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Car Bomb Kills 17 AU Troops As Somali Islamist Calls For More Suicide Attacks
Barely four days after a twin bomb attack killed 21 people, including 17 African Union, (AU) Peace Keepers in Mogadishu, a top radical Islamist leader in Somalia, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, has called for more suicide attacks in the country.
“I… call upon the people to carry out more attacks against the African forces; they came to Somalia to assist our enemy, kill them (…) in any way possible and use suicide attacks to kill them,” he said.
The Hezb al-Islam official was speaking at a public prayer at Elashabiyaha, about 18 kilometres (10 miles) west of Mogadishu on the Muslim Eid al-Fitr festival, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Twenty-one people, including 17 AMISOM peacekeepers, died in Mogadishu Thursday in twin car bomb attack which dastardly act was claimed by another Somali insurgent group. It was the deadliest strike on AU forces since their deployment in Somalia in 2007.“They (African peacekeepers) must leave our country otherwise there will not be peace,” added Aweys, who is wanted by the United States for his suspected ties with Al-Qaeda.
“The enemy of Allah is targeting Muslims all over the world, it is not only Nabhan that they killed recently but they are targeting many others, such attacks will only increase hate and violence.”
He was referring to Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, a top regional Al-Qaeda leader and Kenyan citizen wanted by the FBI over the 2002 anti-Israeli attacks in Mombasa. He was killed last week when his vehicle was targeted by US helicopters in southern Somalia, according to US officials and Western security sources.
Thursday’s attack on AU peacekeepers followed a pledge by the Shebab Islamist movement to avenge Nabhan’s killing.
It has also heightened fears in Kenya that the unrest in Somalia could spill over into neighbouring country and intelligence officials in the Kenyan capital have warned of a high risk of extremist attacks.
Kenyan military officials said yesterday they have stepped up surveillance of the northern border with Somalia.
“The recent development and attacks cannot be taken lightly and that is why we have asked our officers manning the border points to be vigilant,” Ongeri said.
The radical Islamist Shebab and Aweys’s group have launched a vast offensive against the UN-backed transitional government of Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
Sharif and his former comrade in arms Aweys were at the head of the Islamic Courts ousted in late 2006 when Ethiopian troops intervened in Somalia to bolster the fledgling government forces.
Two years later, after the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces, Sharif was named Somalia’s president last January, when he was seen as a leader who could bring together the different factions within the lawless country.
But the insurgents have turned on Sharif — an Islamic cleric — accusing him of selling out to the West and have targeted the African peacekeepers, demanding their departure from the country.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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