Angry workers suspend leaders over compromise on N18,000

The current disagreement between workers and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress over the yet-to-be-resolved minimum wage  has led to the suspension of the leaders by their followers.

The alleged suspension followed the failure of the leaders to appear at the union secretariat at Agodi Gate to explain the latest development on their meeting with the state government.

State Chairman of the union, Mr. Bashir Olanrewaju and other leaders witnessed the annoyance of their fellow workers as stones and other objects were hurled at them for alleged compromise on the N18,000 minimum wage.

At the state secretariat of the union yesterday, the workers waited fruitlessly for their leaders to come and give them further details on the issue, but the leaders did not show up.

After waiting endlessly for them, they were annoyed and announced their suspension with immediate effect. They promised to visit the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana on the wage issue.

The aggrieved workers then directed their colleagues to abandon their duty posts on Monday and assemble at the office of the union.
Responding to the alleged strike, the State Chairman, NLC, Mr. Olanrewaju said he and other leaders of the union were waiting for further directive from the national leadership for the union.

He said, “I did not foist myself on them as the chairman of the NLC. If members of both sectors meet and decide that they no longer want me as their chairman, I will leave. Those who met and claimed to have suspended us are from the public service. There is still the private sector.

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Don’t arrest Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, Court tells EFCC, IGP

A Lagos High Court, yesterday, restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and Inspector General of Police, from arresting former Director General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Prof Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, without first showing that she committed a crime.

Trial judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, in her judgment, held that it was fundamental that security agencies must first establish reasonable suspicion against a suspect before effecting arrest.

The judge counseled law enforcement agencies in the country to take a cue from their counterparts in other countries, and not being in a hurry to arrest suspects when investigations are on-going, adding that it would afford them sufficient evidence to secure conviction of suspects, whenever they were arraigned.

The judgment on a fundamental right enforcement suit against the EFCC, IGP, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, by Okekeke-Onyiuke, the court struck out the preliminary objection against the suit by the EFCC on the ground that it was defective.

According to the court, no responsible court would restrain law enforcement agencies from performing their statutory duties, but that there was no facts before the court to support that the anti-graft agency and the police exercised their rights to validly arrest Okekeke-Onyiuke.

The court added that the plaintiff, by her suit, did not seek to prevent her lawful arrest, but to prevent the violation of her right through acts of intimidation, harassment and threat of arrest, by the respondents, who were allegedly acting on the instigation of SEC.

Justice Phillips, noted that the plaintiff effectively established that there was imminent threat to the violation of her fundamental rights to life, against inhuman treatment, among others.

The court declared that the constant threat of arrest, intimidation and harassment of the plaintiff by the defendants as a violation of her rights and restrained the defendants from further engaging in the said acts.

The court also restrained the defendants from further engaging the threatening, intimidating and harassing her in a manner capable of breaching her rights.

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Edo discovers 40 dead pensioners on pay roll

Edo Gov. Adams Oshiomhole said in Benin on Thursday that the government  discovered 40 ghost pensioners on its payroll.

He said the discovery of the pay-rolling of the 40 dead pensioners was made possible as a result of the introduction of Information Communication Technology (ICT).

The governor made the fact known at the second Edo State Technology Day, with the theme: “Repositioning Edo State Using Technology”.

“Just last week, we found about 40 people who are dead and are still receiving pension because people in the Pension Board kept them alive for the pension payment,” he said.

The governor commended the ICT Unit of the government for eliminating wastages in the system, adding that governance was  cheaper when ICT tools were deployed in place of manual applications.

He said that with ICT, the government could exercise greater control of the process of governance.

Eyewall

The governor said: “when you know what is happening in the system, then you have greater control in terms of getting things done and identifying who is not doing what.”

He said that as a result of the introduction of ICT, the state government had plugged leakages and improved internal revenue generation.

Lagos State Governor, Mr  Babatunde Fashola, who chaired the occasion, commended the Edo Government for the technological initiative and urged that ICT should be deployed to all sectors of the economy to improve efficiency.

Fashola, however, said  that Nigeria must make genuine efforts to resuscitate technical colleges in addition to paying attention to the agriculture  sector in order to make  technological progress.

The Edo Executive Director, Directorate of Information, Communications and Technology, Mrs. Yemi Keri, said the annual event provided a platform for bringing stakeholders in the technology sector together to exchange ideas. (NAN)

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Don’t go on strike, NUC pleads with ASUU

The National Universities Commission on Monday appealed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities not to carry out their threat to embark on a nationwide strike. 

The commission, said through its Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okogie, that it was holding dialogue with ASUU and therefore urged its members to exercise patience with the federal government. 

Okogie, spoke shortly after the resumption of the re-appointed Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i in Abuja 

He, however, said ASUU was justified to threaten to go on strike. 

Okojie explained that everything was on course to ensure the speedy process of signing into law, the agreements between the government and ASUU to avert any industrial crises. 

He said, “Unions have a right to agitate. Our own is to go to where we think those problems could be solved. We have been in touch with chairmen of Senate and House committee on Education. They are very active on it. 

“These things you don’t do it over-night. But the issue of retirement age, there was one individual bill and the other one was a general bill, we crossed a lot of bridges. 

“If we have waited this long, what am saying is that there is no need to really go on strike. I don’t think they would go on strike. I am in touch with them. 

“Even if they are threatening, we will appeal to them. Honestly, I agree they really have a need to worry, because if it were me, I would worry too, but government has a way of doing its things. It has to go through the normal processes.” 

The Executive Secretary who spoke on behalf of other chief executives of paratstatals in the Education ministry, also applauded the minister’s reappointment.

He said, “With her coming back we are going to start from where we stopped. If it were a fresh person, he will start going round for familiarisation from one parastatatal to another. She has been on the ground. 

“She has a whole lot of four years to turn around this sector. We have seen what she was able to achieve within a period of one year.”

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Farmer discovers two AK 47 police rifles buried on farm

A PEASANT farmer in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Sunday Adeleye, has founded two police AK 47 rifles hidden in green leaves on his farm.

Bolanta, the farmer was said to have reported the strange discovery to the Police Area Commander.

State Commissioner of Police Mr. Adisa Baba Bolanta hinted of the discovery the hints yesterday in Ibadan while parading some suspects arrested in connection with various crimes in the state before reporters.

Among the suspects were a middle-aged man, David Olatubosun and his son, Abiodun, who allegedly cars, stole.

The said Olatunbosun and his son  were arrested at Mikky Spot, Randa, Ogbomoso, following the discovery of a stolen Toyota Camry car with registration number CV 756 MUS at the suspects’ home. It was recently snatched at gun point in Lagos. 

Bolanta said his men also discovered eight other vehicles in the house at Iyalode’s compound. 

Bolanta said the recovered vehicles included; a Nissan Jeep (CE 434 KSF), Toyota Camry (CF 256 RSH), Toyota Corolla (EM 562 ABJ), Honda Accord (AJ 681 LRN), Toyota Corolla (BV 848 APP), an unregistered CRV Real time Sport Utility Venicle (SUV), a Toyota Sienna Bus (BK 259 KUJ) and Honda Jeep CRV (DD 201 LSD). 

The police boss, who paraded all the vehicles alongside the suspects, also vowed to track down those who buried the  police rifles on the farm.

The two rifles are numbered; 535653 and 3604188 with their magazines containing 30 and 28 rounds. 

The rifles painted in police colours, according to the police boss, are still serviceable.
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Jonathan meets PDP leaders as Southeast insists on PDP chair

President Goodluck Jonathan is consulting  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, governors and other stakeholders on  the choice  of party  national chairman.

The battle for the job is between the Northeast and the Southeast, with most party leaders having preference for the Northeast.

It was learnt that to pacify the Southeast, there is a proposal before the presidency to concede more ‘juicy’ ministerial portfolios and strategic agencies to the zone to pave the way for the emergence of a new chairman from the Northeast.
A presidency source said: “The President has started consultations with our leaders in the Board of Trustees, governors who are influential members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and members of the Expanded National Caucus.
“The next 72 hours will provide insight into the direction of the party. A series of meetings between the President and party leaders and organs will hold on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja to conclude the talks.
“The emergence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (Northwest) and deputy, Emeka Ihedioha (Southeast) is causing a lot of problems for the party because its zoning formula is now distorted.

“Some of our leaders are saying that since the VP, the Senate President and the Speaker are from the North, the National Chairman of the PDP cannot come from the North again.
“The Southeast is insisting on its right to occupy the post in the light of Article 14(5) of the PDP Constitution.
The Article reads: “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the party, the NEC shall appoint a substitute from the zone where the officer originated pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy.
“Ordinarily, if the Southeast goes to court, it will win the case based on the interpretation of the PDP constitution. But the President has initiated dialogue to avoid recourse to litigation.
“The Southeast that is complaining has also usurped both the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives meant for the Northeast by the party’s zoning formula.

The source confirmed PDP leaders’ preference for the Northeast and the cards being laid on the table for the Southeast whose right is being abridged.

He added:  “The truth is that the presidency is tired of bitter politics among Igbo, which has led them to produce two national chairmen in three years. So, everyone wants a change of taste.

“The odds favour either a former Governor of Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur or and a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan (Borno).
“To resolve the impasse over Southeast’s demand, a proposal is already before the presidency to concede strategic ministries to this geopolitical zone in lieu of the office of the national chairman of PDP.
A strong PDP leader, who confided in our correspondent, said: “We met in Enugu and resolved to pursue this demand to its logical conclusion.

“They are joking with whatever proposal is in the offing. Our position is that the Southeast must complete its four-year tenure which began in 2008.”

In line with zoning realignment in PDP, the office has been slated for the Northeast but the Southeast renewed interest at the weekend to retain the post.

Before the renewed interest of the Southeast,  eight leading aspirants had emerged from the Northeast.
They are from the Northeast are Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hassan Adamu, ex-Governor of the defunct Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammed Tukur; ex-Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu (Adamawa); ex-Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri (Taraba); ex-Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Shettima Mustapha and  a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan  (Borno); ex-Governor Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi) and ex-Governor Danjuma Goje, who was recently elected a Senator from Gombe State.
But in a petition to the President and top leaders of the party, PDP Stakeholders Forum insisted that the slot should go to the Southeast, which has no single representation in the party’s National Working Committee at present.

Those recommended are: Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Hon. Mao Ohuanbuwa; Senator Ike Nwachukwu; Chief Olisa Metu; ex-Governor  Chinwoke Mbadinuju; Hon. Jerry Ugokwe; Ex-Governor Sam Egwu; Senator Emma Azu Agboti; Senator Sylvanus Ngele; Ex-Governor Jim Nwobodo; Enugu State PDP Chair, Chief Vita Abba; Ex-Minister Frank Nweke Jr.; Ex-Governor  Ikedi Ohakim; Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu; and Hon. Jeff Ojinika.

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New states ‘ll be created on merit – Tambuwal

Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu  Tambuwal, yesterday, said the National Assembly, would create new states based “on merit”, as well as review the present revenue  allocation formula and assign constitutional roles to  traditional rulers.

He added that  the Reps would re-introduce the controversial Internal Party Democracy Bill, which seeks to make all National Assembly members automatic members of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of their parties.

The Speaker  said this  in Kaduna at a Post-Election Violence Roundtable organised by the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.

Tambuwal said he had set up a committee to review the relevant sections of existing laws to make the job of amending the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution easier.

On  the occasion,  the former Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the  Federation, SGF, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the Sheik Ahmed Lemu-led Presidential Panel on Post-election Violence was preparing the ground for more crisis by creating the impression that government would give monetary compensation to victims of the violence, even as urged those he described as old politicians to give way for the younger generation to take over from them.

The Speaker was represented by Godfrey Gaya, representing Zangon Kataf/Jabba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

On his part, the paramount ruler of Bachama, in Adamawa state, the His Highness the Hamman Bachaman, Asaph Zadok, lamented that the introduction of monotheism by Arabs and Europeans into Nigerian religious space was responsible for the unprecedented level of hate, intolerance and violence in the country, adding that, in the past Nigerians did not kill themselves over the deities they worshipped.

“The Speaker has inaugurated a Constitution Review Committee and we want to look at the Electoral Act and those laws that divide us instead of uniting us; those laws that tend to devalue us instead of empowering us.

“For example, we still have a Constitution that does not provide a definite role for traditional rulers. We would amend the constitution to provide a definite role for our traditional rulers.

“There is no doubt that if the constitution is not reviewed, it will affect the states. Right now, states are finding it difficult to pay the N18,000  new minimum wage.

‘’We go to the same market and I can assure you that if N18, 000 is the only wage we can pay our workers, it is definitely not fair.

“So, we are looking at how to amend the Revenue Sharing Formula. There is no way the Federal Government can continue to enjoy 52 % of all our revenue while the states and the 774 local governments that we represent have about 42 percent.

“We are looking at the issue of states creation. Of course the Sixth NASS tried its best but was unable to do anything.
“Of course this time around, we are starting early and I am sure that before the middle of our tenure, we will be talking of new states; feasible states and those that are not feasible.

“We will also be looking at amending the Electoral Act and matters that relate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

‘’There are certain things for which you could not have blamed Mahmud Jega, INEC Chairman, because some of those bills were signed few weeks to the election and it was not possible for INEC to take total control of all that happened.

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One dead in Ibadan building collapse

It was a gory sight in Oleyo, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday as one person died and five others trapped when a storey building collapsed.
Four others were injured. It was learnt that the building went down at 10:30am while workmen were busy on the structure.


Shortly after the incident, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCSDC); Federal Road Safety Commissions (FRSC); Oyo State Fire Service and other sympathisers swarmed the building to rescue the trapped workmen.


Only one man, identified as Baba Ibeji, was rescued as at press time yesterday.
The rescue workers were hindered by lack of tools to clear the debris. Baba Ibeji said other workmen were still trapped in the building. 


Moved by the disclosure by Baba Ibeji, an NSCDC official, Olujide Akindele, crawled through a narrow opening in the debris only to return and confirm that he sighted another trapped person, who was already dead. 


Among the rescuers was the former Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan.
Olaosebikan said the rescue workers should focus on how to rescue the victims. He said it was not yet time to apportion blame.

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37 cabinet members take oath of office in Lagos

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday,  presided over the administration of oath of office on the 37 newly appointed members of his cabinet. He also set agenda for them on performance.

The newly sworn-in members of the executive council, include 22 commissioners and 14 special advisers with Mr. Mukaila Babalola, returning as Chief of Staff, COS, and Mrs. Oluranti Adebule as Secretary to the State Government, SSG.

The new Commissioners and their portfolios are: Mr. Benjamin Akabueze, Economic Planning & Budget; Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, Physical Planning & Urban Development; Mr. Tunji Bello, The Environment; Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Transportation; Mr Obafemi Hamzat, Works & Infrastructure; Mr. Jide Idris, Health; Mr. Adeola Ipaye, Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru, Finance; Mr. Wale Ahmed, Special Duties; Mr. Oyinlomo Danmole, Home Affairs & Culture; Mr. Oladisun Holloway, Tourism.

Others are: Mr. Ibirogba Aderemi, Information & Strategy; Mr. Bosun Jeje, Housing; Mr. Ademorin Kuye, Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs; Prince Gbolahan Lawal, Agriculture & Cooperatives; Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, Science & Technology; Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, Establishment & Training; Mrs Oworu Senakpon, Commerce; Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, Rural Development; Mr. Adesegun Oniru, Waterfront Development & Infrastructure; Mr. Oshodi Enitan, Youths, Sports & Social Development; Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Education.

Special advisers

The Special Advisers include: Mr. Jimoh Ajao, Housing; Mr. Dolapo Badru, Youths, Sports & Social Development; Mrs. Yewande Adesina, Health; Mrs Aderinola Disu, Central Business District, CBD; Mr. Oladiran Folami, Environment; Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Public Private Partnership, PPP; Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, Works & Infrastructure.

Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, Rural Development; Mr. Olukoga Fatai, Education; Mr. Lateef Raji, Information & Strategy; Mr. Taofik Tijani, Mineral Resources; Mr. Seye Oladejo, Commerce & Industry; Mr. Adebayo Salvador, Parastatals Monitoring; and Mrs. Abimbola Sodipo, Taxation & Revenue.

However, commissioners and special advisers are yet to be appointed for the Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry, and Political and Legislative Bureau.

Speaking on the occasion, Fashola said the commissioners and Special Advisers were the privileged few to be chosen among the lots and that the hope of Lagos State residents depended on them.

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MINISTERIAL SCREENING: Okonjo-Iweala to appear before Senate today

 World Bank Managing Director, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will appear today before the Senate to be screened for a ministerial appointment, sources close the State Security Service, SSS, told Vanguard yesterday.

She flew into the country yesterday and went straight to the Presidential Villa to meet with the President.

According to the source, after her brief meeting at Aso Rock with the President, her name was immediately forwarded to the SSS for screening. She was said to have been screened and passed on to the Senate yesterday for confirmation today.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a former Finance Minister who helped Nigeria to negotiate debt relief in 2005, is expected to return to her old position but with added broad powers over economic management, sources close to the negotiations said.

“She will appear before the Senate tomorrow as her name has already been sent to the Senate President’s office,” a SSS source said. The SSS gave Okonjo-Iweala clearance to be screened by lawmakers after a meeting at its office in Abuja.

President Jonathan, who was sworn in for his first full term on May 29 after winning April elections, has reappointed 12 ministers from the outgoing government to their old jobs, including oil minister Deziani Alison-Madueke.

The return of many familiar faces led Jonathan’s critics to question whether his new team will have the reformist credentials it needs.

Okonjo-Iweala’s inclusion in Jonathan’s cabinet would bring more credibility to his reform ambitions.
Okonjo-Iweala is presently a Managing Director of the World Bank. She was Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs from June to August 2006, overseeing Nigeria’s External Relations.

From July 2003 to June 2006 she served as Minister of Finance and Economy of Nigeria and Head of Nigeria’s much acclaimed Presidential Economic Team responsible for implementing a comprehensive home grown economic reform programme that stabilized the macro-economy and tripled the growth rate to an average of 6 per cent per

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Ajimobi declares assets publicly ... has N292.4m in banks, owns houses in US, UK

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Sunday made public the assets declaration form which he deposed to shortly before his inauguration as governor on May 29.

Making the content of the form public on behalf of his boss, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said the step was in line with Ajimobi’s promise to commence a government that lays store by transparency and accountability in the administration of the state.

Adedayo said the governor deposed to the Assets Declaration Form for Public Officers at the Registry of the State High Court, Ibadan, before Justice Ladiran Akintola, on May 27, 2011, two days before assuming office.

The assets declared, according to him, include cash in local banks, buildings, vehicles, business enterprises and household items.

According to the form filled by the governor, the total amount of cash he has in banks in the country is N292, 432, 107.00 while he has none in any foreign account.

The governor also declared that he had a mansion in Ibadan worth N250m, a building in the same city worth N150m, another one with the value of N300m in Lagos, as well as a detached house worth N300m in Abuja.

He added that he had a flat purchased through mortgage financing worth £450,000 in the United Kingdom, another worth £1.95m, purchased through mortgage in the UK and another house worth $1.5m in the United States of America.

Ajimobi also declared that he owned 131 acres of farm land in a village at the Ido Local Government area of Ibadan worth N150m, two Lagos-based companies, Viz Grandex Nigeria Limited, worth N200m and Network Petroleum Nigeria Limited, worth N260m.

The governor put the worth of all his vehicles at N94.25m and household furniture, which include generating sets and electronics at N25m.

The governor also declared that his wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, possesses a house in Ibadan that is worth N15m and another in Lagos that is worth N250m.

Adedayo said the new government of Oyo State laid great store by probity and accountability, and was of the belief that the patrimony of the people must be guarded jealously as the governor would give account of all that was entrusted in his care, not only to the people of the state who voted for him in the April elections, but to God “the ultimate judge” who would request for an account whenever the governor finishes his assignment on earth.

Ajimobi is the first governor of the state to publicly declare his assets.

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Boko Haram: Police foil plot to bomb NNPC HQ

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in Abuja is the next target of the Boko Haram fundamentalists, intelligence reports gathered by security agencies indicated. 

Already, security operatives in large numbers have been deployed to guard the national oil corporation head office, NNPC Towers, located in the Central Business District, Garki, Abuja. 

A lone bomber suspected to be a member of the Boko Haram on June 16 attacked the Nigeria Police Headquarters, Louis Edet House, in the Federal Capital City. One policeman and the lone bomber died in the attack in which 33 vehicles were burnt and 20 others destroyed. 

Our correspondent who visited the NNPC Towers, located on Phase 2, Herbert Macaulay Way in the CBD, observed a police armoured tank deployed at the front of the building while armed riot policemen and soldiers were seen surrounding the building. 

A top security source confided in our correspondent that the police authorities got a hint of a plan by the group to bomb the building as part of its violent campaign against the Federal Government.

The group followed the attack on the police headquarters with another on a drinking joint in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, two weks ago. Twenty-five people were killed in the attack.

A riot policeman on duty at the NNPC Towers (name withheld) told our correspondent that the security personnel at the building were hurriedly deployed.

“We (policemen) were asked to report to the NNPC Towers by our DPO because Boko Haram people are planning to bomb the building.

“The intelligence just came in, so we had to hurriedly come down here,” the policeman said.

He bemoaned the incessant threat posed by the Boko Haram members and the seeming ease with which they had been carrying out their attacks. 

President Goodluck Jonathan, during a recent visit to the bombed police building in Abuja, said if the Boko Harams had had their way they would bomb even him.

The planned bombing of the NNPC building came as the re-appointed Minister of Petroleum, Alison-Madueke, returned to her seat today, having been sworn in last Saturday along with 13 others by the President.

Alison-Madueke and 11 other ministers who were sworn in were asked by Jonathan to go back to their former offices.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, had vowed that the Army would crush Boko Haram in line with a directive from the president. 

The lone bomber launched the attack on the Louis Edet House barely three days after the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Afiz Ringim, had threatened to crush the sect.

Ihejirika described the attackers as cowards, stressing that the fact that they succeeded in igniting some explosives in some parts of the country did not make them invincible.

The COAS therefore called on Nigerians to be security conscious and to give security agencies information that would assist them combat the group.

He spoke at the Second Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja last Monday.

“Nigerian Army having studied the method of operation (in collaboration with other security agencies), very soon the country will notice improvement and new security agreements,” the Army chief had said.

Not less that 3000 soldiers had been dispatched in the last two weeks to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to fortify military formations in the state. The deployment of the soldiers for internal security, our correspondent gathered, had led to the depletion in the rank of soldiers needed for peace-keeping operations abroad.

Also, the FCT pedestrians and motorists had also been subjected to serious security checks at security stop-and-search operations jointly set up by policemen and soldiers.

The Islamic sect had earlier threatened further attacks in the northern part of the country as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

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