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Shootout In Abuja: SSS Kills 21, Injures 18 Boko Haram Suspects; Recaptures 10 …Jonathan’s Safe, Secure -Presidency
The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed that 21 deaths were recorded as a result of the shootout during an attempted jailbreak at its headquarters in Abuja yesterday.
A statement signed by the services’ Deputy Director of Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, said two operatives of the DSS sustained serious injuries during the incident.
“Following our earlier releases, it has been established that 18 casualties were recorded, while two service personnel sustained serious injuries.
“Three other detainees who sustained gunshot injuries during the incident have also died,’’ Ogar said.
She said investigation was ongoing to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the attempted jailbreak.
However, contrary to earlier reports that Boko Haram insurgents stormed the headquarters of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) located within the vicinity of Aso Rock Presidential Villa, The Tide sources yesterday said that the detained members of the sect carried out the attack.
Recalling what happened; an insider said “Only one handler led them so you can understand they had the effrontery to bully him.
“Usually, suspects are taken to freshen up. They get the best of treatment, that I can tell you. Their rooms are comfortable; they eat good food, etcetera.
“Now, this morning, during the normal routine of taking them to the rest room, they attacked the suspect handler and took his rifle. It is a 60-round weapon that was loaded.
“Thanks to combat training, he struggled with them and escaped with wounds because they shot at him. His noise attracted us, so we quickly took position and returned fire. We did not leave anything to chance. At the end, operatives fell 21 of them, while 10 were recaptured.
“In fact, we had handled the situation before our colleagues in the military moved in. Their presence was important though, since we were not sure of what next to expect. But everything is calm now,” the source said.
When asked if the suspects were expecting to get help from outside, the source said “Honestly, I don’t know what they were thinking. Mark my words, there can never be a successful attack on Yellow House, we are always prepared.”
The source explained that he decided to give out the information because a section of the media had blown the incident out of proportion.
“You guys (media) should always get the facts or at least, wait for security agencies to issue statements before writing. I read on some publications that the Presidential Villa was attacked. Imagine that! The same Aso Rock I know? he quipped rhetorically.
The spokesperson of the SSS had earlier reacted to yesterday’s attack.
A statement signed by Deputy Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar reads: “At 0715 hours, the service suspect handler went to the detention facility within the headquarters to feed the suspects.
“One of the suspects attempted to disarm him by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff. His attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility, who fired some shots to warn and deter others.
“The gun shots attracted the attention of the military with which we have an understanding of mutual assistance in the event of any threat. The Army immediately deployed a team to reinforce our perimeter guards to forestall any external collaborators. The situation has since been brought under control.”
It would be recalled that the SSS headquarters is located within the vicinity of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, which also houses the Federal Secretariat Complex, Supreme Court and the National Assembly
It was also gathered that the terrorists’ plan was to attack the Presidential Villa, which is a stone throw from the SSS headquarters.
When our correspondent visited the Aso Rock, security has been beefed up to forestall possible attack.
The Presidential Villa was calm when our reporter visited, just as the Sunday church service at the Villa Chapel was going on as scheduled.
Responding to the attack, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said that President Goodluck Jonathan was safe and secure, in spite of the attack near the Presidential Villa.
Abati said in his Twitter handle that rumours that the president was on the run as a result of the attack was untrue as the Aso Rock seat of power was never a target of the attackers.
However, security had been beefed up at the various entry points to the Abuja City.
From the airport road end, armed Nigerian Air Force personnel were stationed at strategic places, pointing guns at motorists as they drive past.
Also, military helicopters were deployed around the city, as choppers were hovering around Abuja, especially the Presidential Villa.
Security was also beefed up at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, venue of ongoing 7th meeting of African Finance Ministers and around military and other security offices in Abuja yesterday following the attempted jail break.
On the Shehu Shagari Road, where the Force Headquarters is located, the area had been barricaded with armoured personnel carrier, same for the Ministry of Defence, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, at the time of this report.
However, there were normal activities in other areas of the city centre.
Meanwhile, all roads leading to the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Aso Drive at Asokoro in Abuja hitherto closed after the attack have been opened to human and vehicular traffic.
This is contained in a statement by the department’s Deputy Director, Public Relations, DSS, Marilyn Ogar, yesterday in Abuja.
The statement was an update given after the attempted jailbreak at the headquarters of the services earlier yesterday.
Ogar said the area was earlier cordoned off to prevent possible external collaborators from colluding with the inmates who attempted to escape.
“Further to my earlier statement, we wish to state that the roads leading to our offices were cordoned off to prevent possible assistance for the perpetrators from external collaborators.
“During this period, the precinct of the office and adjoining neighbourhood were thoroughly searched.
“Meanwhile, normalcy has returned to the area and the roads have been opened for free movement of persons and vehicles,’’ she said.
Ogar restated the commitment of the DSS to the safety of Nigerians and foreigners alike.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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