Dear All:
I hate to agree with IBB, but on this October 1 bombing matter, the GEJ government is showing both confusion and incompetence. Why are GEJ and Alaibe shooting off discordantly, while the Security Forces are saying another thing? What did who know, and when did they know it to prevent the deaths of so many lives, the destruction of so much property, and the defilement of a Golden Jubilee celebration in Abuja?
And please just read this:
QUOTE
A highly-placed security source, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent a few hours after the explosions that intelligence reports obtained last week from a foreign government's intelligence unit showed that a militant group was planning to truncate the independence anniversary celebration.
According to the source, following the report, senior government security officials held a meeting in Abuja and recommended to the President that all the former leaders of militant groups operating in the Niger Delta should be invited to a meeting.
At the meeting, the government was to impress it on them the need to support Jonathan and also obtain a written commitment to peace from them.
The task of convening the meeting was assigned to Timi Alaibe, the National Coordinator of the amnesty programme, who decided to take the ex-militant outside the Niger Delta to Akodo,Lagos, about 20 kilometres to Epe, to get their full attention.
Also to ensure the attendants of all the commanders, they were told by the organisers that they would be trained on peace and conflict resolution at the one-week seminar, where the government was to unveil the next phrase of the amnesty programme.
According to the source, all the ex-militant groups were represented at the Eko Tourist Beach Resort, Akodo, venue of the purported seminar, which was held between September 25 and 30, except the MEND.
Our source, however, noted that the government over-looked two very important issues, one of which was that the gathering was the first time since the amnesty programme started that all the ex-militant commanders would be staying under the same roof at the same time, "and given the rivalry between them, it would be almost impossible to maintain peace".
He further pointed: "The second mistake made by the government was the absence of Timi Alaibe, or any other senior government official, at the venue when the ex-militants started arriving in Lagos.
"After they waited for two days without seeing any of the government officials, they became agitated and refused to continue with the seminar. In the process, the militant broke into different camps, each trying to assert itself over others and seize control of the situation.
"They were demanding to see Alaibe and also stating that unless the government pays them the daily allowances it promised them, they won't continue with the programme. After they waited for about four hours without any response from the authority, they decided to hold guests at the beach resort hostage to demonstrate their seriousness to the government."
Some of the guests held hostage included two white men, whose nationalities could not be ascertained by our source and about 40 participants, including resource persons, civil society actors, some media practitioners and other stakeholders, attending a three-day training workshop for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Lagos State, sponsored by an international agency, at the same venue.
"The militants also seized their phones and laptops, it took the intervention of policemen stationed opposite the resort who negotiated the release of the hostages all of whom quickly relocated from the resort," added the source.
According to our source, immediately Governor Babatunde Fashola got wind of the development, he ordered the police commissioner to send in reinforcement to the area and about 100 mobile policemen were deployed to provide security at the resort and its environment.
Fashola was also said to have put a call through to the President, demanding the relocation of the militants from the state because of what he describes as security breach.
The militants were finally evicted from the resort by security agents about noon on Tuesday, thereby aborting the government's plan of engaging them to ensure that they did not disrupt the independence celebration.
Our source also said that the ex-militants were paid their allowances and an undisclosed sum of money to pacify them before they agreed to leave.
He, however, maintained that most of the ex-militants lamented their abandonment by the government and allegedly threatened to deal with those responsible, if they did not apologise to them.
UNQUOTE
For a piece written in Compass newspaper, a Gbenga Daniel vehicle, an OGD that is GEJ's main arrowhead in South-West, this reporting is powerful stuff......
If true, any number of these militant groups might have been angered that they were being taken for a ride, made a joke of. and that they might in fact have been sitting ducks in some remote resort, and wanted to show some muscle. In fact, it would seem that MEND would be the least angered, saying "I told you so!" since it did not attend the phantom "seminar". Maybe if not for the timely intervention of Fashola, there would have been much blood shed in Akodo before Abuja.
My verdict is that the Nigerian people should shed ourselves of this PDP government - all of them, whether na GEJ or IBB (!) or anybody else - all of them! From zoning to Niger-Delta to kidnapping to NEPA/PHCN - just plain confusion and incompetence constantly! GEJ in particular does not seem ready for prime-time, saying "MEND, not MEND" as if he is the Grand Patron of one MEND faction or the other!
Haba! GEJ should not allow one to agree with IBB one more time! That is dangerous all by itself. After being president effectively for almost 18 months (by May 2011), GEJ should just retire honorably after organizing free, fair and credible elections.
Let us pray....
Bolaji Aluko
Shaking his head
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
COMPASS
Bomb blasts: Presidency is confused, says Babangida
Monday, 04 October 2010 06:25
Biodun Durojaiye
•Why did you run from Eagle Square? Jonathan asks IBB
•Henry Okah to appear in court today
Lateef Ibrahim, Akeem Oyetunji, Johnchuks Onuanyim, Abuja, Victor Oriola & Olugbenga Soyele
FORMER Military President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), yesterday expressed concern over what he referred to as confusion in the Presidency over the independence day bomb blasts in Abuja.
He specifically accused the Presidency of being hasty in its exoneration of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) over the Friday bomb blasts, accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of hastily reaching a conclusion over the issue.
MEND had claimed responsibility for the blasts shortly after they rattled Abuja.
But, Jonathan has said the Federal Government was closing in on the bombers, even as a former MEND leader, Henry Okah, is to appear in a South African court today.
The blasts, which occurred near the Eagle Square where the nation's 50th independence anniversary celebration was going on, claimed no fewer than 10 lives with scores of others badly injured.
Jonathan had, shortly after the two blasts, exonerated MEND as being responsible for the dastardly act, saying that he knew those behind the terrorist act.
Babangida, however, declared yesterday that what the President ought to have immediately done was to order a high-powered investigation into the matter.
The former military president, who shunned the independence celebration at the Eagle Square, in a statement in Abuja by his campaign organisation, which was signed by Prince Kassim Afegbua, the Director of Media and Publicity, insisted that the government must not jump into conclusion on the matter
According to the Minna, Niger State-born General, "the position of the Federal Government on the very painful and morally reprehensible act of car bombing on the Golden Jubilee celebration, did not only expose a breakdown in the security of the nation, but also exposes the lack of co-ordination of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government.
"On an issue as serious as bombing, the government must not jump into conclusion by exonerating the group that has claimed responsibility, but must take a decisive step to arrest this ugly trend in our society by commencing full investigation into the incident.
"At different times, Nigerians have read different versions of the heinous crime coming from government officials.
"While the President hastily exonerated the MEND, saying he knew those behind the act, another government official and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Timi Alaibe, blamed the incident on one Mr. Henry Okah.
"Yet, the State Security Service (SSS) reportedly told Nigerians that they received intelligence alert, which prompted them to swing into action to avert the danger.
"For whatever purpose it serves to fulfil, it is unpresidential for Mr. President to quickly exonerate MEND, which had earlier claimed responsibility for the dastardly act, bearing in mind that the State Security Service had also reportedly received tip-offs about this dangerous act.
"Mr. President would have immediately ordered a high-powered investigation into the matter, rather than alluding the incident to terrorists' attack to give the country a bad image in the international community.
"The discordant tunes coming from government circles, each saying a different thing without linkages and synergies do not augur well for the country's security system.
"The Federal Government and her agents must work together in a seamless fusion to address a number of challenges confronting us as a nation. Government position must reflect sound judgement based on exploration of the facts on ground rather than trying to make a political capital out of every scenario.
"We at the IBB 2011 Presidential Campaign Organisation wish to advise government that issues of security of individuals and of the nation require more than just a passing glance.
"It requires the cooperation of all in trying to contend with the challenges of security concerns. Nigerians bear the brunt of any security lapse, such as the one under mention, but we can improve on measures to avert such occurrence, if we are tactful, studious, methodical and thorough in our approach.
"This way, most of our security challenges would be looked into and solutions would be sought to confront the perennial problem of kidnapping, armed robbery and violent activities.
"We believe in the ability of our Presidential aspirant, General Ibrahim Babangida, to offer experienced leadership, if given the opportunity to preside over the affairs of this nation through the ballot box. This country needs experienced hand, courageous and bold leadership to contend with our multifarious developmental challenges.
"We implore the Federal Government to take a decisive step to commence full investigation into this incident, while putting measures in place to avert future recurrence. May the gains and labours of our heroes past never be in vain. May God show us the path of those who are righteous and not that of those who have gone astray."
But in a swift reaction, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Sully Abu, said Babangida was insincere on his comments.
He said in a statement: "In the light of people making self serving interpretation of the President's statement yesterday, we would like to state as follows:
•The President is the chief security officer of the nation and has more information on this matter than any Nigerian, therefore, his statements are always carefully calibrated to protect the security of every Nigerian.
•The President has not exonerated anyone or group. Whoever was behind the bomb blast will be fished out, no matter who or where they are.
•Trying to make political mileage from this sad event can only be the provenance of people whose staple is the violation of the lives and property of Nigerians. We are shocked that the IBB Campaign Organisation would use the blood of the victims of the bomb blast to advertise the credentials of IBB. We all know what the jury on those credentials are. And indeed, if security is the forte of their candidate as so shamelessly advertised, many Nigerians who lost their lives in the IBB years would be living today. Why, if we may ask, was IBB the only former head of state absent from the occasion?
•We urge the security agencies to work assiduously to get to the root of the matter.
Meanwhile, Jonathan has assured Nigerians that those behind the blasts would soon be exposed.
The President, who spoke on Saturday night at a dinner held at the Marina State House annex, Lagos, to commemorate the golden jubilee celebrations, said the government was on the trail of the perpetrators.
Jonathan disclosed that "it is a small terrorist group that resides outside Nigeria that was sponsored to carry out the twin bomb explosion.
"We are on their trail and will ensure that until they are arrested and brought to book, we will not rest.
"Government will no longer condone impunity and any culprits, no matter how highly-placed or connected, will not go scot-free."
The President reiterated that MEND was not responsible for the act, as purported, but that the terrorist group was hiding under the umbrella of the movement.
He added: "We have contacted other members of MEND and they say they know nothing about it. Anybody who hides under the umbrella of MEND to carry out this act will soon be exposed."
Also speaking, Senate President David Mark said that the National Assembly would cooperate with the Federal Government to ensure prompt arrest of the perpetrators.
"Whatever may be the reason behind this, it is not acceptable. We will assist the Federal Government to ensure that the evil doers get maximun sanctions," he said.
The President also assured Nigerians that irrespective of all odds and challenges, there was hope for the country and that he was prepared and committed to drive the process of transformation.
Jonathan, at the dinner, said he was prepared to work with all levels and arms of government to reposition the country's economy.
Speaking on behalf of the 36 governors, Chief Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State said they were prepared to support the purposeful leadership of the President and urged him not to be distracted in anyway.
"The problem of Nigeria today was not caused by the present leaders, therefore, be strong because we know that you are God-sent to liberate the nation," he said.
The representative of the business community and Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu, said there was significant improvement on the nation's economy through positive steps so far taken by the government.
Jamodu called on the government to be clear and consistent in its economic policies to move the nation forward.
He also appealed for tax incentives for private investors' setting up businesses in the villages and remote parts of the country.
Jamodu said such encouragement would boost economic activities in the rural areas and prevent rural urban drift.
Also at a special interdenominational service marking the 50th anniversary at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, Jonathan charged Nigerians to embrace change and work together "to shame enemies of progress in our midst".
He thanked Nigerians for their prayers, irrespective of religion, saying "I know and I have been constantly briefed how Nigerians prayed irrespective of religion. Somebody also told me about some old women in some remote areas of the country who have not seen me and might not even see me except by chance but have been fasting for the success of the government. And when you hear such stories, it touches your heart. It shows clearly that people expect you to do something different.
"All Nigerians here and those who are not here must work hard to change our nation. And this is a period for change. This is a period we are marking our jubilee. We must change and Nigeria will change. And I know that such a period is a period that enemies of progress will work overtime because that was what led to the experience that we witnessed on the 1st of October when we were celebrating our independence and we had explosions that destroyed properties and unfortunately, we lost about ten lives"
Jonathan reiterated his determination to uncover those behind the dastardly act, assuring that "government will live no stone unturned until we unearth them. All those who are remotely linked to the bombing will be brought to book and God will help us through the security agencies to unearth them so that we know the true colour of these demons that are with us".
He expressed optimism that the wind of change was already blowing in the country as evident by the manner in which those at the Eagle Square conducted themselves during the independence celebration.
"What I observed on that 1st of October is that the leaders and all of us Nigerians have unanimously declared liberty on our land and as a nation, we are now committed to move our country forward".
Speaking, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, blamed lack of conscience as one of the major factors affecting the country.
Accompanied by his wife, Dame Patience, Jonathan arrived at the venue of the Church service at exactly 1.14 pm. Prior to his arrival, adequate security measures had been put in place to forestall a reoccurrence of last Friday's incidence as vehicular movement was not allowed about 300 metres to the Ecumenical Centre.
Also, all the roads leading to the venue were barricaded just as uniformed policemen were diverting traffic to alternative routes. Bomb detectors, screening machines, sniffer dogs and other metal detectors were equally deployed in strategic points at the entrances to the centre. The service, in spite of heavy presence of security men, was well attended.
Present were the Senate President David Mark, senators and members of the House of Representatives, ministers and service chiefs as well as Chief Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu.
This morning, Okah is due before a South African court, his lawyer said yesterday.
Okah was arrested on Saturday in Johannesburg, the day after the twin car bombings in Abuja.
"He is due to appear in court tomorrow (today). He has not been charged yet," Okah's lawyer, Piet du Plessis, said yesterday, adding: "He was arrested on the allegation of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act."
Du Plessis said Okah denied any involvement in the blasts, which drew worldwide condemnation.
"Although Mr. Okah, a Nigerian citizen, is a known sympathiser of the fate of people of the Niger Delta, he denies having made himself guilty of any crime in the RSA (Republic of South Africa) or anywhere else," Du Plessis added in a statement.
"Our instructions are that his arrest is totally unwarranted and only an ill-advised attempt to please the Nigerian authorities," he added, calling for Okah's immediate release.
South African police have refused to comment on the detention.
Okah was arrested in Angola three years ago and transferred to Nigeria.
He was released as part of an amnesty programme offered to militants in the Niger Delta, and lives in Johannesburg.
Friday bombs marked the first time MEND has struck in the capital and came after a lull in attacks that followed the amnesty.
Meanwhile, as condemnations continue to trail the explosions, the Nigerian Compass can exclusively reveal that the Federal Government could have prevented them, if it had been more pro-active.
A highly-placed security source, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent a few hours after the explosions that intelligence reports obtained last week from a foreign government's intelligence unit showed that a militant group was planning to truncate the independence anniversary celebration.
According to the source, following the report, senior government security officials held a meeting in Abuja and recommended to the President that all the former leaders of militant groups operating in the Niger Delta should be invited to a meeting.
At the meeting, the government was to impress it on them the need to support Jonathan and also obtain a written commitment to peace from them.
The task of convening the meeting was assigned to Timi Alaibe, the National Coordinator of the amnesty programme, who decided to take the ex-militant outside the Niger Delta to Akodo,Lagos, about 20 kilometres to Epe, to get their full attention.
Also to ensure the attendants of all the commanders, they were told by the organisers that they would be trained on peace and conflict resolution at the one-week seminar, where the government was to unveil the next phrase of the amnesty programme.
According to the source, all the ex-militant groups were represented at the Eko Tourist Beach Resort, Akodo, venue of the purported seminar, which was held between September 25 and 30, except the MEND.
Our source, however, noted that the government over-looked two very important issues, one of which was that the gathering was the first time since the amnesty programme started that all the ex-militant commanders would be staying under the same roof at the same time, "and given the rivalry between them, it would be almost impossible to maintain peace".
He further pointed: "The second mistake made by the government was the absence of Timi Alaibe, or any other senior government official, at the venue when the ex-militants started arriving in Lagos.
"After they waited for two days without seeing any of the government officials, they became agitated and refused to continue with the seminar. In the process, the militant broke into different camps, each trying to assert itself over others and seize control of the situation.
"They were demanding to see Alaibe and also stating that unless the government pays them the daily allowances it promised them, they won't continue with the programme. After they waited for about four hours without any response from the authority, they decided to hold guests at the beach resort hostage to demonstrate their seriousness to the government."
Some of the guests held hostage included two white men, whose nationalities could not be ascertained by our source and about 40 participants, including resource persons, civil society actors, some media practitioners and other stakeholders, attending a three-day training workshop for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Lagos State, sponsored by an international agency, at the same venue.
"The militants also seized their phones and laptops, it took the intervention of policemen stationed opposite the resort who negotiated the release of the hostages all of whom quickly relocated from the resort," added the source.
According to our source, immediately Governor Babatunde Fashola got wind of the development, he ordered the police commissioner to send in reinforcement to the area and about 100 mobile policemen were deployed to provide security at the resort and its environment.
Fashola was also said to have put a call through to the President, demanding the relocation of the militants from the state because of what he describes as security breach.
The militants were finally evicted from the resort by security agents about noon on Tuesday, thereby aborting the government's plan of engaging them to ensure that they did not disrupt the independence celebration.
Our source also said that the ex-militants were paid their allowances and an undisclosed sum of money to pacify them before they agreed to leave.
He, however, maintained that most of the ex-militants lamented their abandonment by the government and allegedly threatened to deal with those responsible, if they did not apologise to them.
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