Ukeme Eyibio's Blogosphere

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is returning to the country today, after receiving medical attention in London. The President had left the country on May 7, this year, after handing over power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who has functioned as Acting President since then. President Buhari is expected to speak to Nigerians in a broadcast by 7 a.m on Monday, August 21, 2017, according to Femi Adesina, the President’s media adviser. Adesina said Buhari thanked all Nigerians who have prayed ceaselessly for his recovery and well-being since the beginning of the health challenge in January this year.

Th e Nigeria police have raided PREMIUM TIMES head office in Abuja, and arrested the newspaper’s publisher. The publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, was arrested alongside the paper’s judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu. Plain-clothed officers conducted a search at the office shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday and said they were acting on a complaint filed by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. The arrests came days after PREMIUM TIMES turned down the army’s demand to retract news stories about the Nigerian Army and its operations. The paper’s Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, condemned the raid. “They should stop deluding themselves that they can muzzle the press and intimidate PREMIUM TIMES,” said Mr. Mojeed. “They should know that our loyalty lies with our readers and the Nigerian people who have a right to know.” He said the paper would continue “to discharge its responsibilities in line with global best practices, social responsibility, and patriotism, even at great risk to our per

Mr Bagudu Hirse, former aviation minister, who was abducted by gunmen in Kaduna on Sunday, Nov. 20, has regained his freedom, his brother, Mr John Hirse, has confirmed. “Bagudu was released in the early hours of Saturday,” John, retired permanent secretary in the federal civil service and currently District Head of Mangu, in Plateau, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos on Saturday. He said that the former aviation minister is “hale and hearty”, and thanked Nigerians for the prayers and words of encouragement “during the tỳing period”. “May God reward everyone who stood by us during the tough period,” he said. John, however, did not give further details, and also refused to comment on whether a ransom was paid to the abductors. NAN recalls that Bagudu was abducted by gunmen at the Kaduna residence of Ambassador Mamman Daura, where he had gone to condole the family over the death of the former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki. Bagudu’s abduction took pla

Gunmen, today engaged in a gun duel with security operatives guarding the home of the powerful cousin of President Muhammadu Buhari and abducted Mr.  Hirse. Mr. Daura was shocked by the kidnapping, but left unharmed. Security operatives have subsequently been drafted to protect Mr. Daura's Kaduna residence. Police are yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.

Pandemonium broke out on Tuesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos as personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in conjunction with other security agencies, carried out a counter-terrorism exercise at the airport.  Our correspondent reported that most of the passengers and users of the airport were caught unaware as a group of men who posed as terrorists seized the departure hall and put the air travelers under intense terror.  Several eyewitnesses told our correspondent that, at first, they thought the terminal was under terrorist attack. “People were running in every direction, scampering for safety,” said a passenger who said he was bound for London. He said the people posing as terrorists took over the entire departure hall and shot sporadically into the air.  Another source revealed that one passenger’s blood pressure seemed to spike dangerously, adding that a member of the crew of Ethiopian Airline wet herself. Medics reportedly rushed a woman to a

Burial Photographs of Lt. Col Mohammed Abu Ali, the late Lt. Col was laid to rest today at the National Cemetery, Abuja, alongside 5 other soldiers. 

Twenty one of the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamist Boko Haram insurgents in April 2014 has been released to the Nigerian government, a government source told SaharaReporters. The sources disclosed that the girls were picked up by military helicopter from Banki area of Borno state where Boko Haram militants dropped them off earlier today. The release of the 21 girls comes as President Buhari began a three-day trip to Germany to discuss assistance for the rebuilding of the northeastern part of Nigeria ravaged by Boko Haram. Citizens Reporters could not immediately obtain the names of the girls released today.

Borno State capital Maiduguri today October 1st 2016 and Nigeria’s 56th independence anniversary was celebrated by the Army through the handing over of 348 "suspected" but "cleared" Boko Haram suspects to the Borno State Government. The General Officer Commanding, 7 Division Nigeria Army, Victor Ezugwu, said the army had upon the directives of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, investigated the suspects who were arrested at different locations in the state and those who were innocent were released unconditionally. Some of the cleared suspects said it took the army over five months to screen them and establish that they did nothing wrong. The Brigadier General, said “the review of the cases of terrorists suspects in our custody involves a painstaking and continuous process as directed by the Chief of Army Staff who emplaced measures to guarantee societal and individual human rights”. Among those cleared were 114 males, 107 females, and 127 children. Among th

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K Idris today,  met with Squadron Commanders of the various Mobile Police Units of the Force at The Police Headquarters,  Abuja  yh E Federal Capital Territory. In attendance,  were the Commanders of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Anti Bomb Squad,  and Mopol Squadrons (1-58)

Students mainly Islamic took to the streets of Abuja,  the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday to demand the release of Sheikh El-Zakzaky Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria , who has been in military detention since December 2015. The Sheikh was arrested after a clash between members of his Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), a Shi'ia group, and the military, which left at least 347 Islamic Movement of Nigeria dead The protesters tendered a statement concerning the protest.  PRESS RELEASE OUR DEMAND IS SIMPLE: IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF OUR LEADER, SHAIKH ZAKZAKY, HIS WIFE AND OTHERS We are all aware of the unfortunate event that occurred at Zaria between 12th and 14th December 2015. Proofs abound to establish that the operations by the Nigerian Army were well coordinated and preplanned. It was not as a result of provocations due to "clash". Independent investigations by renowned and reputable human rights organizations have affirmed gross violation

Today afternoon, suspected elements  of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who were foraging for food, ambushed troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE escorting commercial vehicles from Damboa to Maiduguri, at Sanda general area, Borno State. Unfortunately, 5 civilians lost their lives at the incident and another died on the way to the hospital. Three soldiers also sustained injuries. The wounded have been evacuated to Maiduguri. Consequently, another robust patrol team has been despatched to reinforce the troops, clear the general area and pursue the terrorists. This unfortunate incident has brought to the fore the need for more vigilance and cooperation amongst all. We would like to assure the public that we would not allow this isolated incident to thwart the peace and security commuters enjoy along the route and all other opened routes in the North East. Troops are on the heels of the attackers and would not relent till they are apprehended or killed. Additional secu

Assisted by military personnel, local divers in Bayelsa State have recovered bodies of three drowned soldiers yesterday in Brass LGA area. This was contained in series of statements issue by the Bayelsa State Chapter Chairman of The National Maritime Union,  Mr. Lloyd Sese, He said the tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of four soldiers in Brass Local Government area was due to poor logistics and use of low powered engine boats to convoy military personnel. Mr. Sese, who commented on the incident yesterday in Yenagoa, said the preliminary investigation conducted by the Brass Unit of the Maritime Union showed that the accident could have been avoided if adequate logistics were arranged with high capacity engine boats used. He stated that “they used small boats with low capacity engines.” He called on the military authorities to consult the Maritime Union for logistics and transport during such movements, while we commiserate with the Nigerian Military on the loss of their m

Ahmad Salkida, one of the three people wanted for alleged knowledge of Boko Haram and the whereabouts of over 200 Chibok girls, was arrested in Abuja on Monday. Mr. Salkida, who arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard Emirates flight EK 785, was taken from the door of the aircraft by members of the security forces. A passenger seated next to Mr. Salkida during the journey informed SaharaReporters that Mr. Salkida was nervous throughout the flight. She said she recognized the journalist from photos posted on the Internet and engaged him in conversation throughout the seven-hour flight. Mr. Salkida told her that he expected to be arrested upon arrival because he was traveling with an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) and that the State Security Service (SSS) was aware of his coming. He expressed fear that he would not be given a fair trial and accused the government of pronouncing him guilty without trial. Mr. Salkida further told the passenger that he did not know the

The military operation dubbed Operation Crocodile Smile suffered a major loss on Monday following a boat accident along the Brass Water Front in Brass Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State, leading to the death of four soldiers by drowning.  Also missing are service rifles belonging to the missing soldiers. It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 10 a.m. on Monday, created panic among newly deployed soldiers. ‎The State Chairman of the Maritime Union, Lyyod Sese, who confirmed the incident, said the union had received the report on the boat incident, "but [we] don't have details on the number of casualties." Also confirming the incident, an official of Brass Local Government Council, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development, calling it a "natural incident." Attempts to get confirmation from the authorities of the Joint Military action known as Operation Delta Safe (ODS) failed, as the Acting Coordinator of the Joint M

Unknown Gunmen on Saturday abducted fourteen workers from the Nestoil oil company in Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State while travelling in their company van. According to eyewitnesses, the employees were returning from their work site at Omoku area and were en route to Port Harcourt when they were ambushed by the kidnappers. Reporters was unable to speak to anyone from the company’s management to issue a statement at the time of publication. When our correspondent contacted the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the development and stressed that their men have swung into action. He added that police have located the staff van. Mr. Omoni said policemen have moved into the bushes in that area and expressed optimism that the workers will be rescued.

Associated Press, yesterday released a statement credited to Boko Haram alleging that dozens of the 219 Abducted Chibok Girls have been killed in the ongoing coordinated air strikes against its members,  this was contained in series of tweets sent out by Ahmad Salkida.  Recall that Ahmad Salkida was just recently declared wanted by the Nigerian Army for withholding statements concerning the whereabouts of the abducted school girls. Ahmad Salkida, a journalist with links to Boko Haram, in a series of tweets yesterday on his Tweeter Handle @ContactSalkida, confirmed watching “horrifying” images of some of the Chibok girls allegedly killed by the Nigerian military airstrikes. Salkida said the video was exclusively released to him by Abubakar Shekau, the ousted leader of militant group. “I’m studying the video of the Chibok girls that was sent exclusively to me before their abductors upload on it You Tube later, @ BBOG_Nigeria,” he tweeted. Salkida had earlier tweeted: ”Just in: Jama’