metro
We Won’t Use Force To Rescue Abducted Train Victims – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari said Thursday that the federal government will not use force in securing the release of the remaining abductees of the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train.
The president said they had weighed all options and concluded that the best way to bring all the victims back home safely was not to use force. He, however, said that the federal government was doing everything within its powers to ensure the safe return of the remaining captives.
The President gave the assurance Thursday during a meeting with the representatives of the families of the victims at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting came two days after seven more kidnapped passengers of the March 28 train attack regained their freedom after spending 135 days in the custody of the terrorists.
Daily Trust reports that the terrorists have been releasing the captives piecemeal with credible sources saying they are extorting money from the families of the victims.
Many of the victims earlier released said their families had paid ransom as much as N100m.
While some sources close to the federal government said some of the abductees were released after “prisoner swap”, it was learnt that the terrorists have been reneging on most of the promises they made.
READ ALSO:
- Thieves storm Katsina Government House, steal N31m
- Police Order Hawkers To Vacate Lagos-Ibadan Highway Long Bridge
- Gunmen Kidnap Popular Osun Based Pain Balm Maker “Ero-Arike”
One of the sources said while the government is reluctant to use force, many families of the victims have been pauperised because they have sold their houses, farms, and other assets to raise ransom.
According to the source, “Many families are still trying to raise the ransom because the terrorists are not willing to accept any entreaties; they operating from advantaged position.
“They have released most of their high profile members from Kuje prison; they have also secured the release of their children in custody of government through prisoner swap and they are using the remaining captives as human shield and at the same time collecting ransom from desperate families,” he said.
One of the victims released some weeks ago told the Daily Trust last night that not all of them were invited to the presidency.
“I was not invited…The security operatives have our numbers but only a few were invited to interact with the president,” he said.
‘Your abduction traumatic’
Addressing those who made it to the villa, Buhari, who commiserated with the families of the victims and those who lost their loved ones, said since the “terrible and cowardly attack by the criminal elements” on March 28, 2022, the nation had joined them to endure a period of difficulty and emotional pains.
He told them that in the immediate aftermath of the incident, several actions had been taken by government to bring succour to the affected families and to prevent a recurrence in the country.
The President, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, explained his reason for discarding the use of lethal military force in extracting the remaining abductees.
“I have been informed that at last count, there remain about 31 people in the hands of the kidnappers, and our determination is to work towards returning these 31 people to their families.
“It is understandable that emotions typically run high, we have received several suggestions about the deployment of lethal military force in extracting those still being held in captivity.
“This option has indeed been considered and evaluated. However, the condition to guarantee a successful outcome and minimize potential collateral damage could not be assured and therefore that course of action had to be reluctantly discarded.
“My primary concern is to get everyone released safe and unhurt,’’ he said.
The President, while speaking on his recent instruction to security and law enforcement agencies to bring an end to inhumane action against innocent Nigerians, stressed the need to take the fight to the terrorists and demonstrate that there was no hiding place for them within the borders of the country.
He said: “Each one of them will be hunted and pursued and spoken to in the language that they understand.”
Buhari said the ongoing killing of terrorists by the military would not stop.
“Judging by the available reports to me and news that have begun emerging in the last few days, I will say they (security operatives) have heard this instruction and are responding appropriately.
READ ALSO:
- Gunmen Kidnap Popular Osun Based Pain Balm Maker “Ero-Arike”
- Jaiz Bank grows balance sheet to 300bn
- Lagos disbands MOT taskforce
- Organ harvesting: Govt doesn’t interfere in judicial issues — Malami
“In the past couple of days, you must have heard about the number of terrorists neutralized by the military, and number of hostages freed. These efforts will not stop, or reduce,” he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Transportation, Jaji Sambo, said in the first week of his resumption in the ministry, he met with the relatives of the victims of the Kaduna train attack and updated them of all the efforts the government was making to ensure safe return of their loved ones.
It was not clear at the time of going to press whether besides consoling the victims the president had assured them of any other support.
‘No money to pay ransom’
A representative of the victims of the train abduction, Alhaji Sabiu Mohammed, appealed to the federal government to assist families of those not yet released.
‘‘Please, we want to see our loved ones and many have found themselves in very critical situations. We do not have the money that they (kidnappers) are demanding. Please, Mr President, we know you are doing your best…please, please we want to see our loved ones,” Mohammed said.
Presidential guards killed by terrorists buried amid tears
Troops of Guards Brigade Nigerian Army who were killed by terrorists in Bwari area of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were buried amid tears on Thursday.
The leader of the soldiers, Captain Attah Samuel and four other personnel, who paid the supreme price during a clearance operation, were buried in the nation’s capital.
The burial process started with Christian wake and funeral service in honour of the fallen heroes held at St John’s Military Church (Protestant) before their final Internment at the Guards Brigade Cemetery, Maitama, Abuja.
Daily Trust had exclusively reported in July how the armed officers were ambushed while trying to foil a planned attack by terrorists on the Nigerian Law School, Abuja.
Until their demise, the gallant soldiers were serving with 7 Guards Battalion, Lungi Barracks Maitama and 176 Guards Battalion Gwagwalada in the FCT respectively.
Reading the funeral oration of the deceased personnel, the Commanding Officers of 7 Guards Battalion, Lt.-Col. Salim Yusuf Hassan and Commanding Officer 176 Guards Battalion, Lt.-Col. Joshua Kolawole Adisa, described the late Captain and Soldiers as thorough-bred Infantrymen.
They said that the deceased were genuinely committed to their duties in defence of Nigeria and whose contribution and services would be greatly missed.
‘‘We ask God to console the families left behind,” Hassan said.
“While the Brigade and the Nigerian Army mourns, the families should take solace in the fact that they have fought a just fight and their souls shall continue to rest with the lord till the resurrection morning,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. James Alilu Ataguba presented accoutrements to the next of kins of the deceased personnel while the remains of the fallen heroes were lowered.
Our correspondent reports that there was also the blowing of the last post and gun salute to bid the departed heroes a farewell
Those in attendance during the burial include: senior officers of the Nigerian Army; Commanding Officers; Staff Officers of the Brigade; Bwari Area Council Chairman, Hon John Gabaya; family members and the barracks community.
metro
Wike: I won’t apologise to Odili, didn’t turn Rivers to personal estate
Wike: I won’t apologise to Odili, didn’t turn Rivers to personal estate
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied allegations against him that he converted the resources of Rivers State into his private estate while serving as Governor.
Wike, who hosted some stakeholders in the state on Friday in Port Harcourt, stated that the allegation, attributed to former Governor Dr. Peter Odili, is false.
The Minister noted that those making the allegations have children serving in government as commissioners, questioning how he could have turned Rivers State into his personal property.
“Those who made the allegations have their children serving as commissioners. Is any of my children a commissioner? I never converted the state into my personal estate,” he said.
He reiterated that individuals like Dr. Abiye Sekibo, former PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Okpara were among those who opposed the candidacy of Siminalayi Fubara as Governor.
READ ALSO:
- Yar’Adua stopped refinery sale to Dangote over due process, paltry amount – Falana replies Obasanjo
- Saudi company SALIC to buy out Olam’s stake in Olam Agri
- Lakurawa terrorists attack Kebbi community, kill 2 policemen, rustle 200 cows
“Those who parade themselves as elders of the state today were the same people who opposed Fubara’s emergence as Governor. I stood my ground. But today, they are the ones moving everywhere, calling themselves elders.”
Wike nostalgically recalled that since 1999, when he contested elections for the Obio/Akpor local government council, “I have been winning every election I contest because we know how this game works.”
He also recounted how he risked his life to help former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki win reelection. “I had an ulcer, but I still went to Edo and ensured Obaseki won that election. I fought Oshiomhole. The police ordered me to leave Edo State. I left my car at the hotel and disappeared. But the same Obaseki turned against us.”
The FCT Minister appealed to Monday Okpebholo, the current Governor of Edo State, not to turn against Oshiomhole as his predecessor did.
metro
Yar’Adua stopped refinery sale to Dangote over due process, paltry amount – Falana replies Obasanjo
Yar’Adua stopped refinery sale to Dangote over due process, paltry amount – Falana replies Obasanjo
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday attributed federal government’s cancellation of a Public, Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for the management of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries approved by the Obasanjo government in 2007 to the questionable circumstances surrounding the deal.
Falana, responding to the Thursday statement by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on how his successor, the late Umaru Yar Adua, refunded the $750 million paid by a consortium to run the refineries, said the deal lacked transparency.
The activist, in a statement on behalf of Alliance on Surviving Covid and Beyond (ASCAB), recalled how Obasanjo “in utter breach” of the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act, allegedly sidelined Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), and “took over the privatisation of a number of public enterprises.”
The NCP was established to oversee the privatisation and commercialisation of public enterprises
He said: “On May 17, 2007, President Obasanjo sold a 51% stake in the Port Harcourt refinery to Bluestar Oil for US$561 million.
“In another transaction that took place on May 28, 2007, President Obasanjo sold 51% shares in Kaduna Refinery to Bluestar Oil for $160 million.
“Bluestar Oil was a consortium of three domestic companies, including Dangote Oil, Zenon Oil and Transcop.
“Before the deal, President Obasanjo had acquired large shares in Transcorp through ‘blind trust.’
“Many interest groups in the country questioned the legal validity and moral propriety of the sales as they were consummated in the last days of the Obasanjo administration.
READ ALSO:
- Saudi company SALIC to buy out Olam’s stake in Olam Agri
- Lakurawa terrorists attack Kebbi community, kill 2 policemen, rustle 200 cows
- Youths beat Osun monarch for appointing Imam on disputed community
“The two powerful trade unions in the oil industry —the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) kicked against the privatisation of the two refineries on grounds of conflict of interest and lack of due process.
“They also alleged that the nation had been shortchanged as the shares acquired in the Port Harcourt refinery for $516 million were worth US$5 billion.
“Convinced that the deals were not in the national interest, both unions proceeded on a 4-day strike that almost paralysed the Nigerian economy in June 2007.
“The strike was called off based on the assurance of the federal government to the effect that the deals would be fully investigated.
“Upon the conclusion of the investigation by the federal government, the purported privatisation of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries was cancelled by President Umaru Yar’adua.
“It is on record that the cancellation of the privatisation was not challenged in any court as it was carried out contrary to the letter and spirit of the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act.”
The Falana-led alliance alleged a renewed campaign for the privatisation of the nation’s refineries, and asked NUPENG and PENGASSAN to intensify their historical struggle to act as a counterpoise to the campaign .
“Those who are awaiting the privatisation of the refineries in a manner at variance with the national interest should be advised to set up their own refineries like the Dangote Group,” he said.
Obasanjo had expressed doubts over the reactivation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) following years of shutdown.
He said the NNPCL claims could not be true.
His words: “So if anybody tells you now that they (the refineries ) are working, why are they not with Aliko (in the market)?
“And Aliko will make his own refinery work. Not only make it work, he will make it deliver.
READ ALSO:
- Lagos commuter bus summersaults, LASTMA rescues 8 injured passengers
- Peter Obi has retired other political opposition figures – Reno Omokri
- Policeman celebrating promotion kills Ekiti woman in accidental discharge
“Whether we announce our own government refineries are working or not working, look, it is like they say in Yoruba adage, ‘the man who plants 100 heaps of yams and says he has planted 200 heaps, they say after he has harvested 100 heaps of yam, he will also harvest 100 heaps of lies,” he said in response to a question on the oil assets.
“Well, you know what I said about the Port Harcourt refinery? Do you remember?
“I will remind you. I said when I was president, I wanted to do something about the three refineries we have. Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.
“And Aliko Dangote got a team after I asked Shell to come and run them for us, and Shell said they wouldn’t.
“I said please, come and take equity. They said no. All right, don’t take equity, come and run it. They said no. Later on I called them.
“I called the boss of Shell then. Come and tell me what it is. And he gave me four or five reasons.
“He said, well, first of all, we make our major profit from upstream, not from downstream. Downstream we run just to keep our head above water.
“Two, the refineries are too small, 60,000 barrels per day, 100,000 barrels and I think 120,000 barrels. He said at that time, the average refinery was going for 250,000 barrels per day.
“Three, he said our refineries are not well maintained.
“Four, he said there was too much corruption around the activities of our refineries and they would not want to get involved in that.
“And when anybody tells you a thing like that, what will you do? And it was after that that Aliko got a team together and they paid $750 million to take part in PPP, running the refinery. My successor refunded their money.”
“But I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2 billion has been squandered on the refinery and they still will not work.
“Anybody can tell you. If a company like Shell tells me what they told me, I will believe them.”
The authorities of NNPCL have invited Obasanjo to come and personally inspect the refineries to see them in operation.
Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the company, Olufemi Soneye, said the new business model run by NNPCL has helped turn the facilities around.
READ ALSO:
He said: “Today, NNPC has evolved into NNPC Limited, a private entity that has transitioned from being a loss-making organisation to becoming a profit-oriented global energy leader.
“Under this new model, NNPC Limited has expanded beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company.
“Our focus is not only on harnessing traditional resources but also on developing cleaner, cheaper and sustainable energy solutions to meet Nigeria’s growing demands.”
He described the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company and Warri Refinery as a notable achievement by the company, saying that what has been done is not the typical Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a comprehensive overhaul designed to meet world-class standards.
He added: “Similar efforts are underway at the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery, ensuring these facilities are enhanced and maintained to global standards for sustainable operation.
“This progress has been driven by the visionary leadership of the NNPC Limited board and the management team led by GCEO Mele Kyari, alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative policies in the energy sector.
“Together, they have achieved unprecedented milestones, setting NNPC Limited on a path to redefine energy security for Nigeria while positioning the company as a leader on the global energy stage.
“We extend an invitation to our esteemed former president to join us in this historic journey.
“His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we deeply appreciate his insights and guidance, which will always be welcomed and cherished.
“Additionally, we warmly invite President Obasanjo to tour the rehabilitated refineries and witness firsthand the progress made under the leadership of NNPC Limited.
“We remain grateful for his enduring contributions to Nigeria’s development and are committed to building a brighter, more prosperous future for our nation.
“Together, we can continue to ensure energy security and deliver sustainable value to all Nigerians.”
Yar’Adua stopped refinery sale to Dangote over due process, paltry amount – Falana replies Obasanjo
metro
Lakurawa terrorists attack Kebbi community, kill 2 policemen, rustle 200 cows
Lakurawa terrorists attack Kebbi community, kill 2 policemen, rustle 200 cows
Gunmen suspected to be members of the Lakurawa terrorist group have killed two policemen and rustled over 200 cows from Natsini village in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
It was learnt that the incident happened on Thursday at about 11 pm.
According to sources at the village, the policemen were manning a checkpoint along the Augie/Kangiwa road when the terrorists numbering over 50 on motorcycles attacked and killed two of them before rustling cows in the village.
Natsini village is along Augie/Kangiwa road and about 5 kilometres from Argungu town.
READ ALSO:
- Youths beat Osun monarch for appointing Imam on disputed community
- Lagos commuter bus summersaults, LASTMA rescues 8 injured passengers
- Peter Obi has retired other political opposition figures – Reno Omokri
A local, Abubakar Augie, told Weekend Trust that the rustled cows belong to a prominent civil servant identified as Lawali Black in the area.
He said, “The Lakurawa were more than 50 on motorcycles; after overpowering the few policemen at the checkpoint, they went to where the cows were kept in his ranch and went away with them.”
The local government chairman, Aliyu Gulma, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
He said the council was already holding a security meeting on the issue and that the state government had directed security agents to go after the terrorists with a view to recovering the stolen cows.
The police command public relations officer, SP Nafiu Abubakar, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
Lakurawa terrorists attack Kebbi community, kill 2 policemen, rustle 200 cows
-
metro2 days ago
‘Deepen Shariah knowledge to curb misinformation’
-
metro2 days ago
Ilorin: Retired works controller murdered on New Year’s Day
-
metro12 hours ago
Youths beat Osun monarch for appointing Imam
-
metro1 day ago
Tinubu’s refusal to honour Seyi’s pact with us disappointing – Nnamdi Kanu’s family
-
metro1 day ago
Jealous husband stabs Bishop to death over allege affair with wife
-
Politics3 days ago
How Tinubu outsmarted Buhari to become president – Ojudu
-
metro23 hours ago
Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don
-
metro3 days ago
Fire razes police station, buildings in Lagos