•Jonathan orders security agencies to arrest culprits
From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE and ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja, DAVID MOLOMO,Yola and ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna
There was stampede of students and lecturers from Mubi, Adamawa State yesterday following Indpendence Day’s massacre of 40 students by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram. The higher institutions are Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State University and the School of Health Technology. About 26 students were killed at the Federal Polytechnic with the other two institutions accounting for 14 deaths.
Authorities of the polytechnic closed the institution yesterday. This is even as President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday ordered security agencies to arrest the culprits. Also, Senate President David Mark called for the enforcement of capital punishment law.
Meanwhile, the students of Federal Polytechnic, Mubi were said to have defied their ongoing semester examinations and packed their bags and luggages to use the free period preceding the curfew to flee. Those that were lucky boarded commercial vehicles while those not so lucky patronized trailers to leave the town.
Those not fortunate enough to meet up the free time opted to trek over 15kilometres to Mararaba to board buses plying Maiduguri or Yola, depending on the destinations of the students.
As at Press time, different death tolls were being bandied by students, the lecturers and security operatives.While the students told Daily Sun that the death toll was 40,the lecturers said it was over 50,but the Police Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Mohammed, a Deputy Superintendent, said that 26 persons were killed. The exodus of the students has generated tension in Mubi and its environs, as people feared that they could be attacked.
The Police declared that they could not rule out the involvement of the students in the last Monday’s killings because of the nature of the operations, which they said was selective as houses off campus were being pinpointed and students randomly killed. However, students who witnessed the incident and preferred to remain anonymous, said that some of those killed were final year students who were preparing to defend their academic projects while others were starting their examinations to move to the next class.
In Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, briefed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on the killings which elicited condemnations from all members. Presidential spokesman. Dr. Reuben Abati, said President Jonathan described the killings as tragic, sad, barbaric and shocking. “The President has directed securuty agencies to investigate the matter and get to the root because this kind of incident, where people were called out and shot, is really shocking.
“He directed that no stone should be left unturned in the bid by the law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators of the mayhem are brought to book”. Abati said government regretted that the massacre occurred when considerable progress was being made in tackling the security challenges in some parts of the country.
The Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State, Godfrey Okeke, confirmed that 26 bodies had been deposited in the mortuary. Okeke said the killers came with a hit list from which they identified their targets before gunning them down. Meanwhile, angry Senators yesterday demanded that the Presidency must fish out those behind the Mubi killings.
The Senate urged President Jonathan to expeditiously apprehend the killers and prosecute them. The Upper Legislative Chamber also observed one-minute silence in honour of the dead. Mark called for the enforcement of capital punishment law as provided in the statut0es. The Senators expressed sadness and anger over the massacre. Senator Jubrilla Bindu representing Mubi, raised a motion while Chairman of the Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee, Sen. Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, urged the Senate to find out, through the National Intelligence and Security Committee and let them “interact with the security agencies to let us know what is happening.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu said: “It’s high time we declare a vote of no confidence in this government. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu observed that the Mubi killings could be as a result of a glitch in the security system.
His words:”This is indeed a very sad day for us as a country. Let’s just for a moment imagine that we are the parents of these children killed in Mubi. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. I stand here to condemn it and it’s evil…What happened in Mubi is a failure of the security system.” The Senate President condemned the killings, calling on the executive to tackle insecurity in the country by applying capital punishment law for the perpetrators. Mark said: “This is a very painful moment for us as a nation.
The people who are dead could not be as a result of their own fault. Every state government has the responsibility of providing security for those who live in that state… “People are not killing in the United States of America because of unemployment or desertification or flooding.
The security challenges before us in this country are grievous and we have to tackle them headlong. “Even if it’s just attacking the symptoms now, those who are involved must be brought to book. I know that this is a democracy and with due respect to all of us, capital punishment is still in our statute books and this is the time to test it and use it as a deterrent to others and fast too,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senate suspended a request from President Jonathan to borrow $7,905,690,000.00 for pipeline projects under the Medium Term (2012-2014) External Borrowing Plan. Listed as the first order of the day on the Senate’s Order Paper, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba urged the chamber to tarry awhile before giving its approval. “We need further clarification on this from the executive.
I move that we stand it down till another legislative day. I so move.” Deputy Minority Leader Ahmed Sani Yerima seconded the motion, which suspended legislative consideration of the presidential request. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Anthony N. Z Sani, the ACF said news of the attacks and killings of some innocent students was very shocking to all lovers of peace, humanity and sanctity of life. “The young students could not possibly be part of what might have caused any perceived grievances. The attacks are, therefore, condemable and barbaric for what they are.
“Towards this end, Arewa Consultative Forum appeals to the security agencies and to all Nigerians, especially those around Mubi Local Government,with patriotic courage to go as far as efforts can go and fish out the perpetrators of the abominable attacks and bring them to justice as a deterrence against any future occurrence”, it stressed.
Hmm… May God hv mercy on us n punish whoever dat is involved in ds wicked. Dia death wl b celebratd by vultures. May d souls of dz stuents rest in perfect peace. Amen
Daily sun,who did the killings,s it boko haram or student cultists as widely heard.verify and report back pls.God Almighty is just the only everybody’s security.These govt has not been doing enough for us
The only remedy 2 al these massacre is spliting Nigeria and if ppl who ar supposed 2 pass it into law ar not ready 2 do anything then d blood of effected persons wil continue 2 be on there head.
Cult activities my foot! northern schools are not known for cult related activities. The reasons could simply be a case of disgruntled element in the student body that lost out in the recently conducted SUG election, invited thier Boko Haram brothers to carryout this genocide against their fellow victorious but defenless students. That is how i see it. Security agency should as matter of urgency go after those students that lost out in the election. I’m sure some of them have a case to answer. Thier phone call logs should be quize and other forencis investigating techniques be employed ie if the security agency were really interested in fishing out the perpetrators of this crime aginst humanity. The usual soldiers going from house to house arresting innocent people and burning down their houses should’t be the case here.
David Mark’s idea should be implemented and Wilosky your advice to the Nigeria Security will be of great assistance in sorting out this issue, only if it will be followed.
Infact am tired for all these stories,why always the Northerners.Any news heard about Nigeria world wide is always negative;mostly about the north…I think there is a great variation in the mindsets of some …in Nigeria…they think like dummy’s …why?…why?…why do vicious things that render Nigeria’s image as useless.SCREW ALL DEFAULTERS IN NIGERIA>>>FOR ME I PRAY FOR A DIVISION,CAUSE THAT MAY BE THE SOLUTION…
you dis stupid wiliske ,How do you know that they are innocent people,you are one of the suspect & you know about the killer.
my brother u re right.let d security angencies[NPF]go after ds student dat lost in their SUG election.it painful to lost young student at a blow?i support d security agencies fr their house to house searching along dat massacer vicinity,while d civil populace should help dem wt authentic infrmation.
SO SAD, DISHEARTENED AND TENSE, WE THE GREAT IBBULITES WISH TO OUTRIGHTLY CONDEMN THIS ATROCITIES MEETED OUT ON OUR FELLOW NIGERIAN STUDEENTS. MY HEART AND PRAYERS GOES OUT TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF THE DEPARTED COLLEAGUES. STILL REALISHING FROM THE BUK INCIDENSE. ONLY GOD WILL SAVE US FROM THIS BOKO HARAMITES.
AND ALSO THE NEW AND EX SUG EXEECUTIVES OF THE FEDPOLY MUBI SHOULD BE ARRESTED, PROBED, INVESTIGATED AND SANCTIONED/PUNISHED ACCORDING TO THE WAY THEY ARE INVOLVED.
hummme! what a mix DEBACLE.
There is more to this than meet the eye. God help us.
this does not call for declaring vote of no confidence on the government @senator tinubu. Lets put hands together to build this nation.
walkie- talkie government. there is no security except God provide. govt pls stop stealing govt funds. the wrath of GOD is upon nigeria because of governmental crime
Please release every student detain, and investigate the top staffs of the institution. Some of them may have planned the attack. The name calling and killing seems a deliberate attempt to make it look like Student rage. It is unfortunate
mr senator ar u sure d law wil work or is just wat nigerian use to hear no performans? i pray for d souls of dis innocent rest in perfec peace amen an may d (almigthy) give thier parent fortitude to bear d great lost amen
IT IS INHUMAN AND SATANIC.THE CULPRITS ARE NOT HUMANS.THEY SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE ANIMALS.WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEIR CONSCIENCE?WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?ANIMALS KILL AND EAT BUT THEY KILLED AND DID NOT EAT CERTAINLY ANIMALS HAVE BETTER BRAIN THAN THEM.MAYBE THEY DO NOT HAVE BRAIN AT ALL.NIGERIA NEED PSYCHOLOGISTS THAT CAN TRACE THIS INSECURITY IN THE COUNTRY DOWN TO THE FAMILY AND SOCIETAL VALUE.ALL HANDS MUST BE ON DESKS TO UPROOT WORKS OF THE WICKED IN THIS END TIME.
What a national tragedy and shame, Those who threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable seem to be succeeding in carrying out their threats. while the president only issue out useless statements of sympathy and condemnations. It is hard to find right words to express one’s feelings about this type of evil. but let some points be made clear here. (1) Only cowards descends to this kind of beastly level to express grievances. (2) The security agencies and by extension the commander in chief has failed the nation woefully. (3) Those who think that blood letting is the only method to achieve their aims in a multi religious multi cultural and ethnic country like Nigeria are living in fools Island. As I pray that God grant the families of the deceased the heart and fortitude to bear their losses, Let’s remind the wicked that sooner than later they shall reap the fruits of their evil deeds, Inshallah.. May the souls of the departed rest in peace..Amen
Y is d muslims 2 desperate 2 win when they dont even have d capacity to rule – mubi case….. Shame to the North….!!!
This does not call for a vote of no confidence, even if you TINUBU is the president , you do not have the answer. but it is a time for goverment to put security at alert , eneough is enough, lives are being wasted carelesssly. The Boko haram members are among the students and it was from there the operation carried out. The capital punishment should be into action for a lesson to others, or else Nigerians will be killing every day . May the sould of these ones rest in perfect peace.
This is Evil, Tragedy, Please our Government, let us build our Security very well, let us introduce more Security devices and more Training to our Officers, this will help to Stabilize our Security System.
What has a vote of no confidence got to do wit dis. @ Tinubu pls dis is not a tym of politics. Lets all join hands to make this nation better. Pls sign CAPITAL PUNISHMENT LAW NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
No comment i am mourning the dead students with a heavy heart.Should i say “God have mercy on the perpetrators of this despicable act?
D issue is about SUG ELECTION. . . Day shuld ask d opposition party dat faild d election in dat school.
D issue is about SUG ELECTION. . . Day shuld ask d opposition party dat faild d election in that school.
My question remains! Where were our Nigeria police and army and other security agencies in that city when those people are shooting guns….. Because I strongly believe that police people heard the gunshot that lasted more than 30mins and decided not to know what was going on and that showed that people of Nigeria are not salve and police people are not doing anything to help the country out.
D only solution to Nigeria’s insecurity, corruption & all other evil act is GOD. nigeria government hv left GOD behand & they’re doing things in there own way. Remember d holy bible say: except the lord watch over d city d watchman watch in vain.
vote of no confidence Tinubu you’re a big joke.my friends and neighbours are dead and you’re playing politics,by the way where was tsaro operatives during the 30mins massacre
The killings in mubi have exposed the weakness of the police in Nigeria. Let us creat state police at least an eye witness will see a policeman he can to give information on suspects.
Its just a pity that we don’t have respect for human lives. The capital purnishment should have been enforced a very long time.
State police is the answer. Time wasted is never regained, Remember that killing is just begining in the far north and will never stop because of the UNIVERSAL killing culture of the dominant religion. Sad, regrettable, but true. In Iraq for example, the population is up to 99% muslim but they still kill for reasons only known to them.
WILOSKY ur suggestion is d best! Is high time our aged security service men give way 4 d young n able officers tht stick 2 d orders of thr senior old school ogas.Govt shld pls upgrade security opp with d rite equipment.I cn give thm a list of d best if thy dnt knw . TINUBU PLS LEARN 2 SHOT UP IF U VE NOTHING 2 SAY,MAD MAN,U DON FALL MY HAND.