Bomb Blast In Turkey Kills 10, Leaves 15 Injured

A bomb blast which ripped through the historic Sultanahmet square at central Istanbul, has left ten people dead and 15 others injured.

The explosion at the major tourist attraction, occurred at about 10.20am local time on Tuesday, January 12.

Police secure the area after an explosion in central Istanbul, Turkey January 12, 2016. Turkish police sealed off a central Istanbul square in the historic Sultanahmet district on Tuesday after a large explosion, a Reuters witness said, and the Dogan news agency reported several people were injured in the blast. REUTERS/OsmanOrsal

In a statement quoted by the Dogan news agency, the city governor’s office said: “Investigations into the cause of the explosion, the type of explosion and perpetrator or perpetrators are underway,”.
At least one witness reported that a suicide bomber was responsible for the explosion, but the official cause of the explosion has not been announced, as there was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Al Jazeera’s Emre Rende, reporting from Istanbul, said information was scarce immediately after the blast.
“Witnesses have said that the blast was heard from other neighbourhoods,” he said.
“Witnesses said that the ground shook, ” Rende added.

A witness, Erdem Koroglu told NTV that he saw several people lying on the ground following the blast, as it was hard to tell who was alive or dead.
Ambulances rushed to the site of the blast which is close to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, in a major tourist area of Turkey’s most populous city, ferrying away the wounded as police cordoned off streets.
Police are reportedly taking extra measures to protect people against the possibility of a second explosion.
The blast comes just over a year after a female suicide bomber blew herself up at a police station for tourists off the same square, killing one officer and wounding another.
Turkey has seen several attacks of this magnitude in recently times. on Saturday, October 10 2015, two suspected suicide bombers killed 86 people and left scores injured at a rally of pro-Kurdish and leftist activists outside Ankara’s main train station in Turkey.

Few months earlier, about 27 people reportedly died and 100 injured, after an explosion at a cultural centre in the southeastern Turkish town of Suruc.

ISIS: Children Soldiers Narrate Their Shocking Ordeals

“Nasir” is one of the lucky ones who managed to escape from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which was training him to be a suicide bomber.

ISIS sends more child soldiers into battle.

Coming Back To Life
Nasir has reunited with his mother at the Esyan refugee camp in Kurdistan and returned back to school.
Narrating his shocking ordeal to CNN, the 12-year-old boy asked not to show his face and disclose his real name.
“There were 60 of us. The scariest times for us all were when the airstrikes happened. They’d lead all of us underground into the tunnels to hide. They told us the Americans, the unbelievers, were trying to kill us but they, the fighters, they loved us. They would look after us better than our parents.
“When they were training us they would tell us our parents were unbelievers and that our first job was to go back to kill them,” he said.

Nasir said that the youngest of the boys was just 5 years old, and none of them was exempt from horrible trainings carried out by the terrorists.
“We weren’t allowed to cry but I would think about my mother, think about her worrying about me and I’d try and cry quietly. When we escaped and I saw my mother again, it was like coming back to life,” he recalled.
Nasir escaped from ISIS after he was featured in a propaganda video made at the Al Farouq Institute in Raqqa, Syria.
Unbelievably Hard Decision
According to Aziz Abdullah Hadur, a Peshmerga commander, those who reach the relative safety of the Gweyr frontline, Iraq, are in a desperate state.
“When they arrive to us they’re so skinny, they barely look human. They tell us they’ve been living in a hell,” he said.
Recalling some fierce battles in northern Iraq, the commander said that he and his fighters sometimes had to open fire on children who were sent by ISIS to attack them.

“Many times when we are facing ISIS, we see the children at the front line and they’re wearing explosive vests. They are brainwashed.
“We don’t know when they approach our positions whether they’re really escaping or they’ve been sent to kill us.
“When they make it through our lines they kill our fighters. It’s an unbelievably hard decision. You don’t know what to do because if you don’t kill them they’ll kill you,” Hadur said.

Nouri rests with his grandparents while his brother Saman sleeps. Credits: CNN

Countless Beatings
Another boy who escaped from ISIS’ clutches is 11-year-old Nouri, who was kidnapped with his family and taken to the terrorists’ camp in Tel Aafar, northern Iraq.
When Nouri refused to join other boys for training, ISIS fighters broke his leg in three places.
When the boy’s leg healed, he could only limp and became “useless” for ISIS. Rather than shoot him they allowed his grandmother to come and carry him home.
“They asked us to come with them for the training. At first we refused to go because we were afraid. They asked me to go to the mountain and I refused again, then they broke my leg. That saved me. The other children were taken by force,” he said.
Nouri’s 5-year-old brother Saman was also released. However, cruel beatings at the hands of ISIS fighters traumatized him; therefore, every night the boy wakes up screaming and suffers from seizures.
Unfortunately, the boys’ parents and their baby brother still remain in captivity.

Arms Deal Scandal: PDP Calls On Jonathan To Speak Out

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the former president Goodluck Jonathan to speak out on the controversial $2.1bn meant for the purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram sect but which was allegedly shared by some influential politicians.

File photo of former president Goodluck Jonathan

According to the party, the controversy surrounding the sharing of the money by Sambo Dasuki, the former national security adviser (NSA), should have attracted Jonathan’s attention by now.
The Punch reports that Alhaji Abdulahi Jalo, the deputy national publicity secretary of the PDP, appealed to the ex-president at a press briefing on Monday, January 11, in Abuja.
Jalo said that Jonathan should clear the air and tell Nigerians whether he authorized the sharing of the money meant to fight insurgency in the country. He also stressed that those who took part in the sharing of the money should refund it.
“As all of you know, no single kobo can be spent by the federal government without an act of the National Assembly.
“Money earmarked for arms purchase, some people diverted it to something else. So many people that you cannot even expect were involved. Now, darkness has come to light.
“Jonathan is alive, he should clarify whether he asked the National Security Adviser to divert money meant to fight Boko Haram into his campaign.

“I’m from the North-East and I know the terrible security situation our people are facing there. The money was meant to fight Boko Haram, and we all know that you can’t rule without peace. Now darkness has given way for the light.”
“It was not only members of the PDP that shared the money; members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Accord Party and the Social Democratic Party, among others, also shared. At least, Chief Olu Falae is not a member of the PDP.
“All of them should return the money. Then, (former) President Jonathan must speak on it. He is still alive. Has he ever said anything like this to Dasuki, ‘go and take from the money meant for the war against Boko Haram and share for my campaign’? It is time for him to speak up,” he said.
The deputy national publicity secretary further recalled that the PDP held a fundraising dinner for Jonathan’s presidential campaign during which more than N20bn was realized. He challenged the beneficiaries of the money from Dasuki to explain how the party benefitted from such money.

“We are not fools. Money meant for the party’s campaign was given to the chairman of our party. We had a dinner, where billions of money was realised and this money was for the campaign. We said so and Nigerians were aware.
“We thank God that all those who took money used their private accounts and companies to get that. What has this got to do with the PDP?
“Haliru Bello did a contract with the office of Sambo Dasuki to the tune of N600m with his company’s name, not PDP,” he noted.
Speaking about Olisa Metuh, the national publicity secretary of the PDP, who has been recently taken into the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Jalo said:
“His company allegedly had transactions with the office of National Security Adviser. So, what is PDP’s business with that?
“We want those people that have been accused to shed more light, whether they were given the money to campaign for Jonathan.
“Did they bring the money to the party national secretariat? PDP has nothing to do with individuals that used their companies to do contracts with National Security Adviser.

“Those who have been accused to have collected money from the office of the NSA should come and tell Nigerians how they used the money for the party.
“PDP has no company. It is not a private company. It is a political party. Was this money paid into the party account? No. So, these people are ‘on their own’.”
Jalo noted that all the recipients of the money from the office of the NSA must have asked where the money was coming from. Because of their ignorance all Nigerians are looking at every member of the PDP as criminals, he added.
He also wondered why some prominent members of the party have remained quiet since the scandal broke.
Ibrahim Magu, the chairman of the EFCC, has recently explained why Goodluck Jonathan has not been arrested over the $2.1 billion arms deal.
He said that no document has been traced to the former president giving any approval for the disbursement of the money for any other purpose than arms purchase.

Security Operatives Nab Gov Mimiko With Foreign Currency In Bayelsa

The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that Governor Olusegun Mimiko was caught with a “huge sum of foreign currency” by security operatives in the early hours of the Bayelsa state supplementary governorship election.

The Ondo state chapter of the APC alleged that Governor Olusegun Mimiko was caught with foreign currency in Bayelsa state

The Herald reports that the party’s allegation was contained in a statement issued in Akure by its director of publicity and media, Steve Otaloro.
The APC alleged that Governor Mimiko’s media aides bribed some sections of the media, especially their proprietors in Ondo and Bayelsa states, to “kill the story” from going public.
The party described as shocking and unacceptable for the state governor to take such a huge amount of money to campaign in Bayelsa state while his people are struggling to survive in the face of poverty.
“We have often heard such stories which we found difficult to believe until this instance that was intercepted by men of the security services.
“This, however, confirms why Dr. Mimiko is regarded as an ‘ATM Governor’ outside the State while the people he swore to serve are living in squalor and abject poverty,” Otaloro said.
The party spokesman said the governor cannot refute the story because he will provoke the security operatives that caught him with the foreign currencies in Bayelsa state.
“The State Government neither owned up to the story nor denied it as it used to because it knew a denial might provoke a response by the security services to set the record straight.
“Ondo State APC views this mindless profligacy with grave consequences at the time when an average Ondo State citizen finds it difficult to have a decent meal per day and at a time when the State Government is owing workers two months salary.
“Besides, the State Government budget performance index has been less than 15 percent since the beginning of Governor Mimiko’s tenure,” he said.

The party challenged Governor Mimiko to explain to Ondo people where he got the money he used to prosecute the supplementary election in the oil rich state of Bayelsa.
“At this point, Dr. Mimiko ought to concentrate on projects and services that would allow him to leave his footprint on the sand of time in terms of developmental projects as his tenure winds up rather than diverting the State resources to frivolous awards to boost his political ego,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), during the build up to Bayelsa state governorship election warned President Muhammadu Buhari and other relevant agencies of government to desist from interfering in the supplementary election scheduled in the state.
Bayelsa state came alive on Sunday, after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the re-election of Governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for another term of four years.

EFCC May Seek Dikko's Extradition From Dubai

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may seek extradition of Abdullahi Dikko, the former comptroller-general of Nigeria Customs Service, from Dubai if he fails to honour its invitation this week.

Dikko has some questions to answer over what Col Ali met on ground.

Last week, the EFCC operatives stormed Dikko’s residence at Jabi in Abuja and turned the house upside down looking for some incriminating documents over the on-going investigation of some petitions against him while in office.
Shortly after the search, the commission revealed that it had trailed the ex-customs boss to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and was planning to arrest him at the nation’s airports.
Leadership reports that a source close to the EFCC said that the failure of Dikko to honour the invitation may mean the use of extradition from the United Arab Emirates, where the former customs boss is suspected to be living since his retirement.

“It is advisable for Dikko to return home this week to answer some questions raised by the petitioners who accused him of sharp practices while in office the better otherwise, the commission will has no choice but to use the extradition to bring him to justice wherever he may be.
“Dikko has some questions to answer over what Col Ali met on ground, the place stinks, to say the least and if the man has travelled out of the country, we may ask him to come back if he has nothing to hide else we may be forced to use other ways to bring him back,” the source said.
Meanwhile, some youths under the aegis of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria have condemned the recent invasion of Dikko’s residence by the EFCC operatives.
According to the northern youths, the invasion is undemocratic, barbaric and the worst form of state prosecution.

Bayelsa Poll: Tears, Prayers Trail Shooting Of Traditional Ruler

Tears and prayers have continued to trail the condition of the Peremambiri King, popular known as Progress Never Die, who is struggling for his life at a hospital in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital.
Never Die was shot on Saturday, January 9, during the supplementary election in Bayelsa state when some ex-militants invaded the Peremambiri community, located in Southern Ijaw local government area.
READ ALSO: Bayelsa Poll: Sylva Heads To Court
In a recent visit to the hospital (name withheld for security reason), it was gathered that Peter Ogunyanwo, the Bayelsa state police commissioner struggled to hold his emotions as he was almost moved to tears on seeing Never Die.

Bayelsa monarch”Progress Never Die” struggling to stay alive after he was shot in Southern Ijaw during the Bayelsa guber poll (PHOTO CREDIT: Ibanga Isine of Premium Times)

Premium Times reports that Ogunyanwo removed his beret and prayed fervently for the monarch.
It was gathered that just before the monarch was wheeled into the theatre for a major operation, Ogunyawo removed his cap, held the monarch on the arm and prayed for about three minutes.
The commissioner of police however advised politicians in the country to embrace peace in their quest for power.

The Peremambiri King, Progress Neverdie was said to have sustained bullet wounds during a clash that ensued between his supporters and that of a popular youth leader named Eris Paul popularly known as Ogunbos.
Naij.com reporter in Bayelsa sighted the monarch being conveyed in an ambulance to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

Rivers APC Apologises To Professor Wole Soyinka

The Rivers state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has tendered an apology to Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka on the recent accusation by the Rivers state government against him.
Recall that the Rivers government recently expressed shock when it found that the ex-governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi had spent N82 million to host Soyinka to a three-hour dinner.

Austin-Tam George, the state commissioner for information and communication, made the disclosure while addressing journalists on Tuesday, January 5, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The Rivers APC chairman, in the state, Davies Ikanya, tendered the apology through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on media and public affairs, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze.
Eze said: ”On behalf of the good people of Rivers State, we hereby tender an unreserved apology to Prof. Wole Soyinka and assure him that Wike’s vile attempt to link him to an imaginary corruption has failed.
”The accusation is nothing but the ranting of a drowning man looking for whom to pull into the stinking pool. But Wike has over-reached himself this time, because Prof. Soyinka is globally renowned as a man of unimpeachable integrity, who has never been associated with corruption in his over 80 years on earth.
”The fact remains that Wike is currently in a pit full of faeces, looking for whom he will splatter the faeces on; sadly, he remembered our revered Nobel laureate. As rightly observed by Prof. Soyinka, Wike is ready to splatter sewage in all possible and improbable directions.
”The Rivers APC noted that Wike, in his desperation to demonise Amaechi and whoever that is associated with him, must have forgotten that his panel of enquiry, which investigated the former governor’s tenure, exonerated him of any financial misdeeds.”
”For Wike to try to disparage a respected personality like Prof. Soyinka in this manner only exposes him as a drowning man looking for any tool to stay afloat. If Wike is sure of his records, why doesn’t he go to court to retrieve the N82 million? ”

The party stated that the achievements of the Amaechi administration could not be wished away or cancelled through cheap blackmail.
Meanwhile, Soyinka has described the statement by the Rivers state government as ‘abominable distractions.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 6, the Ogun-born professor said it was never his business to look into the catering logistics of the numerous luncheons, dinners, institutions, etc. that he attends all over the world.
Reacting to the allegation, Amaechi urged Wike to go to court if he has any cases of fraud or misappropriation of state funds against him instead of what he called ”silly distractions. ”