Nigerian military arrests Boko Haram’s Abuja and Jos bomb expert!

According to reliable high-ranking military sources, a young man  in his mid 20s, who confessed being a bomb expert for the extremist Boko Haram sect has been arrested  by military operatives in Borno state while on his way to  Sambisa forest, the dreaded hideout of the Boko Haram terrorists. 

The man, whose identity was withheld by the authorities, appears a big catch for the military as he has confessed being involved in the recent Nyanya and Jos bombings that killed more than 300 people.

It was gathered that the suspect was traveling from Abuja to Sambisa on Sunday, but was arrested near Bama town of Borno state by soldiers of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army.

Soldiers on patrol nabbed the man during a stop-and-search operation at a checkpoint after finding suspicious items like “sophisticated communication gadgets, a map, a very  expensive laptop and 30 pieces of Flash-Drives in  his bag”. 

He was immediately whisked to the Maimalari barracks in Maiduguri, a distance of about 100km away and handed him over to relevant military personnel for further interrogation.

During interrogation, it was alleged that the man confessed being  a bomb expert working for Boko Haram and claimed to be carrying out assignments for “the power that be”

The suspect also allegedly confessed being responsible for both Nyanya and Jos bomb blasts that claimed about 300 lives.

He said he was to meet with some operatives of  Boko Haram for yet another work (bomb attack), a sources who cannot be named because he was not authorised to make these disclosures to anyone said.

The source added that the suspect boasted during interrogation that those who arrested him merely wasted their time as he was confident of being released by the powers behind his deadly activities.

“He boasted that he will soon be released as was the  case at DSS headquarters when he was arrested late last year but only to be released three months after to start work again,” one of our sources, said.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Defence Headquarters, Chris Olukolade, a Major General, declined to confirm or deny the arrest.

“Many terrorists are being interrogated as we speak and I do not want to comment on any specific case at this time,” Mr. Olukolade said.

source: PREMIUM TIMES

Police officers refused to look for my girl- Father of one of the raped and hung girls!

Roving Informant learnt that the father of one of the girls gang-raped and hanged from a tree says he was ridiculed by the Police when he reported her missing.

Discretion advised:

The man, who has not been identified, said that because he was from a lower caste, Police officers 'refused to look for my girl'

The girls, cousins aged 14 and 16, were found hanging from a mango tree in Katra village in Uttar Pradesh after they were raped and killed by a gang.

The family belongs to the Dalit community, also called 'untouchables' and considered the lowest rung in India's age-old caste system.

'When I went to the Police station, the first thing I was asked was my caste,' he told the BBC. 'When I told them what my caste was, they started abusing me.'

So far, three men, including one Policeman, have been arrested in connection with the crime, while officials are said to be searching for another three men, one of whom is also a Police officer.


What are human beings turning into?.......

'Honor Killing’ of Pakistani Woman- Four More Arrests made!

It has been revealed that the Pakistani Police has arrested four more people in connection with the death of Farzana Parveen, a pregnant woman fatally beaten by her family in a so-called honor killing that has stirred outrage in Pakistan and across the world.

After an urgent appeal for action from the Prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, the Police on Thursday night arrested Ms. Parveen’s uncle, two cousins and a driver employed by her family.

They are accused of participating in a crowd of about 30 men, having been led by her father and two brothers, who surrounded the 25 year old Ms. Parveen, as she was bludgeoned with a brick outside the Lahore High Court building last Tuesday. 

The manner of Ms. Parveen’s death, before a large group of men on a busy street in a major city, has attracted global attention, highlighting both the brutality of honor killings and the apparent inability of the Pakistani Police to protect vulnerable women.

Photos of Muhammad Iqbal, her grieving husband, hunched over a shawl that covered his wife’s bloodied body have fed the condemnation of honor killings, which often occur in rural areas when a woman elopes with, or marries, a man of her choice in defiance of her parents’ wishes.

But new details that have emerged in Ms. Parveen’s case have suggested that money was also a major factor in her death and that her grieving husband had himself killed a woman in the past.

Police records show that Mr. Iqbal, 45, killed his first wife, Ayesha Bibi, in October 2009. In a phone interview, Mr. Iqbal confirmed that he had killed Ms. Bibi and said he had done so to be with Ms. Parveen.

“I strangled her,” he said, speaking from home in the Faisalabad district, west of Lahore. “I liked Farzana since she was a child.”

Police investigators said that Mr. Iqbal absconded after the 2009 murder and stayed with Ms. Parveen’s family, in their home, until he was arrested in April 2013. The Police charged him with Ms. Bibi’s murder, but he was released under an Islamic provision of Pakistani law that allows a convict to be freed upon payment of money to the victim’s relatives.

Money linked to cause of killing:

Mr. Iqbal later asked for Ms. Parveen’s hand in marriage from her father, who agreed in exchange for a dowry of about $800. But then, he said, the family requested more money, and a dispute emerged.

With the matter unresolved, Ms. Parveen and Mr. Iqbal married in January. Ms. Parveen’s family told the Police that she had already been married to one of her cousins and claimed that Mr. Iqbal had kidnapped her.

The conflict on Tuesday arose when a crowd of men from her family’s village, led by her father and two brothers, surrounded her as she walked from her lawyer’s office to the Lahore High Court.

She was going to the court, her lawyer later said, to give a statement that she had married Mr. Iqbal of her own free will.

Mr. Cheema, the Police investigator, said that one person fired a gun, and the bullet grazed her ankle. Then her father, Mr. Azeem, hit her with a brick taken from the roadside. Her brother Zahid, and a cousin, Mazhar Iqbal, joined in the attack, he said.

Mr. Iqbal said he was also beaten by the men. “When Farzana was killed, I fell on her body, but they pulled me off and started beating her body and her face with their shoes.” he said.

There is absolutely no honor in killing a pregnant and unharmed woman- Roving Informant!

President Jonathan’s Democracy Day Speech!

Fellow Nigerians,

1.I greet and felicitate with you all, today, as we mark 15 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in our beloved country.

2.Our dear nation, Nigeria, has certainly come a long way and made notable progress since our first Democracy Day on May 29, 1999 when the military finally relinquished power and handed over to a democratically-elected government, marking the true beginning of a government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

3.Although I have ordered a low-key commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day in deference to the current mood of the nation, there can be no doubt that the past 15 years, the longest period of sustained democratic governance in our country, have been a blessing to us, as a people.

4.As we commemorate 15 years of our Fourth Republic today therefore, I believe that it is fitting that we pay tribute once again to all those who played a part in restoring our nation to the true path of democratic governance, built on the foundations of rule of law and freedom of expression.

5.As a result of our collective efforts since 1999, democratic governance is now entrenched in our nation and institutions. I wholeheartedly believe that our people are the better for it. The scope of fundamental rights and liberties enjoyed by our people over the past 15 years has been expanded beyond measure.

6.On my watch, we have witnessed high national economic growth rates, steady improvements and expansion of national infrastructure including airports and roads, the restoration of rail transportation, the efficient implementation of a roadmap for improved power supply, a revolutionary approach to agricultural production, as well as advances in education, sports, youth development, healthcare delivery, housing, water supply and other social services.

7.In the oil and gas sector, our promotion of a sustainable local content policy, continues to guarantee equity and better opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs and skilled personnel.

8.Significant increase in mobile telephone and national broadband penetration, making Information and Communications Technology (ICT) one of the fastest growing sectors of the Nigerian economy. We have also developed strong financial markets and regulatory institutions. Our banks now have regional and global footprints.

9.Nigeria has also gained recognition as the largest economy in Africa, the most preferred investment destination in the continent and in terms of returns on investment, the fourth in the world. We are pleased that the world has noticed, as global leaders converged in Abuja early this month for the World Economic Forum in Africa.

10.The event not only witnessed a record attendance, it brought the prospect of an additional flow of investment into the Nigerian economy estimated at over $68 billion over the next few years.

11. In foreign relations, our country has equally done well within this period, by establishing and strengthening strong partnerships with all ECOWAS countries and the rest of the world. This has helped to deepen Nigeria’s leadership role in multilateral institutions including the United Nations.

12.Furthermore, under this administration, we have made consistent progress in improving the standard of elections in our country to ensure that they are ever more credible and truly representative of the people’s free choice. The National Conference we initiated to deliberate and make recommendations on the best ways of resolving our current political and socio-economic challenges is on-going. It is our expectation that its outcomes will help to further consolidate the gains we have made from democracy in the past 15 years, and place our dear nation even more firmly on the path to greatness.

Dear Compatriots,

13.It is a sad fact that as I address you today, all the gains of the past 15 years of democratic governance in our country are threatened by the presence of international terrorism on our shores. Our dear country, Nigeria is facing a new challenge. A war has been unleashed on us. Extremist foreign elements, collaborating with some of our misguided citizens, are focused on an attempt to bring down our country and the democracy and freedom we cherish and celebrate today.

14. The despicable abduction of school girls from Chibok in Borno State has brought to the awareness of the entire world, the heartless brutality of these terrorists who want to instigate a descent into anarchy and balkanize our nation.

15.In recent years, terrorist attacks have claimed the lives of several of our compatriots, many have been injured or maimed, whole villages and communities have been destroyed and the economy of some of our states is in jeopardy.

16.There can be no doubt that what we are witnessing in Nigeria today is a manifestation of the same warped and ferocious world view that brought down the Twin Towers in New York, killed innocent persons in Boston and led to the murder of defenceless people in the Southern Russian city of Volgograd. Terrorist activities have brought war and pains to Mali, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. These agents of evil continue to brainwash and incite ignorant young men and women to attack the innocent. We cannot allow this to continue.

17.I welcome the statements of solidarity from patriotic citizens and the global community in support of our efforts to stamp out terrorism. I applaud the understanding that in a democracy, such as we are building, people can have differences while sharing worthy values and standing together in opposition to the scourge of terrorism. Nigeria is the only country we have and we must all work to preserve it for present and future generations.

18.Despite the challenges we face, we must commend our security forces. We must not forget their gallantry and successes in liberating nations and in peacekeeping, from Liberia to Sierra Leone, Congo, Sudan, Mali, Guinea-Bissau and many places in Africa and beyond. Our forces have paid the supreme price in several places at several times.

19.Today, they face a different challenge, an unconventional war by terrorists. They are adjusting and are being equipped to tackle the new menace of terrorism. We must show confidence in their ability. I have no doubt that, with the support of Nigerians, our neighbours and the international community, we will reinforce our defence, free our girls and rid Nigeria of terrorists.

20.It is now 45 days since the horrifying abduction of the college girls of Chibok. I share the deep pain and anxiety of their parents and guardians and I assure them once again that government will continue to do everything possible to bring our daughters home.

21.I am determined to protect our democracy, our national unity and our political stability, by waging a total war against terrorism. The unity and stability of our country, and the protection of lives and property are non-negotiable. I have instructed our security forces to launch a full-scale operation to put an end to the impunity of terrorists on our soil.

22.I have also authorized the security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that this is done. I assure you that Nigeria will be safe again, and that these thugs will be driven away – it will not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal.

23.For our citizens who have joined hands with Al Qaeda and international terrorists in the misguided belief that violence can possibly solve their problems, our doors remain open to them for dialogue and reconciliation, if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace.

24.My government, while pursuing security measures, will explore all options, including readiness to accept unconditional renunciation of violence by insurgents, and to ensure their de-radicalization, rehabilitation and re-integration into the broader society.

Dear Compatriots,

25.We must remain united to win the war against terrorism. Christians, Moslems, farmers, fishermen, herdsmen, teachers, lawyers, clergy or clerics, the rich, the poor and Nigerians from all sections of the country must work together with our security agencies and armed forces to overcome the terrorists who now threaten all that we hold dear.

26.The war against terror may be difficult, but the days of peace will come again. Terror is evil; nowhere in history has evil endured forever. The menace of Boko Haram will surely come to an end. I believe that because of your prayers, your courage, hardwork, faith and sacrifice, we will ultimately prevail over the terrorists and all other evil forces.

27.We are a strong, resilient and courageous people. We will continue to partner with the civilized world, to confront international terrorism and every other challenge that comes our way with patriotic zeal and determination.
Fellow Nigerians,

28.Yes, we have challenges but we will surely overcome. Nigeria is our country. Nigeria is blessed. We will all collectively protect, defend and develop this country for ourselves, and our children.

29. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

30. Thank you and God bless Nigeria.

Rihanna's Instagram Is the Most Important Thing in Fashion-Tom Ford!

Tom Ford in an interview with Style.com revealed that people no longer care about fashion reviews or editors "with a knowledge and a history and an ability to write and disseminate that information to the rest of the population." Instead, what they care about is what Rihanna Instagrams when she's lying naked in bed.

Something new is happening that I'm just clueing into now—this probably won't go down well—but customers don't care any more about reviews or hard-copy publications. They care what picture Rihanna just Instagrammed while she's naked in bed, what new shoes she has on, how she's talking about them. That's what they respond to. he said

Ford points to the trend of bloggers posting about shows, clothes, and everything under the sun, and of course, the rise of social media. 

He said "Everyone has a voice now, so the person with the loudest voice is the one people listen to,".

White House ‘to look into’ blunder after publicizing name of CIA’s chief in Afghanistan!

The White House has ordered an investigation into the blunder which saw the CIA’s Afghanistan station chief accidentally identified, an official said Tuesday.

The agent’s name was revealed in a pool report sent out by a Washington Post reporter to journalists based on a list of officials provided by the White House who were taking part in a security briefing for President Barack Obama during his surprise weekend visit to Bagram Air Base.

The pool report is an eyewitness account of the president’s activities written by a pool reporter on behalf of his colleagues, sent out by the White House to thousands of journalists.

It was gathered that when the reporter realized what had happened, he notified senior White House officials and they provided a new list of officials for the pool report that was missing the name of the man revealed as “chief of station” in the earlier report.

Maya Angelou passed on at 86!

Acclaimed poet , author and civil rights icon who wrote lyrically of her childhood in the Jim Crow south, Maya Angelou is dead.

According to reports, Maya died Wednesday morning  at age 86, her death was confirmed by a family representative and by officials at the Winston-Salem mayor’s office in North Carolina, where she had been living.

Angelou was honored with more than 50 awards, including the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, for her collected works of poetry, fiction and nonfiction, most notably her groundbreaking memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which made history as one of the first nonfiction best-sellers by an African-American woman.

“Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension,” a family representative posted on her Facebook page. “She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love.”

Angelou’s career spanned the globe, including stints as an editor in Egypt a and a music and drama school teacher in Ghana. Her career also extended beyond the page to the film set, the stage and the lectern. As a civil rights activist, she became friends with both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Adieu Maya