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Gunmen Abduct 100 SS3 Female Students

By Our Correspondents

— April 16, 2014

At least 100 final-year students of Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok local government area of Borno State were abducted and taken to an unknown destination by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram on Monday night, eyewitnesses and security operatives have said.
LEADERSHIP gathered from impeccable sources that the gunmen who had engaged in a shootout with security operatives in Chibok town succeeded in killing a soldier and a police officer before taking the girls in a hijacked lorry into the bushes.
The students returned to school in spite of the recent shutdown of schools by the Borno state government to write their final-year examination (SSCE).
LEADERSHIP also gathered from credible sources from Chibok town which is about 135km from Maiduguri, the state capital, that some of the girls were able to escape while being driven away in the open truck.
The commissioner of police, Borno State command, Alhaji Lawan Tanko, was able to confirm the incident to journalists on phone but did not state the actual number of students that were abducted.
“We have received the report about the kidnapping of students by gunmen in a school in Chibok local government area last night; but we have no details on the actual number of the students for now; our men are still on the trail of the abductors,” he stated.
Efforts to get the local government chairman, Mr Babagana Chibok, were not successful as his number was not connecting. But a staff of Chibok local government told LEADERSHIP on phone that “the gunmen actually came in two Hilux pick-up vans but had to intercept a lorry that was conveying bags of grains to Askira-Uba local government; they offloaded the grains and ordered the abducted students into the lorry and took them away”.
He said, “We heard the girls wailing as the gunmen continued to shoot; we thought they were shooting the girls or something; but it was later on we understood from a few of them that were able to escape that they were being taken away by the gunmen.”
The local government official who pleaded not to be quoted for obvious security reasons told LEADERSHIP that some of the girls who had the village upbringing were able to demonstrate rare courage by holding unto tree branches as the lorry conveying them passed under low-branched tree and hung there until the unsuspecting kidnappers went far ahead before they would jump off the tree and flee back to the town.
“Many of the girls have been able to make it back through the bushes, but others are yet to be found; but we understand that the chairman of Chibok local government had led some security operatives to trail the track of the lorry,” said the LG worker.
A senior official of the State Security Service, who spoke off the record,  told LEADERSHIP that two security men – a policeman and a soldier — died during the attack and abduction.
“The abduction happened at about 10pm when the hoodlums called Boko Haram attacked the school, killed a soldier and policeman and took away over 100 female students in a lorry. Luckily enough, our men have been able to trace the abductors to where the lorry conveying the girls broke down and our men have moved in to intercept the gunmen; but we understand that some of the girls were able to escape and make it back to the town,” he said.
Though Chibok, a quiet agrarian town, shares a very close border with Sambisa Forest, it has never experienced any attack by Boko Haram except in some of the nearby villages under its local government area.
The Borno State government had not reacted on the incident by press time and all efforts to get the commissioner for education, Musa Inuwa Kubo, was not fruitful.

Kogi speaker’s children kidnapped
The criminal intent of kidnappers knows no bounds. They have thrown the family of the speaker of Kogi State House Of Assembly, Hon. Momojimoh Lawal, into a mournful mood.
Two of his children, Ogirima (7) and Afis (3), were yesterday abducted from the family home at Okengwe, in Okene local government area.
The chief press secretary to the speaker, Mr Austine Akubor, who confirmed the incident to our reporter from Okene, stated that the men were said to have scaled the fence into the compound of the speaker where the wife and children were staying in Okene.
He noted that the speaker was at Lokoja when a call came informing him about the incident.
According to information gathered, he said, the men came into the compound of the speaker armed with dangerous weapons. They met his wife and demanded the children at gunpoint and took the children in the vehicle of the wife.
Akubor stated that the abductors, who called the speaker with the wife’s cell phone, hadnot contacted anybody for a ransom but the incident has been reported to the police and other security agencies.

Gunmen kill 18 in Gwoza
LEADERSHIP gathered last night that about 18 travellers were said to have been killed in Gwoza, Borno State, yesterday.
According to the BBC Hausa Service, the travellers were ambushed by the insurgents while passing through Gwoza town.

Benue: Herdsmen kill 8 in Agatu
As the various working committees set up to broker peace between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Benue State continue their reconciliation efforts, some armed herdsmen yesterday killed eight people in Agatu local government area of the state.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the attackers numbering over 100 stormed Obagaji town , the headquarters of Agatu LGA, overpowered the military men stationed in the area and started shooting the residents and burning houses.
The member representing Agatu state constituency, Alhaji Sule Audu, said the deceased had gone to fetch sand for building,with a tipper in the river while others were in the market selling before the gunmen invaded.
The Agatu Elders Committee yesterday condemned the heinous attack on the people despite the peace agreement signed between the Benue State government and the leaders of the Fulani herdsmen.
The committee stated its position in a statement signed by the chairman, Mr Sule Ngbede, and secretary, Mr Abu Onum. They lamented that the deployed soldiers have not been patrolling flashpoints and that the yesterday attack happened under their nose.
They appealed to relevant authorities to ensure immediate redeployment of soldiers to all strategic areas to enable displaced people return to their villages to continue with their farming activities to avoid imminent famine.
The state police public relations officer (PPRO), Daniel Ezeala, a superintendent of police, confirmed the report, adding that the remains of the six dead victims had been moved to the mortuary.

More Condemnations Trail Abuja Bomb Blast
More condemnations have continued to trail the dastardly bombing of Nyanya Motor Park that killed over 100 people on Monday. Stakeholders have called for concerted efforts to stop the hoodlums.

Tambuwal donates blood
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has cautioned against politicising and putting religious colouration to Monday’s bombing in Abuja, saying all leaders in the country must rise up against terrorism.
Tambuwal said this yesterday when he paid a visit to some victims of Monday’s terrorist attack who are currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The speaker who was escorted around the emergency wards by the minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and some top hospital staff later proceeded to the National Blood Transfusion Centre to donate blood for the victims.
Speaking to newsmen after the visit, Tambuwal warned against “playing politics with issue of insecurity”.
“It (bombing) is not about any religion. As leaders in this country, we must all come together and support the government in addressing this challenge (insecurity). We should stop playing politics with the issue of insecurity. From what I have seen among the victims, I doubt if they are members of any political party. We should stop playing politics. We should address the issue and it is not about any religion. It is unfortunate; we must come together. We must rise to the challenge and address this challenge,” he said.

Ekweremadu urges Nigerians to unite against terrorism
The deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has described the dawn bomb attack on a bus station in Nyanya, Abuja, as “the height of depravity and inhumanity”.
Senator Ekweramdu who further said the incident was “blood-chilling and unjustifiable” condemned the wanton waste of lives and negative profiling of the country by those whose only means of engagement were violence, bloodletting and extremism.
Reacting from Washington DC, USA,  where he had travelled to deliver a paper at the Johns Hopkins University, before the incident, the deputy president of the Senate insisted that the collective will of the nation would never be broken and urged Nigerians to stand against the forces of darkness.

No justification for the act
- Northern governors 
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has stated that no grievances or reasons justified  the bomb blast that killed many people and injured several others at a bus station in Nyanya, Abuja, on Monday.
Chairman of the forum and Niger State governor Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, through a statement signed by his chief press secretary Danladi Ndayebo, expressed the forum’s condolences to the families of the victims, adding that “no grievance can justify such a dastardly act against defenceless citizens”.
According to the Forum, “The issue of security should not be left to government alone. All hands must be on deck to stop the activities of terrorists which have left hundreds of innocent Nigerians either dead or wounded.”

Killings not solution to problems — ACF
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has described Monday’s bomb attack in  Nyanya  as a national calamity.
A statement by Muhammad Ibrahim, its national publicity secretary, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, condemned the action, saying it was inhuman and senseless.
It called on the insurgents and other aggrieved groups to explore the path of dialogue to ensure peace in the country, saying that “the killing of innocent people and destruction of their property is not a solution to any perceived injustice or grievance’’.

Nigeria not doing enough with CCTV cameras – Gusau
The chairman, House Committee on ICT, Hon. Ibrahim Gusau, has said that Nigeria is not making good use of the close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed to enhance security.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the committee by executives of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) yesterday in Abuja, Gusau said that Nigerians underestimate the importance of CCTV and have failed to optimally utilize it to enhance security in the nation.
Gusau maintained that if CCTV cameras had been mounted in areas that have massive collection of people, like Nyanya, security operatives would not have problems in fishing out perpetuators of the dastardly act.

Supply relevant information to police, IGP tells Nigerians
The inspector-general of police, MD Abubakar, has urged all Nigerians to rise in unity and firmly stand their ground against terrorism and supply relevant information.
Speaking on the recent unfortunate terrorist attack on Nyanya motor park, the IGP stated that such occasion calls for a united fight against the common enemies of our land.
He also charged the citizenry to shed all political, ethnic, religious or sectional leanings and rally round the national flag at this trying moment of our nationhood, by remaining vigilant and cooperating with the security agencies in their bid to stamp out terrorism, warning against all forms of divisive, inflammatory and provocative statements capable of heating up the polity and distracting investigators.
Abubakar, however, encouraged all country men and women to supply relevant information to the police and other security agencies as they are not only bent on tracking down the perpetrators of this heinous crime, but are also taking stronger measures to review current security strategies and strengthen the safety of all parts of the country.

FCT to install detectors in buses, motor parks — Bala
The FCT Administration said on Tuesday it would collaborate with the Office of the National Security Adviser to provide security at motor parks and public places in the territory.
The FCT minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, made the statement when he visited Nyanya motor park which was rocked by explosion on Monday morning.
He said the park opposite the bombed one would be used temporarily pending when security agencies would vacate the ill-fated park.

US issues fresh travel warning over Nyanya blast
The US Department of State has issued a fresh travel warning to American citizens living in or wanting to travel to Nigeria.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, US citizens should be particularly vigilant around churches, mosques and other places of worship; locations where large crowds may gather; hotels; markets; malls; and other areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
The alert however stated that security measures in Nigeria remained heightened due to threats posed by extremist groups, stressing that US citizens may encounter additional police and military checkpoints, additional security, and possible roadblocks throughout the country.
“Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security and follow instructions of local authorities. We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Nigeria enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveller Enrolment Program (STEP),” the statement reads in part, adding that the STEP enrolment would give the Americans living in Nigeria the latest security updates.

FCTA to foot medical bill of survivors
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said it will pick the medical bills of all survivors, who received injuries from the Nyanya bomb blast, being treated in various hospitals across the FCT.
FCT minister Mohammed, after visiting the scene of the blast and the Asokoro District Hospital where some of the survivors are receiving treatment, directed the FCT secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Ademola Onakomaiya, to immediately refer any serious case to referral or specialist hospitals, either government or privately owned, and the bills be paid from the coffers of the administration.
According to a statement by the FCT minister’s chief press secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister also said the administration would install special mechanisms to detect metal or explosive devices on FCT high-capacity buses to preserve human lives.

FG vows to protect WEF on Africa participants next month
The federal government has pledged to deploy more than 6,000 police and soldiers to protect a World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa slated to hold next month in Abuja.
African heads of state and business leaders are due to attend the May 7-9 WEF event – based on the flagship gatherings in Davos, Switzerland – where Nigeria’s government wants to showcase the top oil producer’s newly acquired status as the largest economy on the continent.

NSCIA to government: Change your approach to fight against terrorism
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on the federal government to change its approach to its fight against terrorism.  A statement from the council made available to LEADERSHIP in Lagos yesterday signed by its chairman, Media Committee, Mr Femi Abass, said that government must ensure the protection lives and property of  Nigerians.
While arguing that the current security challenges being faced by the  country is not peculiar to Nigeria, the council faulted government’s  approach, which it described as predictable since it started its fight  against the scourge three years ago.

Victims still in critical conditions – DG, NEMA
Some of the surviving patients of the Nyanya bomb blast are said to be in critical conditions and are in dire need of blood transfusion.
This was revealed by the director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Sani Sidi, who addressed a press conference, in collaboration with the FRSC, Red Cross Society, NSCDC, Nigeria Police and the fire service yesterday and stated that though some of the victims of the blast are stabilised and responding to treatment in various hospitals across the Federal Capital, there are a good number of the patients who are in need of urgent blood transfusion in order to aid their survival rate.
The DG also explained that information was being gathered and data collated in order to make adequate arrangements for the families of the dead to claim their corpses.
Sidi further explained that any information on the development of the incident should be made through the NEMA hotlines: 0800 or 08032003535 which are available 24 hours.

S/Africa sends condolences
South Africa on Monday sent its “deepest condolences’’ to Nigeria after a bomb blast in Nigeria’s capital city Abuja.
“South Africa believes that terrorism, in any form and from whichever quarter, cannot be condoned,’’ the South Africa International Relations Department said in a statement.

Canada condemns deadly attack
Foreign affairs minister John Baird Monday issued the following statement following a deadly bombing on the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, that claimed the lives of more than 70 people and left over 100 injured:
“Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms this cowardly terrorist attack during rush hour at a busy bus station in Abuja.”

China condemns bomb attack in Nigeria
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday that China strongly condemns Monday’s bomb attack in Nigeria’s capital city Abuja.
“China opposes terrorism in any form. We are shocked by the bomb attack leading to casualties of innocent civilians, and express deep condolences to the victims,’’ Hua said in a daily press briefing.

IYC indicts presidency
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) yesterday indicted the Presidency over the spate of bombing rocking the northern axis of the country.
The IYC said the Presidency could not claim ignorance of the identities of the sponsors of the dastardly act, which has led to the death of many Nigerians, particularly in the north-east geopolitical zone of the country.
The group in a statement issued by its spokesman, Mr Eric Omare, in a reaction to Monday’s bomb explosions at Nyanya market, Abuja, in which over 100 persons were reported dead, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to speedily identify and punish the sponsors of the heinous crime.
IYC accused Jonathan of not being decisive in the war against terrorism and called for drastic actions against the sponsors of Boko Haram and terrorism.
The umbrella body for the youths of Ijaw extraction in the Niger Delta condemned the terrorist attack on the Abuja market and commiserated with the families of the victims.