DAILY SUN
CBN gov can sack bank CEOs, A’ Court rules
By FAITH OMORUYI
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos yesterday confirmed the power of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi, to hire and fire bank directors.
Delivering its judgment on an appeal filed by some bank shareholders, the court upheld the judgment of the lower court which was delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos and awarded N30, 000 cost against the shareholders.
In the judgment read by Justice Inyang Okoro, only the introductory and concluding part of the judgment were read but grounds for the judgment were not given as the court stated that the full part of the judgment was not ready as at the time of delivery.
One of the Justices of the Appeal Court, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa explained that the non-readiness of the full judgment was because of ‘printer’s devil’ as some typographical errors were discovered.
Justice Idris had held in his judgment on a suit filed by some aggrieved shareholders of Union Bank that the CBN governor had power under Sections 33 and 35 of the Banks and Other Financial institutions Act (BOFIA) to hire and fire directors of any bank found to be in grave situation.
The shareholders, Danson Izedonmwen and Edith Izedonmwen, had through their lawyer, Chuks Nnachukwu appealed against the judgment, saying that Justice Idris failed to take cognizance of the dangers inherent in allowing the CBN governor, as a single individual, to take over people’s investment and to have the power to take over any bank at will by sacking and replacing its management with his appointees, who are answerable to him.
The appellants, had in their notice of appeal, stated that apart from the dangers of conflicting interest of some individuals who might want to use the CBN governor to take over targeted banks, such power to hire and fire bank directors would also put the CBN governor in a position of operator and regulator, more so that the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC) had been empowered under the law to take over failing bank and to protect public interest.
In the suit, which they filed before the Federal High Court, the appellants challenged Sanusi’s removal of all the executive directors of Union Bank and their subsequent replacement with Funke Osibodu and others.
They had also urged Justice Idris to stop Osibodu and her colleagues from presiding over the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank scheduled for December 15, last year, and an order nullifying any decision from the said AGM.
In the appeal, the shareholders stated that Justice Idris committed grave miscarriage of justice when he held that the word ‘or’ in Section 35 (2) (d) of BOFIA should be read as ‘and’, which in turn empowered the CBN governor to remove bank directors and replace them with his appointees.
They argued that the word ‘or’ was a disjunctive article creating an alternative between removing a director and appointing new directors, saying that the provisions of the section was intended to prevent a situation of total hijack of the management of a bank by the CBN governor.
The proper interpretation of the law when the CBN governor decided to remove any bank director, according to them, was that the shareholders of such bank would have the power and mandate to appoint a replacement for the removed directors.
Senator behind Boko Haram –Suspect
•Arrested sect’s spokesman accuses politicians too
From UBONG UKPONG, Abuja
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
An acclaimed Islamic fundamentalist, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, currently detained by the State Security Service (SSS), said yesterday that a certain Senator and some politicians in the North are behind Boko Haram.
The alleged sect’s spokesman was paraded by the SSS in Abuja. He said that he was named Usman Al-Zawahiri to conceal his identity for security reasons.
The Islamist sect had claimed responsibility for the bombing of the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja which killed 24 people and injured several staffers of the world body. It also claimed that it had a hand in last Sallah (Eid-el-kabir)terror attacks on Yobe State which claimed over 150 lives.
In his confession, Konduga said that he was a student under the late leader of Boko Haram, the late Mohammed Yusuf, averring that they were political thugs, recruited by some northern politicians, and that they were faring well before things fell apart between them and they resorted to attacking the state.
Alleging also that the sect was enjoying great sponsorship and patronage from these politicians, the alleged spokesman of the sect who, said that he was recently suspended by the Islamic terror group, which suspected him of giving information to security agencies, disclosed that the sect now has three official spokespersons, Abu Kaka, Abu Darda and Abu Zaid.
However, in her address, the Deputy Director, Press of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, who told correspondents that security agencies never enjoyed any privileged information from Konduga before his arrest, said that he was picked up on November 3, at about 2030 hours at Gwange area of Maiduguri, Borno State, by a joint security operation.
Stating that he had made several revealing confessions, Ogar, who said that Konduga also confessed to being a former political thug operating under a group widely known as ECOMOG, said that his arrest, “further confirms the Service’s position that some of the Boko Haram extremists have political patronage and sponsorship. This is more as Al-Zawahiri has so far made valuable confessions in this regard.”
Ogar further said that Konduga confessed that, “he was recruited by a political party stalwart in Maiduguri, Borno State, that following the compulsory registration of all SIMs nationwide, he was asked to steal a SIM which he used in sending threat text messages.
“That the pseudo name, Usman Al-Zawahiri, was given to him by the said politician to portray him as an extremist as well as conceal his true identity.
“That one of his benefactors promised to pay him N10 million to work for his party, but by stint of fate, he sponsor died on his way to deliver the part payment of N5 million to Al-Zawahiri.
“That consequent upon this, suspect claimed a serving member of the National Assembly took over the running of his activities.
“That he (Senator) was behind the threat text messages sent to the justice of the Election Petition Tribunal in Maiduguri. His objective was to ensure that the tribunal sacks the present government in Borno State.
“That he was also behind other threat messages sent to Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Governor Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Ambassador Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Justice Sabo Adamu (Chairman of the Election Petition Tribunal in Borno State).
“That most of the threat messages he sent to Justice Adamu, were scripted and relayed to him by the National Assembly member.
“That the same legislator promised to send him some telephone numbers of members of the Galtimari Committee on Security in the North-East, before he (Al-Zawahiri) was apprehended.
“That the telephone number and content of the text messages sent to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice were also given to him by the legislator to compel him (AGF) to influence the judgment of the tribunal against the government in Borno State.”
Meanwhile, Ogar said that analysis on Al-Zawahiri’s phone had confirmed constant communication between him and the legislator.
Thus, she reiterated the Service’s commitment to address the current threats posed by the Boko Haram and other forms of fundamentalism in the country, including the dimensions of political patronage and sponsorship of extremist and violent groups.
It would be recalled that security agencies had fingered some Northern lawmakers as being behind the terror group. They described their alleged conspiracy as sabotage as carried by Daily Sun in our yesterday’s edition.
Bayelsa guber primary: Don’t be intimidated, Jonathan tells PDP
•Sylva knows his sins, Baraje insists
From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
President Goodluck Jonathan urged the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to succumb to intimidation.
Speaking when the PDP acting chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje led some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to felicitate with him on his 54th birthday, the President commended them for toeing the path of due process, also expressing optimism that the ruling party would take the country to greater height.
“I commend the party, continue to follow due process, don’t be intimidated by anybody as long as you are on the right course. And I believe PDP will lead the country to where Nigerians want it to be.
“I want to use this opportunity to commend you for what you have been doing. It is a phase in Nigerian history, this government will be like transitional phase in Nigerian history.
“It is always difficult for people to appreciate things. I notice that in Nigeria’s political environment, people feel that a leader of the party must always influence the decision of the party. So, influencing the decision of the party now becomes a norm”, the President said.
Jonathan promised to continue his transformation agenda in all sectors, especially agriculture, saying the country must not continue to depend on imported foods.
According to him, “Nigeria must have a robust economy where our young men will have jobs, our health facilities should work, our institutions should function and our roads should be saved, that is the aspiration of the PDP government. Nigeria with a population of about 167 million people must not depend on imported foods, we will all crash. We must re-engineer the agriculture sector.”
Prior to presenting birthday card and a letter, Baraje had commended the President for instituting the culture of non-interference in party matters as well as promoting the principle of separation of power.
“Our party and indeed most Nigerians are proud of you for introducing the culture of non interference in the activities of party and the affairs of the other arms of government.
“Your amiable transformation agenda raised a lot of hope for the common man in Nigeria. As you achieved 54 years on earth, it is our believe that the older you become, the more you excel. The good people of Nigeria appreciate you”.
Bareja, while fielding questions from State House correspondents shortly after the presentation, insisted the embattled Governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva had been informed why he was not cleared for last Saturday’s gubernatorial primary, challenging him to make the reasons public.
Governor Sylva alongside three others were not cleared by the PDP Screening Committee to participate in the November 19, 2011 gubernatorial primary in Bayelsa.
In spite of the motion on notice issued by an Abuja High Court, the PDP went ahead to conduct the primary, which produced Mr. Seriake Dickson as its flag bearer.
Baraje, posited that the party reserved the right to field any candidate to fly its flag at the February, 2012 governorship election in the state.
“It is an internal affairs of the party. If the governor wants to make it public, he can make it public. If he is saying the party has not told him what he has done, it means he doesn’t want to make it public and the party is not interested in making it public.
“All I know is that in accordance with the law, the party has the right to present whoever is convenient to the party and that is what we have done”.
The PDP acting chairman also argued that the party did not flout court order, saying that what they received was a motion on notice and not an injunction.
“There was no injunction, what the party had was a motion on notice, it was not an order to stop anything. It was a motion on notice asking the party why certain prayers in that court papers should not be granted by the court and that we should show reasons.
“We were able to show reasons why we should go ahead. It was not an injunction, it was not an order, it was not anything stopping our party, we are a due process party, if the order had come and say stop, we will stop but that order was not to stop us”, he explained.
Asked to comment on the Bayelsa primary, the ruling party chairman after initial hesitation described the primary as very transparent, free and fair.
According to him, “if I describe it, you will say because am the Acting Chairman of the party. Why don’t you ask Bayelsa people, why don’t you ask our people in Bayelsa? But if you want my comment, it is one of the elections that is the freest for our members.
“It was covered live by NTA under the glaring eyes of the media. I told the pubic that during this period all the elections we shall be doing will be transparent, will be under the watchful eyes of the media and that was what we did.”
He also ruled out the possibility of the controversy surrounding the primary affecting the party in future, saying “we have our processes and you must go through such processes before you can go to court.
“If you rush to court and it negates our constitutional provisions, then we will go to court, we will answer whatever you call us for but we will subject you again to the provisions of our constitution.”
Emordi quits Enyimba
•Anyansi down plays resignation
By JOE APU and KALU MADUABUCHI
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Enyimba Coach, Okey Emordi, has quit the Aba-based side, citing personal reasons for his decision. The experienced handler, who made a return to the Club in 2009, five years after he led the Aba club to successfully defend the CAF Champions League trophy the club first won in 2003, threw in the towel Monday in what many observers described as a shock decision.
According to him, he has to move on and has no problems with the management of the club or anyone as may be insinuated by the public. “I disengaged myself from the services of Enyimba and the reasons for doing so are purely personal. I have no problem with anyone in Enyimba and my decision to disengage myself is to enable me take care of some personal issues that require my attention.”
Enyimba Chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu, who confirmed Emordi’s resignation to Daily Sunsports said it was no big deal, adding that the club is already in the process of replacing him.
“It’s true that Emordi has quit his position with Enyimba but in football, it’s no big deal. We’re already working towards a replacement and as I speak with you, the club is undergoing restructuring. We’re working towards making Enyimba the ideal club and we cannot allow the resignation of coach Emordi to trouble us.”
Emordi, who has also handled Bush Bucks in the Premier Soccer League in South Africa as well as Enugu Rangers, returned to the club in 2009 from his job as technical adviser to Heartland of Owerri.
He replaced Nigeria’s former coach, Austin Eguavoen, whose one-year contract with the Aba Elephants was not renewed after he reportedly asked Enyimba for a three-month break to allow him attend a coaching course in Europe.
ALEX Ibru: 1945-2011
For Ibru, showers of encomiums
…As eminent Nigerians extol Ibru’s virtues
By SEYE OJO, ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, JAMES OJO and PAUL OSUYI
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
They trooped to the expansive premises, all wearing a sober mien. But it wasn’t unexpected. They were at the house to pay their last respects to eminent businessman and publisher of The Guardian, Chief Alex Ibru, who passed on in Lagos on Sunday.
And the dignitaries came in their numbers. Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd); former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State and his wife, Abimbola, and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State were among eminent Nigerians who yesterday paid glowing tributes to the late publisher.
Former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, former Minister of Industry, Mrs. Nike Akande, former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and his wife, Derin; former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; former governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Deborah Adebisi-Sosan, were also at the Ikoyi residence of the deceased.
The list of callers also included the doyen of accounting profession, Mr. Akintola Williams, former vice presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Fola Adeola, former first lady of Lagos State, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Bashorun J.K. Randle, Chief Ladi Rotimi-Williams, Ambassador Akporode Clark, General Alani Akinrinade, Senator Ike Nwachukwu and National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Lai Mohammed and wife of the former Managing Director of the GTBank, Mrs. Funlola Aderinokun.
Widow of the deceased, Mrs. Maiden Ibru, elder brother to the deceased and former governor of Delta State, Senator Felix Ibru, and Oska Olorogun Ibru as well as other family members played host to people from all walks of life that came on condolence visit.
In a brief chat with newsmen, Governor Uduaghan said: “Well, it is for us, especially the younger ones to look at his life and see how we can pattern our lives in such a way that when we go as he has gone now, we will be celebrated.”
“What are the things about his life that many of us are copying? First of all, his humility and simplicity. He was a very industrious man. I think at the age of 21, he had started building his industry and, of course, the industries are all over the place. We must learn from him; his humility and managerial capacity, even till death.”
Many others who were not at the Ikoyi home of the deceased sent in condolence messages.
Former President, General Ibrahim Babangida, said he felt a deep sense of loss at his death. In a letter personally signed by him, Babangida said: “My heart was grief-stricken when I heard of the death of my good friend; Chief Alex Ibru, with whom I had over 40 years of close acquaintances. I was shocked because I never heard of any illness or health difficulties through my several telephone conversations with him. It was, therefore, agonising for me to learn of his sudden death. It hurts. It pains. It immediately brings forth nostalgic feelings of all our exchanges and interactions all through life. Alex was a simple man. His simplicity explains his philosophy of life and the way he engaged those who had opportunity to encounter him throughout his sojourn in life.
“I am aware that quite a number of people might not know the real Alex Ibru. He was one man, who believed strongly in the unity of Nigeria and was ready to sacrifice his all to sustain that ideal. He was always worried about those turbulent times when the country was faced with challenges. Despite his belief in the unity of the country, he remained a principled man in all his engagements. Way back in 1971 when we first had close encounter, his concern for the stability and oneness of the country after the grueling experience of the civil war, was statesmanlike. Outside the corridors of power, Alex was one Nigerian, who would offer the best plausible and selfless advice to anyone without any colouration of self interest. He was deep and knowledgeable on issues of governance and principles of human interaction. In a diverse cultural setting like Nigeria, a detribalised Nigerian like Alex is all you needed to live in peace and harmony.
“I personally feel a deep sense of loss at the death of this jolly good fellow and a dear friend, who knew the value of true friendship and was ready to go the whole length to sustain such relationship. Words alone cannot console the family he left behind but we must be thankful to the Most High that Alex lived a fulfilled life with several accomplishments recorded to his credit.”
Senate President, David Mark described Ibru’s passage as a very painful loss as “he gave voice to the voiceless” in Nigeria.
In a condolence message, Mark said the late Ibru was a distinguished captain of industries, who touched the lives of many Nigerians positively.
“His contributions to the political-economic and social development of the nation, especially in the media industry, are unequalled. He was a credible and reliable voice for the voiceless.”
The Senate President said the late Ibru was an astute businessman who provided a platform for employment opportunities, adding that, “he was a consistent and focused leader who showed the light for others to follow.”
In his own tribute, Mark’s deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, described Ibru’s death as “sad and grievous” for Nigeria’s media industry.
Senator Ekweremadu described the late Ibru as “a complete gentleman and patriot, who gave his best to Nigeria. He added: “His exit represented the exit of a media colossus, premium entrepreneur, philanthropist and an ecumenist.”
He noted that among other things, “The Guardian newspapers, which has remained a bastion of democracy and good governance in professionalism, integrity, responsibility and high ethical standards in the Nigerian media industry, remains not just one of Chief Ibru’s best legacies to the nation but a reflection of the quality of his character as a person.”
Former Senate spokesman and Works Committee Chairman, Senator Ayogu Eze, also described Ibru’s death as “a major loss to Nigeria and especially to the media community where he blazed a new trail in modern journalism practice in Nigeria.
“The Guardian, one of the newspapers from his stable and the acclaimed flagship of the Nigerian media industry, helped crusade for professionalism in Nigeria at a time when ineptitude and corruption hall-marked journalism practice in the country. His vast media empire employed many Nigerians,” Eze said.
Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday lamented the demise of the publisher, describing the death as big loss to the noble profession of journalism.
In a condolence massage from his office, Tambuwal said the late publisher was an accomplished entrepreneur and outstanding media giant, who contributed immensely to the growth and development of mass media in Nigeria.
Expressing deep sorrow over the death of Alex Ibru on Sunday in a Lagos hospital, the speaker said the country would surely miss the one-time minister of Internal Affairs
“We have indeed lost one of the shining lights of the media industry. I wish to, on behalf of the Seventh House of Representatives, offer our heartfelt condolences to the Ibru family as well as the management and staff of The Guardian Newspaper over this sad loss.”
Former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, described the late Ibru as a man, who found peace with his maker even before death came.
“Ibru was close to God because only the Almighty could explain how he survived the much hyped assassination attempt in 1996. It was a miracle, which does not happen so often. I am sure that Heaven should be celebrating a newcomer now,” Kalu said.
He also condoled with the Ibru family on the death of a great member, who was the rallying point of their younger generation.
“The Senior Ibrus have lost a dear brother. The younger Ibrus will miss a wonderful uncle, who looked more like a friend. The Guardian family has lost an Admiral of the Flagship,” Kalu added.
Former vice president Atiku Abubakar described the late Ibru as a unique and quintessential newspaper proprietor, whose standard towered above many.
According to Atiku, the late publisher gave Nigerians a qualitative newspaper, which earned it the respect of all.
“Building and sustaining The Guardian as a formidable newspaper that speaks truth to power at all times is a rare feat in Africa where dictatorships still hold sway, despite the practice of democratic rule,” Atiku added.
He condoled with the Ibru family, Government and people of Delta State, the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and the management and staff of The Guardian over the tragedy.
Similarly, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State described the passage of Chief Alex Ibru as a huge loss. He said it came at a time when the country needed the experience and guidance of patriots of his standing to find a way through her daunting socio-economic challenges.
Chime said the late Ibru was an exemplary leader whose contributions to national development and the growth of journalsim in Nigeria could only be described as massive.
Chime also noted that Ibru fought doggedly for the restoration of democracy in the country, a cause that almost cost him his life, adding that he had left a trace of excellence in all he had endeavoured to do.
The governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, also described Ibru’s death as shocking.
He said the late Ibru had, through the establishment of The Guardian in 1983, contributed to the enthronement of a free society in Nigeria, noting that the paper had not relented or wavered in its propagation of truth, justice and equality as the basis for the attainment and sustenance of a truly democratic society.
According to Senator Amosun: “The media industry in Nigeria will truly miss a man of principle who, at the height of dictatorship, refused to interfere with the editorial content of the paper or allowed it to become a tool of propaganda and oppression. These ideals have placed Chief Alex Ibru in the pantheon of great publishers.”
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) described Ibru’s death as the exit of a titan, calling his demise a great loss.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by its spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said through his Trinity Foundation and newspaper, The Guardian, as well as his stint in government, the late Chief Ibru touched lives in many positive way s and helped to strengthen freedom and democracy.
“His exemplary life of selfless service and entrepreneurship, lived with uncommon humility and absolute faith in God, is worthy of emulation by all, especially at a time of rising self-centredness and sheer greed in our society,’’ it said.
ACN also recalled Ibru’s rare attribute of living life without bitterness, even after he was shot in what was generally believed to be an assassination attempt.
It said one of the best tributes that could be paid to the memory of the late Chief Ibru is for his foundation and his newspaper to continue to work hard to maintain and protect his legacy.
Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, also commiserated with the Ibru family, management and staff of The Guardian, Government and people of Delta State.
In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, Governor Ahmed expressed shock overthe demise of the late business mogul, whom he described as a strong pillar of modern journalism in Nigeria.
“As a leading light in the Nigerian media industry, Alex Ibru would be remembered as an exemplary leader whose contribution to the growth of modern journalism cannot be quantified,” the governor said.
President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said Ibru was a good man, who interfaced his business acumen with true conscience as he demonstrated during the despotic era of the late General Sani Abacha by quitting the regime at the most trying time.
“Like the Biblical Moses, Mr. Alex Ibru chose to suffer with the masses of this country than to continue enjoying the spoils of office in an oppressive regime. And he did pay dearly for this honourable decision as an attempt was made on his life by the killer squad of Abacha regime. It is very likely that the effect of this horrifying experience might have contributed to the prolonged illness that eventually took Alex away from us.”
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State council, expressed shock over Ibru’s death. The council in a statement issued in Ikeja by its Chairman, Mr. Deji Elumoye, described the death of Ibru as a colossal loss not only to the media industry but the nation at large.
While praying for the repose of his soul, Lagos NUJ said the late Ibru would be fondly remembered for creating a platform for the practice of developmental journalism with his establishment of The Guardian newspaper 28 years ago.
“We in Lagos NUJ also remember the deceased for his non-interference in the editorial policy of The Guardian because he allowed professionals to dictate the editorial direction.”
The Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday postponed its Press Week till next week.
The state chairman of the union, Comrade Norbert Chiazor, while announcing the postponement, described the death of Mr. Ibru as “a big blow.”
The chairman, who opened a condolence register at the union’s secretariat in Asaba, urged the national leadership of the union to impress it on media houses to carry black mastheads as a sign of mourning.
3 feared killed, 2 suspected assailants arrested in Jos
From ANDREW AJIJAH, Jos
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Residents of Razat in Barkinladi Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday morning woke up to the sad news of the death of no fewer than three people who were reportedly hacked to death by unknown assailants in Razat village.
The attack, according to an eyewitness took place at bout 7:00 pm on Sunday evening. The source confirmed that the mayhem was carried out by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen, who killed three men during the attack on the village. Those who witnessed the incident said that the unfortunate victims, Jacob Davou, Ezekiel Ishaku and Ishaya Bulus were returning from Barkin- Ladi town Headquarters of the council when they met their untimely death.
The eyewitness while speaking to our reporter insisted that the assailants created an illegal check point laid ambush for the villagers who were coming on two motorcycles, they gunned them down and inflicted machetes cuts on their bodies.
Confirming the incident, Media Officer of the Special Task-force on Jos crisis, Captain Charles Ekoecha said, the command was on top of the situation, the attack was coming after two month of relative peace in the state, following redeployment of the Chief of Army staff to take charge of the internal security of the state as directed by the President Jonathan.
It was gathered that one of the victims who were on the motorcycle survives the attacked and effort to speak with him was not successful as the Special Task Force in charge of internal security in Jos were said to have picked him for further investigation.
The villagers identified the deceased as Jacob Davou aged 32, married with one kid, Ezekiel Ishaku aged 28, married with one kid and Ishaya Bulus aged 25 not married.
Meanwhile, two Fulanis were said to have been arrested in connection with the attacked by men of the Divisional Police Headquarters Barkin-Ladi.
Parading the suspects, a Police officer, Despan Dariyem said the suspects were arrested in the early hour of yesterday.
Confirming the incident, Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pam Ayuba who addressed Journalist at the scene, said, the Governor received the news with shock following the efforts being put in place by government in all levels for lasting peace in the state.
“Government is very disturbed and very worried. We considered this as another assault on the people of the state when you think that peace is returning that is when our detractors come and start another round of killings, it is sad.”
“Government condemn it in totality, we believe this is an act of pure provocation and we will not relent in trying to pursue the part of peace and people in all part of the state should be vigilant, particularly now that we are approaching the festive period and enemies of the state take undue advantage to unleash mayhem on innocent people who are tolerant to peace.”
Jang said the incident would be briefed during Security Council meeting and government would take appropriate steps to curtail its re-occurrence, particularly at this festive period when people are expected to come from various part of the country for Christmas celebration.
On his part, Chairman of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area, Emmanuel Loman condemned the attacked and said that, despite concerted efforts by both the state and the local governments to resolve the unwarranted killings; enemies of the state are still bend on causing havoc on innocent citizens.
“I was informed at about 9.00pm that four people at Razat village were returning from Barkin-Ladi town and were almost approaching their resident about 500 metres to their house, they were blocked by armed men and started shooting at them randomly, three of them were killed instantly at the spot with machetes cuts.”
“One of them who survived the gun shots ran home to alert people but before their arrival, the attackers had escaped and at the end of it three young men were killed.” The person who escaped said the attackers were Fulani herdsmen.
No comments:
Post a Comment