Syrian-Turkish Border Security: Check Point Taurus

by Ghassan Kadi

My previous article titled “Kurdish Autonomy; Partition Or Master Plan” was met with some controversy. Some readers seemed to have missed a very basic point it raised. Others misunderstood the main issue and tried to put words into my mouth saying that the article condoned partition and argued that Syrian Kurds should not be given independence and a separate state, even though the article clearly indicated that such was not its objective. This article herein is intended to shed more light on the subject and emphasize an issue that is paramount for long-term Syrian security.

Buhari's Panel Reveals When Jonathan Can Be Probed

– The spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party ministers’ forum claimed that nobody has traced any money to Jonathan’s accounts

– Buhari’s anti-corruption committee reveals in what circumstances ex-president could be investigated

– Prominent lawyer supposed that former president can be charged at least with conspiracy as all deals were done under his nose


Professor Itse Sagay, the chairman of presidential committee against corruption, has explained when ex-president Goodluck Jonathan could be probed.

He has blamed ex-minister of national planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, concerning the blameworthiness of Jonathan in the ongoing anti-corruption cases.

Recovered Loot: Why Buhari Won’t Disclose Amount – Garba Shehu

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said Federal Government will not be able to dis­close the exact amount retrieved so far from certain persons that looted the treasury, saying it would be used as evidence in the court trials of the indicted persons. But he assured that the recovered funds were safe in a dedicated account in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Special Assistant to the President on Media, Shehu Garba, who made the disclo­sure in a chat with journalists in Abuja at the weekend, said possibility of using the recovered funds as exhibit in the trial of the culprits posed a challenge.

Victor Ezenwoko Of Diamond Bank Is Dead (Lagos ED)

Mr Victor Ezenwoko, the Executive Director, Regional Businesses, of Diamond Bank, is dead.

A source said Ezenwoko died in his sleep, on Saturday morning, while another said he slumped and died immediately at his Lagos home, on Friday night.

However, the cause of the death is still unknown, but he was said to be looking healthy and cheerful without showing any signs of illness before his death.

PDP Battles Ghost Workers, Pays Staff In Cash

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has detected ghost workers on its payroll after ordering the workers to line up and collect their salaries in cash.

Investigations by our correspondent showed that the precarious financial situation of the party forced its leadership to take the action.

It was gathered that the National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff, was worried about the huge salary bill of the workers and decided to take action aiming at ascertaining the actual number of workers at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Fuel Scarcity: Don’t Blame Kachikwu For Your Party’s Woes, Okorie Tells Tinubu

**Insists APC must fulfill its "3000 promises"

The member representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal Constituency of Ebonyi state in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Linus Okorie, has faulted the recent scathing attack by the leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), Ahmed Tinubu, on the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu on the lingering fuel scarcity.

Okorie in a statement on Sunday said that Tinubu derailed along the line by using the attack as a platform to blame the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and shore up his party image, than genuine concern for the people.

Alleged Invasion: DSS Only Succeeded In Tarnishing Own Image – Fayose

Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose yesterday said that the Department of State Services (DSS) only succeeded in tarnishing its own image by attempting to allegedly coerce members of the State’s House of Assembly to act the script of his detractors, which was to impeach him.
Governor Fayose who rewarded Honourable Afolabi Akanni who was detained for 18 days by the DSS, with a car gift, stated this while hosting the lawmakers in his office.

Katherine Anne Rejouis Arrested For Prostitution In US

Two days ago, Daily Mail published the report of a prostitution ring busted in Houston, Texas, and more than 6 women charged for prostitution. One of the women arrested includes Anne Rejouis who allegedly had a brief affair with Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna in 2013.

Anne Rejouis. Credit: Daily Mail

Female soldier allegedly captured and beheaded by Boko Haram in Borno state (photos)

According to Facebook user, Saleh Abas, this young female soldier Oluwaytoyin Ogunleye was captured by terror group Boko Haram and later beheaded in Baga, Borno state.
We have no way to independently verify, but RIP to her if it is true. See more photos of Toyin after the jump break
 

NSCDC Arrests 13 Vandals Arrested In Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday said it arrested 13 suspected vandals last Friday.

The state Commandant of the Corps, Mr Emmanuel Ojeniyi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo that the suspects would be charged to court immediately the ongoing investigation was completed on the matter.

“On Friday, 13 vandals were arrested and brought to this command and we are investigating. As soon as investigations are completed by Tuesday they will be charged to court,” Ojeniyi said.

Fuel Scarcity: APC Asks Kachikwu To Resign, Silent On Buhari The Oil Minister

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, to honourably resign his position from President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government if he is not capable of doing his part by efficiently running the Ministry assigned to him and providing workable solution to the current fuel scarcity in the country.

Meanwhile, the party is silent on what it expects of President Muhammadu Buhari who himself is the Minister of Petroleum.

Immigration Boss Carpets Ex-minister, Moro

The Comptroller-General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Martin Abeshi has denounced claims by former Minister of Interior Abba Moro that the service lacks the capacity to produce international passport booklets and the Combined
Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card.

Abeshi said the service has the capacity to produce the two security documents if
adequately funded.

Presidency To Begin Town Hall Meetings Across Nigeria – Aide

The Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media, Garba Shehu, said on Sunday that the presidency will soon begin to hold town hall meetings with Nigerians.
Mr. Shehu made this known while answering reporters’ questions in Abuja.
According to him, government decided to embark on such meetings because it has realised the importance of information communication to the people at the grassroots.
“I know that there is a plan that the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo would start town hall meetings in zones.
“It would then be broken down to the states and so on.
“Government realises that there is a need to take information to the people and there are steps that are being taken in order to ensure that is done,” he said.
Mr. Shehu criticised the National Orientation Agency, NOA, for being indifferent to the Federal Government’s change mantra.

How Okada Rider Was Killed In Gwagwalada In Groups’ Clash Over Girl (pic)

The residents of Unguwar Gbaure, behind the abattoir in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, were last Thursday evening thrown into pandemonium after a 28-year-old man, identified as Nura, was stabbed to death in a rival groups’ clash over a lady in the area.

Sunday Trust on Sunday learnt that three provision shops were also set ablaze in a reprisal attack by one of the groups in the abduction saga.

A resident of the area, Malam Musa Shehu, while narrating what he witnessed to our reporter when he visited the area yesterday, said the clash occurred close to his house. Shehu said it started on Thursday at about 8:12pm and dragged on till around 4:00am on Friday.

Army Colonel Abducted In Kaduna

A Senior Army Officer, Col. Samaila Inusa was on Saturday reportedly kidnapped around the Kamazo area in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State by yet-to-be identified gunmen.
The Army Colonel, who was said to be serving with the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, near Kaduna State, was in the company of his wife when the incident occurred.
It was gathered that the kidnappers dropped off the wife and left with the senior military officer, headed towards Abuja.
No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction of the senior military officer as of the time of filing this report.