Afghan roadside bomb kills 18 wedding guests

A massive roadside bomb has killed at least 18 people on their way to a wedding in northern Afghanistan.
At least 15 others have been wounded in what the BBC described as one of the worst such attacks in the country for some time.
A minibus was carrying men, women and children to the wedding in the Dawlatabad district of Balkh province when it was struck by the bomb.
It is not clear whether they were the intended target.
No-one has yet claimed responsibility.
Officials said they expect the number of dead to increase.
BBC reported that Northern Afghanistan has generally been one of the safest parts of the country since the United States-led invasion in 2001.
But Balkh has seen an increase in Taliban activity in recent years, which NATO forces – despite their extra numbers – have been unable to suppress.
A United Nations report in August said civilian casualties had actually fallen for the first time in five years in Afghanistan – suggesting both sides in the war are becoming increasingly sensitive to the impact of civilian deaths.
But the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama), which published the report, said it was concerned that the number of civilian deaths and injuries “remains at a high level.”
There are no exact figures for the number of civilians killed since the war began in 2001, but most estimates calculate a minimum of 20,000 civilian deaths.

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Nigeria may break up if Boko Haram is not checked, Oyedepo warns

By The Nation: Adegunle Olugbamila 

 

Oyedepo

The Chancellor Covenant University (CU), Otta, Ogun State, Dr. David Oyedepo, has called for a complete overhaul of the nation’s security system against those he called ‘religious bigots’ scheming to Islamise Nigeria through repeated attacks on churches.

Oyedepo also urged the Federal Government to be more committed to the insecurity problem, failure of which he noted, may lead to disintegration.

“I want to believe that what we have on our hands today is an islamisiation agenda being propagated and sponsored by some religious bigots who are poised for war, and if government does not decisively stem down this tide, Nigeria may cease to be a nation.”

In his address themed: Towards the rescue of a nation on the brink of collapse: Necessity for a new generation of thinkers, delivered at the seventh convocation of CU at the university premises yesterday, Oyedepo said consistent attacks by the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram (Western education is forbidden) leaves much suspicion in its trail. He noted that if Boko Haram members are agitating for their rights as they claim, government institutions rather that churches should have been their targets. 

“Now let us think: If Boko Haram, as claimed by some of their symphatisers, is fighting the government for its rights, the question is, is it the church that is depriving them of such rights? If the bombs in the north are just reactions to class oppression or poverty in the nation, why are mosques exempted from bombs?

He continued: “Did the militants in the South South, during their struggle, ever attacked worshippers in the mosque on Fridays? A lot of political hypocrisy must be going on here.

“Are there no Muslins in the West, South and East of Nigeria? Why are they not shooting at people in churches who gather for worship? Why are they not throwing bombs at Christians? I believe some individuals are simply without any other mission other than breaking Nigeria.”

He said insecurity today remains the nation’s greatest albatross, dwarfing other national malaise like poverty, corruption, unemployment, among others.

Oyedepol lamented that the Boko Haram phenomenon has cost the nation huge human, economic and financial loss, which the World Investment Report put at N1.33 trillion in foreign direct investment (FDI). He said despite huge unemployment in the country, the few existing institutions and organisations are relocating to neigbouring countries like Ghana because such companies consider security as key to their continued existence.

Oyedepo further cited the case of wars in some African countries such as Sudan, Rwanda, Somalia, Sierra-Leone, Liberia, Congo, Ethiopia and the ongoing Malian uprising, juxtaposing the causes and durations of such wars with the level of human loss and victims displaced.

The above examples, the cleric stressed, are enough to provoke Africa, nay Nigeria, to a new realm of thinking, noting that the black continent is yet to learn the fact that war does no one any good.

Oyedepo described those perpetrating the atrocities as selfish, self-centered with low self-esteem who fail to think about the consequences of their action.

‘The question now is, when would Africa start to learn her lessons? In spite of the gruesome data captured in this speech, Malians are still killing themselves today. It is not what we hear through lessons but thinking through what we hear. It is no what we see that equals lesson learnt but thinking through what we see. This is what I believe is the problem of Africa-inability to draw lessons from the things we see, hear and observe and even experience.” 

Advocating a ‘stop and think’ approach to the nation’s malaise, Oyedepo further added: “The greatest challenge to Africa’s development is the underdeveloped minds of Africans. He (African) therefore becomes cheap as pawns in the chessboard of their benefactors. The mind of the Nigerian should be transformed into new mind that can dream new Nigeria into existence; minds that can resist indoctrination of evil.”

Dr Oyedepo called on well-meaning Nigerians, the academia to join in the clarion call for an end to violence and also help the perverted towards a new re-orientation.

“Until we solve the security problems, we may not solve the economic problems. If you kill for the sake of conversion, can that dead man be convertible? Rather, you have lost a God-like asset for your nation and lost an opportunity to live a better life.

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Yemen general dies in 'suicide attack’

By Agency Reporter

The Yemeni army commander leading the fight against militants in the south of the country has been killed in a suicide attack, officials told the BBC.
General Salem Ali Qatan was killed in the port city of Aden by a man wearing an explosives belt, reports said.
Yemen is battling militants linked to al-Qaeda who have taken control of parts of the south of the country.
The army has recently recaptured several strongholds in the restive southern province of Abyan.
One report citing witnesses said the attacker approached Gen. Qatan - Yemen's southern army commander - as he walked to his office, handed him a paper, shook his hand and then detonated the explosives.
However, another report quoting officials said the bomber threw himself at the general's vehicle which was in a three-car convoy.
At least four other people were reported to be wounded in the attack.
Gen. Qatan was appointed in March shortly after newly elected President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi took office.
Ali Mansur, a senior army commander and close aide to Gen. Qatan, described the general's death as "a huge loss for Yemen."

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Kaduna blasts, riots’ death toll hits 45

By Agency Reporter

 

Victims of a Kaduna bombing await treatment in a hospital on Sunday.Photo: Reuters

…Rescuers search for victims’ bodies

Rescuers searched for bodies and hospitals struggled to find blood Monday after suicide attacks on three churches in Nigeria and subsequent rioting killed at least 45.
 Over 100 people were reportedly wounded in the incidents.
The attacks in Kaduna State that led to reprisal violence which saw Christian youths target Muslims with machetes and clubs were the latest in a wave of Sunday church bombings in Nigeria.
There was no claim of responsibility for the bombings, but Islamist group Boko Haram has carried out scores of such attacks.
Suicide bombers attacked two churches in the city of Zaria and one in the city of Kaduna, killing at least 16 people, AFP news agency quoted police spokesman Frank Mba as saying in a statement.
After news of the blasts spread, Christian youths took to the main motorway that leads to the capital Abuja, attacking motorists who looked Muslim.
Christian mobs carrying machetes and clubs also prowled the streets of Kaduna on Sunday, the Red Cross said.
"Many of them need surgery, but a shortage of blood is stalling treatment," a Red Cross official in Kaduna said of the wounded on Monday. "We're still going about looking for more bodies in these neighbourhoods."
Officials put the state -- which last year saw rioting that left more than 600 people dead in the wake of presidential elections -- under curfew for 24 hours.
"As of last night, around 10 pm, the death toll stood at 45," a rescue official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to issue death tolls. "The death toll is expected to rise when we get updated."

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Another bloody Sunday

By The Nation: Yusufu Aminu Idegu and Marie-Therese Nalong 

 

A victim of the bomb explosion at Christ Chosen Church of God, Rukuba, Jos at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos…yesterday

•Five killed in attack on Jos church, reprisal •Two dead in Borno •Pastor, wife, two children, 48 others injured in suicide bombing

It was another bloody Sunday yesterday. No fewer than seven persons died —  many were injured  — in attacks on two churches during service.
The nation is still mourning  the death of no fewer than 153 people in the Dana Air plane crash in Lagos on June 3. Also on that day, 14 people were killed in an attack on two churches in Bauchi.
In Jos, the Plateau State capital, yesterday’s suicide attack was the third on worshippers since January.
The second attack was at the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria in Biu, 180 kilometres to Maiduguri,  the Borno State capital.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman Lt. Victor Ebhaleme told AFP on the telephone in Maiduguri that two people died and an unspecified number injured during the attack in Biu. Borno State Police Commissioner Bala Hassan said one person died and three others were injured. 
Hassan said the police had made appreciable progress in the investigation of the attack by “four young men’’ on Ekkilizia Yanuwa A Nigeria (EYN) Church on Gombe -Biu road. The police chief told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his command had tightened security in vulnerable areas and would continue to do its best to ensure the safety of lives and property. 
“The attack on the church on Gombe-Biu Road happened around 9 a.m when four young men fired at a church during which one person died and three others were injured. 
“The attackers fled shortly after, but the police recovered a pistol, one of the weapons used during the attack,’’ Hassan said. 
Only on Friday, a suicide bomber rammed his car into the barricaded portion of the command’s headquarters in Maiduguri. Five persons died; 12 were injured. The dead are a policeman, three civilians and the suicide bomber
The suicide attack on worshippers at the Christ Chosen Church of God (CCCG) on Rukuba Road in Jos and the reprisal that followed led to the death of no fewer than 10 people, including the suicide bomber.
Over 50 worshippers have been killed in the three attacks on churches so far.
Source said the original target of the suicide bombers was ECWA Church located about 50 meters away from CCCG, but there was a security check point before their target. The bombers diverted the explosives to the CCCG Church. The explosives, apparently, was timed.
The church building came down on about 200 worshippers.
Witnesses said many people, including the suicide bomber, died.
Mr Manasseh Pampe, a senior official of the Red Cross Society, told NAN that it was difficult to ascertain the figure as yet.
An eyewitness, Mr Richard Jonah, said the bomber entered through the church gate after deceiving the security personnel that he was a member coming for service.
Jonah said the suicide bomber, who drove a Volkswagen Golf saloon car, posed as a member of the church and was admitted to the premises by the security personnel.
“But, immediately he entered into the premises, he drove straight into the church building and hit the structure with the bomb-laden vehicle while the second service was still going on,’’ he said.
An official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Tajudeen Olanrewaju, also declined to be specific on the casualty figure.
“As you can see, we are still evacuating those injured to hospitals. For now, we cannot give you any clear figure,’’ he said.
Pastor Monday Uzoka of CCCG, his wife and two children are among the 52 victims of the suicide attack.
A NAN correspondent, who visited the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), was told by medical personnel that Uzoka and another church elder were in “very critical situation”.

The rest of the 50 victims were on admission at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH).
Mrs. Maria Goni, BUTH’s Director of Nursing Services, said the duo were transferred to JUTH “because they were in a serious condition and in dire need of surgery”.
“Right now, we have 50 persons on admission in our hospital. In fact, we are still counting and may have more. When we are through with counting, we shall know the exact figure we have.
“We have people with orthopeadic and laceration cases among others, but we are doing our best to treat them,” she said.
She said no death had so far been recorded among the victims brought to the hospital.
The Red Cross International and the government of Plateau State had rendered help in the provision of drugs and other consumables.
Among the victims were the elderly, women and children, who suffered various degrees of injuries from the blast.
One of the victims, Mrs. Esther Emmanuel, 35, said that four of her children -  Chigozie (11), Victor (3), Ikechukwu (8) and Chidinma (12) were also on admission. 
Another victim, Mrs. Mercy Francis, 45, said her six-year-old daughter, Blessing, had “disappeared” during the blast and called on the authorities to help locate her. 
“That is the only daughter I have. Please, tell them to help me to trace her where ever she may be, especially since I can’t get another child like her at my age now,” Francis cried out.
Soon after the blast, youths went violent. Security agencies were denied access to the scene. The angry youths prevented also  journalists from getting to the scene. They came out in their thousands to barricade the road leading to the scene.
A Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) crew, which made efforts to get to the scene, was attacked by the angry youths.
Security agencies rescued a team of journalists from been lynched. The NTA vehicle was vandalised by the hoodlums.
A Channels Television reporter, Yemi Kosoko, and his cameraman, John Farinola, also escaped attack. Journalists converged on the state headquarters of the police in protest.
Police chief Emmanuel Oladipo Ayeni said: “Information reached my office at about 11am that there was a suicide bombing at Christ Chosen Church of God (CCCD). I immediately led a team of my men to the scene for rescue operation.
“On reaching there, we saw no death, although the entire church building collapsed. We evacuated the injured worshippers, 42 of them, to the hospital. We took 36 injured victims to Bingham University teaching Hospital (BUTH) and we took six others to the Plateau Specialist Hospital.
“There were two deaths around the premises and we are yet to ascertain what killed them. I hope investigation will reveal soon what caused their death, but I can confidently tell you that the explosion did not kill anyone apart from the suicide bomber.”
When asked why the security agencies’ strategies to forestall another suicide bombing in Jos could not stop the attack, Ayeni said: “Look my friend, it is difficult for security agencies to checkmate a suicide bombing attack because the attackers have already committed their lives to death and they can do anything to succeed. This particular attack could not be prevented because the church is located by the road side, which made it impossible for the church to block the road completely.
“This is not to say there was leakage in the security strategies we adopted after the last two suicide bombings; our strategies are fool-proof, but now that they have done this, we will know what to do next.”
“But I will confirm to you that this attack is a failed one because it did not result in death of any of the worshippers; there were only injuries and that shows our strategies are working. This kind of attack is a new challenge and we will tackle it as it comes,” said Ayeni.
On the allegation that the suicide bomber’s vehicle was led by a Hilux belonging to STF, the police commissioner said: “I also heard of this same rumour, no one can say the rumour is true or false, but investigation will confirm it. The security agencies have already swung into action and the result surrounding this attack will be made public soon.
The Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis confirmed the attack but was silent on the allegation against it men.  The STF said the attack by hoodlums following the suicide bombing led to the death of four motorcycle riders.
STF spokesman, Captain Markus Mdahyelya, who signed the statement, said: “About four cyclists were killed and their motorcycles burnt along Rukuba road close to the scene of attack.”
The state government spoke of its pain whenever its citizens are subjected to pains of this nature.
Commissioner for Information Yiljap Abraham, said: “Government is again thrown into grief. This is so painful because the Plateau State government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, has put in place all that is needed to prevent bloodshed in this state.
“This is another challenge and I’m sure the security will do their best to rise up to the challenges.
Yiljap expressed the government sympathy with victims of the attack.

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Blast occurred after prayers against untimely death, says witness

By The Nation Reporter 

Mrs. Josephine Jacobson, a 63-year-old Deaconess of the Christ Chosen Church of God, said the suicide attack occurred just after the congregation had finished prayers against “untimely death”.
Mrs. Jacobson told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital that she saw the car when it rushed into the church premises while she was sitting at the altar.
“I was wondering who could be driving into the premises with such a speed but before I knew it, I just heard a bang and saw that the roof of the church had come down on us.
“It was then that I realised we have been hit by suicide bomber.”
According to her, the blast occurred just after the congregation had finished a prayer session against “untimely death”. 
“Actually, we have never prayed like that before. Our pastor had barely asked us to sit down quietly for his sermon when the incident happened. It was by sheer providence that I am alive today,” the Deaconess said. 
Another victim, Mr Odey Randy, said that he saw when the suicide bomber’s car entered the church before explosive went off. 
“I was just passing by in the front of the church on my way to buy something in a shop when the blast occurred,” he said. 
Randy, who was hit on his right leg, spoke to NAN at the hospital while waiting for doctors to attend to him.
“I saw the car rushing into the church. It was a Toyota Corolla saloon, but the blast went off just early enough to affect me.
“I didn’t suspect that the car belonged to a suicide bomber. I just thought it was driven by one of the church members rushing in to meet up with the service.”
Sympathisers and relations besieged BUTH in search of loved ones admitted after the bomb attack.
The crowd at a time became uncontrollable, forcing the hospital management to barricade the entrance of one of the wards.
“You people are making things so difficult for us in this place. Please, kindly leave the veranda of this ward and stay outside to enable us to attend to you loved ones“ a nurse, who gave his name as Sam, pleaded.
When the crowd refused to heed the plea, the nurse called in one of the senior nurses, who mobilised some of the attendants to force the sympathisers to give way.
As soon as they moved out of the way, the entrance to the ward was barricaded.
At that point, the people besieged the windows of the ward to look through and also talk to their loved ones on admission.
Mrs Maria Goni, Director, Nursing Services, said that the hospital had to control the crowd because of the risk of having too many people inside the ward.
“Besides, the victims need not be disturbed in view of their conditions,’ ‘she said.

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Kidnapped ex- Super Eagles midfielder, Obodo rescued by police

By Shola O'neil

 

Obodo

...No ransom paid

The Delta State Police Command on Sunday night carried out a commando-style operation that led to the release of ex-Super Eagles and Udinese of Italy midfielder, Mr. Christian Obodo, from kidnappers den in Isoko area of the state.

Obodo was seized by a four-man gun-totting gang in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state on Saturday morning.

He was kidnapped in front of a church, Zion Prayer Ministry, where he had gone to worship in his Bentley Continental car marked Obodo 5.

Although the circumstances surrounding his release remained hazy at press time last night, it was gathered that policemen acting on tip-off stormed the hideout of the hoodlums in the area.

His kidnappers had earlier demanded a ransom of about N28million for his freedom.

However, it was gathered that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan led a top security meeting on Saturday during which the Commissioner of Police in the state was directed to ensure Obodo's release without negotiation with the hoodlums.

Consequently, it was gathered that the hideout of the hoodlums was stormed in Emevor, Isoko South LGA, where he was released.

Our source said at least eight persons were arrested in connection with the kidnap.

The Press Secretary to the Mr. Amaju Pinnik, Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Timi Ebikagboro, confirmed the report, adding that he was on his way to Warri at 9:30pm when this report was being put together.

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BREAKING NEWS: Terrorists hit churches in Jos, Biu

By Agency Reporter 

 

 The scene of the suicide blast in Jos, Plateau State, on Sunday. Photo:Saharareporters.

Militants attacked two churches in Jos and Biu on Sunday, spraying the congregation of one with bullets and blowing up a car in a suicide bombing at the other,  witnesses told Reuters.
There was no immediate word on casualties and no claim of responsibility, although attacking churches has become a trademark tactic of Islamist group Boko Haram which is fighting to reinstate an ancient caliphate in northern Nigeria.
"Three gunmen came to the premises of the church and started firing at people outside the church before going into the main building to carry on their killings ... Many people have been killed and wounded," said witness Hamidu Wakawa, who was at the church in Biu Town, Borno State.
In Jos, a man drove a car to the entrance of the Christ Chosen Church and then blew it up, said Emmanuel Davou, 53, who lives nearby.
Police were unable to give immediate details on either attack.
Moments after the suicide bombing in Jos, Christian youths set up roadblocks and had to be dispersed by police.
"Angry youths have gone wild, even attempting to prevent the security personnel from getting to the scene of the incident. They had to force their way out by shooting in the air to disperse them," said Davou.
Boko Haram has been blamed for hundreds of killings in bomb or gun attacks over the past two years.
It usually targets security forces, although Christian worshippers are increasingly bearing the brunt.
Last Sunday, a suicide car bomber killed at least 12 people at a church in the remote town of Yelwa, Bauchi State.

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Christian Obodo Kidnappers Demand For 150,000 Euros

Nigeria international Christian Obodo was abducted early today in Warri as my flash news goes, his family confirmed today, (Saturday).

The player's family said Obodo who last season played for Lecce in Italy's Serie A, was driving alone in his car following a visit to a relative when he was taken by unknown gunmen.

"His whereabouts are unknown but his car was left behind by the kidnappers. We are yet to receive any call demanding a ransom," said a family member, under condition of anonymity.

Oil city Warri is in the restive Niger Delta, where kidnapping is commonplace.

Obodo was for several years a Nigeria international. Last season, he played on loan at Lecce from Serie A side Udinese. Lecce were relegated to Serie AB on May 13 after finishing third from bottom of Italy's top flight.

The 28-year-old midfielder is not the first Nigerian footballer to be abducted.

The brother of Everton defender Joseph Yobo was kidnapped before he was later freed, while most recently the father of Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi was also abducted before he was freed after a police raid.

A brief statement from Lecce said: "We hope the situation can be resolved as soon as possible in the best possible way."

Obodo's brother, Kenneth Obodo, who is also a footballer in Italy and is currently in Nigeria, was quoted by Italian news agency ANSA as saying: "Christian is fine. We are in touch with the kidnappers, who want some money.

"We can't give them more than 100,000 euros ($125,000). Unfortunately these things happen in our country."

His brother-in-law, Obidike Okechukwu, was quoted by ANSA as saying that the kidnappers had asked for a ransom of 150,000 euros.

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BREAKING NEWS: Gunmen abduct ex-Eagles star Obodo

By The Nation Reporter 

 

Obodo

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Christian Obodo, was kidnapped on Saturday morning by gun-wielding men in Efunrun, Delta State.
Obodo, who plays for Italian clubside Udinese arrived the country few weeks ago after the conclusion of the Seria A season.
Eyewitness said the ex- Flying Eagles star was snatched from the Zion Ministry Church located on New Layout Road, Efunrun, by the gunmen.
His fate was uncertain at the time of this report.
Details later…
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Fire engulfs Kaduna governor’s residence

By The Nation: Tony Akowe 

 

Yakowa

The official residence of the Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, was consumed by an early morning inferno on Tuesday.

However, a part of the building complex was affected in the incident.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Reuben Buhari, said the incident occured at about 9.30 am, but was immediately put off through the combined efforts of the state Fire Service and officials of the state Emergency Management Agency.

The statement said that no member of the Yakowa’s family or his domestic staff were affected by the fire.

The statement reads: “Today, June 5, 2012, at around 9:30am, part of d official residence of His Excellency, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, the Executive Governor of Kaduna state was touched by fire.

“It was caused by electrical fault as a result of power fluctuation. The fire was promptly put out by Men of d Kaduna state fire service and SEMA fire service. Everything is now completely under control and the Governor is now continuing with his normal duties.

“His Excellency and the entire members of his household including supporting staff are all fine. His Excellency wishes to thank all those who collectively contributed toward putting out the fire and pray that such an incident does not occur again,” it added.

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Bombs kill 15 in Bauchi churches

By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation and Austine Tsenzughul Bauchi 

 

A baby victim of the blast receiving medical attention...yesterday

Two churches in Bauchi State were yesterday hit by bombs, which killed  15 people and injured 42 others.
The government  deployed the military, the police and other security agencies to the scene of the blast.
The churches affected were Living Faith and Harvest Field, both located in the Yelwa Tudu area of the Bauchi metropolis. 
The Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Bauchi, Alhaji Muhammed Inuwa Bello, said the incident occurred between 9am and 9.30am.
He said: “We experienced a bomb explosion at Living Faith Church in Yelwa Tudu, which is about 10 to 12 kilometres to Bauchi, the state capital.
“From the account at our disposal, the bomb explosion occurred when some worshippers were coming out of the church. The car involved in the explosion attempted to hit the church but it could not get to the building.
“The car rammed into the entrance leading into an instant bomb explosion. Cars parked within the premises of the church got engulfed.
“We have so far retrieved 15 corpses. 42 injured have been evacuated to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.”
Bello, who said the mopping operation was continuing at press time, confirmed that the Army and other security agencies had been deployed in the area.
He added: “We are trying as much as possible to attend to those injured in the blast and all hands are on deck to save them.”
Another source, who gave an insight into the explosion, said: “We suspected that a neat Honda car was used for the dastardly act by the bomber.
He said some of them suffered high degree of burns as a result of the impact of the explosion.
He said: “The attack was targeted at a period the first set of worshippers was leaving. Most of them were caught unawares as they were exchanging pleasantries.
“The security was tight at the church but the suicide bomber defied the barricades to wreak havoc. Expectedly, the suicide bomber died alongside some security guards and other volunteers in the church premises.
“The death toll could be higher than 15 given by SEMA. Most people are still looking for their relations.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), through its spokesman Yushau Shuaib, said: “NEMA has confirmed an explosion in Yelwa Tudu community in Bauchi State . Since NEMA does not have an office in the state, it mobilises response agencies to the scene for rescue and intervention.”
A security source said: “Given the religious configuration of Bauchi, we have so far beefed up security in the area because of likely reprisal attacks
“Anti-bomb experts have also been deployed in the scene of the blast for preliminary investigation.”
Recounting the incident in an interview with NAN, a Living Faith Church pastor, Mr. Johnson Elogu, said the suicide bomber forced his car into a group of worshippers. 
He said: “At about 9.20 in the morning when those who attended the first service came out of the church, we heard a blast that shook the entire church building. 
“People started running helter-skelter for their lives. I managed to come out only to discover that it was a case of suicide bombing. 
“Several persons died while others were seriously injured and had been taken to the hospital.’’
The pastor stated that the casualty figure was yet to be ascertained, but that the corpses were taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, alongside the injured. 
Sources at the hospital’s morgue who requested anonymity confirmed that corpses were deposited at the facility from the explosion site but did not state the figure. 
A Red Cross official, who spoke at the teaching Hospital mortuary, said: “We have moved in 16 corpses. And from what I have seen so far, there are about 40 others with various degrees of injuries. You can confirm from my colleagues from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC),who have being helping in bringing out the bodies’’
About 40 others, with various degrees of injuries were being treated and given beds in the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.
Harvest Field Church is 25 meters away from the Living Faith Church, which, according to the Police, was the main target of the suicide bomber
Bauchi Police Commissioner Mohammed Ladan told reporters that nine people so far have been confirmed dead and 27 are presently receiving treatment at the ATBUTH.
Ladan said: “On June 2, 2012, sustained joint internal security intelligence revealed that there will be multiple attacks on churches within Bauchi metropolis. And it was based on the intelligence reports that security personnel were deployed in likely targets. The Living Faith Church in Yelwa was among then.”
The police chief explained that “the suicide bomber, who came in a Honda Civic car attempted to force his way in through the iron barricade at the entrance of the Church. In the process, the bomber detonated his explosive at the barrier opposite Harvest Field Church.
Ladan said an Improvised Explosive Divice(IED) that was to be detonated, was intercepted near Dass Motor Park and defused by the Police.
Among the dead was a policeman while a soldier was said to be seriously injured.
An eye-witness, Miss Grace Luka said: “I worship at the Living Faith, and I went for the First Service and was about to come out when I saw the car followed by a Sienna. Then suddenly, there was a loud explosion, followed by a ball of fire and smoke.
“Others that I saw dead on the spot included: one NSCDC official, a policeman, and a boy born to a muslim family, but he worshipped with us at the Living Faith Church”
The police chief told reporters: “We have security personnel who mounted road block which the suicide bomber didn’t reach where he intended to go, because he was stopped by our men who denied him free entrance and he hit a security gate and the bomb exploded and killed the suicide bomber instantly.”
An eye witness said: “After the explosion, there was fire and the explosives destroyed part of the Living Faith Church building,cars and other buildings also got damaged.”
The Pastor of Harvest Church, Mbamingo  Godia, asked Christians not to take retaliatory measures in any way, but pray to God for peace.

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Pirates attack Greek oil tanker off Nigeria

By Agency Reporter 

 

 A military helicopter patrolling the Gulf of Arden. Photo: IMB

Pirates attacked a Greek-owned oil tanker off Nigeria Friday but failed to hijack the ship after the crew hid in a safe room, the International Maritime Bureau said.
The tanker was anchored off Lagos when armed pirates boarded early on Friday, said Noel Choong, head of the IMB's piracy reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur.
The 23 crew onboard managed to lock themselves into a safe room and sent out a distress call that was received by the IMB, which in turn alerted the Nigerian navy and other warships patrolling the area, Choong said.
Safe rooms are increasingly used by shipping firms to protect crews and thwart pirate attacks.
Choong said the pirates, likely aiming to steal the ship's cargo, abandoned their plan as they could not enter the safe room and urged crews of other ships off West Africa to be vigilant.
"The area remains risky. We urge all ships to maintain strict anti-piracy watches," he told AFP news agency.

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Kidnapped American regains freedom

By Agency Reporter

Security agents in Benin have freed a United States citizen lured to the West African state last week by criminals he met on the internet, the country’s interior ministry said.
"The kidnappers are in the hands of the police," spokesman Frank Kinninvo said, adding that the U.S. national had been found in the Mono region of southwest Benin.
A security source said the man had travelled to Benin to meet a group of people from Benin and neighbouring Nigeria.
He was abducted and then forced to contact his family to ask for a ransom payment, the source in Benin said, adding that there were no apparent links to Islamist groups or pirates who operate in the region.
Reuters says kidnappings of foreigners are rare in Benin, a French-speaking country of about nine million people, but there have been several abductions in Nigeria this year.
There have also been a number of cases of foreigners being kidnapped in West Africa after making contacts on the internet over the past two years.

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Renaming of institution:UNILAG students, police clash

By Agency Reporter

 
Dozens of UNILAG students on Wednesday seized a BRT bus on Third Mainland bridge, Lagos, to protest the renaming of their school. Photo: Getty Images

Police in Lagos used tear gas on Friday to disperse angry university students protesting President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to change the name of their school.
The Associated Press reports that the protest began peacefully at the University of Lagos. But students then surrounded an armored police truck and beat on it.
Police fired tear gas and hundreds of students responded with a barrage of thrown stones.
President Jonathan on Tuesday renamed UNILAG to Moshood Abiola University in honor of the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O Abiola, who died in prison over a decade ago.
The president said the name change would honour Abiola's "heroism."
He also announced that government would establish an institute of democratic studies in the renamed university.
For many students, however, this is an unfair trade-off. They argued that the government has perennially neglected the university which has overcrowded classrooms and ill-equipped laboratories.
The university senate declared a sudden two-week holiday on Wednesday but many students remain in the university's dormitories, from where they continue to organise protests.

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Explosion rocks Port Harcourt

By Agency Reporter 

 

The charred remains of an 18-passenger Toyota Hiace bus,at the scene of the blast at Rumuokoro Roundabout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday. Photo: Bisi Olaniyi.

An explosion rocked an area of the Nigerian oil hub city of Port Harcourt on Thursday, a military spokesman said, but the cause and extent of damage remained unclear.
"There was actually an explosion around Rumuokoro area of Port Harcourt," Lieutenant Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu said of the city in southern Nigeria that is home to a number of oil firm offices.
"The details are still sketchy. A number of operatives have been dispatched to that area," which includes a bus station, he said.
A spokeswoman for the government in Rivers State, where Port Harcourt is located, also confirmed the explosion but could provide no further details.
AFP news agency reported that Nigeria's north has been hit by scores of bomb blasts blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram, but the country's south has so far not been hit by such attacks.
Prior to a 2009 amnesty deal, the crude-producing Niger Delta region, where Port Harcourt is a major city, was hit by unrest by militants claiming to be fighting for a fairer distribution of oil revenue.
The amnesty, however, led to a sharp decline in the unrest, which mainly targeted the oil industry.

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Jonathan Declares Air Expo Open

The Air Expo is an international event organized to exhibit Nigeria Air Force capabilities.

The event, which was held to also commemorate the 48th anniversary of the commencement Air Force operation in Nigeria, was held under a very tight security with soldiers, police and other security personnel drafted to all roads to ensure there was no attack by the Boko Haram sect that had in the past targeted military and security formations in the country.
Delivering his speech at the event Jonathan said in spite of the inability of the Federal Government to contain the dreaded Boko Haram insurgence ravaging the north, he assured of the readiness and commitment of his administration to ensure security as well as maintain law and order in country.
While accepting that the country is presently facing a serious security challenge, he promised it would soon be history as efforts have intensified to tackle the challenge.
The President commended the Air force and other military formations for their roles and efforts to provide security at what he termed “this trying period”.
After declaring the event open, the president together with Kaduna Governor, Patrick Yakowa, Emir of Zazzau and other dignitaries inspected the newly acquired fighter jets, aircraft and other weapons of war.
Men of the Airforce displayed their skills and Airforce capabilities to protect the country against any form of external aggression

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How our office was bombed, by The Sun

By Our Reporter

The Sun, in a statement last night by its Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Tony Onyima, said: “At about 11.30 am today, Thursday, April 26, 2012, an explosion occurred at the premises of our North West Zonal headquarters in Kaduna, Kaduna State.

“The property located along Kontagora Road equally houses the state offices of two other media organisations, namely THISDAY newspaper and The Moment newspaper.

“The explosion occurred when a suspected suicide bomber, driving a gold colour Honda Academy, with registration number AL 306 MKA rammed into the building.

“However, the bomb-laden vehicle failed to explode on impact with the building. But when the driver of the car jumped out and began to shout that there were bombs inside the vehicle and that they would explode any moment, angry residents and onlookers seized him and forced him to begin to dispose of the bombs. In the process, one of them exploded, killing three people and injuring several others. 

“The angry youths then turned on the driver, and would have lynched him, but for the timely intervention of the policemen who had by then been invited to the scene by our North West Bureau Chief.

“Although there were casualties, no staff of The Sun died or suffered any physical injury. 

“The police and other security agencies have since moved in to investigate the matter. The security operatives have also taken custody of the driver and suspected suicide bomber.

“Despite this seeming set back, The Sun Publishing Limited, remains undeterred and refuses to be intimidated in its quest for a better and safer Nigeria. We will continue to report without fear or favour and with utmost sense of responsibility and patriotism.”

Suicide bombers kill eight in attacks on media houses

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli, Sanni Onogu and Gbenga Adanikin, Abuja

 

•One of the victims, a 12-year-old boy at the National Hospital…yesterday

The media yesterday got a taste of the violence in some parts of Nigeria. Eight people died and 14 others were injured in a suicide bomb explosion at THISDAY office in Abuja and Kaduna where a building housing the newspaper as well as The Sun and Moments was attacked. 
In the accident, three people died and two were injured. A suspect was arrested.
The bomber was among the casualties of the Kaduna incident. 
The bombing also destroyed 10 vehicles and left the Press Hall badly damaged. 
The once beautiful edifice became a shadow of itself  - shattered windows, broken walls and shredded copies of part of today’s edition.
The imposing gate leading to the devastated Press Hall that houses the company’s Goss Community printing machine was destroyed. 
The staff gate was severely damaged and partly burnt. The generator beside the gate was burnt. A part of the fence by the gate collapsed, felling a tree. 
The wreckage of the suicide bomb vehicle was buried inside the devastated Press Hall. Policemen and aid workers were battling to retrieve it. 
The newsroom was in tatters – upturned tables, smashed seats and crushed computers. 
 All the glasses in the building, including doors, were shattered. Parts of the roof were blown off with no ceiling left hanging. 
The premises was strewn with pieces of shrapnel from the bomb laden vehicle and broken glasses. 
A crater, which must have resulted from the impact of the blast, was seen about two meters from where the SUV was lodged. Parts of the wall of the building from where the car entered the premises caved in. 
The huge loss drew tears from many workers and sympathisers. For about six hours, business was brought to a halt at Jabi Motor Park , the bustling transit station opposite the THISDAY office.
Islamist sect Boko Haram last night claimed respionsibility for the bombings. It threatened to target other journalists. 
In a statement published by the Premium Times website, a spokesman for Boko Haram said the sect would attack media again over what the group felt was inaccurate coverage. 
The sect is blamed for killing more than 440 people this year alone in its growing sectarian fight against the government.
“This is a war between us and the government of Nigeria,” the website quoted a sect spokesman as saying. “Unfortunately the media have not been objective and fair in their report of the ongoing war. They chose to take sides.”
A journalist with long-standing ties to the sect told the AP that the statement came from the group. The journalist spoke on condition of anonymity over concerns about his safety.
The sect’s spokesman particularly blamed ThisDay for publishing stories the group found inaccurate. 
A probe of the incident has started, with two foreign bomb experts visiting the scene in an unmarked Ford Expedition Sport Utility Vehicle. 
Some samples of the wreckage were retrieved for forensic analysis. 
A source spoke of how the lone suicide bomber, who drove an SUV, entered the premises in Jabi District through the back gate (a.ka. Staff Gate). 
There were indications that the suicide bomber pretended to have come for business transactions to beat the security guards on duty. 
None of the two security guards, who opened the gate for him, lived to tell the story. 
But as soon as the bomber passed through the brick wall, he stepped on the accelerator, sending the vehicle into a furious race and ramming into the Press Hall. 
There was an explosion, the impact of which shattered the newsroom and shook all the adjoining buildings, including a four-storey structure under construction and a shopping complex. 
An official of the newspaper, who pleaded for anonymity said: “The black SUV was allowed entry, unsuspectingly and suddenly it accelerated towards the Press Hall, instead of going to the parking lot. 
“I was going towards the Press Hall when suddenly I heard a loud explosion, which made me to stagger here and there. 
“Before I could regain consciousness, the Press Hall was already in flame and about 10 vehicles parked within the premises had been damaged.”
Another eye-witness, Mr. Bulus Momoh, who was in transit from Adamawa to Abuja , said no one opened the gate for the SUV. 
He said: “When I was coming to deposit my money into a micro-finance bank, I saw a black jeep parked beside the THISDAY office. 
“My instinct was telling me that something was about to happen. So, as I stepped into the bank and came out, I saw the jeep rushing in, though the gate was locked; he used speed to get inside by force before it exploded. Then we began to call people around.” 
The Deputy Head of Disaster Management, Nigerian Red Cross, National Headquarters, Mr. Adeyemo Andronicus, said: “We have taken stock of the situation. I can confirm to you that four people died, including the suicide bomber, and seven were injured. 
“Two minutes after the blast, we received a distress call at our national headquarters. So, we moved in and Red Cross deployed its official team down here. We picked the four dead persons, including the suicide bomber himself. He rammed into the complex with a vehicle. 
“From the way we retrieved the body of the suicide bomber, he was about escaping from the door when the bomb went off. 
“Another dead person at the entrance, then the third person at the newspaper house junk area, the fourth person at the back. Then, one person got injured. All the bodies have been taken to the National Hospital.
“You can see about 10 vehicles were damaged. The adjacent buildings surrounding THISDAY were also affected.” 
Chairman of THISDAY Editorial Board Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi said: “Two hours ago and two of the security men died. The suicide bomber, of course, died and then five of our support staff were injured. They have been taken to the hospital. 
“You can see that the front gate has been locked. The gate at the back was also locked and security men were there. The suicide bomber came in a jeep. They opened for him, but we cannot find out why they opened the gate for him now because they are dead. The guy entered with the vehicle, then rammed the vehicle into the building and it exploded. 
“This is a newspaper house, we’d just printed and there were a lot of support staff and advert executives in the newsroom. 
“Fortunately, the newsroom is a bit far from the back. So, all the people that were in the newsroom, especially the advert people, were safe.” 
Asked if the newspaper got any security report on a likely attack on its premises, Adeniyi said:  “I don’t know about security report. I mean we are all in the media, we know there are threats against the media generally. There are some instances of warnings, but I think we will get into all that later. 
“I don’t believe in speculations. The security men are here, they will get to the root of the matter. It has been confirmed that there is an attack on our office in Kaduna .” 
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderenle Shinaba , said: “It is too early to tell you the exact number of casualty now, but all I can tell you is that our main purpose of being here is to save lives and be on a rescue mission and that we have been able to do. 
“I want to say that there are some injured people that have been taken to hospitals and that is the much I can say as regards the casualty. 
“In a situation like this, all you need do first is not to count the number of people that are injured; it is to take the injured to the hospital to save their lives first and that is what we have done. 
“At the end of the day, once we have stabilised this place, we will be able to go and get the exact number of casualties. We have our men in the hospitals and they said the ones they have taken to the hospitals are being attended to and they are responding to treatment. 
“If I tell you the number I have, I don’t know the number other sister agencies have. So, I am not in a position to give something that you will come to discover that it is not correct.” 
The Acting Sector Commandant, Federal Capital Territory , Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Ajayi Michael, said: “It’s unfortunate that it has happened but we are trying to see that people who are rescued are taken  to the hospital and those who have passed away taken to the morgue so that people do not further get into injury. 
“We are still working because we can not just give out a number now.” 
The Managing Director of Save Life Foundation, Dr. Adesola Fernadez, who spoke with reporters, said the casualty figure was higher than given. 
As at press time, FCT Police Commissioner, the FCT Director of SSS, Mr. Joseph Okojie, and top security officers were co-ordinating investigation into the incident. 
At about 1.15pm, one of the two foreign experts inspected the scene of the blast before going back to the SUV. 
The two experts later invited the FCT Police Commissioner into the SUV. 
Barely a few hours after the blast, many eminent Nigerians and media chiefs visited the scene. 
Early callers at THISDAY office were  former FCT  Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai;  ex-Ogun Governor Gbenga Daniel; Media Trust Limited, Managing Director Mr. Isiaq Ajibola; LEADERSHIP Newspaper Group Managing Director Azubuike Ishiekwene; Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National President, Mohammed Garba and FCT Minister Bala Mohammed.
Garba said: “I think I am here basically to sympathise with my colleagues. It is really unfortunate that such incident is happening to the media. 
“This has further confirmed our fear that journalists are not safe; media houses are not safe. There is need for the security agencies to be more proactive. 
“The owners of the media must intensify security in their premises. Our members, as journalists, must also be security conscious. 
“The Nigeria Union of Journalists is assessing the situation and at the end of it all, we are going to address a press conference and then our position will be known. 
“It is the same incident in Kaduna, which affected about three media houses. I have asked the chairman of the Kaduna State council of the NUJ to write a formal report to the NUJ secretariat. With what happened today in THISDAY and what happened in Kaduna, the NUJ will analyse the situation and come out with our position very early tomorrow morning.” 
el- Rufai said: “It is quite unfortunate. May the souls of those affected rest in peace.”
Daniel said: “I have seen what happened. It is regrettable and the only thing we can do is to plead with the people behind this action, for the sake of our country. Now that a media house is being torched, it has even greater consequences.”

Suspect held as bomb kills three in Kaduna

By The Nation: Tony Akowe, Kaduna 

 

 •The scene of the Kaduna explosions, with the bomber’s car still on fire...yesterday

A twin bomb explosion rocked Kaduna yesterday. One was targeted at a plaza housing the offices of three media houses.

Three people were killed in the 11:30a.m. attack on the media offices, which are on Kontagora Road in the heart of the North’s political capital.

The suicide bomber drove a Honda Academy car with registration number Al 306 MKA into the SOJ Plaza housing ThisDay, The Sun and The Moment. When the car failed to explode, he reportedly jumped out, shouting “bomb, bomb, bomb”!

Other newspaper offices around the vicinity, located a few metres away from the scene of the explosion, include The Nation, Peoples Daily, Sunlight (owned by the Taraba State Government), Daily Independent and the circulation office of Leadership.

Business premises within the area were immediately closed down as police cordoned off the scene. But they could not move into the building as angry youths threatened to burn down the building, which was the prime target of the attacker.

The youths took over the roads. The army and the police had a hectic time controlling the crowd. They resorted to firing into the air and flogging the youths before they could make way for the fire fighting vehicles to move into the building to put out the fire on the car.

The youths, who were apparently angry with the security men for not allowing them to lynch the suspected bomber, set fire to the car. Some of them threw stones at the building, breaking glasses.

The police teargassed the surging crowd of youths, who started confronting the security agents on Ahmadu Bello Way, forcing reporters and security personnel to disperse. Security agents made efforts to remove the vehicle from the premises. 

It was learnt that 11 camp cylinders neatly wired together and connected to the steering of the Honda Academy car were found inside the vehicle when the police came to remove it from the premises.

It was gathered that when the vehicle rammed into the building and failed to explode, those who rushed in to help, thinking it was an accident, found three of the cylinders on the front seat of the car and promptly raised the alarm.

They forced the suspect out of the vehicle, ordering him to remove the bomb. He reportedly said in Hausa that if he removed it, it would explode.

He was forced to remove the bomb, which was apparently meant to ignite the cylinders and bring down the two storey building. He threw the bomb outside the building where it exploded, killing three people on the spot.

There were, however, two other minor explosions between 12.10 and 12.30 from the vehicle.

Ismail Omipidan, Head of Bureau of The Sun gave an account of the incident which also affected his office. He said: “I was driving to the office. Normally, I come through Katsina Road  and enter the office through the back. But today, I just decided that I should pack my car along Ahmadu Bello Way.

“I was actually travelling out of town. When I came to the office, I saw a young man being beaten, and I saw my circulation man calling me. I also saw my landlord.  

“ When I asked why they were beating him, I was told that the suspected bomber drove a Honda car into the premises, came out of the car and was shouting that a bomb would explode any moment, and the people held him and told him to go and remove the bomb. 

“It was at this point that I called the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Aminu Lawan. I took a motorcycle to Magaji Garin Police Station. I told the police that people were beating up a young man close to my office, who is suspected to be a bomb carrier, and that they should go there on time. 

“As I was coming with the police to the scene, the man was forced by the people to remove one of the bombs from the car, and as soon as he removed it, he threw it on the ground and it exploded immediately and three people died on the spot.

At that moment, the bomber disappeared. People started looking for him. 

“Some people went into the building through the back door and they were able to get him. The police came and took him away. When police took him away, some youths started stoning the office.  

“Out of anger, one of them decided to set the car ablaze. 

“While the car was burning, we saw two gas cylinders, and by the time we moved away from there, one of the cylinders exploded.”

A Circulation Clerk with ThisDay, Monday Emmanuel, who was in the office at the time of the incident, said that the bomber parked the car, ran out and started shouting that the car would explode.

“It was around 11:00am when Shehu ran up to tell us that we should run. He said there was bomb within the premises and we should run. We initially thought he was joking, but we noticed that he was dead serious.  We ran for dear lives. We left the premises before the bomb finally exploded.”

Commissioner of Police Mohammed Abubakar Jingiri, who visited the scene at about 12.35 pm, described the incident as “unfortunate”.

He praised the public for their vigilance and prompt response that helped the police arrest the prime suspect.

He said: “It is rather an unfortunate incident and we will want to first appreciate members of the public for their vigilance and for their prompt action. It was their vigilance and prompt action that really helped the situation and helped us get the principal suspect that is now with us, receiving treatment at the Police Clinic. 

“I want to appreciate the members of the public and I want to call on them to continue to be vigilant in order to help the situation. 

“We have commenced interrogation and from what we have got so far, he is a stranger from another state. I will not tell you the state. The situation is under control and you can see that we have pumped in a lot of security and the area has been cordoned off and you can see the Fire Service are busy working to put out the fire. 

“So, we thank God Almighty for His blessings and wisdom and, also, appreciate the prompt attention of members of the press. I cannot precisely confirm to you that media houses are the prime target. What I can tell you is that for these dangerous elements, everybody is a target. The devastation is moderate. It is not as high as that of the Easter Sunday blast.”

There was another explosion in Ungwan Muazu in the Kaduna metropolis. Two people injured, The Nation learnt.

Although details of the explosion were sketchy last night, but sources said it came few hours after the explosion at the SOJ Building.

Police spokesman Aminu Lawan confirmed the blast. He declined comments.