Plateau Tragedy: Gunmen Kill Senator, Plateau State Assembly Leader, Injure House Of Reps Member

By SaharaReporters, New York

SaharaReporters has just learnt that Senator Dantong Gyang Dalyop and Gyang Fulani, the majority leader of the Plateau State Assembly, were among several people murdered today during a mass funeral in the Barakin-Ladi local government area of Plateau. A member of the House of Representatives, Simon Davou Mwadkwon, was also seriously injured in the attack.
Senator Dantong Gyang Dalyop was a PDP member and chaired the Senate committee on health.
Nigerian senate spokesperson Senator Ayinnaya Abaribe confirmed the tragic event to SaharaReporters. Our sources disclosed that the murdered officials were attacked as they attended a mass funeral for more than twenty men, women and children killed in the area in a gruesome attack launched by yet unidentified gunmen yesterday.
The funeral was just concluded when heavily armed men in military uniforms descended on the mourners, shooting at the senator and other officials at point blank range.
“It was a horrible sight,” said a source who witnessed the tragedy. “People ran helter-skelter as the gunmen continued to shoot,” he added.
For the past several years, Plateau State has been mired in sectarian bloodshed between armed groups of Muslims and Christians.

Jonathan Sacks Minister Of Defence Bello Haliru

Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed

By SaharaReporters, New York

President Goodluck Jonathan  has removed the minister of defense, Dr. Haliru Bello, from office with immediate effect.  The name of his replacement will be sent  to the National Assembly.

Andrew Owoye Azazi Axed As National Security Adviser

Owoeye Azazi

By SaharaReporters, New York

SaharaReporters has just learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the removal of General Andrew Owoye Azazi as his National Security Adviser.
Mr. Azazi, a retired military officer, has been criticized as an inept adviser on national security. His tenure has witnessed an escalation in deadly bomb attacks by the extremist Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
A source told SaharaReporters that Mr. Jonathan’s decision to fire the NSA was a gesture to many Northern politicians who have accused Mr. Azaziof openly politicizing his office by making statements that disparage the Northern parts of Nigeria.
“Many big-time Northerners, including members of the PDP, complained to President Jonathan when General Aziza blamed in-fighting within the party for the increasing violence in the country,” said the source.
Another source close to President Jonathan refused to confirm the removal of General Aziza, but told SaharaReporters that he was aware that Mr. Jonathan “intends to explore various means of arresting the disturbing state of insecurity in the country.”
One source in the security sector revealed that Sambo Dasuki was the top contender to replace Mr. Azazi.
SaharaReporters rang Mr. Aziza’s telephone number, but was unable to obtain his reaction since his phone was busy.

Jonathan Appoints Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki As New NSA, Sacks Defense Minister

Posted: June 22, 2012 - 20:46

By SaharaReporters, New York

SaharaReporters has confirmed that President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) to replace General Andrew Owoye Azazi as the new National Security Adviser (NSA). Mr. Jonathan also dropped Minister of Defense, Haliru Bello, from his cabinet with immediate effect.
Sources within the Presidency in Abuja told SaharaReporters that the moves come as part of the president’s move to revamp his administration’s response to the growing threat of violence from the extreme Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
Mr. Dasuki had previously overseen the Nigerian mint. A source said he was also one of those who opposed the late Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha.
Mr. Bello, the fired Defense Minister, has had a controversial profile. A source disclosed that he was involved in the Halliburton bribe scandal.
Our source said Mr. Jonathan would soon forward the name of Mr. Bello’s replacement to the National Assembly.

Bomb Blast Hits Popular Abuja Nightclub

Bright flames from the scene of the blast

By SaharaReporters, New York

A bomb exploded at the popular Crystal Lounge in the Wuse II district of Abuja. According to eyewitnesses, a man entered a crowded food court, planted the bomb and then ran away. No casualties recorded but five cars were destroyed in the attack.

Boko Haram Denies Involvement in Kano Mosque Bombing Plot, Says Habibu Bama Died A Martyr

Boko Haram's Shekau and lieutenants

By SaharaReporters, New York

Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, the militant Islamic group widely known as Boko Haram said today it was not involved in yesterday’s attempt to bomb a mosque in Fage Local Government area of Kano State.
In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters, Boko Haram spokesperson Abul Qaqa described the story as a ruse and mischief by the State Security Service (SSS) which they accused of being behind the plan.
The sect also expressed its delight with the death of one of its commanders, Habibu Bama, whom they described as a martyr who died in the course of fighting for Allah. It repeated its warning to media houses which misrepresent their positions, and re-stated in the statement, which was written in Hausa, that those misleading their positions would have themselves to blame in event of an attack.
Below is the full statement:
“Blessed and thanks be to Almighty Allah and merciful. And to also his Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). After this we wish to react to what we heard in the media yesterday Friday that some people attempted to plant bomb in one of the Friday mosques in Kano City. This jihad being advance by Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad wish to distance itself from this atrocity, and we are aware that it is such mischief being orchestrated and in line with the operations of SSS like their counterparts in other parts of the world; all in the bid of blackmailingMujahedeens. And they will not succeed by the power of Almighty Allah, because everybody knows that we are doing only Jihad towards ensuring adhering to Muslim system. It is because of this that we were being said to be “Islamic Extremists”, and so how can we bomb where Allah is being worshipped? Because of this, it is just mischief of those kicking against the realization of Islamic state, and they will not achieve their sinister plot with the power of Allah on our side.
“We are happy to express our happiness and joy because of the gallantry Almighty Allah granted our brother Habibu Bama, we are hoping Allah accepts this act of martyrdom and his sacrifice to Jihad, dying in the field of war is a pride and most cherished last pride of a real Muslim.
“Again, we are warning the media up to now to brace up, because like they know we are working very hard to avoid face up with them. But up to now some of them did not understand us. Because like we put it as a condition to them, any media outlet that knows they will not report our messages as we put in correct form, it should not disseminate it completely, even from the government side concerning us and even if it is Goodluck Jonathan that talk about us. They shouldn’t make a mistake and report it. And if they make mistake and report it, then whatever that befall them, they should cry with themselves.”

More suicide bombings coming, task force warns

By Emmanuel Oladesu and Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri 20 hours 25 minutes ago

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Maiduguri residents were told yesterday to prepare for more suicide bombings.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) - Operation Restore Order (ORO) - in a statement by its spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, warned of plans by terrorists to carry Impovised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in stolen vehicles. It warned the public to report to the appropriate bodies immediately a vehicle is stolen.

The statement reads:  “Information recently available to the JTF ORO in Maiduguri indicated that there have been desperate moves by Boko Haram terrorists to steal/snatch vehicles to be used for terrorists’ activities by implanting Improvised Explosive Devices in vehicles and or through suicide bombing.

“The Task Force wishes to alert members of the public, particularly those whose vehicles have been stolen, to immediately report such incident to the nearest police station or to the JTF as such vehicles if used for terrorism acts would lead to owners of such vehicles being treated as collaborators and accomplices.”

The JTF spokesman said the task force’s  troops and Department of State Services personnel have arrested six suspected Boko Haram members involved in the attack on EYN Church in Biu, Borno State, on June 17. Some worshippers were killed.  

Those arrested are in JTF custody and are being interrogated.

Also yesterday, Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde warned that “if something serious, strategic and meaningful is not done, we may just be working our way towards another avoidable civil war.

” Speaking in Lagos against the backdrop of the recent coordinated bombings in Kaduna and Zaria, the Prelate said: 

“For how long are we going to remain silent? Here we are begging the issue while innocent people are dying and their loved ones are yet to get justice. Is it a crime to be a Christian in any part of Nigeria? Every time we raise the alarm and call for action, they will say it has no religious colouration which saddens my heart the more whenever I hear that. 

“Before Sunday’s bombings, no fewer than 200 people have been killed in 12 separate attacks on churches or places of Christian worship in the North so far this year and al-Qaeda-linked Islamist terror group Boko Haram has explicitly claimed that it carried out at least 10 of them. Yet we are scratching the matter on the surface rather than intensify efforts and expose those behind these attacks. No fewer than 40 persons were feared killed on Sunday in Kaduna and Zaria as suicide bombers attacked three churches. 

“And in all of these bombings and attacks on Christians and Churches, no person has been arrested or brought to book. Where are we going? Where is justice? This is what is encouraging this culture of impunity, which makes it difficult for one to ascertain if the Government has the political will needed in tackling this menace headlong. 

“Considering all of these, one then begins to worry, if we ever learnt anything from the first civil war which, for me, was avoidable if the principles of justice and fairness were upheld. 

“I appeal to all Christians all over the North and other parts of Nigeria to refrain from reprisal attacks as the battle belongs to GOD. God will definitely fight for us as he did during the introduction of the political Sharia in Nigeria.”

Rev. Makinde added: “ reports monitored today (Wednesday) confirms that this group, widely known as Boko Haram, has plans to launch further devastating attacks on Churches and Government buildings in the coming days and weeks. The sect said it planned to make this month the bloodiest month yet in its violent and bloody campaigns against those it tagged infidels. 

“The report says they are planning a focused and bloody attack for which 300 suicide bombers have been recruited, sent to Mauritania and Somalia for training in handling weapons, bomb making and suicide bombing  and they promise to start with Southern Kaduna and Plateau, two States populated with Christians, in a bid to avenge the death of Muslims who died in the reprisal attacks. 

“I call on the Federal Government, to protect the lives of innocent Nigerians, especially Christians who have been so patient and have refrained from any form of violence. The constitution to which they swore expects them to do so and they have a compelling duty to uphold the Constitution to the letter. Furthermore, nobody is above the law. Without bringing perpetrators and sponsors of these acts of terrorism to book, justice cannot be seen to have been done, which is a big threat to our collective interest as Nigerians in our quest for a united nation.”