Presidency angry with CDS, Badeh, over Chibok girls’ sighting claim

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, has reportedly incurred the wrath of the Presidency over his claim that the military has sighted the 270 girls seized from the dormitory by Boko Haram terrorists last month. President Jonathan, it was learnt Wednesday, was unhappy with the claim by the defence chief, which he considers as a breach of military tactics capable of hindering the move to free the children, who have been in the kidnappers’ den for the seven weeks running. Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and President Jonathan A top Presidency source told Vanguard last night that the Jonathan considered the CDS claim as an unnecessary outburst, which could frustrate ongoing efforts by the multinational team currently in the country to salvage the girls. The source, which did not want to be quoted because he was not authorised to speak to the press on the matter, said President Jonathan was still at a loss as to why Badeh made the statement at a time he was expected to be more cautious over the contentious issue, which is generating interest across the globe. “Indeed the President is really upset over the claim and we do not know what will happen,” the source said but did not give further details. Vanguard further learnt that the claim by the CDS was the subject of analysis during the weekly security meeting between security chiefs and the President last Monday. Badeh had during a solidarity rally organised by the Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness, led by its National Coordinator, Mr. Chidi Omeze, outside the Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Monday, said that the military was aware of the location of the Chibok girls and that something was being done to free them. Badeh said: “The good news for the girls is that we know where they are but we cannot tell you, we cannot come and tell you military secrets here. Just leave us alone, we are working, we would get the girls back.” He stated, “We want our girls back; we want our girls back; we can do it, our military can do it but where they are held, can we go with force? “If we go with force, what will happen? So nobody should come and say the Nigerian military does not know what it is doing. We know what we are doing; we can’t go and kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back. So we are working,” he said. The Chairman Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, has also slammed Badeh over the claim, saying that it was unnecessary in counterproductive to the current move to free the children and reunite them with their parents.

‘Hooligans’ attack #BringBackOurGirls protesters

ABUJA (AFP) – Scores of young men armed with bottles and stones on Wednesday attacked women protesters staging a demonstration over the plight of Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram, an activist said. Hadiza Bala Usman, a leader of the #BringBackOurGirls Movement, told AFP that the men beat some of the protesters with chairs and bottles. “We were attacked by a group of hooligans,” she said. “Some of them attacked our heads with chairs.” An AFP cameraman covering the protest said his tripod was destroyed by the group, which appeared intent on blocking the demonstration. Photos of smashed plastic chairs from the demonstration were posted on Twitter. Some of the men were carrying posters in support of President Goodluck Jonathan, Usman said, but there was no immediate evidence connecting them to the Nigerian leader or the ruling party. Some groups have claimed that the kidnapping crisis has been sensationalised to embarass Jonathan. Usman also accused the police of watching the violence unfold but doing nothing. “We are women. How could the police just watch and do nothing?” she said. “They came to tell us that we should move away because more hooligans were coming. How can a Nigerian policeman tell us they cannot protect us?” The Bring Back Our Girls movement has held rallies in Abuja and other Nigerian cities demanding the release of more than 200 schoolgirls who were kidnapped on April 14 in Chibok, northeastern Borno state. Since Monday, some groups opposing the rallies have assembled at the main protest site but there had been no previous reports of violence. “We wrote to the inspector general of police about this problem,” Usman told AFP, adding that the protesters had received assurances that they would be protected. “We refuse to be intimidated,” she said, insisting that despite the violence, the rallies would continue.

Manchester United owner Glazer dead – Offical

Manchester United owner Malcolm Irving Glazer (born May 25, 1928) an American businessman and sports team owner is dead, official said Malcolm Glazer, the owner of English Premier League giants Manchester United and American football team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, died Wednesday, it was announced. “The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are saddened to announce the passing of Owner/President Malcolm Glazer earlier this morning at the age of 85,” a statement on the Buccaneers website said. “A dynamic business leader, Glazer helped mold the Buccaneers into a model franchise and one respected league-wide.” Glazer purchased Manchester United in 2005, controversially saddling the world famous club with hundreds of millions of dollars in debt in a leveraged buyout. Glazer’s stewardship of United has coincided with a glut of silverware — including five Premier League crowns and the 2008 Champions League title — and has also been the subject of sustained anger from Manchester United’s fan base. Fans have complained that Glazer’s ownership model has forced United to spend millions of pounds servicing the club’s debt — money which could have been spent on the transfer budget. Glazer, 85, passed away early Wednesday, a statement on the Buccaneers website said. More details soon

Arsenal Searching...

Arsenal’s search for a striker continues. The Gunners have been linked with plethora from across Europe; Benzema, Mandzukic, Jackson Martinez, Costa and Balotelli to mention just a few. These names excite except for the Italian maverick no thanks to his eccentric way of life but even his own still excite the fans. Like I said earlier, these names excite because they are marquee signings and getting them would require big money and that would force Arsenal to splash the cash. I am not against splashing the cash but for me, it is talent over price or name. Who was Suarez before Liverpool signed him, who was Falcao before Porto landed him from an obscure South American league? Juxtaposing the exploits of those few erstwhile unknown names to that of Torres and Schevchenko who arrived at Chelsea on the back of successful form and costing big money from Liverpool and AC Milan only to flop at Chelsea. To this end, I want to throw up the candidacy of a little known talent Wilifred Bony. He plays for Swansea, in fact he was just signed last summer and before finally joining the Swans, Wenger was rumoured to have been interested in signing him. I don’t know why he didn’t eventually, probably the lure of having Suarez must have pulled wool over the Frenchman’s eyes. Anyway, he has an opportunity to right the wrong by making a concerted attempt to sign Bony this summer. Why am I so excited at Bony? He has proven this season that he has the talent and hunger for the games and his stats aren’t bad after all. Last season, he had in all competitions for both country and club a total 28 goals and 6 assists in just a total of 43 starts and 12 sub appearances. The previous season was even better because he had 37 goals and no assists in just 32 starts and 3 subs. His critics could argue that he did all that in the Dutch league which is far inferior to the Premier League but need I remind the critics that Suarez and Van Nistelrooy came from that same ‘inferior’ league and became a terror in the Premier League. The pros in the favour of signing him aren’t far-fetched. He would cost far-less than any of the marquee strikers. Swansea are reportedly asking for 20million Pounds but I believe a fee of 18million Pounds could convince the Swans to sell. He might even push for a transfer to the Emirates with the lure of Champions League football looming. He also already boasts of Premier League experience. The EPL isn’t so easy and many top strikers have already flopped in England, the most recent been Soldado and Lamela. Bony already understands the Premier League and should hit the ground running at Arsenal should a move sail through. Tactically, he would also be able to adapt to Arsenal’s style. From Wenger’s body language, it seems he is looking for someone who can compete with Giroud as well as complement him. I believe he can do the latter with his pace and versatility. He can play on the wings with his pace, strength and skill, ditto as playing centrally owing to his physical strength. So also can he play as the second striker in a 4-4-2 formation. I know Wenger has been promised a hefty transfer kitty but it would be foolhardy to spurn almost half of it on just one striker that could be a risk and heap undue pressure on the player. The question that can Bony deliver 30 goals could be raised but I believe he can at Arsenal. If he could score 16 EPL goals at Swansea where creativity is limited, how much more at Arsenal where are plethora of creative players who never grow weary in creating goal scoring opportunities for the striker. He is a better finisher than Giroud and if the Frenchman could score 16 league goals last season despite his obvious profligacy in front of goal, Bony would do better. He is also faster than the Frenchman which means Ozil would be happier playing with him.

Breaking News: Boko Haram attack Yobe Killing...

About 14 soldiers, 11 policemen, 10 others killed by Boko Haram on May 27, 2014 at 4:22 pm in News BY NDAHI MARAMA, MAIDUGURI & BALA AJIYA, DAMATURU At least 14 soldiers and 11 policemen including the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Supritendant Hassan Thlama of Buni Yadi Division and 10 other innocent civilians were Tuesday killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in separate attacks in Buni Yadi of Gujba Local Government Areas of Yobe state and Chinene village of Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno state.... Also in Buni Yadi attack, the palaces of the Emir and the District Head (names withheld), a police station and some military posts were completely destroyed, while many others sustained gunshot wounds, while in Chinene attack, two Churches, shops and residential houses were also set ablaze. Buni Yadi is south and about 55 kilometers away from Damaturu, the Yobe state capital that has witnessed several attacks, particularly the attack on the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi which claimed the lives of over 55 students while sleeping in their dormitories. Chinene village is south east and a border community with Cameroon Republic which is about 130 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital