unique perspectives and understanding, rosy or complex, cumbersome or simple, fair or unfair, based on the fact that your lifestyle is the product of your thinking, and what you think; you tick. Overcoming ...

By Comrade Mahmud Muhammad Maiduguri, Borno state Youth empowerment is an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people, including youth and adults. Youth empowerment is often addressed as a gateway to intergenerational equity, civic engagement and democracy building.  Government should embark on youth empowerment so as to mitigate the hardship of our teeming youths. This could be done by rehabilitating the vulnerable ones, creating jobs, providing programs centered on youth empowerment so as to mitigate/eradicate the poverty.  May I use this prestigious avenue of communication to call on the sympathetic Governor, the Governor of Youths, the Governor of mercy and the listening governor His Excellency Gov. Kashim Shettima to quickly embark on the aforementioned proposals of programs through the Ministry of YOUTH...

A former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio, has given insight into why he was interrogated for several hours on Friday by operatives of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Speaking with a PREMIUM TIMES reporter shortly after he left the EFCC headquarters late on Friday night, Mr. Akpabio admitted that he was summoned by the anti-graft body to respond to several allegations of corruption against him. He however said he was not arrested, but that he honoured the commission’s invitation voluntarily. “A young lawyer from my state has been petitioning the EFCC accusing me of corruption,” the former governor said. “So shortly before I got involved in an accident in August, the EFCC summoned me to come and respond to the allegations. “But following the accident, I wasn’t well enough to honour the EFCC summon. And I let them know. “So today, since I’m now well, and the Senate did not sit, I decided to honour the EFCC so as to answer questions ...