06/01/18

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.
Brigadier General John Agim

The Defence Headquarters has responded to the allegations of sexual offences levelled against the military by Amnesty International.

Addressing a news conference on Friday in Borno State, the Director Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim, warned that the military would no longer tolerate such accusations.

He stated this after leading a team from the DHQ to Maiduguri, to investigate the allegations of rape and other sexual offences allegedly by soldiers positioned in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Brigadier General Agim told reporters that the team visited caregivers, camp officials, and women leaders in the camps, after which the military concluded that Amnesty International’s claims were untrue.

“I have interacted with the stakeholders in the camps that the Nigerian Armed Forces has neither molested, sexually assaulted nor raped any IDP as alleged by Amnesty International recent concocted report,” he said. “In the Armed Forces, we maintain that we do not condone rape and do not have rapists among us.

“You have also established that soldiers are not deployed inside the IDP camps; hence, the need to take you round the two most populous camps in Borno State which are Bakassi IDP Camp with over 35,000 displaced persons from five different local governments areas namely: Marte, Monguno, Gwoza, Gwuzamala and Nganzan, as well as Dalori IDP Camp with over 7,800 persons from Bama and Konduga local governments respectively,” the military spokesman added.

He explained that on gender-based violence, the DHQ specifically considers rape as an outright aberration and a grievous offence that cannot go unpunished.

The Brigadier General, however, decried allegations contained in the report of the human rights group as ineffective methodologies to address the matter.

He noted that it was about time the issue was addressed squarely, rather than resorting to blanket allegations.

The Defence spokesman further questioned the motives of Amnesty International for repeatedly making allegations allegedly capable of presenting the Nigerian Army personnel as monsters.

To this end, he alleged that the organisation has not only positioned itself as an enemy of the Nigerian Army but the country as a whole.

“If you look at what happened this year from January to this moment, every month Amnesty brings out a report; before now we used to hear about their annual report.

“It is intended to ensure that foreign countries that are ready to collaborate with the military in the fight against insurgents do not do so – it is the same kind of report that made the US not to sell us weapons in 2014/2015.

“Why are they doing that, because they want the crisis not to finish? So, we also are compiling the activities of Amnesty International and by the time the military command looks at what they are doing, there may be a time that they will take action,” Agim said.
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Mr Jide Awe, says Dr Kayode Fayemi was a target of shooting during the party’s rally on Friday.

The APC was holding its takeoff campaign for the July 14 governorship election at its secretariat in Ado-Ekiti when what appeared to be an accidental discharge occurred.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele, and another party faithful were wounded by an armed policeman as a result of the incident.
Ex-Rep member, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele

Although the police authorities in the state have confirmed the incident, they said they have begun an investigation into the shooting.

The party chairman, however, told Channels Television that the shooting was aimed at Fayemi, the party’s governorship candidate, while Bamidele coincidentally fell victim of the shot.

He also said the man who fired the shot was dressed in a mobile police uniform, stressing that the former Reps member was walking with the former minister.

“When he shot at the crowd, I believe sincerely that he (the police) aimed at Dr Kayode Fayemi but narrowly, he (Fayemi) was pushed by somebody walking behind him,” Mr Awe revealed during a telephone interview on Politics Today.

“Opeyemi Bamidele was equally very near him and the shot hit him. But I can say authoritatively that he’s not badly hit, and he is recovering as we are talking,” he added.

The APC chairman, who witnessed the incident, noted that those at the scene thought the shot was fired by an overzealous officer who was trying to pay respect to the former minister.

He said was just returning from the hospital and proceeding to another medical facility where the other gunshot victim was being attended to.

Asked how sure he was about his claim that Fayemi was the target of the shooting, Jide insisted, “To a reasonable extent because he and Bamidele were walking together but narrowly, he was pushed by somebody behind him (although not intentional).

The incident happened two days after Dr Fayemi resigned his position from President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

READ MORE:- Kayode Fayemi Resigns As Minister

He resigned two weeks and some days after the former minister won the APC rescheduled primary election which held on May 12. LR News
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that he will not be re-contesting the national chairmanship position in the forthcoming National Convention slated for June 23, in the party´s interest.
He stated this on Friday night in Abuja while speaking with newsmen, adding that his decision was taken after wide consultation with close political associates and family members and not because of intimidation.
However, he said that the tenure extension that was hitherto agreed by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) suffered a set-back following President Muhammadu Buhari´s opposition.
According to him, the tenure extension would have helped to stabilise the party in the face of some of its challenges and may have prevented the crisis that followed its recent congresses in some states of the federation.
He said that some of the party leaders ought to have considered the tenure extension to be in the best interest of the party.
This, he said, would have ensured that the party go into the 2019 elections as a united fighting force, rather than one that was potentially weakened by internal conflicts arising from competitive congresses and convention.
Odigie-Oyegun urged party leaders to close ranks and to make the party a strong fighting force ahead of the 2019 general elections.
"Now that the Convention Committee has invited interested aspirants to obtain forms to contest various national positions in our party, it has become necessary for me to state my position."
"I have consulted widely with my family, friends and associates, even though, I had the desire to re-contest as the national chairman of the party."
"I have decided that it is ultimately in the best interest of the party for me to withdraw from the race," he said.
“I believe that the party faces difficult days ahead, and all critical stakeholders in its leadership would be required to bind together for a common purpose".
He advised that a less-contentious convention would be better for the party adding that he had always sought to be part of solving the party´s problems.
"I do not intend to be part of the problem for APC to solve. It is for this reason that I hereby declare that I will not be seeking re-election as the national chairman."
"However, I will continue to perform my functions as the national chairman of the party, till my tenure officially ends on Monday, June 25 when a new set of party executives will be inaugurated," Odigie-Oyegun said. LR News
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.
Tragedy struck in Ado-Ekiti on Friday as a police officer shot a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele and an unnamed person at the rally organised by the governorship candidate of the party, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

The rally had started from Akure, the Ondo state capital on a good note by the large crowd of party supporters and admirers that graced the occasion before it turned into a sad one when the policeman suddenly released several bullets to scare the people.

Dr. Fayemi, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state and a former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who were in the long convoy of vehicles, were descending the stair case of the party’s secretariat at Ajilosun area of Ado-Ekiti after greeting party leaders when the incident happened.

Bamidele was hurriedly rushed into the car conveying Ondo State governor and taken to the hospital while the other victim fell on the ground and people said that he might have died instantly.


The police officer was immediately disarmed by party faithfuls who descended on him and smashed his head with sticks and other dangerous weapons before being rescued and taken to a safe custody.


This incident caused serious confusion in the vicinity as people scampered for safety in different directions to prevent being hit by bullets.

However, Fayemi and his entourage were received in Ikere-Ekiti by long convoy of vehicles and large crowd of party supporters, which caused serious traffic snarl along Ado–Akure road.

Before the crisis, Akeredolu and Fayemi while addressing party members, said he had come home to rescue Ekiti from the pangs of poverty and wanton neglect caused by the PDP administration.

Akeredolu applauded the party members for putting behind them the post-primary crisis, saying with the crowd he saw today, Ekiti remains the stronghold of the APC.

“Fayemi has returned with full force to reclaim the land. He needs your support and this task shall be achieved in the mighty name of God”, Akeredolu said.

In his response, Fayemi said: “We are here to work for Ekiti and our party leaders and this we are going to do together because it is a collective responsibility.

“We are going to work with everybody, including those who just decamped to our party, because we are one big family in APC.

“We shall win by the grace of God. Our case was like the case of a ram who moved backward to garner more strength. We are here to rescue Ekiti and it is a task we must achieve”.

In his contributions, Adeyeye, who returned to the party last Tuesday after twelve years in the PDP, said: “I have returned home and my mission is to ensure that we killed Fayose politically by burying him.

“We shall mobilize well to achieve this task and by the grace of God, this is a must-win and must accomplished task for all of us”, he added.

Fayemi’s deputy governorship candidate, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi was also in the entourage, among other party leaders. LR News
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.

Five dangerous predators, including two lions, two tigers and a jaguar escaped from a zoo in western Germany on Friday, sparking a massive hunt, a spokesperson for local authorities told AFP.

A bear, which also broke out of the Eifel Zoo in Luenebach, has been shot.

Residents in the area have been advised to stay indoors while a hunt is underway for the big cats.

Owned by the Wallpott family, the zoo located close to the border with Luxembourg is home to around 400 animals, including a Siberian tiger and lions.

Friday’s escape came two years after another similar case in eastern Germany when two lions broke out of their cages at the Leipzig zoo.

One of the lions was shot dead while the other was eventually brought back into captivity. LR News
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.

Ethiopian Airlines has announced that it will take delivery on June 5, of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787-900.
This will make it the first for an African airline to operate 100 aircraft fleet in the history of the continent.
Ethiopia strive to maintain its pioneering aviation technology leadership role and ascertaining its leadership position in all aspects of Aviation Services in the continent.
Ethiopian Group CEO, Mr. Tewolde Gebre Mariam said: “It is an immense honor for all of us at Ethiopian to reach the milestone of 100 aircraft.
“This milestone is a continuation of our historical aviation leadership role in Africa and a testimony of the successful implementation of our fast, profitable and sustainable growth plan, Vision 2025.
“Ethiopian was the first to avail jet service in the continent back in 1962, and operated the first African B767 in 1984, the first African B777-200LR in 2010, the first African B787-800 Dreamliner.
“Also, B777-200 freighter in 2012 and the first African A350 in 2016 and the first African B787-9 aircraft in 2017.
“Ethiopian now operates one of the youngest and most modern 100 aircraft, with an average age of less than 5 years,” he said
He added that  fleet modernisation and expansion was one of the four critical pillars of the  Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, in support of our fast expanding network.
According to him, it has reached over 110 international destinations covering five continents.
“Our new and cutting-edge fleet composed of B787s and A350s offer unparalleled on-board comfort to our customers and offer the best possible connections when traveling within Africa and between the continent and the rest of the world.
This 100 fleet milestone, which we have achieved ahead of our Vision 2025 targets, compels us to revise our plans with a view to phase in more aircraft and further expand our network.
This , he said would help the airline  to meet the growing travel needs of our continent and support its economic development and integration by facilitating the flow of investment, trade and tourism. LR News
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has declared war on militants who are regrouping in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria and vowed not to give them a hiding place.
The Force said it has recruited 7,000 personnel in three years as one of the measure aimed at flushing out militants in Lagos and the country as a whole.
“The whole essence is to ensure that Nigeria and Nigerians are secure and be able to go about their businesses without fear,” the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said.
He made the vow at the inauguration of some buildings for the personnel at 041 Communications Depot, Shasha in Lagos on Thursday.
According to him, the Air Force will continue to flush them out just like we have been doing.
“We have been in Lagos, Taraba and other states in the country. Very soon, something is going to be worked out which will involve not only the Air Force but all military formations.
“Our commanders are giving us all the inputs. Just like we flushed them before, we are going to continue to flush them with the support of other security agencies.”
The CAS said the force had acquired new helicopters and aircraft to accomplish the aim of the Force.
“Professionalism is not just about equipment and training but most importantly, about the human beings because human being is the most important resource.
The CAS said that the NAF embarked on massive construction of new accommodation as well as re-modelling of old ones to address the infrastructural deficit of the past.
“It is quite important to ensure that the living condition of our tireless and hard working personnel is given high premium.
“Human beings, being the most important resource in organisations, ought to have their welfare needs addressed in order for them to be effective in discharging their assigned roles and responsibilities.”
He said that the NAF Base, Shasha, being one of the bases in the Lagos area, was critical to the successful conduct of NAF operations.
“It is, therefore, appropriate that such a base receives commensurate provision of facilities for the general well-being of personnel and their families.
“The project being inaugurated is dedicated to one of our pilots who paid the supreme price while on a national assignment.
“The project is therefore, named after the senior officer who passed on while on rescue mission on an Alpha-Jet aircraft.
“It is hoped that this would create the enabling environment and serve as motivation for personnel to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.”
The CAS appreciated the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his continued support for the military, especially the NAF, through the provision of platforms and logistics support to operate them.
“We have recently received some new platforms while awaiting the delivery of others.
“A number of platforms in our inventory are also undergoing reactivation and will soon be injected back to service to boost our counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
“You could also remember that the NAF was also instrumental in riding the creeks within the South West region off criminal elements.
“As much as capacity is being built within the NAF, we must continue to develop strategies to anticipate and curb other emerging security imperatives across the country,” he said.
Latest Reality Metro reports that the newly inaugurated accommodation was designed to house a total of 120 airmen and airwomen.
The accommodation was built to take care of the personnel that had just been recruited, to enhance the operational effectiveness of the NAF.
The CAS also toured some formations and units in the Lagos area, including 641 Aircraft Maintenance Depot (ACMD), 651 Base Services Group and 661 NAF Hospital, all in Ikeja.
He also inspected 2 NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft undergoing Periodic Depot Maintenance and Life Extension Programme. LR News
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.

The Nigerian Army has intercepted three trucks fully loaded with thousands of live cartridges at a village located in Igbogila-Ilara area of Ogun State.

The live cartridges were carefully concealed and sealed in boxes made up of a wooden platform with metallic plates. The drivers of the trucks and passengers on sighting the troops abandoned the trucks and fled.

The Army in a statement signed on Friday by Acting Deputy Director, 81 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Om Daudu, said the operation was carried out following a tip-off.





“Following a tip-off received from well-meaning Nigerians during anti-illegal bunkering, anti-pipeline vandalism and anti-smuggling patrols, on May 30, 2018 at about 2:58am, troops of 81 Division Nigerian Army in conjunction with The Nigeria Police, Department of State Security, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps intercepted three 5-ton trucks with vehicle registration numbers: ANAMBRA AAH 409 ZV, LAGOS BDG 782 XU and LAGOS GGF 88 XU loaded with thousands of live cartridges, at Balogun village, along Igbogila-Ilara road, Ogun State,” the statement read in part.

No arrest has been made, as the statement said further that, “the drivers and their crew on sighting troops abandoned their trucks and fled.”

The troops are, however, on the trail of the fleeing drivers, their crew, collaborators and sponsors and an investigation is currently ongoing into the incident. LR News
Continue reading
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)