Why We Withdrew From Boko Haram/FG Talks- Dr. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad

As a concerned elder and President of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), I felt very disturbed with the turn of events and the increasing cycle of massive violence in our country, and especially, in the Northern and Muslim part of Nigeria. We in the SCSN, therefore, made enquiries as to how to reach the current leadership of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnati Lidda Awati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram.

Our enquiries led us to a reporter who we realized maintained close and valuable professional contact with leadership of the Sect. Through this Gentleman, we contacted the leadership of the Sect and established from them that as Muslims they were prepared to consider “Sulhu” which means” broad reconciliation” regarding the dispute between them and the Government.

It was, at this juncture, that I and the Secretary General of the SCSN, on behalf of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria contacted the Federal Government at the highest level and intimated them of this great possibility of reconciliation and peaceful resolution of the crisis. This was on Monday, 5th March, 2012. My delegation was well received and a high-ranking civilian officer was appointed immediately to liaise with us towards a successful resolution of the crisis. To our shock and dismay, no sooner had we started this dialogue; Nigerian newspapers came out with a lot of the details of the meeting held.

This development has embarrassed us very much and has created strong doubts in our minds about the sincerity of the Government’s side in our discussion as the discussion is supposed to be very confidential to achieve any success.
In view of this unfortunate and unhelpful development, we have no option but to withdraw from these early discussions. We sincerely regret that an opportunity to negotiate and terminate this cycle of violence is being missed.

The terrorists attacked a Divisional Police Officer’s house, police station and Unity Bank.

P.M.NEWS learnt that the dreaded Islamic militants came on three vehicles at about 2 a.m., broke into the armoury of Tudun Wada Police station bombed the station and carted away arms and ammunition.

Security forces claimed no life was lost on their side, as nine Boko Haram men were gunned down while two were arrested alive during a gun battle that lasted for five hours.

Tudun Wada is about 100 kilometers away from Kano metropolis.

The Brigade Commander of 3 Brigade (Bukavu Barracks), Brigadier-General Illyasu Abbah briefed newsmen this evening.

He said the operation was a major breakthrough for Kano Joint Security Task Force.

According to him, the Islamic militants in search of guns and money attacked a Unity Bank adjacent to the bombed police station, “but they did not succeed in breaking into the vault containing about N2 million.

“Within the hours of 2 and 7 a.m. on Wednesday, hoodlums went to Tudun Wada which is about 100 kilometers from Kano. They used explosives to blow up the police station in the area.

“They destroyed the DPO’s house, went to the police station and did the same. They also used explosives to blow up Unity Bank adjacent the police station,” the Army Chief told journalists, adding that the Islamic militants carted away rifles from the bombed police station.

“On getting the information, at about 1:30 a.m. security operatives mobilised, blocked Falgore, Jos and Kano axis because definitely, they came from Kano to operate and move back.”

The Army boss said during the gun-duel, the JTF over-powered members of the sect who came in three cars, and recovered the arms and ammunition stolen from the destroyed police station.

He stated that, “only God knows what these weapons would be used for if they had succeeded in carting them away. This hoodlums lack arms and they have been in desperate mood to get these items. That is why their best place of attack are police stations.”

Items recovered from the Boko Haram militants include, 600 rounds of 5.6 mm bullets, 176 cartridges of Pump Action gun, 147 rounds of 9mm bullets, two AK 47 rifles, three pistols, two assorted rifles, two smoke guns, 21 magazines, two dane guns, one Pump Action gun, six containers of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), 70 Canisters of Tear Gas, one Lap Top, police uniforms and helmets.

CBN provides Concessions on Cashless Lagos, Increases Transaction Limits and Cuts Charges

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appears to be partially retracing its steps on the controversial Cashless Nigeria project which is slated to kick off in Lagos in two weeks.
The CBN has divulged that the transaction limit for individuals which was pegged at N 150,000 will be increased to N 500,000. Also the CBN has stated that it will reduce the 10% cost for transactions that exceed that limit.
The transaction limit for companies still remains at N 1 million.
Lemo said, “We are going ahead with the March 30 deadline for deposit and withdrawal limits as earlier planned. However, the associated costs will be reduced, while the transaction limit for individuals will be increased to around N500,000.
“We have not said people will not be able to withdraw above these limits, what we have said is that there will be an associated cost that goes with these transactions. We have never used the word penalty.”
Speaking on the Point of Sales terminal network which the banks have begun to deploy.
He said, ““We have an agreement with Glo and MTN to ensure 99 per cent uptime since both channels will serve as backup to each other. Also, negotiations by the CBN with manufacturers of PoS terminals have ensured that banks got the best rates and support services for their PoS machines. The charge for using the PoS, which is 1.25 per cent, is not to be borne by the customers.”

JTF recovers corpses of slain soldiers in Bayelsa •As Navy kills alleged killer

JTF recovers corpses of slain soldiers in Bayelsa •As Navy kills alleged killer

Shekau, Boko Haram leader, escapes arrest in Kano •Wife arrested •Security operatives probe 2 top politicians over sect’s funding

Shekau, Boko Haram leader, escapes arrest in Kano •Wife arrested •Security operatives probe 2 top politicians over sect’s funding