Read how in Abuja, Boko Haram attacks and the elusive $470 million CCTV cameras

From the 2010 Independence Day car bombing at the Eagles Square to the daring attack on Police Headquarters in 2011, down to the strike on the United Nations building, not forgetting the deadly ThisDay Newspapers’ building attack in 2012, the Nyanya bomb explosion and, of course, Wednesday’s devastating  attacks on Emab Plaza in Abuja, acts of terrorism appear to have permeated  the polity, leaving everyone and every place completely vulnerable. Read the accounts of the blasts and the seemingly defeated efforts to install Close Circuit Television (CCTV), cameras in the major cities of the country. He was more concerned with reeling out the casualty figures. Deadline was fast beckoning in various media houses and a horde of  journalists at the scene had been placed on tenterhooks as they anxiously waited for official statement of the casualty rate from the authorities to authenticate their stories. Behind him were cars, vehicles and other items  which had been reduced to debris. The targeted plaza mainly escaped the attack but not before  having some part torched. Just then, he mounted the culvert in the middle of the road, backing the scene of the deadly bomb blast which smelt like hell to disclose the much awaited information. Accompanied by Mr. Bala Mohammed, the Minister of  the Federal Capital Territory( FCT), he read: “The casualty figure for now is 21 persons and 17 persons injured. If there is any change later on, we will gladly inform you. There are also 17 vehicles that were burnt in the incident. It is also heart warming to note that an arrest has been made and the security agencies will be following up with that arrest.” With the information, Mr. Frank Mba, the Nigeria Police public relations officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, felt his job at that point had been done. But he was seemingly oblivious of one thing more: that Emab and Banex Plazas where the dastardly act occurred on Wednesday evening were just two out of the plethora of shopping malls that liter Abuja, meaning that other could be vulnerable if left insecure. It was not until a  journalist put the question of police preparedness to secure other shopping malls across the city that Mba  said that surveillance would be extended to all plazas and other public places in Abuja to forestall a similar misfortune. Well, that is precisely what the public was expecting to hear and Mba had done his job. Done, the FCT Minister, Mohammed, took the stage. ”Our  security protocol that is being established is to make sure that some minimal security infrastructures are provided in all our public areas. In fact, it is showing from here that they are being enforced but there are certain incidences that may not be avoided and they are so unfortunate,” he stated. To Nigerians who have been following the trend of events, the statement of the two government officials were palatable but not new. In any case, they remained cosmetic in the light of many promises that had trailed similar attacks in the past. Almost, always, government and, indeed, the entire security apparatus assure Nigerians of adequate protection of their lives and property especially in the event of any crisis. Yet, little or no effort is made to realize that. At least, this is the conviction the ordinary Nigerians have. In effect, the bombs keep going off every now and then and,, in most cases, there had been no narrowed traces of the perpetrators. Yet again, the principal responsibility of government is to ensure the welfare and security of life property of the citizenry. At each occurrence, attention would be shifted for a while. There would a cordon off marked with police crime tapes. Heavy police/military presence would be seen. There would be suspension of business activities and vehicular movements, some times, as if the attacker would stage a come back to the scene. In any case, they had done so before even with an increased surveillance: Remember the second Nyanya bomb explosion on May 1, 2014. Yes, when these attacks come fresh, debates of intensified security surveillance would gain acceleration, attempting to reach a crescendo. But that is the sermonisation. Only at the time. When calm eventually returns, life continues until another bomber strikes. That is Nigeria. But in any fairest sense, Mba and Mohammed were not alone in the reassurance sermon. Since last week’s bombing, an avalanche of glowing condemnations, tributes, reassurances and reiterations have been recorded. From Mba to Mohammed down to Marilyn Ogar, the spokesperson of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), the reassurances go on. The National Assembly, religious bodies, the EU, UN, foreign missions domiciled in Nigeria and in fact most known private and public institutions have condemned the attack. Of course, who would not. Life was involved. Meanwhile, the chief of all the reassurance at the time of filing this report emanated from Vice President Namadi Sambo who inspected the scene on Thursday. Leaving an impression of usual rhetorics, he:”This cowardly and unjust act will be defeated-evil can never be sustained, Insha Allah. This administration and Mr. President will not leave any stone unturned until we defeat these terrorists. Terrorism cannot survive in Nigeria or in any part of this world.” Retrospectively, the Wednesday attack on Emab Plaza at the high brow area of Wuse 11, Abuja jerks a push into a chronology of bomb explosions that had rocked Abuja in the last  four years and unfulfilled tales of promises by government to halt them. More annoying is the fact that the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera project, billed for installation in Abuja and Lagos, which was started by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s regime and inherited by the present administration, is yet to see the light of day after a large chunk of $470m had been sunk into it. In fact, the completion time was supposed to be July, 2011 but, as at the last time Sunday Vanguard checked, nothing substantial was heard. *Chronology of Abuja bombings, deaths, non-fatal injuries, condemnations and unrealized promises of prevention. The 2010 Independence Day bomb attack Bomb attacks were apparently alien to the residents of Abuja until October 1, 2010 Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration. That year’s ceremony was very unique. It was the country’s golden Jubilee and so, the event was loud at the Eagles square, the venue of the event with most dignitaries of the world in attendance. More so, President Goodluck Jonathan had just taken over the mantle of governance a few months before. While the crowd milled at the venue, a car bomb exploded some meters away, killing 12 persons with the record of 17 non-fatal injuries. Later, it was heard that the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, led by Mr. Henry Okah was behind the attack. But even though President Jonathan was quick to controversially exonerate MEND whose leader was eventually found guilty and sentenced in South Africa, there were however promises to checkmate and nib the act in the bud. Force Headquarters bomb attack Nigerians were still waiting for government to fulfill its promise when another bomb attack was meted out to the Police Headquarters in Abuja on June 16, 2011. This time suicide bombing. The explosion claimed 6 lives. Sunni Islamist group of Boko Haram later claimed responsibility. Yet again, the government made more promises to stamp out terrorists. Abuja UN building bombing Perhaps, one dastardly bomb attack that got the government and, indeed, the world most rattled was the one  supposedly the most secure United Nations building in Abuja, on Friday, August 26, 2011. This came barely two months after the Police Headquarters was attacked. Twenty-one deaths were recorded in the UN building strike while 73 non-fatal injuries occurred. Hear the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri: “This is not an attack on Nigeria but on the global community. An attack on the world.” Similarly, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, described the attack as an ‘assault on those who devote themselves to helping others”. In a statement by presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, President Jonathan sent his condolences to Mr. Ban Ki-moon and all those who lost loved ones in the bomb blast. “President Jonathan reaffirms the Federal Government’s total commitment to vigorously combat the incursion of all forms of terrorism into Nigeria, and wishes to reassure all Nigerians and the international community that his Administration will spare no effort to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the statement said. Suspected perpetrators were members of Boko Haram. Government said it was on top of the situation. ThisDay Newspapers attack Hardly had the year 2012 left its first quarter than a bomb ripped through ThisDay newspapers bureau in Abuja. Six persons died while several others were injured. According to ThisDay’s Editorial Board Chairman, Olusegun Adeniyi, “The suicide bomber came in a jeep and security guards opened the gate for him. The guy drove in through the gate and rammed into the building and exploded. Two of our security men died, and obviously the suicide bomber died too.” Boko Haram claimed responsibility just as government reiterated its promise to curb the situation. Nyanya 1 and 2 bomb blasts Indeed, it appeared that the Federal Government did something very unusual that in the whole of 2013, no known terror attacks were recorded in Abuja. But on April 14, 2014, bombers resurfaced at Nyanya, a suburb of the FCT. At the peak period on that Monday morning, they planted a bomb at the popular El-Rufai bus terminal. Over 90 persons were killed while non-fatal injuries figure was put at 200 persons. On the heels of the incident, Jonathan increased surveillance at the place. The president’s spokesman said: “The president was saddened by loss of lives in Nyanya bombing. President Jonathan has ordered heightened security in Abuja following Nyanya bombing. President Jonathan extends his heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. President Jonathan directs the medical services to do their very best to save the lives of those injured in Nyanya bombing,” But the defilement of the security surveillance came again on May 1, 2014, when another coordinated bomb explosion ripped through the same area, killing 12 and leaving 30 injured. Analysts said it was meant to stop the hosting of the World Economic Forum(WEFA) which eventually held between May 7 and 9. Emab Plaza hit Since the last Nyanya blasts, there has been, understandably, an increase in the security systems. It would be recalled that a security alert recently prompted the temporary closure of the major markets in Abuja. But the Wednesday, June 25, 2014 attack on Emab shopping malls where 21 lives were lost and 17 persons seriously wounded has once again put residents on their toes. Resumed talks on CCTV Apart from the attacks at Nyanya, on the outskirts of Abuja, others attacks occurred at various places within the heart of the FCT. This has resurrected concerns about the state of the CCTV cameras in the FCT. Being the seat of power and one of the fastest growing capital cities in the world, not a few Nigerians had expected some security sophistication that would resist terror attacks and also reduce criminalities. But in words and deed, such is between the Boko Haram sect and the Nigerian military. He told Sunday Vanguard that Nigeria must shun politics and tackle the insurgents head on. ”It is really very unfortuate and my heart goes out to all those who have lost their lives during the incident. Of course, this raises a lot of questions about the nature of our security system and apparatus not only in Abuja but in all urban areas and the reality that is dawning on us that the security threat we are facing is becoming real. People like us who are from the north east specifically from Borno State; my constituency is one of the worst hit, it has almost become business as usual. People are trying to live with it and then you can only imagine when you find yourself in a very helpless situation. But as some who has been fully involved in this, the reality is that a lot security infrastructure that need to be put in place is now real that we don’t have it. Let’s wake up to the truth. Forget about the politics. Let’s take ourselves the truth and do what is required now. And it is not now, I am sorry, it may be too late. So, the fact of the matter that today is that security in this time and age is all about intelligence gathering and of course the ability to prevent it. And when you look at these kinds of attacks, they are attacks that can only be avoided by prevention. Once, they have occurred, there is nothing you can do about it. ”I understand CCTV cameras were installed in all the nooks and crannies of Abuja at a point. We saw physical things but it now calls to question whether they were working or not. And I think at a point in time, the issue was raised on the floor of the house that they actually considered not to be working and there was the issue about whether it was not completed. So, I think there is a reason now. You see, this is the issue. When things happen where you are, Nigerians tend to only think about the environment they live and that is all. We should think about all Nigerians. If this thing is happening right in the heart of Abuja, what happens in other places. So, the fact of the matter is that we have to rise up to the realities on the ground. When you declare a state of emergency, it is expected that you abandon everything other thing and concentrate on that matter which you have declared emergency on. There is every need for that. Forget about everything and get the security right. In any case, that is the fundamental principle of government. I may not say here that the government has failed but the truth of the matter is that we have not done the needful.” Bottomline Investigations by Sunday Vanguard in the wake of  the Wednesday’s attack revealed a downward curve in the confidence Abuja residents, nay Nigerians have in the security systems of the country, at least at the moment. There is apprehension in the air with no one knowing when and where the next explosives would be detonated. Analysts agree that though government is not taking any rest in the fight against insurgency in the country, it may not have done enough to protect the citizenry. One of its failures is the non-completion of the CCTV, four years counting. May be, if it is completed, there would be less trips to bomb blast scenes, cemeteries and hospitals just the same way observation of one minute-silence in the honour of the departed, the condemnations, dirges and tributes will cease from pouring in.

INCREDIBLE: Woman gives birth after 14 years pregnancy!

Saturday June 7, 2014, will remain the happiest day in the life of Mercy James. Reason? That was the day she miraculously gave birth to a baby girl after 14 years of being pregnant. The baby was promptly and aptly christined Miracle. And why not? If the mother had delivered at the expected time the child would have been a teenager by now and possibly in secondary school at the JSS 3 level. Mercy, a single parent, said of her ordeal during the 14 years she was pregnant but could not give birth: “When I first took in, I knew that I was pregnant with signs and test that confirmed that I was. Four months later, I went to hospital for another test, the result showed that I wasn’t pregnant, but had fibroid. Subsequently, I began to experience bleeding, at least once a day. Sometimes, my tummy would protrude in the semblance of pregnancy. I went to different hospitals, and I kept on receiving the same result that nothing was wrong with me. But deep down inside , I knew that all was not well with me. Churches and native doctors “So I was taken aback when a midwife told me I was pregnant. But considering the test which showed I had fibroid, I was angry with the midwife for giving me what I felt was a false prophecy of hope. Thereafter, I started going from one church to another and from one native doctor to the other. The results that I got from them all remained the same. I became more feeble and confused that I prayed for death to come. “I went again to the midwife two years after and complained to her about the pains that I was going through, she told me again that it was not fibroid but pregnancy; she advised me to be more prayerful so that God will deliver me from the hands of the devil. I kept on praying and at the same time asking myself that if truly I’m pregnant, why is it that the baby was not kicking? “I bought many concoctions that they said could cure fibroid and drank them. I even drank 12 bottles of a local cleanser but to no avail. This went on for years. Then God took pity on me and decided to wipe my tears. On the day I gave birth to my baby girl, I initially thought that worms were trying to come out of my body not knowing that it was a baby. This was what I told the midwife when we came to her. But after examining me she told me to push. I ignored her. I became unconscious for about 15 minutes and when I regained consciousness, I heard the cry of a baby. I was surprised and confused seeing my baby. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Hmm,I thank God for my life and that of my baby Miracle. I named her Miracle because she is truly a miraculous child”. Miraculous child The midwife at the Celestial Church of Christ, Kadoso Parish, Ajegunle where Mercy gave birth confirmed the development, especially the role she played. The woman who simply gave her name as Mrs Ajetima informed thus: “She was pregnant for 14 years and was unable to give birth during this period. Then on Saturday around 6:30am I saw two persons carrying her to this place. When she came inside, I laid her down and asked one of my daughters to examine her, after the examination, I found out that it was a baby that was about coming out and not worms. I asked her to push and she refused. My daughter gave her a hard slap on her laps since she refused to push. Behold a baby with placenta came out! I started shouting, calling on people to come and see for themselves that Mercy was truly pregnant, because if not, people will start to say that that Celestial woman has given Mercy a baby. Within a twinkle of an eye, the whole place was filled with people. God is wonderful”. Also affirming the happy development, Mercy’s closest friend, Odunayo Odeyemi had this to say: “I have known mercy for over nine years now. I met her with the pregnancy . In fact, she did not know that she was pregnant. I followed her to many places but her problems kept on increasing. Merely looking at Mercy then before she gave birth, you will notice that she wasn’t okay. I kept advising her to have faith in God because I had experienced the same thing. I was pregnant for three years and three months and God delivered me. “Mercy came to me on that fateful day around 4am begging me to give her a pain reliever, that she was having pains all over her body. I dressed up and took her to a man that sells drugs. After taking the drug, on our way home, she started having serious pains. I called her brother and we both took her to the midwife. Hours later, she gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. We all were surprised because we never expected such a miracle to happen. She had a complete baby.” Robert Davidson, one of Mercy’s friends, said that he concluded after seeing Mercy with a protruded tummy for three years that she had fibroid. So, “it came to me as a shock to learn that she delivered a bouncing baby girl.” For Chidimma Ibe, a neighbour: “She always complained to me that she had stomach pains all these period. She told me that she had fibroid and sometime, she will complain of different things. She was totally confused as to what her condition was. I’m very much surprised and happy she gave birth to a complete baby girl. It was truly a miracle. God was on her side. God is wonderful because all the concoctions she took were enough to kill the baby.” On the father of Baby Miracle, Mercy informed that they got separated on account of the ordeal that attended her pregnancy. “Friday is the name of my baby’s father. Actually, we are not married. He just proposed to me and I became pregnant for him. He knew about the pregnancy. He always gave me money for tests and scans but he got tired and left me after waiting for me for over a year without seeing any sign of a baby. I have no option than to go my own way,” she informed.

more! - jesus.net/GodsLoveOsaze sparkles, crackles ribs in Obahiagbon style

Super Eagles rave of the moment, Osaze Odemwingie has returned to his tweeting best. This time, he is causing laughter and bringing joy to many instead of his initial arrows that were fired and caught him in the web of missing the World Cup. In tweeting yesterday, Osaze went the way of his Edo-born brother and politician Festus Obahiagbon. Commenting on events at the on-going World Cup where his goal against Bosnia has brightened the way for Eagles progression in the tournament, Osaze wrote; ‘’ “The draw against Iran was the foreset origo that caused some crinkum crankum to be directed at us that was caught in the Bermuda Triangle.” Another one reads: “The state of OGaM ogam was rejected by the eagles with a higi haga style to avoid a calamitous end that brings odoriferous Saga.” On the Eagles’ journey to Porto Alegre, he wrote: “We are about to fly to Porto Alegre to prepare 4 the game vs Argentina. Hope the flight time will not be longer than a period of Ayonai .” Many foreign Journalists were left wondering on which planet he was writing from. Only few of us from Nigeria know where he was coming from. Laughter!

How we ‘ll beat Argentina – Keshi

Stephen Keshi has one thing to tell Nigerians:“Always be patient. Don’t write off any team in a tournament until that tournament is over.” Keshi was referring to the super performance of the team on Saturday night here. He did not sound boastful but he was extremely excited that the boys lifted their game and earned a deserved victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The 1-0 victory has placed Nigeria’s one leg in the second round. Nigeria’s coach Stephen Keshi gives a press conference at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba on June 15, 2014, on the eve of their Group F 2014 FIFA World Cup football match against Iran. AFP PHOTO “It was tough against Iran but Nigerians didn’t know how difficult they were until they saw Argentina struggling with them. We knew what we did wrongly and worked on them before the match against Bosnia,” Keshi continued in an exclusive chat Saturday. “I’m proud of the boys. They did well. But we all need to do more. We play Argentina tomorrow and we will give it our all. Argentina are world class. They are good and they have many good players. We will rely on our team work. Team work will see us through.” The Super Eagles coach knows that individual game would not lead Nigeria anywhere going by the stars in most of the teams here. Many Nigerian players were not making the first team of their clubs before the World Cup. And to put them to shape, he needed time. But the camping period was less than two weeks and that worked against his plans. “The time for preparation was short. We couldn’t do all the things we wanted to do. But we are gradually getting it right and, hopefully, we will get better in our team work and get positive results”. The emphasis on team work probably led to the benching of Victor Moses whose individual play had become a minus to the team. Moses would likely learn from the performance against Bosnia and change his game. Keshi is not ruling any player out but strongly maintains that team tactics should prevail. Osaze Odewengie played well in the eyes of many against Iran. Keshi did not dispute that. But he did not quite position himself in a particular way that could see him latch on rebounds, especially the drop nodding from Shola Ameobi. Each time the ball dropped, there was nobody to follow up. And that angered Keshi. But Osaze quickly understood and made up against Bosnia and Keshi is very happy with him and the entire team. Osaze’s goal earned Nigeria the sweet victory against Bosnia. “Everything is about team work. I think that we will play well against Argentina. We hope to qualify and move on. I plead with Nigerians to always be patient. The way they wrote us off after the match against Iran was disturbing. Let’s hope we get it right again on Wednesday.

Fraudster withdraws N1.9m through ATM

In apparent reflection of the rising incidence of electronic payment fraud, a fraudster withdrew N1.9 million from  the bank account of a customer through ATM in one week. This was disclosed by  Tam Tamunokonbia, Head, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos Office.  Speaking at the maiden summit of Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN) in Lagos last week, he said that ATM fraud is one of the commonest complaints received by the Council  from bank customers. He said in addition to this are: Illegal bank charges as against the minimum re-discount rate; Non-disclosure of terms and conditions by Banks and financial service providers; Mobile Payment Systems – online trading and Improper cheque verification. Citing example of these complaints, he said, “A lady’s N1.9 million withdrawn in one week without alert – case in Enugu High Court. A Company was charged in excess of N1, 984,662.40, another in excess of N592, 681 .61, and  another in excess of N552,597.01.” He said the general responses of banks to complaints against ATM fraud are:  “Customer compromised PIN numbers. Camera footage could not be generated.We are investigating and will get back.” On complaints of excess bank charges,he said banks’ responses are: The customer signed an agreement; The customer was given the form;  It is an error etc.” Consequently,Tamunokonbia advised that: “Banks should respect the customer’s rights to disclosure; Banks should provide written terms and conditions in simple language and legible words; Charges and fees should be made known to customers before opening their accounts – no hidden charges;  change in terms and conditions should be adequately disclosed to customers – prior notice; Statement of Accounts to be provided to customers at regular intervals; applicable interest rates, how it is calculated and when to apply the rates should be made known to consumers; terms and conditions to be in line with prevailing laws; avoid Council’s summons and prosecution – Section 12, 18 and 21 of the CPC Act, CAP C25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Ayo Fayose wins Ekiti elections

Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been elected Governor of Ekiti state. The Returning Officer for the 2014 governorship elections and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Oye- Ekiti, Professor Isaac Azuzu announced the results of the governorship elections in Ekiti State declaring the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Ayodele Fayose, who was governor of Ekiti State from 29 May 2003 to 16 October 2006, winner of the contest. Mr Fayose scored a total of 203090 to defeat other candidates who participated in the exercise. The Returning Officer, before announcing the results, called on party agents of the various political parties that participated in the elections to sign for the results sheet which indicates that they agree to the process and the election result. Professor Azuzu said ” I wish to announce that Dr Tope Aluko of the PDP and Mr Dele of the National Conscience Party, NCP, have signed the result sheet”. In the breakdown of the final result, Professor Azuzu said “‎we have come to the grand finale of this exercise. Accord-268, AA–146, AA–146, APC-120433, AD–843, CPP-967, LP 18125‎, KOWA –222, CPP–967, PDP-20309‎0, MPPP- 137, NCP–322, PDC–921, PPA–1050, SDP–65, UDP-67 In the meantime, the APC leadership, last night, issued a statement, rejecting the outcome of the election.

How I predicted Keefe’s death — Ara

The Nigerian female talking drummer, Ara has many other gifts aside drumming with which she is known worldwide. But none of them includes the gift of clairvoyance or seeing into the future as the beautiful drummer revealed recently. Ara, who is a friend to Late Kefee has disclosed on a Best of Nollywood’s chat forum that she had a dream concerning Kefee’s  death and that she called the late singer to pray hard to avert it. In her words: “I want to use this forum to appeal to my colleagues in the music industry. Less than two years ago, I had a dream about Keffee and immediately called her and narrated it to her, I also appealed to her not to make a joke of it….the rest is history. Early this year, I had a dream and contacted Efe of NOW music as he’s the only one I could call and told him to please organise a forum for all musicians to assemble and pray against death amongst us (please confirm from Efe). It’s sad we had to lose my girlfriend, sister and colleague…so sad. When a revelation comes like that, it means there is a way out. Once again, we need to come together as a body under one roof to rebuke and pray about this revelation I had early this year. Yes, we all have different sources of prayer but this is a prayer we all must observe together. I beg you all. I didn’t want to speak out but I have no choice than to”.