Troops arrest mastermind of Agip pipelines bombing

The troops of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, have arrested the suspected mastermind of the bombing of pipelines belonging to Nigerian Agip Oil Company in Bayelsa State.

Hoodlums had on January 28, 2016, bombed Agip oil pipelines located in Orukari, Golubokiri and Kpongbokiri communities in Brass Local Government Area of the state.

The attacks on the pipelines had resulted in massive spillage of crude oil from the Agip pipelines into the sea and fishing camps.

But on Wednesday, the Commander, OPS, Maj. Gen. Alani Okunlola, in a statement by the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Col. Ado Isa, said their troops arrested the mastermind of the explosion.

Okunlola gave the name of the mastermind as Prince Alvin Cockman Oyegun, alias ‘Commander Abula’.

The OPS commander said the suspect was arrested at Idema community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He added that the suspect allegedly masterminded the attack on the Agip manifold, located at Gbobokiri, in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State on January 28, 2016, which led to oil spillage in the area.

Okunlola said the attack was on a 24-inch manifold that conveyed crude oil and gas.

He added that the hunt for other suspects and accomplices was ongoing.

The OPS commander warned all miscreants engaged in the destruction of oil installations to desist from such criminal acts.

He said the command remained resolute in its fight to rid the Niger Delta region of oil thieves, pipeline vandals and other criminals.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons to the security outfit.

Troops arrest mastermind of Agip pipelines bombing

BREAKING: Deadly explosions rock Kano

Two explosions, believed to be from improvised expolosive devices, have gone off in Kano, a PREMIUM TIMES correspondent in the city is reporting.

“Explosions have gone off at Kano GSM market around farm centre,” reporter  Mohammed Ahmad said. “I’m rushing to the scene.”

Details of the incident are still sketchy, our correspondent says.

The spokesperson of the Kano Command of the police could not be reached for comments.

A witness however said the first explosion occurred at the market entrance while the second device exploded near a pavilion in the centre of the market.

He said two vans filled with victims were driven away from the scenes of the explosion.

The incident came less than 24 hours after a similar explosion in a crowded park in Yola, the Adamawa state capital, left at least 34 people dead and 80 injured.

Today’s blast is the first attack on Kano since July 6 when a female suicide bomber struck near a Mosque in the city, killing herself.

The teenage bomber had detonated the explosive at 9:30 p.m that day after she was prevented from accessing the Umar Bin Khatab mosque along Zaria Road. The incident happened just as faithful were dispersing after observing the late night (Tarawih) prayer.

More to come…

BREAKING: Deadly explosions rock Kano

48 more killed, scores injured in Borno

From TIMOTHY OLANREWAJU, Maiduguri

At least 48 people have been killed in a bomb blast at a local market in a remote Borno State community. Source said some explosive devices which were carefully concealed in a  usually crowded part of the Sabongari market, Damboa Local Government Area in the south, went off at about 1.35pm yesterday, killing at least 48 people.

Bomb Scene

A vigilance member in Damboa said more than 40 people were injured in the attack. He said the bomb was concealed inside the market, adding that the perpetrators allowed commercial activities to peak before detonating the bomb.

Some residents of Maiduguri who hailed from the area told Daily Sun that the community was thrown first into confusion and later, mourning as the casualty rose to 48 by yesterday evening.

“Almost all the families lost loved ones. The bomb attack was devastating. We learnt from our people that bodies littered the scene of the blast,” Dauda Yusuf, a Maiduguri resident told Daily Sun on phone.

He said residents of Sabongari were so shocked that they couldn’t pick the bodies from the scene in time. He said more than 40 people have, however, been taken to the hospital.

The bomb attack came two days after suspected Boko Haram insurgents ambushed a commercial Golf car in a village near Sabongari, killing four passengers.

48 more killed, scores injured in Borno

Breaking: Unconfirmed scores dead as bomb explode in Yobe Mosque

By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News

A bomb has exploded at an unknown mosque in Yobe state on Friday.

The bomb went off killing unconfirmed number of worshipers at the Eid praying ground in Damaturu.

The details of the attack is still very sketchy.

Details to follow

 

 

Breaking: Unconfirmed scores dead as bomb explode in Yobe Mosque

Panic bomb explosions rocks Enugu, Anambra poling unit

Bomb explosions in one of the designated polling units in Enugu, early on Saturday morning, has thrown residents, including prospective voters, and Independent National Electoral Commission officials, into panic.

The incident occurred at WTC Primary School Polling Unit 1 in New Layout, where voting is billed to take place in the presidential and national assembly polls.

The bombs, believed to be improvised explosives devices, were concealed in a vehicle which was believed to have been parked near the polling center overnight.

The bombs were placed in a Honda Accord car with Abuja registration number KUJ 971LB.

The first explosion, which is believed to have gone off prematurely, attracted security agents, who quickly cordoned off the area.

Two other unexploded bombs were discovered in the vicinity, and were subsequently defused by the police anti-bomb unit.

Our correspondent, who rushed to the area, witnessed the controlled explosion of the two bombs by the anti-bomb squad at 8.45am and 9.05am.

No casualty was recorded but the incident caused panic among voters and INEC officials who were to participate in the election at the unit.

Our correspondent observed that voters turned back on hearing of the bombs.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dan Bature, who addressed journalists at the venue, said investigations had commenced.

He urged voters to come out and vote, assuring them that their safety was guaranteed.

The police boss said, “Whatever is their motive? We don’t know, whoever is involved we don’t know yet.

“But we can assure you that nobody was injured – everybody is safe and voting will go on.

“I assure all the voters that they are safe.”

Explosion rocks Anambra polling unit

Less than an hour that a bomb exploded at a polling unit in Enugu, a similar incident has occurred in Awka, Anambra State.

The Anambra explosion took place at Atom a polling unit at Umuokpara Primary School, Awka ward one.

Panic bomb explosions rocks Enugu, Anambra poling unit

Confusion as explosion rocks Enugu

Fear has gripped residents of Enugu after a massive explosion on Monday night rocked the city, inflicting severe injuries on scores of residents.

The explosion was so loud that it was immediately attributed to improvised explosive devices.

The incident reportedly occurred at the country home of a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State, Mr. Tony Eze, in Amokwe, Udi Local Government Area.

Our correspondent learnt that occupants of the building, where the explosion occurred, fled their homes in a bid to escape a suspected bomb ‘attack’.

It was gathered that no life was lost, and the wounded, who were rushed to the hospital for medical attention, were said to be responding to treatment.

Our correspondent observed on Tuesday that the explosion was a major cause for concern and speculation, among residents of Enugu.

The Enugu State Police Command has said the incident was caused by an accidental explosion of ‘high calibre fireworks’, which were stored in a container in the compound.

The police revealed that a trailer load of fireworks was brought into the house on March 15.

The police did not disclose the identity of the persons who brought the fireworks into the building – it also did not explain why a large amount of the material was procured.

There are insinuations that the fireworks were to be used in ‘official’ celebrations, but that has not been confirmed as at the time of filing this report.

Enugu State police spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who revealed results of an “instant analysis” of the explosion in a statement, said men of the Explosive Ordinance Department and other operatives have cordoned off the scene of the explosion.

Amaraizu added that the police had commenced full scale investigations into the incident in order to find out the cause of the sudden explosion.

He added, “The Enugu State command of the Nigeria Police Force through its operatives have commenced a full scale investigations into an incident of explosion at Amokwe Udi in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu state on Monday with a view to finding out the possible cause of the explosion.

“It was, however, gathered that some of the injured have been taken to the hospitals just as men of the Explosive Ordinance Department of the Enugu State Command have cordoned off the place with other operatives.

“Meanwhile, instant analysis of the incident by the operatives of the EODepartment on ground at the scene of the explosion revealed that it was occasioned by high calibre pyrotechnics (fireworks) in a large quantity packed in the house of the owner that exploded.”

Confusion as explosion rocks Enugu

4 die as military discovers bomb factory

The military yesterday, recorded more victories against the Boko Haram insurgents, following the seizure of a bomb making factory from the terrorists at a fertilizer company in Buni Yadi, Yobe State.

The military had earlier announced that it had cleared the whole of Adamawa State of terrorists after recovering over 35 more towns from them across the north east zone.

The discovery of the site where high calibre of bombs were produced was contained in a statement signed by the Director Defence Information, Major General, Chris Olukolade.

Olukolade said that four soldiers died in the course of efforts to clear the terrorists from journey to recover the bomb making site as explosions followed.

The statement entitled, ‘’Troops discover terrorists bomb making factory in Yobe State,’’ read, ‘’The ongoing cordon and search by troops in Buni Yadi,Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State has led to the discovery of a bomb making factory, where Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, used by terrorists were being produced. A large quantity of IEDs including those commonly used by suicide bombers were recovered from the site.

‘’The factory, which was located in a fertilizer company, has also converted some of the materials therein for production of all types of IEDs. Troops are still evacuating the materials which include a large quantity of suicide bomber vests from the facility to their base. It is believed that the heavy calibre bomb used in blowing up the bridge between Damaturu and Buni Yadi was produced in the factory.

‘’The terrorists were sacked from Buni Yadi after a military assault that was conducted last Saturday. The troops advance was delayed by the series of IEDs planted on the highway leading to Buni Yadi. ‘’Four soldiers died from such IEDs in the course of the operation to clear terrorists from the town.

This discovery is expected to degrade the capability of terrorists in the production of explosives, which they have been using lavishly in the area until they were dislodged from their stronghold.’’

The leadership of the Boko Haram had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group that controls tracts of Syria and Iraq following the set back the group had suffered in recent weeks.

This was as African countries have asked the the United Nations to set up a trust fund to finance a force to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria and called on the international community to supply intelligence and equipment, according to a draft U.N. resolution.

However, in accepting the pledge of allegiance from Nigerian Islamists Boko Haram, the ISIS’s spokesman called on supporters to fight in Africa.

Boko Haram, which has killed thousands and kidnapped hundreds during a six-year campaign to carve out an Islamist state in northern Nigeria, pledged its allegiance last week, highlighting increased coordination between jihadi movements across north Africa and the Middle East.

“Our caliph, God save him, has accepted the pledge of loyalty of our brothers of Boko Haram so we congratulate Muslims and our jihadi brothers in West Africa,” Islamic State spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani said in an audio message, referring to his group’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Islamic State, an ultra-hardline offshoot of al Qaeda, has declared a caliphate in captured territory in Iraq and Syria and has gained global notoriety for killing or kidnapping members of ethnic and religious minorities and posting videos of its members killing Arab and Western hostages.

In the audio message, Adnani called on Muslims who could not join Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to enter combat in Africa instead, saying Boko Haram’s pledge had opened a “new door for you to migrate to the land of Islam and fight.”

“We are calling you up for jihadis, go.”

The group, which rejects all but its own limited interpretation of early Sunni Muslim theology as heresy, also issued a threat to Jews and Christians.

“If you want to save your blood and money and live in safety from our swords … you have two choices: either convert or pay jezyah,” he said, referring to tax for non-Muslims under Islamic rule.

African countries asked the the United Nations to set up a trust fund to finance a force to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria

Meanwhile, African countries have asked the the United Nations to set up a trust fund to finance a force to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria and called on the international community to supply intelligence and equipment, according to a draft U.N. resolution.

The draft U.N. Security Council text endorses the creation of a force by Nigeria and its neighbors Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin to take on Boko Haram. The 54-nation African Union has already approved a force of up to 10,000 troops.

Boko Haram has killed thousands of people in northeastern Nigeria in its six-year insurgency and has also pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, which has created a self-declared caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria.

The text drafted by Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon, and obtained by Reuters, has not yet been circulated to the 15 Security Council members. Chad’s U.N. Ambassador Mahamat Cherif has said he hoped the council could vote on a resolution by end-March.

The draft is under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, allowing decisions to be enforced with economic sanctions or force.

A U.N. diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said once negotiations begin among the 15 council members some of the key issues would likely be how to finance the operation and whether or not it needs to be a Chapter 7 resolution.

The draft resolution “requests the Secretary-General to establish a trust fund … which shall be managed by the LCBC (Lake Chad Basin Commission) Member States and Benin under the supervision of the AU (African Union), and encourages Member States to contribute to such a fund”.

It “calls upon donors to support (the force) through the provision of funding for troop stipends, equipment, technical assistance, and uncaveated funding for (the force) to the United Nations trust fund”.

The text calls for international support for the operational capability of the force by providing equipment and sharing intelligence and urges states “to provide personnel, equipment and services if required, for the successful deployment (of the force)”.

The draft resolution also threatens sanctions on anyone supporting Boko Haram. Chad’s military is already spearheading an operation against the Islamist militant group that in recent months has mounted an increasing number of cross-border raids.

 

4 die as military discovers bomb factory

Police Discover 19 High-Calibre Bombs Hidden In Bush Near Yola

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The Adamawa State police command have averted what could have been a massive bomb attack as its bomb disposal unit defused 19 high-caliber Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) buried in a bush near Yola, the state capital.

To underscore how powerfully packed the IEDs were if they had gone undetected, the commissioner of police in the state, Adaji Gabriel, said it had the force to destroy a 10-storey building and could wreak havoc within a 200 meter radius.

Adamawa is one of the north eastern states worst hit by Boko Haram insurgency.

Speaking on Friday, Mr. Gabriel said his officers foiled the attack following a tip-off that Boko Haram terrorists were planning an attack on the state capital ahead of this month’s general elections.

He said acting on the tip-off, police operatives discovered 19 high-calibre bombs buried in a bush few kilometres to the state capital.

“Police informants took our men to a bush in around Song Local Government where the hidden bomb materials were unravelled”, he said. “They wanted to launch an attack in the state capital”.

“They wanted to bomb the main bridge linking the state capital with the northern parts of the state.

“The IEDs are almost 90 per cent completed and only need to be connected to batteries to work, which may have been the worst hit in the North and the nation at large if it was not detected.

“We thank God for answering our prayers in Adamawa State. The discovery has prevented something that would have caused a hell of sorrows to the state.

“One of the bombs is capable of bringing down a 10 storey building. They aimed to destroy Jimeta in the state capital”, he said.

The police boss said if the militants had succeeded, “the state would have been brought down as they wanted to blow up vital and strategic structures including the more than one kilometer River Benue Bridge linking the state capital with northern parts of the state”.

“The smallest among the bombs can completely destroy structures within 200 meter radius and on the verge of being transported to various parts of the state capital before they were discovered”, the police boss has said.

Meanwhile, the detected bombs have been defused by the anti-bomb squad of the state police command, although no arrest has been made in connection to the hidden explosives.

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Police Discover 19 High-Calibre Bombs Hidden In Bush Near Yola

Breaking: 20 fear dead in Gombe bomb blast

A bombing at a bus station in Gombe city in northeast Nigeria killed at least 20 people on Monday, the latest violence in the region repeatedly targeted by Boko Haram, the Red Cross said.

“There was an explosion at the Dukku motor park. The Red Cross mobilised with 20 body bags and they have all been exhausted. We are still looking for more bodies among the carnage,” said Abubakar Yakubu Gome, the Red Cross secretary for Gombe state.

Breaking: 20 fear dead in Gombe bomb blast

Police uncover bomb in Kano food market

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

KANO – Barely 24 hours after Kano Textile market was bombed by two female suicide bombers , the police in Kano have uncovered and detonated a high calibre Improvised Explosive Device at Dawnau, a popular food market in the ancient town.

Eyewitness told Vanguard that the bomb was concealed in a sack that was hidden at the busy market.

The Kano police commissioner, Adelenre Shinaba confirmed the incident,  adding that “we have successfully detonated the bomb and I can assure you that we have restored normalcy to the market.”

Details soon.

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Police uncover bomb in Kano food market

Sultan asks Muslims to unite against Boko Haram

The Sultan of Sokoto and leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, has challenged Islamic sects in the country to unite and fight Boko Haram insurgency.

Alhaji Sa ad Abubakar Sultan of Sokoto

The Sultan, while condemning the suicide bomb blasts at the Kano Central Mosque on Friday, which left about 120 worshippers dead and many others injured, stated that “those behind all the attacks are not Muslims.”

He spoke on Saturday in Abuja during a post-2014 Hajj conference organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria held at the National Mosque.

Abubakar said, “I do not believe those perpetrating these are Muslims, because if they are Muslims, they are not professing what Islam teaches.

“In the world over, it is the duty and responsibility of government to provide security for the citizenry. This is the time for all the various sects in Islam in this country to rally round one another and end insurgency in this country.”

The monarch said it was time for all stakeholders, particularly the Federal Government, to rise up to the responsibility of ending insurgency in the country.

He also enjoined stakeholders to join hands and end the violence being perpetrated by Boko Haram in the country.

The Secretary-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, while condemning the attack, reiterated the need for the Federal Government to show more commitment towards ending the carnage in the North-East.

Aliyu further challenged the Federal Government to move from mere speech making on the issue of ending Boko Haram to taking decisive actions that would portray the government as serious in its anti-terrorism crusade.

The JNI scribe said, “I think it is very important that this matter be looked at with all purposes and intents, and with a very serious focus on efforts from the government which has the constitutional mandate to look after the security and welfare of the people.

“We have called with the loudest of our voice on the government but up till this moment, we hear only mere speeches not matched with actions and efforts aimed at curtailing this scourge and epidemic threatening the lives of the Muslims.

“Where have you ever heard that even in a worship environment, a mosque for people to worship is bombed and over hundred people killed? Up to this moment, no arrest has been made; nothing from the government unto whom we are going to rely. I call on all Muslim leaders, elders, parents, Imams and scholars to come together to speak and brainstorm on how they can provide succour and help in any effort that we are going to get from the government.”

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Sultan asks Muslims to unite against Boko Haram

CAN Condemns Kano Bombings, Calls for Vigilance

By Paul Obi  in Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Saturday condemned in strong terms the bombing that rocked Kano State, where scores were killed in a mosque during Juma’at prayers on Friday.

Ayo oritsejafor

In a statement, CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said “Recently, an interfaith meeting that had representations from the hierarchy of both faith in attendance emphasised the need for dialogue, mutual relations,  cooperation and unity in the renewed fight against insurgency in the country.

“The meeting made far reaching decisions that could be important in finding lasting peace to our country and that in itself was supposed to be a step towards the much anticipated peace and security in the country. It was therefore unfortunate that while some Nigerians were making efforts towards entrenching peace, others were indulging in drawing the road map to further destruction in our country”, he added.

Oritsejafor said “the entire Christian community in Nigeria received the news of the latest in the series of bomb explosions, this time around at the mosque near the emir’s palace in Kano, with shock and disbelief. This is most unfortunate given the number of people that lost their lives in their bid to offer prayers to their Almighty in the usual Friday worship at the mosque.

“On behalf of the entire Christians community under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I wish to commiserate with the families of the victims especially those who lost their lives in the attack.

“I strongly condemn this particular attack because it is the greatest evil both to a fellow human being and to God almighty, it is an act that must be denounced by all, Christians and  Moslems for  no God commissions the killing of a fellow being.”

The CAN president appealed “to all Nigerians especially residents of the areas most prone to the attacks not to give in or succumb to the antics of the insurgents; this is the time to remain fearless in the face of terror’.

“We cannot continue to allow the terrorists to continue to intimidate us in our land because we have no other place to call our own, we must cooperate with relevant authorities in addition to being extra vigilant, to defeat this terror, they are human beings and can be defeated, but we have to be united. Nigerians must be united both in prayers and in other practical steps, to defeat terror.”

He said “I want to use this medium to re emphasis the need for all faithful, especially during their hours of worship to be watchful to forestall any further attack on their places of worship, this is a clarion call. I urge security agencies not to relent in their efforts but to work harder and to understand that our prayers remain with them day and night.”

He added that the “attack on the people of Kano is an attack on all Nigerians and must be addressed as such. This is the time for all to rise up and act, may God help us all as we make these strong efforts at curbing terrorism from our land and may the souls of all those who lost their lives in the attacks, rest in peace.”

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CAN Condemns Kano Bombings, Calls for Vigilance

Bomb explosion rocks Bauchi

A bomb blast on Wednesday night at a motor park in Azare in Bauchi State killed five persons.

A statement on the incident issued in Bauchi by the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, indicated that 12 others sustained severe injuries.

He said the incident occurred at about 9.45pm when explosives planted in the park detonated.

He said the injured had been rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, for treatment and the scene of the incident cordoned off.

Haruna said no arrest had been made yet, but that investigations had commenced on the incident.

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Bomb explosion rocks Bauchi

Breaking: Confusion in Kano poly over bomb scare

KANO – There was pandemonium in Kano Polytechnic and Aminu Kano School of Legal studies over bomb scare in Kano.

The incident which occurred around 12.20pm saw students of the two tertiary institutions scampering for safety.

Details later.

 

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Breaking: Confusion in Kano poly over bomb scare

Nigeria Air Force Rolls Out Tips On Surviving Bomb Explosions

The Nigerian Air Force has rolled out security tips to the public and Air Force schools on detection and actions to be taken in case of suspicious objects or Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.

The out-going Director of Air Force Information and Public Relations, Yusuf Anas, an Air Commodore, told journalists that a pamphlet released would guide the public on how to be security conscious.

On what to do when suspicious objects/improvised explosive devices are sighted, the pamphlet advised:

- Remain calm; move away from suspicious objects; be wary of crowd, unattended vehicles and damaged building; do not attempt moving/touching any suspicious object from its position;

- Report such immediately by any fastest means possible by calling 112 Emergency Line, nearest police station or contact any security officer.’’

During bomb explosions, the pamphlet advised on the following:

- Avoid panic; crawl under a study table or a solid object if things are falling and remain there for a least one minute;

- Stay away from glass or fixtures like windows, mirrors, cabinets and electrical equipment;

- Follow the orders of police or safety personnel; evacuate the building as soon as possible; do not forget handicap people who may need help;

- Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in obvious danger; do not go near gas lines, fire hazards or kitchen; do not use elevators, lay flat on the ground and keep your mouth open and breathe at small intervals;

- After Explosion, evacuate the building as quickly possible; do not stop to retrieve personal possessions or make phone calls; Bystanders must avoid rushing to the scene of the blast to avoid secondary explosion;

- Open door carefully; watch for falling objects or debris; avoid using telephones, mobile phones and hand radios; electrical sparks or signals could trigger other bombs,” the document said.

 

NAN

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Nigeria Air Force Rolls Out Tips On Surviving Bomb Explosions