- Written by Lanre Adewole, Ubong Anthony and James Bwala
- Wednesday, 23 October 2013 03:19
BOKO Haram insurgency is being externally-induced, the Federal Government told a United Nations council on Tuesday.
It also justified the execution of condemned prisoners as lawful, despite the unofficial global moratorium on application of death sentence.
Nigeria was defending its human rights record before the United Nations Rights Council.
The Council is holding its 17th session of the Universal Peer Review,(UPR)Mechanism in Geneva, Switzerland.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) who spoke for the country, was also unequivocal on the determination of Nigeria to sustain its opposition on same-sex marriage.
He noted that a review showed that about 92% of Nigerians opposed the controversial sexual orientation, arguing that it was against the country’s cultural and traditional values.
The minister vowed that the country would not bow to international pressure, seeking a change in stance.
According to him “Nigeria is experiencing the impact of externally-induced internal security challenges, manifesting in the activities of militant insurgents and organised crime groups which has led to the violation of the human rights of many Nigerians.
“To address the problem, the government has adopted constitutional measures which include the “declaration of a state of emergency” in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe of the Northeast Nigeria, where the insurgents have their base. As a result, a Joint Task Force and a Special Task Force have been deployed with the required legislative authorization to utilize rightsbased “Rules of Engagement” and “Operational Plans” in combating the insurgency.
“However, the Nigerian Government has kept open communication channels through the activities of a Presidential Committee on Security Challenges towards working out a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
“Meanwhile, Government has already proscribed Boko Haram and stipulated a 20-year jail term for anybody who aids or sponsors them in any manner whatsoever. The Government has also put in place an amnesty programme to dissuade terrorists and other extremists from violence.
“The Nigerian Government has taken other measures to improve security, including enactment of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 and its subsequent amendment in 2013 to broaden the scope of its application; development of a Counter Terrorism Strategy and creation of crisis management centre in the office of the National Security Adviser; coordination of enhanced capacity building for all security and intelligence outfits at both the strategic and tactical levels.
On same sex-marriage, he noted “Nigeria does not accept recommendation of some country on the matter, because same-sex marriage is against its national values. Recent polling data suggests that 92 percent of Nigerians support the Anti Same-Sex Marriage Bill passed by the Senate.
“The Marriage Act defines marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. Christianity and Islam, which are the major religions in Nigeria, also recognize marriage as relationship between a man and woman.
Same-sex marriage is not in the culture of Nigerians.
37 terrorists killed
A total of 37 terrorists were killed in a firefight with troops of the 7 Division Nigerian Army on Monday, while several others fled with gunshots wound in an operation at Alagarno village in Borno.
Acting information officer of the 7 Division Nigerian Army, Captain Aliyu Ibrahim Danja in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, said the operation which commenced on Monday 21, 2013 following intelligence launched an attack on Boko Haram camps located in the village.
According to the statement, men of the 7 Division Nigerian Army with men of the 79 Composite Group Nigerian Airforce Maiduguri, took a ground and air assault and destroy the terrorists camp in the Alagarno village.
He said arms and ammunations were recovered from the operation and 3 Hilux vehicles as well as several motor cycles belonging to the terrorists were destroyed during the operation.
While clearing air on the attack on Sunday 20 October, 2013, where 20 people were reportedly killed, the army said the Boko Haram terrorists which attacked Logomani village along Gamboru Ngala-Dikwa road were numbered 50 armed with AK47 riffles and rocket propelled guns and blocked the road at about 6:45 am.
The statement said, the terrorists also set ablaze 4 civilian trailers, 2 fuel tankers and snatched an Isuzu pick up loaded with provisions.
It also said that the terrorists fled the scene on arrival of troops of the 7 division Nigerian Army.
The statement further stated that terrorists also attacked members of the youth volunteers group who were returning from a funeral while 3 youth vigilantes were killed and their vehicle set ablaze.
“The youth vigilantes, who escaped however reinforced, pursue the terrorists and destroyed their hideout killing several terrorists while others escaped.”
The statement also said that, troops of the 7 division Nigerian Army are, however, currently conducting aggreesive patrols of the area to trace and destroy Boko Haram elements within its area of operations.
Militants attack C/River community, kill 5
No fewer than five persons were reportedly killed yesterday at Esuk Otu axis of Calabar, in Cross River State following a sudden invasion by suspected militants who attacked the community and engaged men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in a gun battle.
It was gathered that the militants chased fishermen and other traders at the Calabar Channel up to the Esuk Ata beach where they were confronted by men of the NSCDC.
Witnesses said that there was severe and heavy exchange of gunfire which led to the death of innocent villagers and burning of official vehicles belonging to the Civil Defence Corps.
A text message was circulated to Calabar residents, which said: “If you are in Calabar, please avoid going through UNICAL Library and Esuk Atu village. There is heavy fighting and burning of houses between suspected militants and loads of security details. Please spread this info.”
Owing to the development, about six persons were said to have been arrested by the NSCDC personnel in connection with the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the NSCDC were not readily available to confirm the incident but the state Police PRO, Hogan Bassey (ASP) confirmed that there was actually an invasion of the community by the militants but that the situation had been brought under control.
“I can confirm that there was a reported case of such incident around the Satellite Town area of the area called Esuk Atu, I hear that some arrests were made by the NSCDC personnel but I am yet to know if they were militants. We will get to know that when we finish with our joint investigation,” he stated.
It also justified the execution of condemned prisoners as lawful, despite the unofficial global moratorium on application of death sentence.
Nigeria was defending its human rights record before the United Nations Rights Council.
The Council is holding its 17th session of the Universal Peer Review,(UPR)Mechanism in Geneva, Switzerland.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) who spoke for the country, was also unequivocal on the determination of Nigeria to sustain its opposition on same-sex marriage.
He noted that a review showed that about 92% of Nigerians opposed the controversial sexual orientation, arguing that it was against the country’s cultural and traditional values.
The minister vowed that the country would not bow to international pressure, seeking a change in stance.
According to him “Nigeria is experiencing the impact of externally-induced internal security challenges, manifesting in the activities of militant insurgents and organised crime groups which has led to the violation of the human rights of many Nigerians.
“To address the problem, the government has adopted constitutional measures which include the “declaration of a state of emergency” in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe of the Northeast Nigeria, where the insurgents have their base. As a result, a Joint Task Force and a Special Task Force have been deployed with the required legislative authorization to utilize rightsbased “Rules of Engagement” and “Operational Plans” in combating the insurgency.
“However, the Nigerian Government has kept open communication channels through the activities of a Presidential Committee on Security Challenges towards working out a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
“Meanwhile, Government has already proscribed Boko Haram and stipulated a 20-year jail term for anybody who aids or sponsors them in any manner whatsoever. The Government has also put in place an amnesty programme to dissuade terrorists and other extremists from violence.
“The Nigerian Government has taken other measures to improve security, including enactment of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 and its subsequent amendment in 2013 to broaden the scope of its application; development of a Counter Terrorism Strategy and creation of crisis management centre in the office of the National Security Adviser; coordination of enhanced capacity building for all security and intelligence outfits at both the strategic and tactical levels.
On same sex-marriage, he noted “Nigeria does not accept recommendation of some country on the matter, because same-sex marriage is against its national values. Recent polling data suggests that 92 percent of Nigerians support the Anti Same-Sex Marriage Bill passed by the Senate.
“The Marriage Act defines marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. Christianity and Islam, which are the major religions in Nigeria, also recognize marriage as relationship between a man and woman.
Same-sex marriage is not in the culture of Nigerians.
37 terrorists killed
A total of 37 terrorists were killed in a firefight with troops of the 7 Division Nigerian Army on Monday, while several others fled with gunshots wound in an operation at Alagarno village in Borno.
Acting information officer of the 7 Division Nigerian Army, Captain Aliyu Ibrahim Danja in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, said the operation which commenced on Monday 21, 2013 following intelligence launched an attack on Boko Haram camps located in the village.
According to the statement, men of the 7 Division Nigerian Army with men of the 79 Composite Group Nigerian Airforce Maiduguri, took a ground and air assault and destroy the terrorists camp in the Alagarno village.
He said arms and ammunations were recovered from the operation and 3 Hilux vehicles as well as several motor cycles belonging to the terrorists were destroyed during the operation.
While clearing air on the attack on Sunday 20 October, 2013, where 20 people were reportedly killed, the army said the Boko Haram terrorists which attacked Logomani village along Gamboru Ngala-Dikwa road were numbered 50 armed with AK47 riffles and rocket propelled guns and blocked the road at about 6:45 am.
The statement said, the terrorists also set ablaze 4 civilian trailers, 2 fuel tankers and snatched an Isuzu pick up loaded with provisions.
It also said that the terrorists fled the scene on arrival of troops of the 7 division Nigerian Army.
The statement further stated that terrorists also attacked members of the youth volunteers group who were returning from a funeral while 3 youth vigilantes were killed and their vehicle set ablaze.
“The youth vigilantes, who escaped however reinforced, pursue the terrorists and destroyed their hideout killing several terrorists while others escaped.”
The statement also said that, troops of the 7 division Nigerian Army are, however, currently conducting aggreesive patrols of the area to trace and destroy Boko Haram elements within its area of operations.
Militants attack C/River community, kill 5
No fewer than five persons were reportedly killed yesterday at Esuk Otu axis of Calabar, in Cross River State following a sudden invasion by suspected militants who attacked the community and engaged men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in a gun battle.
It was gathered that the militants chased fishermen and other traders at the Calabar Channel up to the Esuk Ata beach where they were confronted by men of the NSCDC.
Witnesses said that there was severe and heavy exchange of gunfire which led to the death of innocent villagers and burning of official vehicles belonging to the Civil Defence Corps.
A text message was circulated to Calabar residents, which said: “If you are in Calabar, please avoid going through UNICAL Library and Esuk Atu village. There is heavy fighting and burning of houses between suspected militants and loads of security details. Please spread this info.”
Owing to the development, about six persons were said to have been arrested by the NSCDC personnel in connection with the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the NSCDC were not readily available to confirm the incident but the state Police PRO, Hogan Bassey (ASP) confirmed that there was actually an invasion of the community by the militants but that the situation had been brought under control.
“I can confirm that there was a reported case of such incident around the Satellite Town area of the area called Esuk Atu, I hear that some arrests were made by the NSCDC personnel but I am yet to know if they were militants. We will get to know that when we finish with our joint investigation,” he stated.
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