Agagu’s Burial May Still Hold Tomorrow Despite Unfortunate Plane Crash

Indications have emerged that despite the incident of plane crash involving the corpse of the late Agagu and some of his family member in Lagos today, the family of the deceased and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are insisting of going on with the burial ceremony tomorrow at Iju Odo in Okitipupa local government.

DailyPost gathered that the family had already sent a team to Lagos to convey the corpse which was said to be intact despite the crash which claimed over 11 souls including a Commissioner in Ondo State, Mr. Deji Falae. The family said since Agagu's son, Feyi and daughters in-law survived the crash, nothing would stop the burial.
A source had disclosed that Feyi, had spoke with his mother and other family members, an indication that he was in good condition.
However, A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], Chief Olusola Oke, who was in distress said, "the disasters are tasking our souls and breaking our hearts. Oke, who was flanked by other PDP Chieftains, said "at a time we were thinking of giving triumphant entry for a peaceful commitment to mother earth, of our great leader, this disaster struck to shake his biological, political and social families to their very existence.

"While we commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives, we thank God for saving the life of the late Agagu only son, [Feyi] for the sake of sustaining the former governor's dynasty.

"We were also full of praises that the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo son, Gbenga who was on board of the plane has also been reported to have survived the ordeal.
Oke called for full investigations of the disaster, which he attributed to carelessness or sabotage.
He also thanked God that Agagu's remains were intact saying "our leader will still be given the deserved burial, part of which had already started".
According to the PDP leader, all praise should also go to those who rescued the survivors of the plane crash, stressing that the burial would resume with minimal delay after due consultation with Agagu's family and the state government.
The State PDP Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi said the late Agagu does not deserve what is happening to him, saying "we are still very shock, but we are consoled that his heir-apparent did not die, that is the only joy we have.
Also, the Deputy Governorship Candidate of PDP, Hon. Saka Lawal called for prayers in the state, adding that the people need to move closer to God for deliverance.
"Ondo State needs prayer. What has happened is just for us to move closer to God. I will like to say, this has never occurred in the history of Ondo State. I will like to sympathize with the people of the state. It is unfortunate that our dear state is going through this kind of disaster. Again, we need prayer; everybody must come together for divine intervention from the hands of the evil forces". Lawal said.
When Daily Post visited the residence of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation [SGF], Chief Olu Falae who is the father of the Commissioner, sympathizers were in prayer session for the survival of Deji, the Commissioner.
We also observed that Falae, who was surrounded by two friends kept mum, and only responded in Yoruba Language by saying "E se oo, E se oo" meaning "thank you, thank you” repeatedly.

Source: Daily Post

Federal Government of Nigeria Prepares For Likely Independence Day Attack

Security  agencies have beefed up security across the 36 states of the federation as Nigeria prepares to  celebrate its 53rd Independence anniversary on Tuesday.

Although  President Goodluck Jonathan would celebrate the Independence anniversary inside Aso Rock, a police helicopter was seen carrying out aerial patrol of Abuja on Friday as part of security measures.

Also police commands across the country have mapped out various security measures to forestall  violence during the celebration by paying special attention to churches, open fields and stadia.

This is  coming shortly after the attack on a Kenyan mall that left over 60 persons dead.

The United States on Thursday said the group responsible for the attack, Al-Shabab, had links with the violent Boko Haram sect.

 A few days ago, Boko Haram leader, Abu Shekau, resurfaced in a new video weeks after the military reportedly killed him.

 Shekau, in the video, threatened that more attacks would  occur.

 On Saturday, President Barack Obama described Boko Haram as "one of the most vicious terrorist organisations in the world."

 Already, in Ogun State,   the police has put in place an operational order for the Independence  anniversary.

 The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the order would serve as a guide to the officers and men of the command in performing their duties throughout the  period.

 One of our correspondents  gathered that the Assistant Inspector  General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Mamman Tsafe, held a  meeting on Friday with the top officers in the command.

Regarding security at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, venue of the Independence celebrations in the state, the police spokesman said men of the anti-bomb squad and police sniffer dogs had been deployed in the stadium.

 Similarly, the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Alamala, Abeokuta said its troops had been put on alert.

 The Brigade's Public Relations Officer, Captain Adamu Ngulde,  said  troops attached to the state's anti-crime outfit, Operation Messa, were already maintaining tight security in different parts of the state.

 Ngulde added that the brigade had enough troops on ground to contain any situation in the state.

Akwa Ibom
The Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Etim Dickson, said the police had deployed more vehicles, particularly the Eagle 1-6, to complement the Quick Response Squad vehicles.
He stated that the QRS operations had also been extended to remote areas where they did not have presence.
"We have deployed more vehicles, particularly in Eagle  Patrol 1-6, which were  donated by the Niger Delta  Development Commission to complement the existing QRS to give adequate security towards Nigeria's anniversary celebration," he said.

 

Cross River

The Cross Rivers State Security Adviser, Mr. Rekpene Bassey, told Sunday PUNCH on Friday that a combined team of all security agencies had been mandated to guard specific areas.
Even though he did not disclose the 'specific areas,' he said, "Deliberate efforts have been made by placing all security agencies on red alert."

Osun
One of our correspondents reports that  police patrol vans as well as vehicles with armed soldiers have been patrolling Osogbo and other major towns in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mra. Folashade Odoro, said, "We assure the people of the state of water-tight security during the 53rd Independence Anniversary of our nation. Our men are all over and police presence will be seen."

Kwara

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olufemi Fabode, said some policemen from other divisions and area commands in the state had been drafted to Ilorin, the state capital.

He stated that the command had stepped up motorised patrols, adding that he would not reveal other security measures so as not to jeopardise them.

Rivers

Similarly, the Rivers State Police Command said it had put measures in place to ensure a hitch-free Independence Day celebration.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, who spoke in a telephone interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, explained that the command would leave no stone unturned to prevent crime during Nigeria's Independence Day celebration.

Ondo

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wole Ogodo, said the police was in collaborating with  military formations towards ensuring a hitch-free celebration.
He said, "We do not know whether the celebration will be low-key or not, but whichever the case, our men will be fully deployed at the stadium and other venues in Akure as well as all the local government areas where the celebration will be held."

 

Oyo

On its part, the Oyo State Police Command said more of its men would be deployed in strategic positions.
The state's Police Public Relation Officer, Olabisi Ilobanafor, told one of our correspondents in Ibadan on Friday that the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ndabawa, had directed all divisional police officers in the state to ensure that places of public interest and their communities must be well guarded during the period.

She said, "We are not expecting any public disturbance but as usual, it is the duty of the police to protect everyone. We are in a special period and we are stepping up our work to ensure that the state is safe for everyone.

Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command  said measures were being put in place to ensure the safety of lives and property during the  anniversary.

The command's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, made this known to one of our correspondents, but declined stating the specific security measures being mapped out for the day.

Aso Rock

SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that the Independence celebration event scheduled for Aso Rock would be strictly military.

 

The military event that will hold at the forecourt of the villa will be the commemorative handing and taking over by the presidential guards.

 

The President is also expected to sign the anniversary register, cut the anniversary cake and perform the traditional release of pigeons that signifies peace.

 

On Friday, men of the Presidential Brigade of Guards were seen rehearsing at the venue of the event.

 

They were joined by other security operatives that would be on duty on Tuesday as well as officials of the Protocol Unit of the State House.

 

Some officials of the Protocol Unit were also sighted dispatching invitation letters to dignitaries that are expected at the event.

 

Those expected include the leadership of the National Assembly and the judiciary, former heads of governments,  members of the Federal Executive Council as well as members of the diplomatic corps, among others.

 

Workers of the construction company, Julius Berger, who are handling the villa's maintenance, were also seen on Friday re-painting the walls of the forecourt.

 

A twin bomb blast had on October 1, 2010 rocked the neighbourhood of the Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the nation's 50th Independence anniversary celebration.  The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta claimed responsibility for the blast.

 

Although many believed that the government's decision to  hold the 2011 event and subsequent ones inside the villa was a way of avoiding the embarrassment another bomb blast might cause the nation, the government said the decision had nothing to do with that.

 

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, had attributed the low-key nature of the anniversary to the fact that Nigeria had had cause to hold two huge national events — the 50th Independence anniversary in 2010 and the May 29, 2011 presidential inauguration that attracted world leaders.

President Goodluck Jonathan had also said the nation's independence celebration would continue to be low-key until 2014 when the 100 years of the country's amalgamation would be celebrated elaborately.

The one-year long activities earmarked for the centenary celebration which started this year would be rounded off in January 2014.

 

Source: Punch Newspapers

185 KILLED, 2000 HOUSES RAZED IN BORNO TOWN, BAGA, AS SOLDIERS, BOKO HARAM FIGHT

At least 185 persons including women and children were reported to have been killed by either gunshots or fire after suspected Boko Haram gunmen engaged soldiers of the Joint Task Force in a deadly shootout that left the commercial border town of Baga in Borno State completely burnt down.

Local government officials, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, said 185 persons died, at least 2000 houses, 64 motorcycles and 40 cars were burnt in the wake of the attack.

The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, visited the town on Sunday and was told by residents that soldiers were responsible for the torching of houses that led to the death of many.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that scores of others are currently hospitalised with various shades of burnt injuries.

Residents said most casualties, especially the aged ones and children, died as a result of the conflagration that engulfed the entire town.

Governor Kashim Shettima, who visited the town on Sunday, became emotionally drenched at the sight of charred houses,vehicles and how homeless residents took refuge in the bush.

The Commander of the Task Force, Brigadier General Austin Edokpaye, explained that the fire that consumed the town and resultant deaths should be blamed on the Boko Haram terrorists who opened fire on soldiers while hiding in the mix of civilians.

A local trader in Baga told PREMIUM TIMES that the attack started at about 8 p.m. on Friday and was continued the next day.

“Only God can understand what we have done to deserve this. But the soldiers were mindless that night in their approach; they killed and burnt our houses, chased everyone into the bush including women and children. So far we have buried 185 corpses. – some were burnt beyond recognition; others are hospitalised with various degrees of burnt,” said the resident who begged to remain anonymous.

Governor Shettima who drove through the burnt town amidst heavy motorcade of security personnel condemned the incident which he said was a ‘nasty occurrence’.

At the town’s hospital, the governor had to commiserate with women, children and aged men receiving treatment for various degrees of burnt caused by the fire.

Bashir Isa, a grocery merchant, told PREMIUM TIMES that “everyone has been in the bush since Friday night; we started returning back to town because the governor came to town today.

“To get food to eat in the town now is a problem because even the markets are burnt. We are still picking corpses of women and children in the bush and creeks.”

Brigadier General Edokpaye denied allegations by residents that the shootout was unprovoked.

“We lost an officer during the attack on our men on patrol. We’ve received an intelligence that some suspected Boko Haram members usually pray and hide arms at a particular mosque in town. It was around that mosque that our men were attacked with several of them injured and an officer died.

“When we reinforced and returned to the scene, the terrorists came out with heavy firepower including RPGs which usually has a conflagration effect,” the army chief said.

Governor Shettima pleaded with fleeing residents to return to their burnt homes as a committee had been empaneled to provide a palliative compensation for the loss they suffered.

He also called on the commander to “take full charge” of his operation and ensure he personally supervises his field officers from time to time “in order to avert such nasty incidences in the future.”