Dasuki, Ibrahim, Others on Boko Haram Amnesty C’ttee

Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd)

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim, and a representative of the State Security Service (SSS), among others, have been named as members of the amnesty committee on Boko Haram, set up by President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday to consider the feasibility of granting clemency to the group.

Jonathan, sources said may have finally bowed to pressure to consider granting amnesty to members of the Islamic terrorist group, which informed his decision to set up the committee within the National Security Council (NSC).

Ondo Court Remands Killer Policeman in Prison

Symbol of justice

It was a crash of fortune for a police constable, Alonge Abdul, who has not only lost his job, but also his freedom, for now. His crime was that he shot at a commercial vehicle, whose driver allegedly failed to oblige his demand for money.  The fired bullet tore through the front seat of the car and hit the  pregnant woman sitting on the front seat.  The woman died on the spot before any help could come her way.

For allegedly killing the pregnant woman, Abdul was yesterday arraigned at a Magistrates’ Court 5, Akure, Ondo State, which ordered that he be remanded in prison. The constable was alleged to have shot and killed Mrs Segi Olajiga on Tuesday, with the rifle assigned to him in the course of his duty.

N20bn Motherhood Centre to be Named After First Lady

First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan

The National Council for Women Society (NCWS) has disclosed that the planned motherhood centre which is expected to gulp  N20 billion would be named after  the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

The National President of the NCWS, Mrs. Nkechi Okemini Mba, who briefed journalists on the project in Abuja Thursday, said the centre would be situated in Area 11,  Garki in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

SEGUN ADENIYI: Message from Kenyan Chimpanzees

The Verdict according to Olusegun Adeniyi, Email: olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

If you have not heard the name Mohamed Warsama before, it only means that you have not yet been playing in the big league of the Nigerian internet community. For the uninitiated, Warsama is a Kenyan who has managed to wangle his way into several Nigerian blogs and listserv, especially those operated by our compatriots in the Diaspora.

Given the hate messages and stereotypes along ethno-religious lines that pass around, the personal abuses and insults hurled at one another, the labels put on those with whom we disagree and the tales of scandals that abound in our public arena, Warsama has quite naturally seen our nakedness as a nation and has clearly formed his opinion about us as a people. For that reason, the Kenyan delights in winding Nigerians and using every opportunity to take potshots at our country. Yet while his interventions could be mischievous, even diabolical, there are times when you cannot but sense genuine affection for, and concern about, our country.

20 Couples Billed for Kano Mass Wedding Test HIV Positive

 Commander General of the Hisbah Board, Sheik Aminu Daurawa

But for the vigilance of the Hisbah Board of Kano State, the state’s assisted marriage scheme, would have inadvertently led to the spread of HIV/AIDS infections in the state. Its approach paid off as 20 prospective couples under the scheme were stopped from consummating their intending marriage because of their health status.

The Commander General of the Hisbah Board, Sheik Aminu Daurawa, while briefing reporters  Thursday in Kano, said a total of 20 prospective couples were found to be HIV positive when they underwent the mandatory medical check-ups required for the mass wedding of 1,000 widows and divorcees. The ceremony is the third batch in the state.

Kidnappers Abduct Nigerian Press Council Director, Demands N6M

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

The increasing spate of kidnapping in Lagos was again brought to the fore with the recent abduction of the Acting Director/Liaison Officer of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Chief Agbebaku Izobo, at the Amuwo Odofin area of the state.

The victim was intercepted in his car and abducted on March 26, at Apple Junction by four armed men on his way home from work.

Kaduna Attacks: Death Toll Hits 28, Communities Live in Fear

Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State

The death toll from last Saturday's attack on some villages  in Atakad Chiefdom of Kaura Local Government area  of Kaduna State has risen to 28 while the refugee camp in the area has swollen with about 10,000 displaced villages whose houses and food stuff were burnt during the attacks.

Chief of Atakad Chiefdom, Mr. Tobias Nkom Wada disclosed this Wednesday when  members of the House of Representatives from the Southern part of the state visited the affected communities.

Lagos Airport Robbery: Police Arrest Seven, Recover Weapons, Charms

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Barely a month after some dare-devil armed robbery group carted away over N600million at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos and killed two policemen, the Lagos State Command yesterday paraded seven suspects in connection with the operation.

The police also recovered five AK47 rifles, four dynamites, two locally made pistols , 64 AK47 rifle magazines all loaded with 30 rounds totaling 1920 live ammunition, charms and a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number BDG918AG.

Navy Repositions Strategies to Tackle Contemporary Security Challenges

By Chiemelie Ezeobi 

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Azubuike Ajuonu, has reiterated the Nigerian Navy's (NN) commitment to repositioning its strategies to tackle contemporary security challenges. 

The FOC made this disclosure at NAVTRAC base in Apapa, Lagos, during the recent parade held to mark the end of the command's first bi-annual inspection for the year.

He said, "As part of the Nigerian Navy (NN) forecast of events 2013, my first bi-annual inspection commenced a month ago and the essence was to enable me assess the state of training facilities and infrastructure including welfare issues of units under the command.

Malian Rebels Fund, Train and Equip Boko Haram-Ihejirika

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

The continuous threat of terrorism hovering over the country has been attributed amongst other things to the affiliation of the Boko Haram sect to Mali rebels, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Al Shabab, adding an international dimension to the challenge.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azuibuke Ihejirika, made this disclosure yesterday during the interactive session on Military-Media Relations in Nigeria, held in 81 Division Auditorium, Marina, Lagos.