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Omokri faults Traore meeting Mahama with weapon, recalls how Obasanjo stopped Gadaffi

Published

11 months ago

January 9, 2025

Reno Omokri

Omokri faults Traore meeting Mahama with weapon, recalls how Obasanjo stopped Gadaffi

Reno Omokri, Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has recounted how the late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was prevented from bringing large amount of ammunition into the country during a visit.

The former presidential aide was reacting to an alleged breach of protocol by the Burkinabe President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, when he met newly sworn in Ghanaian President, John Mahama.

Omokri faulted Traoré’s meeting of Mahama with a weapon adding that such a thing can never happen in Nigeria.

He said the development “once again” demonstrates the difference between Nigeria and Ghana and vindicates the former’s position as the regional superpower.

Recounting the incident which he said he personally witnessed, Omokri said the former Libyan strongman was denied twice during the Obasanjo administration to come into the country with arms including his aides.

“And on both occasions, he was stopped and cut to size”, he said.

According to him, “The first time was during the African Heads of Government Summit on Roll Back Malaria, which was held on Tuesday, April 25, 2000.

“Colonel Gaddafi’s female bodyguards tried to enter the International Conference Center, Abuja, with their weapons, but were stopped by President Obasanjo’s CSO, who had an argument with them and disarmed them at gunpoint before they were allowed into the venue with Colonel Gaddafi to join other African leaders.

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“The second incident was more dramatic and was actually a set up. It was during the Africa-South America Summit in November 2006, Abuja.

“Colonel Gaddafi had arrived on Tuesday, 28 November 2006, with about five huge planes which offloaded a total of fifty cars or thereabouts. The problem is that these cars were loaded with weapons.

Nigerian officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport told Mr. Gaddafi and his over 200 guards that they could not leave the airport with either their weapons and would have put them back on their planes under the supervision of the Nigerian Army”, he said while narrating the incident on his X.

Omokri added that “Colonel Gaddafi was incensed. He said since he was not being allowed to leave the airport with his cars filled with weapons, he would walk into Abuja.

“Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, who was detailed by President Obasanjo to receive Colonel Gaddafi was concerned and called the President who told him to tell Gaddafi he was on his way to the airport.

“When President Obasanjo arrived, he played with Gaddafi and told him he was on his way to Lagos, but that the incident would be resolved by his personal representative, Minister Fani-Kayode.

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The President then took Mr. Fani-Kayode aside and whispered into his ear in Yoruba to the effect that ‘You are in charge. Play with him. Be polite and diplomatic. But those weapons are not entering Abuja’.

The former presidential aide said “Obasanjo then headed to Lagos, leaving chief Fani-Kayode to argue back and forth with Gaddafi, who threatened to return to Libya.

“But in line with Obasanjo’s instructions, Fani-Kayode subtly told him that, ‘We would rather have you stay, but if you choose to go, we understand.’

“And when Gaddafi saw how resolute Chief Fani-Kayode was, they returned all their weapons to their planes under the supervision of the Nigerian Army”, he submitted.

Omokri said the stance of the Nigeria government on the issue following Obasanjo’s instructions, forced the late Libyan leader aides to go spiritual over the matter.

“When Colonel Gaddafi was allowed into Abuja, he was escorted to the guest house arranged for him by Nigeria. The first thing his guards did was to slaughter a ram and spill the blood in front of the door. Once that happened, Colonel Gaddafi stepped over the blood into the house (Defence House) and would not allow anyone else to enter after him”, he submitted.

Taking a swipe at the action of the newly elected Ghanaian president, Omokri said “That is how you show that you are a sovereign nation. Not by having a thirty six year old unelected junta leader of Burkina Faso, who has turned his country into a client state of Russia, do to you in your own country what he would never in a million years do to Russia’s Vladimir Putin.”

Omokri faults Traore meeting Mahama with weapon, recalls how Obasanjo stopped Gadaffi

Related Topics:Featured Gadaffi Mahama Omokri Traore

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Borno Police Defuse Unexploded Bomb Under Network Mast in Maiduguri

Published

5 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Trends Admin

Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid

Borno Police Defuse Unexploded Bomb Under Network Mast in Maiduguri

The Borno State Police Command on Monday successfully defused an unexploded bomb planted beneath a network mast in Chuskon, Federal Low Cost Area, Maiduguri, averting a potential security threat to residents.

According to Police Public Relations Officer ASP Nahum Daso, the EOD-CBRN Base 13 unit responded promptly after receiving a report from the Divisional Police Officer, ITE Police Division. The explosive device, featuring two protruding wires, was rendered safe following standard bomb disposal procedures. Items including a hand plier, a T-shirt, and a pair of shoes were recovered at the scene, suggesting deliberate placement by unknown individuals.

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“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, has charged all Divisional Police Officers across the state to intensify patrols and fortify critical infrastructure, especially communication facilities, to prevent sabotage and maintain public safety,” ASP Daso stated.

Following the operation, the police held community sensitization and safety awareness sessions, urging residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious objects promptly, and collaborate with security agencies.

The command assured the public that the situation has been brought under control and that normal activities have resumed in the area. Investigations into the bomb plot are ongoing as authorities continue to strengthen measures to safeguard lives and property across Maiduguri and surrounding communities.

Borno Police Defuse Unexploded Bomb Under Network Mast in Maiduguri

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Aisha Buhari Key to DSS DG Removal, Thwarts Alleged APC Primary Manipulation

Published

5 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Trends Admin

Aisha Buhari

Aisha Buhari Key to DSS DG Removal, Thwarts Alleged APC Primary Manipulation

A new biography, “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari” by Dr. Charles Omole, has unveiled the pivotal role of former First Lady Aisha Buhari in the removal of Lawal Daura, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), amid attempts by influential Aso Rock aides to manipulate the 2023 APC presidential primaries for then Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

The book, launched yesterday at the State House Conference Hall by President Bola Tinubu, details how aides close to former President Muhammadu Buhari presented fabricated “presidential orders” to security chiefs—including the IGP, DSS DG, and DG NIA—to deploy forces in favor of Lawan as the consensus APC candidate.

According to the biography, Aisha Buhari was a major instigator in Daura’s ouster, framing it as an early test of Buhari’s commitment to institutional propriety. When then-acting President Yemi Osinbajo approved Daura’s removal, Buhari refrained from intervening, emphasizing respect for the vice president and institutional authority.

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Former IGP Usman Alkali Baba recounted a clandestine meeting ahead of the primaries, revealing how the security chiefs sought clarification from Buhari after being presented with the fake orders. The President reaffirmed his stance that Nigerians should freely choose their candidates, dismissing any attempts to manipulate the party’s process.

The biography also highlights a separate Villa incident where a family dispute escalated to gunfire involving a policeman linked to the First Lady’s office. Buhari’s Chief Security Officer Abubakar Idris arrested the officer, and the President held family members accountable, demonstrating adherence to law over personal ties.

The book launch drew high-profile attendees, including President Bola Tinubu, Gambian President Adama Barrow, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nana Shettima, governors, traditional rulers, Aisha Buhari, and aides of the former president.

The revelations shed new light on Aso Rock power dynamics, the safeguarding of electoral integrity in the APC 2023 primaries, and the influence of Aisha Buhari in upholding institutional order within Nigeria’s security apparatus.

Aisha Buhari Key to DSS DG Removal, Thwarts Alleged APC Primary Manipulation

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Four Suspected Bandits Killed, 13 Abducted in Kogi Shootout

Published

6 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Trends Admin

Four Suspected Bandits Killed, 13 Abducted in Kogi Shootout

At least four suspected bandits were killed during a violent shootout in Ayetoro Kiri, a farming community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State, on Sunday evening, while 13 individuals were abducted, the state government confirmed on Monday.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the attack was part of a series of incursions by criminal elements fleeing bandit attacks in neighbouring Niger and Kwara States, prompting a coordinated security response in Kogi.

Local hunters reportedly fought back bravely, engaging the bandits in a gunfire exchange, neutralizing four suspects while others fled with injuries. Security forces, including soldiers from the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Kogi State Police Command, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have been deployed to the area to track the escaping criminals and rescue the kidnapped victims.

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Fanwo revealed that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is coordinating with service chiefs to secure air support from the Nigerian Air Force to complement ground operations, strengthening the state’s effort to protect lives and property.

“The Governor is steadfast in preserving lives and property throughout Kogi State. Our security network has restricted the bandits’ movements, and we are winning the battle,” Fanwo stated, praising the bravery of local hunters and the cooperation of security agencies.

The recent attack follows another deadly raid less than two weeks ago in Irunda Ile, Yagba East LGA, where suspected bandits killed four people, including two vigilantes, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the state.

The Kogi State Government has reassured residents that a robust joint security team has been established, and continuous efforts are underway to rescue abducted persons and clamp down on criminal activities across the state.