Former Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State, who is also one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), returned to Lagos today after a prolonged trip abroad and denied rumors that he was seriously ill.
Thursday
Military kills Abubakar Shekau ‘again’
The Defence authorities have confirmed the killing of the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, during one of the four encounters with insurgents in Kodunga, Borno State between September 12 and 17, 2014.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said during a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, that the corpse of the insurgents’ leader was identified by the people of Kodunga.
He said that Shekau whose real name was Mohammed Bashir had used other names like Abacha Abdullahi Geidam and Damasack.
Olukolade illustrated the Defence authorities claim with pictures of the bullet-ridden corpse of Shekau and a video of the battle in which he was killed.
Four days ago, the Cameroon Concordreported that the Cameroonian troops killed Shekau during a cross border aerial bombardment of his hideout in Nigeria on Saturday.
To prove the killing, the newspaper also published photographs of the bearded Shekau whom it said then usually appeared in videos as the leader of Boko Haram.
But Olukolade dismissed the claim that Shekau was killed by Cameroonian security forces within Nigeria.
“There was no raid whatsoever by Cameroon or any foreign forces in any part of Nigeria’s territory in pursuit of terrorists as claimed in some reports allegedly quoting Cameroon authorities,” he had said.
He had also claimed in a tweet on Wednesday last week that troops who repelled an attack by insurgents in Kodunga, captured a high ranking terrorist leader who was being treated in military medical facility.
On Tuesday, a journalist said to be a close ally of Boko Haram, Ahmad Salkida, said he had it on “authority” that Shekau was hale and hearty.
Writing on his Twitter handle, Salkida, who is on self-exile in the United Arab Emirates, claimed that Shekau was not the one in the pictures of a corpse that trended on Monday on social media after they were published by the Cameroon Concord.
“Mark my words: I have it on authority that Shekau is well and alive. The pictures going round are not that of the person who torments us with his group,” the journalist added.
The spokesperson for the Department of State Service had in May claimed that “the real Abubakar Shekau had been taken out.”
“Boko Haram has become a franchise; anybody can assume and lay claim to any name. What I know is that the original Abubakar Shekau is dead; the person claiming to be the national leader now is not the original Abubakar Shekau.
“If security sources tell you that somebody is dead, you don’t have to come out and doubt that,” Ogar said.
A former spokesman for the Joint Task Force in the North-East, Sagir Musa, had in a statement in August 2013, also said that Shekau might have been killed during a battle with troops in June last year.
But during the news conference on Wednesday, the defence spokesman said that many top commanders of Boko Haram were also killed in the four battles against the insurgents between September 12 and 17.
Olukolade added that the military was determined to eliminate anybody, who claims to be Shekau, a name which, he said had become a brand for the leader of the insurgents.
He said, “Nigerian troops have been conducting coordinated air and land operations in furtherance of efforts at containing the terrorists in the North -East. . Somehow, it became apparent that the terrorists, in continuation of their campaign of terror, were determined to take over communities around Maiduguri, which is their prime target.
“There was, therefore, the need to ensure that communities such as Kodunga were protected. It is noteworthy that the terrorists made no less than four attempts between September 12 and 17 to violate the security and enter Kodunga to perpetrate their atrocities. Air and land forces were subsequently deployed to handle the situation.
“The convoy of combat vehicles typical of terrorists’ mission that involved their top commanders was engaged by land and air forces. Several of the terrorists, including some of their commanders, lost their lives in the encounters which lasted an average of about five hours each. The troops captured some of the terrorists and their equipment.
“In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group, died.
“Since the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’ leader, the Nigerian military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that designation or title as well as all terrorists that seek to violate the freedom and territory of Nigeria.
“On restoring normalcy after the encounters, inhabitants of the community who were victims of their activities corroborated information on the identity of Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau, alias Abacha Abdullahi Geidam alias Damasack, etc.
“Indeed, the recent devastation on the leadership of the insurgents is attributable to the renewed commitment to the mission of eradicating terrorism in our country.”
Olukolade also said that 135 insurgents surrendered their weapons to troops in Borno and Adamawa states on Tuesday evening.
He added that 88 of them surrendered at Mairiga/Buniyadi while another set of 45 were arrested around Mubi-Michika.
The Defence spokesman said the insurgents were undergoing interrogation in strict compliance with standard procedure.
“A total of 135 terrorists yesterday (Tuesday) evening surrendered along with their equipment to troops around the Biu Local Government Area. A group of 88 submitted themselves at Mairiga/Buni – Yadi while another group of 45 terrorists were taken in around Mubi – Michika. They are all being interrogated and processed in conformity with the dictates of standard best practices,” he added.
The Defence Headquarters had earlier said that 10 insurgents surrendered at Kawuri on Monday and another five at Konduga on Saturday.
This brings the total number of insurgents who have surrendered after the Kodunga battles to 150.
Investigation by The PUNCH on Wednesday revealed that troops were intensifying a house-to-house search in Madagali, Gulak, Michika, Bazza and other communities in Adamawa State for 70 fleeing insurgents.
It was gathered that six members of the sect were caught by troops at a refugee centre in Yola on Wednesday.
FG’ll celebrate B’Haram surrender not Shekau’s death – Maku
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said on Wednesday that the Federal Government was more interested in Boko Haram members laying down their arms than in the said death of Shekau.
Maku told journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday that the government was not interested in celebrating the death of the terrorist.
“The Federal Government would be happier if the Boko Haram leader and his group laid down their weapons and embraced peace,” he said.
The minister added, “Government has a responsibility to respect human rights unlike members of the Boko Haram sect who have thrown away all sympathy for human lives and are prepared to kill people just for killing’s sake.
“For us it is immaterial if the leader of the terrorist group is killed or not. We want them to drop their weapons and embrace peace. We want them to drop their weapons, stop killing their parents and innocent people and accept peace.”
Friday
Tinubu’s health condition allegedly worsens
The health condition of the former Lagos governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deteriorated.
He had left the country about two weeks ago.Other section of the media have also alleged that he was actually flown to a medical facility in London for treatment, following what is believed to be a serious health issue.
The site which quoted a source said to be close to the Tinubu family, reports that the health of the APC leader may have worsened due to recent discovery of cancer.
The cancer, the source claims, had reached advanced stage before it was diagnosed by the medical team, adding that the recent stroke only added to the seriousness of the situation.
It was alleged that Tinubu in his current state has not been able to recognize close family relatives who had come to pay him a visit, heightening fears that the self-styled godfather of southwest politics was exhibiting symptoms of dementia.Reacting to the claims, an aide of the ex-Lagos helmsman said his principal was never in any hospital.
“Yes, it is true Asiwaju is out of the country. But he is on vacation. He was in the United States for some days, Los Angeles I guess. He then proceeded to London.
“It is normal for him at this time to observe his summer break.”
Asked to provide specifics on why Mr. Tinubu travelled abroad aside vacation, the source said, “I am aware he was billed to see his physicians for his normal routine medical check-up, he would see his dentist too.”“Honestly, I don’t know why Asiwaju health has become a major issue in Nigeria. He is human just like every other person. Besides, he is not even a public office holder, neither is he using public funds, so what’s the buzz about.”
“Well, its a good one for us, those spreading rumours are only doing us favour by promoting the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu brand and the All Progressives Congress in general,” our source added.
Monday
Ukraine independence day met with unrest(Rebels parade captured Ukrainian soldiers in streets of Donetsk)
Armed pro-Russian rebels paraded dozens of captured Ukrainian soldiers through the streets of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine on Sunday afternoon, the rebel stronghold's counterprotest to Ukraine's Independence Day celebrations in other parts of the divided country.
A crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered to jeer and throw bottles at the prisoners, several of whom had bandaged heads and other wounds, calling them "fascists," "Nazis" and "traitors." The march started around 2 p.m. and lasted just a few minutes.
"The people came out to see the soldiers who had been shelling them around the clock, thanking the separatists for protecting them," said freelance journalist Maximilian Clarke, who witnessed the parade near Donetsk's Lenin Square. The rebels aren't foreigners who have invaded this city, he said. "The separatists here are locals; they are known here."
Water trucks followed the captured soldiers and hosed down the streets after the prisoners had passed, Clarke said. The streets cleared quickly after the brief march amid rumors that Ukraine would retaliate for the insult.
The rebels intended Sunday's "anti-fascist rally" to evoke the 1944 forced march of almost 60,000 captured Nazi prisoners through Moscow, according to a rebel social media account announcing the march.
In the capital city of Kiev, Ukraine's national government put on a display of military might to celebrate its Independence Day, with tanks, missile-launching vehicles, armored personnel carriers and soldier corps filing through the city.
Many of them will soon deploy to the country's eastern conflict to fight the pro-Russian insurgency.
Ukraine declared its independence in 1991 from the Russian-dominated Soviet Union as the USSR was dissolving.
After bloody street protests led to Kiev distancing itself more starkly from Moscow this year, Russia invaded and annexed the peninsula of Crimea. And the pro-Russian insurgency gained momentum.
Poroshenko: More military funding
Ukraine is fighting against foreign aggression, President Petro Poroshenko said in a commemoration speech.
"Events of the last months have become -- though undeclared -- real war," he said. And it is coming from a part of the world Ukraine traditionally would not have expected, he said, referring to Russia.
Poroshenko spoke from the Maidan, Kiev's Independence Square, where protesters once railed against his pro-Russian predecessor, Viktor Yanukovych, whom they drove from office.
Sunday's show of military might, reminiscent of Soviet-era parades, stood in stark contrast to the lack of funding for the country's military.
But Poroshenko vowed in his speech that Kiev will bulk up military funding by around $3 billion over the next three years to purchase military aircraft, helicopters and warships.
Fragile situation
Funding might prove difficult due to Ukraine's fragile economy, falling salaries and a weak currency.
Seven of the country's richest people have publicly donated to the military, and supporters have contributed millions to crowdfunding campaigns for Ukraine's Defense Ministry.
The United States has pledged nonlethal military support -- equipment like night vision goggles and protective vests.
There's also growing international concern over the apparent massing of Russian troops at the border with Ukraine.
There were up to 18,000 such "combat-ready" troops on Friday, according to U.S. estimates, a significant increase from previous public estimates by the Pentagon.
U.N. officials estimate that more than 2,000 people have died and nearly 5,000 have been wounded in eastern Ukraine since mid-April.
Constant shelling
The battles in eastern Ukraine took no break for Independence Day.
Five soldiers died in fights against rebels on Saturday and Sunday, Kiev's Defense Council said.
The city of Donetsk was hit by shelling overnight, causing 13 fires, according to the city website.
Shelling also continued in Luhansk, the city office said. It has been without water and power for 22 days.
Convoy back to Russia
A day earlier, a convoy of Russian trucks that had crossed that country's border into eastern Ukraine without Kiev's authorization returned to Russia, international monitors said Saturday.
In total, 227 vehicles were sent into territories held by pro-Russian rebels on Friday, according to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which has an observer mission at the checkpoint the convoy went through.
By Saturday afternoon, they had all returned to Russia after delivering aid to the city of Luhansk, a stronghold for the pro-Russia rebels that has been caught up in conflict.
Russia said the vehicles were on an essential humanitarian mission and that it was satisfied with the deliveries, but international powers condemned it as a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty.
Officials in Kiev referred to it as an invasion.
Amid the furor, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in Kiev on Saturday with Poroshenko.
At a joint news conference, Merkel said she could not rule out further sanctions against Russia if no progress is made in resolving the situation in eastern Ukraine.
Poroshenko said the Russian convoy had "violated every international law."
But he also said he was committed to constitutional reforms and decentralization of power aimed at meeting the concerns of the Russian-speaking population in eastern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian President is due to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and EU representatives on Tuesday in Minsk, Belarus.
Thursday
GUINEA DECLARES NATIONAL HEALTH EMERGENCY.
Guinea has a declared a national health emergency as it battles to curb the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
This meant tighter border controls, the immediate isolation of anyone suspected to have Ebola and a ban on moving bodies from one town to another, state radio reported.
Ebola has killed more than 1,000 people in West Africa amid fears that it could spread to East Africa.
This is the deadliest outbreak since the disease was discovered in 1976.
This meant tighter border controls, the immediate isolation of anyone suspected to have Ebola and a ban on moving bodies from one town to another, state radio reported.
Ebola has killed more than 1,000 people in West Africa amid fears that it could spread to East Africa.
This is the deadliest outbreak since the disease was discovered in 1976.
EBOLA DISEASE
World Ebola fears grow with Europe and Asia on alert.
Fears that the west African Ebola outbreak could spread to other continents grew on Wednesday with European and Asian countries on alert and a leading medical charity warning the epidemic was out of control.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said the crisis gripping Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone would only get worse and warned there was no overarching strategy to handle the world’s worst outbreak of the disease.
US Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse was temporarily withdrawing its non-essential staff from Liberia, it said, citing regional “instability and ongoing security issues”.
Hong Kong announced quarantine measures for suspected cases, although one woman arriving from Africa with possible symptoms tested negative, while the EU said it was ready to deal with the threat.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has held talks with global health officials on potential measures to halt the spread of the disease.
In Britain, where one person has tested negative for the disease, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said it was regarded as “a very serious threat”.
An emergency meeting had decided that the best approach was to provide “additional resources to deal with the disease at source” in West Africa, he added.
Ebola can kill victims within days, causing severe fever and muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, organ failure and unstoppable bleeding.
Since March, there have been 1,201 cases of Ebola and 672 deaths in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The US Peace Corps announced Wednesday it was pulling hundreds of volunteers from the three countries.
There are currently 102 Peace Corps volunteers in Guinea working on agriculture, education and health, 108 in Liberia and 130 in Sierra Leone.
- EU ‘equipped and ready’ -
The European Union is equipped and ready to treat victims should the deadly virus be found in its 28 member states, an EU source said in Brussels.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that an infected person arrives in Europe but the EU has the means to track and contain any outbreak rapidly,” the source said.
The isolation and negative testing of a suspected case in Valencia in Spain showed that the “system worked”, added the source.
“The level of contamination on the ground is extremely worrying and we need to scale up our action before many more lives are lost,” said EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva.
In Hong Kong, a densely populated city previously scarred by disease outbreaks such as the 2003 SARS epidemic, health officials confirmed they would quarantine as a precautionary measure any visitors from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia who showed fever symptoms.
One woman arriving in the southern Chinese city from Africa, who showed symptoms including fever and vomiting, has tested negative for Ebola.
Australia said Thursday it was well prepared in the unlikely event that the Ebola virus reached its shores. Australia has already warned against travel to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
On Tuesday a meeting of the Communicable Diseases Network of Australia was convened, including key infectious diseases doctors and state and federal health authorities, to discuss ways to respond if Ebola was detected.
“While the possibility of Ebola coming to Australia is very low, we are closely monitoring the overseas outbreak and Australia’s domestic response,” chief medical officer Chris Baggoley said.
All border protection agencies were on alert for possible Ebola symptoms in people arriving by air or sea, Baggoley confirmed.
Meanwhile, Thai health authorities said they had ordered all hospitals to monitor patients for any symptoms, particularly nationals or foreign tourists who had been in the outbreak area.
Bart Janssens, MSF’s director of operations, warned that governments and global bodies had no “overarching view” of how to tackle the outbreak.
“This epidemic is unprecedented, absolutely out of control and the situation can only get worse, because it is still spreading, above all in Liberia and Sierra Leone, in some very important hotspots,” he said.
“If the situation does not improve fairly quickly, there is a real risk of new countries being affected,” he told La Libre Belgique newspaper.
A British doctor volunteering in Sierra Leone treating Ebola patients told Metro newspaper that medical staff were swamped.
“The main challenge here, though, is that the health authorities just don’t have the infrastructure to cope. They’re overwhelmed,” Benjamin Black said.
A top doctor in charge of a Sierra Leone treatment centre died of the virus earlier this week.
In Canada, local media reported that a Canadian doctor had put himself in quarantine as a precaution after spending weeks in west Africa treating patients with the virus alongside an American doctor, who is now infected.
A spokesman for the French foreign ministry said they were offering technical support and expertise on the ground in west Africa.
And Liberia announced it was shutting all schools and placing “non-essential” government workers on 30 days’ leave.
Togo-based pan-African airline ASKY, which serves 20 destinations, on Tuesday halted all flights to and from Liberia and Sierra Leone following the death of a passenger from the virus.
The 40-year-old man, who travelled from Liberia, died in Lagos on Friday in Nigeria’s first confirmed death from Ebola.
The virus crossing borders for the first time by plane could lead to new flight restrictions aimed at containing outbreaks, the world aviation agency said.
“Until now (the virus) had not impacted commercial aviation, but now we’re affected,” ICAO secretary general Raymond Benjamin said.
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