ACROSS THE NATION

Delta Kidnapping:  Pastor, Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad Boss Arrested

In a move that validates the long-held insider conspiracy theory on the worrisome spate of ransom kidnapping in Delta State, the leader of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Delta State Police Command in Asaba has been arrested.

A crack team from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) swooped on the special anti-kidnap outfit in the state, whisking the suspects away to Abuja for further interrogation.

The head of the squad, who was identified as Mr. Dickson Adeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), was arrested with some of "his boys" in response to preliminary investigations into the upsurge in ransom abductions in the state, which mostly target oil workers, top ranking politicians and other professionals as well as their relations. 

Nearly 100 suspects have been arrested in connection with various cases of kidnapping and attempted kidnapping in Delta State in 2012 alone.

Among those presently undergoing interrogation are 40 persons arrested by the Police, the same number as have been apprehended by the country's State Security Service (SSS). The Nigerian Army has equally arrested 18 persons during patrol of black spots in the oil-rich city of Warri and its environs the last few days.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan disclosed these on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the state government's efforts to arrest the worrisome trend, at the end of a special meeting with traditional rulers and community leaders across the state.

“The head of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad in the state has been arrested with his boys and taken to the CID headquarters for alleged involvement in kidnapping and related criminals activities,” Uduaghan said. “They are greedy people who are common criminals, so poverty and hunger are no excuses for engaging in the crime.”

The governor also revealed that a certain pastor was in police net for his involvement in kidnapping while he continued to pull the wool over the eyes of community members that he was a man of God. Some abductees were allegedly found in the pastor's residence when security operatives searched it recently.

Admitting that cases of abduction have posed a serious security challenge for the government especially in the last few weeks, he stated that security investigations have uncovered the huge impact of insiders in the success of the crime.

The “insider involvement”, he explained, includes the collusion of relatives of kidnapped victims, domestic staff, such as drivers and cooks, and co-workers who either directly recruit the kidnappers or give out information about the financial dealings and movement of the victims.

He, therefore, warned members of the public to be wary of divulging too much information to other people, especially concerning financial transactions. He also called for internal vigilance, and commended members of the Warri chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for their efforts in combating the menace.###

Kaduna  Easter Blast Toll Nears 40 ...ACF Condemns Attack

The Death toll in the blast following the Easter Sunday bombing that occurred at Sardauna Crescent in Kaduna township according to latest reports, is already nearing 40.

The blast occurred near churches, hotels and residential buildings. Kaduna is almost evenly divided amongst Christians and Muslims, who live in the South and North of the state respectively.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack even though the deadly terrorist group Boko Haram had claimed responsibility for several similar attacks targeting Christian worship sites.

Addressing newsmen on Sunday afternoon, Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Abubakar Zakari Adamu, informed journalists that about 38 people had been confirmed dead while at least another 13 were seriously injured and receiving treatment in various hospitals across the city.

“We took seven persons to Rakiya Memorial Hospital, out of which five have died while the remaining two have been transferred to 44 Army Reference Hospital, where about 20 others have been taken. At the St Gerald Hospital, out of the 10 people taken there, five died while the remaining five are receiving treatment,” he confirmed.

“At Barau Dikko Hospital, we have six dead bodies with six others injured; while about 20 people died on the spot. In all, we have about 36 dead bodies while 13 others are seriously injured.”

But a Red Cross official who spoke anonymously suggested that the casualty figure could rise, as security agents and other emergency workers have equally been involved in the business of evacuating dead bodies from the scene.

At least six vehicles and about 60 buildings, including two popular hotels —Fina White House Hotel and Marhaba Hotel — scores of residences and the All Nations Christian Assembly located along Gwari Road were devastated by the blast.

ACF Statement on Kaduna Bombings

The Arewa Consultative Forum, a foremost northern group has condemned Sunday's bombing saying it is “unconscionable and so condemnable”.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Anthony N.Z. Sani, the ACF said, “The news of bomb explosions in Kaduna which claimed many lives and destroyed properties today suggest some people are determined to undermine the needed peaceful coexistence and national security. This is unconscionable and so condemnable. Few things are less pleasing to God when innocent people are killed in the name of God.

“Yes ACF asks Nigerians not to be discouraged by the spate of bomb explosions. Rather; they should regard the challenges by the insecurity as a collective responsibility by living up the collective challenges.

“ACF therefore condemns the bomb explosions and condoles those who lost lives and properties, as well as pray for the repose of the souls of those who died.

“May He make it possible for replacements many folds.”

51 Rocket Launchers Uncovered

Security operatives Thursday seized 51 rocket launchers in a house in Barunde area of Gombe metropolis which was being used to manufacture rockets and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the raid, carried out by State Security Service (SSS) personnel and the army, came a few hours after four persons were arrested with 60 explosive devices in another part of the city.

The Director of SSS in Gombe State, Mr. Bitrus Asha, who conducted journalists round the “factory”, said one man had been arrested in the house.

Asha disclosed that 51 rocket launchers, 48 bags of fertiliser, sulphuric acid and cortex items were recovered.

Other items recovered are detonators, remote control devices, different types of chemicals, six containers for preparation of IEDs and other items.

He advised people to report suspicious characters to security agents, adding that the SSS and other security agencies would reinforce the operation, which would be sustained.

Meanwhile, Borno State government and the Joint Task Force (JTF) Thursday blamed the residents of the state for the continued siege of Boko Haram on the state.

They said the non-provision of vital information that would lead to the arrest of the sect members was the reason why there was no end in sight to the insecurity of the state and by extension the entire nation.

The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zanna Mustapha, who was at the Monday Market, Maiduguri, where 11 persons were confirmed killed by the sect, said the only way to end the onslaught of the fundamentalists was by providing the right information that would lead to their arrest.

The deputy governor, who was at the market to commiserate with the traders, promised that the state government in collaboration with the security agencies would provide adequate security in and around the market.

He assured the families of those who lost their beloved ones that government would assist them in whatever capacity, and called on the general public to cooperate with the security agencies in providing information that would assist in arresting those who are terrorising innocent people in the state.

Mustapha added that without the people giving adequate information to the security agencies, government alone could not stop the rampant killings by the faceless group who are hiding under religion to cause mayhem.

He also directed the General Manager of the market, Alhaji Ajiya Terab, to sensitise all traders on the importance of giving information on suspected criminals in the market to the security agencies, particularly the JTF, promising that such information would be treated with confidentiality.

Also yesterday, the JTF came out to state that the battle to smoke out the fundamentalists was needlessly prolonged due to the uncooperative attitude of residents of Maiduguri.

The spokesman of the task force, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, in a press release, said: "The JTF in Borno State has observed with concern the poor attitude of the public in Maiduguri metropolis to the issue of information sharing with security agencies.

"It is worrisome that Boko Haram terrorists are living in the same community with the people without requisite information that will assist the JTF in arresting them.”

He warned that the task force would deal ruthlessly with anyone trying to disrupt the peace of the state especially during the Easter period and beyond.

Musa assured everyone of confidentiality of information given.

He said: "They need not fear for any information passed to the JTF will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”

More facts have been provided on Wednesday's attack on the Monday Market.

Terab said that 11 persons were killed, made up of nine Igbos and three Kanuri traders.

Musa had on Wednesday said that only one person was killed in the deadly attack, but his counterpart in the police was more lenient with the truth, insisting that seven persons were killed.

Terab, who conducted the deputy governor round the scene of the attack, stated that seven out of the 11 died at the spot, while the other four who were rushed to the hospital for treatment could not survive the gunshots.

Three of them also died before reaching the hospital, including Miss Amaka, who in the process of running to see her father who was shot dead, was also killed by the gunmen. 

The GM told the deputy governor that gunmen numbering about 10 invaded the market with four of them carrying AK47s, while the others were in possession of pistols.

They started shooting at their targets without any confrontation from anyone despite the deployment of some security agents in the market.

On why the market was closed yesterday, he told the deputy governor that the management of the market had to close it for the moment in honour of the dead.###