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Sunday, 4 October 2015

Military: no amount of distractions ‘ll deter us from ending terrorism by December

The military yesterday said no amount of distractions would deter it from ending terrorism by December.

The Theatre Commander, Operation “Lafiya Dole”, Maj.-Gen. Yushau Abubakar, gave this assurance while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Abubakar was reacting to the recent spate of suicide bombings by suspected insurgents in some parts of the country.

He pointed out that the bombings were aimed at diverting the attention of the military from achieving its target in the anti-terrorism war.

“I want to assure all that for every second that passes, we get more committed to fighting the insurgents; we cannot be deterred.

“We are doing as much as we could to ensure that we completely eradicate the insurgents as quickly as possible because we are aware of the timeline within which to complete the task,” he said.

He said the military had already gotten clues about those involved in the recent suicide bombings in Maiduguri.

“We searched the houses and certain items that we recovered at the vicinity, gave us some clues,” Abubakar said.

He said although investigations had commenced on the clues, it would take time before reaching a conclusion.

“Investigation on those that we suspect are either participating or hiding, fuelling or conniving with those that carried out those acts, is ongoing.

“They will be exposed in due course,” Abubakar assured Nigerians.

He appealed to Nigerians to be security conscious to avoid future reccurrence.

“The citizens need to know that security is their personal responsibility as individuals.

“They must be able to secure themselves and doing so means they need to be security conscious.

“Any suspicious movement within the environment should be reported to security agents immediately,” he advised

Abubakar said the military was working on a strategy that would enable individuals pass vital information to security agents without being noticed.

Crocodile found in Niger presidential suite

A crocodile was found alive in the Niger State Presidential Suite in Minna where the Finance committee investigating the finances of the immediate past government in the state has been sitting.

The crocodile was discovered under a car of a guest lodging in the suite by some security men who came with another guest.

The discovery caused panic among workers at the secretariat of the finance committee, the housekeepers and cooks as they were unable to continue with their work.

The security men were able to catch the crocodile and took it away while the staff were calmed down and assured that it was not a usual incident .

The incident was confirmed by the Chief Press Secretary to Niger state Governor, Dr. Ibraheem Dooba who said that it was very unusual for a crocodile to be found in the Presidential suite as the area is not the kind of environment that a crocodile can be found.

Security operatives keep watch at Abuja blasts scene

Two days after the multiple bomb blasts in Kuje, on the suburb of Abuja in which several people were killed and others injured, security operatives are still keeping vigil at the scene.

Business activities are still on hold as shops in the affected area are under lock and key.

Nobody is allowed to move close to the scene.

Residents and other passerby are still in shock over the incident.

The Democratic People’s Congress (DPC) on Sunday condemned the bomb blasts in a statement signed by the party’s National Chairman, Rev. Olusegun Peters.

“We vehemently denounce the killing of innocent Nigerians by misguided terrorists. It is outrageous, obnoxious, detestable and barbaric. Our hearts go out to the families that lost their loved ones.

Flood sacks 33 villages in Niger

Thirty three riverine villages in Lapai Local Government area of Niger State have been sacked by flood from Rivers Niger and Kogi.

Fifteen of the affected villages are currently submerged by the flood, displacing residents of the villages while the access roads to 18 other villages have been washed off by the flood. Inhabitants of the worst hit villages are currently camping at Primary Schools in Arah and Dere villages under deplorable living conditions.

Domestic animals and multi-million Naira properties,which include residential buildings, schools, places of worship and vast farmland have been destroyed and washed away by the flood.

House of Representatives member representing Agaie/Lapai Federal constituency, Hon. Mohammed Abdulkadir Mahamud and his State House of Assembly counterpart for Lapai constituency, Hon. Adamu Hassan Abugi who paid a fact-finding visit to the affected areas on Sunday expressed concern for the victims.

The two legislators who are indigenes of the area assured the affected communities of state government determination to alleviate their sufferings by relocating them upland of banks of the two major rivers.

Addressing the displaced persons at Dere Primary School, Hon. Mahmud said the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello promised to come to the aid of the affected communities following a preliminary report sent to him.

“We have spoken to the governor of the degree of devastation caused by the flood and he (governor) has promised to come to our aid with a view to relocating our people upland. And I know that the governor will not disappoint us,” the lawmaker assured his people.

He also called for the take off of the Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) in order to address the annual flooding of the area.

“It is high time for states under HYPPADEC to come toigether and ensure the takeoff of the Commission, so that lasting solution could be found to this perennial flooding and protect our people from suffering annually as a result of flood,” Mahmud appealed.

Earlier the village head of Dere, Alhaji Idris Dere who recounted their losses said this year’s flooding was more devastating and called on the three tiers of government to come to their aid.

Buhari visits survivors of Abuja bomb blasts

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday in Abuja took succour to survivors of Friday night’s bomb attacks on Nyanya and Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory.

On a visit to the survivors of the attack who are receiving treatment at the Trauma Centre of the National Hospital, President Buhari wished them full and speedy recovery.

The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also reassured the survivors that the Federal Government will take full responsibility for settling their medical bills.

He directed his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari to settle the N268,790.00 medical bill of a young girl in the Pediatric Ward of the hospital.

The girl’s mother, Deborah Stephen, had broken into tears on seeing President Buhari.

She told him that her daughter had been shot by armed robbers who raided their home and that the family could not afford the medical bills.

The President who was accompanied by his personal aides and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, visited the intensive care unit, the pediatric unit and general wards of the National Hospital.

Expressing his appreciation of the President’s visit, the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Dr Jafaru Momoh said that it will help the patients’ recovery by giving them a greater psychological sense of being valued and loved by their country.

13 killed in French floods

Violent storms and flooding have hit southeast France, killing at least 13 people with six more missing, officials said.

Three elderly people drowned when their retirement home near the city of Antibes was inundated with floodwater, the BBC reports.

Another three people died when the car they were in became trapped by rising water in a small tunnel.

French President Francois Hollande has thanked rescuers and expressed the “solidarity of the nation.”

He and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve are due to visit the affected regions.

Heavy rain hit the French Riviera, which lies on the Mediterranean coast and borders Italy, on Saturday evening.

The city of Nice is estimated to have received 10 per cent of its average yearly rainfall in two days alone.

The river Brague burst its banks, sending water coursing into nearby towns and cities. Social media pictures showed water gushing down the streets of Cannes.

“Some cars were carried off into the sea,” said mayor Davis Lisnard.

“We have rescued a lot of people, and we must now be vigilant against looting.”

Rescuers at Mandelieu-la-Napoule are trying to find six people missing in underground car parks, emergency officials said.

Enyimba will win NPFL – Amapakabo

Enugu Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo, has said six-time Nigerian champions, Enyimba, will emerge champions of the ongoing 2014/15 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

The People’s Elephant leads the 20-team Nigerian top flight with 58 points from 31 matches, supersport.com reports.

Amapakabo said the Aba-based club is the favourite to win an unprecedented seventh NPFL title.

“Enyimba is right now strongly dictating the pace at the top spot on the league table.

“I think the club is currently in pole position to win the league title for the seventh time.

“Though the remaining matches on the calendar will be quite crucial if the club will go ahead to win the trophy, ” the former Enyimba coach told supersport.com.

U.S probes Afghan hospital bombing

President Barack Obama said the United States has launched a “full investigation” into air strikes that killed 19 people at an MSF-run Afghan hospital on Saturday.

The U.S military said a strike targeting Taliban in the northern city of Kunduz may have caused “collateral damage.”

Offering his “deepest condolences,” Mr. Obama said he expected a “full accounting of the facts” and would then make a definitive judgment.

According to the BBC, At least 12 MSF staff members and seven patients were killed in the incident.

The United Nations called the strikes “inexcusable and possibly even criminal,” with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling for a thorough and impartial investigation.

“International and Afghan military planners have an obligation to respect and protect civilians at all times, and medical facilities and personnel are the object of a special protection,” said UN High Commissioner, Ra’ad Al Hussein Zeid.

The hospital, run by the medical charity MSF, was severely damaged by a series of strikes lasting more than an hour from 02:00 local time on Saturday. Dozens were also injured in the attack.

MSF president Meinie Nicolai described the incident as “abhorrent and a grave violation of international humanitarian law.”

“All indications currently point to the bombing being carried out by international Coalition forces,” MSF said.

Kane hails Dele Alli’s England invitation

Tottenham Hotspur star, Harry Kane, has said teammate Dele Alli merited his call – up to the England national team.

The Anglo – Nigerian midfielder will no longer be eligible to represent Nigeria if he is involved in any of the games against Estonia and Lithuania as the matches are competitive.

“I will probably spend most of my time with him there because we are Spurs and I want to look after him, make sure he settles in all right, ” allnigeriasoccer.com quoted Kane as saying to thefa.com.

“I think he deserved his invitation because he has been outstanding for us this season.

“He has come in and for such a young lad, has settled very well. I am sure he is excited and everyone here is very proud of him. I don’t think he can wait to get going.”

10 killed in Maiduguri explosions

At least 10 people were killed in multiple explosions that rocked Maiduguri, Borno State, on Sunday, locals said.

They told AFP that loud explosions were heard from the areas of Kayamla and Dalori, three days after Maiduguri was attacked by the insurgents, leaving 10 dead and many more injured.

“The explosions were heard from Kayamla and Dalori along Bama Road since around 7:00 am today,” Kursi Yusuf, an employee at the nearby University of Maiduguri, told AFP.

“We are not sure whether the terrorists are planning to invade the town, but the sound vibrating is devastating,” he added.

Khadija Mustapha, a resident of Dalori Quarters, 11 kilometres from Maiduguri, said she had fled her home with her three daughters for fear of being caught in the explosions.

“I don’t know what will happen. The sound of the explosives is really disturbing,” she said. “Many of us have vacated our homes.”

A military officer, who did not want to be named, confirmed the blasts, but said troops were on top of the situation.

“The terrorists will not have their way,” he told AFP.

CAR president seeks tougher mandate for UN mission

Central African Republic’s interim President, Catherine Samba-Panza, on Saturday called for a tougher mandate for the United Nations’ mission, MINUSCA, and the disarmament of militias and rebels after more than 40 people were killed in Bangui, the country’s capital.

Samba-Panza, who returned early from the UN General Assembly in New York this week because of the unrest, also declared three days national mourning for the victims, starting on Monday.

The murder of a Muslim man last weekend rekindled sectarian violence that has plagued the mostly Christian nation of 4.5 million people since Muslim Seleka rebels briefly seized power in March 2013, Reuters reported.

Scores of homes were burnt, while shops and aid organisations’ offices were looted in the riverside capital, severely hampering humanitarian operations.

More than 40,000 people were displaced, according to UN figures, and the violence ended any hopes of holding elections scheduled for October 18.

Samba-Panza has blamed the latest unrest on supporters of former president Francois Bozize, who was ousted in 2013 by mainly Muslim rebels who fought under the umbrella group Seleka.

Many shops reopened on Saturday and people returned to the streets. Isolated acts of criminality were reported, however, and a night-time curfew remains in place.

Saturday, 3 October 2015

Ighalo saves Watford from defeat

•Nets 45th minute leveler

Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo continued his goal scoring feat for Watford on Saturday as he grabbed a 45th minute equalizer for the side to avoid what perhaps would have ended as defeat by AFC Bournemouth. The homers had shot into the lead in the 28th minute thanks to Glenn Murray who converted a brilliant assist from teammate Matt Ritchie. The strike of course gave AFC Bournemouth bench and fans a lot to celebrate, but the jubilation was short lived when the Nigerian international rattled defenders just before the end of the first half to level scores at 1-1 in front of 11,187 spectators at the Vitality Stadium (Bournemouth, Dorset).

Although the hosts maintained 53% possession as against Watford’s 47%, the remaining half of the game failed to provide further goals for either side.

Prior to Saturday’s match, Ighalo, who has so far made about 41 appearances for the side with 24 goals in the kitty has recorded goals this season against Newcastle and Swansea respectively. He scored the only goal in Watford’s win over Swansea City and two goals in 2-1 away win over Newcastle.

Kuje suspect came in a new motorbike, says eye witness

The mastermind of the Kuje bomb blast arrived the scene of the crime riding a new motorbike, it was learnt yesterday.

Also, the figure of casualty from the Kuje blast, it was learnt, far outweighs that of the Nyanya which happened about the same time.

While the country is still waiting for the official figures of victims, an eye witness said over 20 people may have died in the Kuje incident.

According to one Ya’u Umar, who claimed to have witnessed the blast, the suspected assailant came on a new motorbike.

Umar who was at the National Hospital to check on his friends who were affected by the blast said ? “The man brought the bomb on a new motorcycle at around nine o’clock in the evening.

“When he alighted from the motorbike, he told us that he was going to buy something and will soon come back.

“Just few minutes after, the bomb exploded.”

Umar also revealed that the impact of the blast was severe as many people died in the process; noting that about 20 dead bodies were counted as at yesterday morning.

He said most of the corpses were found far away from the blast scene.

He explained most of them tried to escape from the scene of the incident but unfortunately they couldn’t as they might have been hit by ?objects.

The eye witness who painted a horrific picture of the incident said some of the corpses were picked from the gutters and while some could have died as a result of shock.

He said, “From the time the incident happened to this morning, we counted over 20 dead bodies. Many people because of the shock of the bomb did not die there immediately, some while trying to run went and died inside gutters, others died while trying to run to their houses. Many dead bodies were found far from the scene of the incident.”

Also, at the National Hospital a middle age man was spotted attending to his seven- month old baby who was among those affected by the bomb blast and she is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

The man who was not disposed to speaking to our reporter, it was learnt also lost his wife, and grandmother in the bomb blast.?

Meanwhile, nine bodies and 13 people who sustained various degrees of injuries from the blasts both at Nyanya and Kuje have been deposited at the National Hospital.

The spokesman of the hospital, Dr Tayo Haastrup, confirmed this. He said, “As at now, nine dead bodies from both the Nyanya and the Kuje bomb blasts have been deposited in our hospital.

“Also, 13 people who were brought alive with various critical degrees of injury are also in our hospital. The good thing is that those who were injured are under stable health condition and are currently being treated.”

ABUJA BOMB EXPLOSIONS: 20 dead, 41 injured

The Federal Ministry of Health ýhas said that 20 people died in the Friday Abuja bomb blast.

According to Director Family Planning, Federal Ministry of Health, Wapada Balamiý, the 41 people injured are in the hospital receiving treatment from various degree of injuries.

He said, “The total number of persons who died are 20 and distributed as follows: In Kuje, 15 persons died and in Nyanya five persons died.

“The total number of persons that were injured and were taken to hospitals by the first responders are as follows: From Kuje, we have 20 persons and from Nyanya, we have 21.ý”

ýThe breakdown of casualty according to him, “In Kuje, there were two locations that were affected. One is outside Kuje Police Station and the other is outside Kuje market.

“In Nyanya, the two locations were very proximal to each other, by road side in Jikwoyi exit along the side of the second Nyanya bridge and another within the surrounding market, just below the bridge.”

ýHe added, “The number of persons currently in hospitals: In Nyanya all the patients that came in were treated and discharged, in Kuje, we also treated and discharged all the patients. In Nyanya and Kuje hospitals, there are no patients currently there.

“In Asokoro General hospital we have seven patients currently on admission while in the National Hospital, we have 13 patients currently on admission. In Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, we have four patients.”

“The inter agency collaboration has been very good between the first responders and this should be kept up.”

He also said that the identification of victims and the dead has also commenced through morbid and forensic means.

He said, their “relations will have access to the corpse of their loved ones immediately security clearance is concluded.”

He advised the public to desist from unfounded rumours.

He also assured that “the combine team of security agencies will continue to work in partnership to provide update to the public.”

Among the security agencies present include the representatives from the Commissioner of Police (FCT), Civil Defence, Road Safety, NEMA, FEMA and directors from the federal ministry of health.

Don’t submit to terrorists’ blackmail- Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians not to despair and give in to terrorists’ blackmail, saying the Boko Haram insurgents want to paralyze the country with fear and force Nigerians into submission.

In a statement from his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President said the recent bomb blasts in Kuje and Nyanya areas was Boko Haram’s psychological tool for intimidating and forcing citizens into surrender and inaction.

The former Vice President said it was evident that by targeting suburban Abuja, the Boko Haram terrorists wanted to persuade Nigerians to believe they are invincible, and thereby paralyse the country with fear and force it into submission.

While asking Nigerians not to be deceived by such desperate tactics by the Boko Haram militants that primarily target non-combatants or innocent and defenceless civilians, Atiku said the Boko Haram terrorists have been militarily degraded by the new offensive strategy adopted by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, which have sent the militants packing from towns and villages they previously captured and occupied.

He said further that the terrorists are bitter and frustrated that the Buhari administration is now taking the war to the enemy camp, which has forced them into disarray, explaining that the massive territorial losses suffered by the terrorists and the blockade of their weapons supply lines, have significantly reduced their operational capabilities in terms of direct confrontation with the counter-terrorism forces.

He argued that the obvious intention of the Boko Haram militants was to unleash their frustrations on innocent civilians to whom they have easier access, insisting that by targeting civilians, the terrorists’ main propaganda objective was to strike paralysing fear into the hearts of Nigerians in order to turn public opinion against the government’s genuine and robust efforts to neutralise and defang them.

The former Vice President stressed that the Boko Haram bandits were offering a last ditch resistance in desperate move to deceive Nigerians that they were invincible, adding that he was fully satisfied with the new rigorous and no-nonsense strategies introduced by the APC led Buhari administration.

He appeals to Nigerians not to despair in the face of the latest terrorist intimidation and harassment through the deliberate and indiscriminate destruction of lives and said he was convinced, given the sincerity of the Buhari administration, the country would see the back of terrorism.

He condole families of the victims, and his sympathies to the maimed and injured and call on Nigerians to be extra vigilant because terrorists exploit the slightest ignorance of the citizens about the behaviour, characteristics and stealthy moves of suicide bombers into unsuspecting crowds of people.

Buhari vows to end violent extremism

President Muham-madu Buhari yesterday reiterated the determination of his administration to rid the country of extremism towards eradicating violence in the Nigeria.

He made the remark while speaking in Abuja after receiving briefing from a fact-finding team he sent to the parts of the Federal Capital territory which came under terrorist bombings on Friday evening.

According to him, for terrorism to be uprooted from the country, the society must be rid of violent extremism.

“The defeat of Boko Haram insurgency is in sight but to remove violence and make the country safe, we must tackle the prevalence of violent extremism. In doing this, we will learn from the experience of the international community,” President Buhari assured.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted the president as directing the security services to raise their surveillance activities to meet the challenges of a retreating, desperate terrorist army and for the general public to remain acutely aware of security in and around them.

He sympathised with the families of the victims as well as the families of the more than a hundred others who were killed in similar incidents a few days ago in Borno State.

The fact-finding team visited the Kuje and Nyanya bombing sites and visited victims of the incidents at the National Hospital and the Maitama General Hospital.

They inspected the wards and mortuaries and consoled grieving family members on behalf of the president.

The fact-finding team was made up of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, the Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and that of the Federal Capital Territory as well as the police commissioner in charge of the FCT.

ACF BLASTS AFENIFERE OVER FALAE, ATTACKS ON NORTH

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday tore into the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, dismissing its statement the on the recent kidnap of former Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, by Fulani herdsmen as not only reckless but unbecoming of a group like Afenifere.

The ACF said that the Afenifere statement demanding the abolishment of nomadic cattle rearing, and criminalizing the Fulani on account of the action of a few, was out of place.

“Nigeria has over 250 tribes and Yoruba is just one of them. For it to threaten other tribes just because of an alleged crime of some suspected herdsmen is unnecessary, emotional and contrary to the spirit and letters of the Nigerian constitution which guarantees free movement and association of citizens in any part of the country,” ACF said in the statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammad Ibrahim.

It said it “is embarrassed and disappointed with the communique issued by the respected pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, after its meeting of 29th September, 2015 held in Akure at the residence of its leader, Pa Rueben Fasoranti

“In November 2000 when some OPC hoodlums attacked Northerners in the Southwest region, ACF did not blame it on the Yoruba, rather it urged the government to arrest the perpetrators that committed the crime.

“ACF considers criminality in any form as a serious offence and strongly condemned the kidnapping of Chief Olu Falae a former presidential candidate of the joint ticket of APP/AD in the 1999 general election which the North overwhelmingly supported him.

“ACF has in the last six years consistently decried the insecurity situation in the country especially insurgency, kidnapping, ritual killings, armed robbery etc, but it has never blamed a tribe, people or region as responsible for such crimes, talk less of threatening their free movement or pursuit of their legitimate business and livelihood. The unity and peaceful coexistence of our people have always been the guiding principles of ACF in the Nigerian project above personal and emotional interests.

“ACF therefore appeals to Afenifere and all other socio-cultural organizations and individuals to always exercise some restraint and show maturity in reacting to situations in view of the complexity of our country.

“ACF equally calls upon the security agencies to not only intensify their effort in tracking down the kidnappers of Chief Olu Falae but also put in place preventive measures to forestall such frequent ugly incidents in the country.”

The ACF also expressed sadness over the multiple bomb explosions which rocked Maiduguri, Borno state, Nyanya and Kuje surburds of the FCT, Abuja last week, killing scores of innocent Nigerians.

Abuja blasts: Female suicide bomber’s body recovered

The body of a female suicide bomber behind the Kuje attacks in the Federal Capital Territory has been located and taken to the National Hospital in Abuja for forensic analysis.

Also, as at 7pm, official confirmation indicated that 18 person were killed in the bomb explosions in Nyanya and Kuje.

The government also said 41 others were injured.

According to investigation by our correspondent, security agencies have discovered that a female bomber was used by Boko Haram to wreak havoc in Kuje.

A top security source said: “The said female bomber was wired by the insurgents. We were able to retrieve her corpse for forensic examination.

“The outcome of the forensic analysis may provide some intelligence for the military and security agencies.

“The corpse of the female bomber is already in the morgue at the National Hospital in Abuja.

“We have placed all the six districts in the FCT under 24-hour surveillance to ward off such invasion by the insurgents.”

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday confirmed that 18 persons were killed in the explosions in Kuje and Nyanya.

It also said 41 people were injured bringing the number of victims to 59.

The Abuja Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ishayah Chonoko, said: “After the evacuation of victims of bomb blast in satellite towns of Kuje and Nyanya to various hospitals in Abuja city, NEMA has confirmed that 59 people were affected.

“Eighteen (18) persons lost their lives and forty one (41) got injured.

While three deaths and 21 injured victims were recorded in Nyanya incident, 15 persons lost their lives in Kuje with 20 persons being treated for injury.

“Meanwhile the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), Mohammed Sani-Sidi, who led some of the evacuations and visited victims in the hospitals, has assured that the government would foot the medical bill of the victims.

“He also reiterated the need for security consciousness among the citizens by reporting any suspicious objects and strange movement in their localities to security agencies.

Mubashiru, MKO Abiola’s younger brother, dies at 73

Alhaji Mubashiru Abiola, the surviving younger brother of late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, has been laid to rest.

He died around 9:30pm on Friday following failed battle with an illness that kept him indoors for over two months.

His remains were interred beside his two late wives within the family house at Gaa Sabo in Lafenwa area of Abeokuta.

He was 73.

The deceased, fondly called Uncle Bashy, was the rallying point for the Abiola’s family since the death of his elder brother and presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida junta.

The Chief Imam of Gbagura, Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun, who conducted the Islamic funeral rite, said death was an inevitable fate that would befall every mortal.

Balogun urged people to take cognisance of inevitability of death and live as if they would die the following day.

He said: “Death is inevitable for all souls, whether you are rich or poor you must die one day and leave all those earthly things for others who will also die later.”

Grieving family members at the graveside that bade the deceased farewell were Engr. Rahmon Abiola, Lekan Abiola, Jamiu Abiola and MKO Abiola’s widow, Doyin.

Abiola’s eldest daughter, Hon. Lola Abiola-Edewor, her siblings Kola and Deji were still being expected as 6pm yesterday.

Others dignitaries at the funeral were former Minister for Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Isola; the General Manager, OGTV, Alhaji Ayinde Soaga; his elder brother, Yaya Soaga; Chief Taiwo Sobande, and a member of the House of Representatives, Mikahil Kazzim.

Before his death, Mubashiru used the occasion of the yearly June 12 memorial to lament neglect of the Abiola’s family by successive governments since the death of their breadwinner, MKO Abiola.

He was pained by abandoned and uncompleted proposed Presidential House of MKO Abiola at the Ibara GRA, Abeokuta.

Hajj: Nigerians won’t stone devil again -Sanusi

Nigeria‘s Amirul Hajj to the just concluded pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, remains unhappy about the loss of many lives during the stoning of the devil rites during the hajj.

He is already contemplating recommending to the federal government that Nigerians should in future skip that particular rite except they are accommodated close to Jamrat where the stoning takes place.

No fewer than 70 Nigerians are believed to have lost their lives in the stampede during the rite while latest figures say over 1000 pilgrims died.

Alhaji Sanusi who is also the Emir of Kano told Sokoto pilgrims in the Holy Land that stoning of the devil is not worth the blood of any Muslim.

The Emir who quoted several verses of the Qur’an and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said refusal to even perform the stoning of devil rituals does not in any way invalidate one’s Hajj.

His words: “During the era of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he permitted pilgrims who came on camels to stay in Makkah after Arafat, instead of staying in Mina and sleeping at Muzdalifa.

“So, if the Prophet could give such grace to some people, just to protect their animals, why didn’t our scholars educate our people properly to avoid this untoward hardship and death.

“Therefore, it will be part of my recommendations to the federal government that, if we cannot get accommodation close to Jamrat where the Arabs reside in Mina, then this year may be the last time we will sleep in Mina and Muzdalifa because we want to stone the devil.

“Besides that, if one deliberately refuses to even perform the stoning of the devil rituals, all he needs to do is to slaughter a ram. So, if this is the situation, why do we go and suffer and die instead of sacrificing a ram?

“As is it presently, sleeping in Mina and Muzdalifa is not backed by any Hadith or verse of the Qur’an. So, why do we continue to do it?”

The Emir said, he would, as the leader of the Nigerian delegation, recommend that Nigerians no longer participate in the devil stoning rite, except they are accommodated close to ‘Jamrat’.

He insisted that blacks, particularly Nigerians, were not responsible for the Mina stampede. Nigeria, according to him, has no issue with the Saudi authorities, but stressed that the Riyahd authorities must understand that no human being is superior to another before Allah, except he who fears Allah most.

The Emir, however, challenged Islamic scholars to educate Muslims on how to perform a hitch-free hajj, without losing anybody’s blood.

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