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Fish Out, Prosecute Boko Haram Sponsors – Ijaw Youth, Confab Delegates

Published

12 years ago

April 16, 2014

Fallen Fence of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Guest House at Bayaran Area in Bauchi State, recently.

The foremost Ijaw youth organisation, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has called on the Federal Government to fish out sponsors of Boko Haram extremists.
The group spoke against the backdrop of incessant terror attack by the terrorist group.
IYC said that it is high time the Federal Government took drastic and far reaching steps against sponsors of terrorism in the country.
The group said that the bomb blast at Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja was an indication that Boko Haram has infiltrated the nation’s seat of power.
The group said that the recent attack has shown that Boko Haram has an agenda to extend its activities to other parts of the country once they succeeded to overrun the North East.
Joining league of people condemning the bomb blast which killed 72 people and injured 164 others, IYC said that it received with utmost disbelief the news of the terrorist attack.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Eric Omare, a lawyer, the group condemn the attack and commiserated with the families of the victims and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While considering the deadly nature of attack and the implication on the nation’s security, the IYC called on the Federal Government to take drastic and far reaching steps against sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.
The problem of terrorism cannot be resolved without tackling the source of their sponsorship, the group said.
The group added that the sponsors of Boko Haram should be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
It however said that the Federal Government cannot claim ignorance of the sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria with all the security apparatus at its disposal.
The statement said; “Government must act decisively irrespective of whose ox is gored and protect the ordinary people of Nigeria”.
“The interest of the generality of Nigerians is over and above the interest of a few power-hungry people who are sponsoring terrorism”.
“The IYC wishes to reiterate its earlier position that the ultimate objective of the sponsors of Boko Haram and terrorism is to make the country ungovernable and forcefully take over the government of Nigeria”.
However, disturbed by the bomb explosion that occurred at the park of the popular ‘El-Rufai’ buses at Nyanyan in Abuja, delegates to the national conference have condemned the activities of the perpetrators of the heinous crimes.
The delegates at plenary on Monday, consequently called for the immediate implementation of the Gaji Galmatiri Committee report which recommended prosecution of some politicians found to be empowering Boko Haram.Modibbo Kawu and 19 other delegates had expressed displeasure over the early Monday bomb explosion and recent killings in other parts of the country.
The motion to condemn the blast did not however go unchallenged as Chief Sergeant Awuse, raised a point of order, arguing that the conference cannot entertain such motion because the delegates were not served with the motion paper ahead of time.
But Femi Falana, countered Awuse’s objection, citing Order 1 rule (2) which says no formalization is required on this issue because it is an issue of urgent National importance.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to immediately commence a process of reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas.
Modibo, who led a debate on the motion, lamented that despite the declaration of state of emergency in three North East states, the insecurity in those states continued to escalate.
Similarly, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the Federal Government to halt the killing of innocent people by the dreaded Boko Haram, saying enough is enough!
Reacting to the Nyanya bomb explosion that claimed no fewer than 72 people on Monday and left over 164 injured, the TUC leadership was appalled at the recent incidents of massacre of many innocent souls by members of the faceless Boko Haram insurgent group.
The TUC President and Secretary, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Comrade Musa Lawal respectively, in a statement said, “It is unfortunate that this incident happened at all, worse still that it happened while the nation was still trying to come to terms with the reported killing of over 210 other people in Gwoza, Dikwa, Kala Balge, and Gambulga towns last Friday and Saturday, and another 60 in Kaigamari and Ngoshe villages, all in Borno State.
“Also grievous is the case of scores of students who were gruesomely killed by the insurgents as they travelled to Borno State to write their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“The congress wonders when this spate of wanton killings would end. When will the culprits be apprehended and made to dance to the music of the law?
How long shall it take for the armed forces, the police and other security agencies to checkmate the hoodlums and re-establish much-desired peace and security in all the trouble spots within the country?
“How many more lives shall be lost on the altar of religious extremism and political chauvinism before the inglorious marauders and their sponsors are brought to their knees? Sooner than later, we certainly do hope! Nigerians are peace-loving and deserve no less”.
The congress says going by media reports on the sophistication of weapons being carried by the insurgents, it is baffled that they are determined to “destroy this nation and its people politically, socially, economically and otherwise. By the grace of God, they must not and shall never succeed!”
It therefore “Implore the federal government and the security forces to buckle up and confront the security challenge head-on. To all intents and purposes the insurgents have declared war on the nation, and there is no reason why they should not be viewed and treated in that light.
“Enough of the political soft talk and double-speak. Enough of the indecisive actions and procrastinations. It is time for the Nigerian armed forces to uncompromisingly give fire for fire in fulfilment of their avowed duty to defend the nation, more so as the insurgents have demonstrated that they only understand the language of violence.
“The intelligence agencies must give the necessary backing with timely information about the insurgents and their operations. Our diplomatic corps should up their acts and enlist full support and co-operation of friendly nations and relevant international agencies.
“And the civil populace should speak out against the wicked affront on our national well-being and refuse to be cowed into deadly silence by it. All hands must be on deck to permanently end this menace called Boko Haram. The eagle that chooses to perch but will not let other eagles do likewise, let its wings break!”
The NLC President, Malam Abduwaheed Omar, said most of the people killed or injured were workers and petty traders.
“This is a very serious issue and we are wondering why the choice of this place. We are highly devastated and feel that government must try to overhaul the security system.
“Something is really wrong and it is high time we started to do things differently in terms of security.
“Nigeria cannot afford to continue to lose people, particularly its workforce, in such magnitude,’’ Omar said.
Meanwhile, police and hospital sources have confirmed yesterday that 72 persons died, while 164 were injured in the bomb blast.
Tambuwal, yesterday visited victims of the Monday bomb blast at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The speaker was conducted round the emergency ward to see the victims by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.
Tambuwal, who condemned the attack, said that the issue was not about any political party, but an attack against the Nigerian people.
He called on leaders to stop playing politics with the issue of insecurity, saying they should collectively work together for the good of the country.
“As leaders in this country, we must all come together and support the government in addressing this challenge.
“We should stop playing politics with issue of insecurity. From what I have seen among the victims, I doubt if they are members of any political party.
“We should stop playing politics, we should address the issue and it is not about any religion.
“It is unfortunate. We must come together. We must rise to the challenge and address it .
“We must all work together as a nation to address the issue of security, we should stop playing politics with security,’’ he said.
Tambuwal, while on the visit, said that he had indicated interest to go to the National Blood Transfusion Centre to donate blood to the victims.
“I call on well-meaning Nigerians who have the capacity to donate blood to please come out and donate blood and whatever is required for the survival of the victims.’’
On what motivated him to donate blood to the victims, the speaker said that he was moved by “humanity in him and by what he saw’’.

News

Nigerians Hit As Iran Rains Missiles On UAE

Published

21 hours ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.

This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.

The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.

In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.

It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.

“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.

“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.

According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.

Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.

The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.

Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.

Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.

In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.

“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.

In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.

“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.

Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.

The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.

Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.

The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.

Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.

Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.

The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.

It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.

Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

News

Fubara Swears in Five New Commissioners …Says Their Best Is Needed for Rivers Dev

Published

21 hours ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.

Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.

This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.

The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.

The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.

Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.

The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.

He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.

“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.

“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.

“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.

News

Navy Destroys Illegal Refinery In Rivers, Intercepts Stolen Fuel In C’ River

Published

21 hours ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.

The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.

Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.

According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.

“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.

Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.

He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.

He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.

The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.

“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.

Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.

He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.