Shocking: Striking Images Of The Chadian Army Fighting Boko Haram In Nigeria

Chad says it has killed 207 members of Boko Haram in clashes this week. here comes the striking images of the Chadian Military leading the war against Boko Haram in Nigeria. WARNING: Graphic images. click here to view pictures.

FRSC Commences Nationwide Clampdown on Rickety Vehicles March 1st

As part of efforts to further reduce road traffic crashes across the country, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi has read the riot act to operators of rickety vehicles plying the nation’s highways, indicating that the Corps will commence a nationwide prosecution of owners or operators of such vehicles.

The Corps Marshal stated that the nationwide exercise, which will commence on 1st  March,  2015, forms part of the Corps’ commitment towards sustaining the tempo of its operational activities and to create safer motoring environment in the country, anchored on its 2015 strategic goals of reducing road traffic crashes by 20% and fatalities by 30%.

According to Oyeyemi in a statement signed by the Corps’ spokesperson, Imoh Etuk, one of the core values of the FRSC is to improve on its regulatory capacity and enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, in addition to rescue and advisory capacity, targeted at drastic reduction in road traffic crashes.

While recalling the common sight of poorly maintained vehicles on the nation highways which often break down and result in obstructions of traffic flow, the Corps Marshal enjoined motorists to ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles in view of inherent traffic hazards associated with abandoned broken down vehicles especially at night.
ThisDay Live

Buhari is 72 years old so Don't Vote for Him- Patience Jonathan Urges Women

The First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan yesterday stated that her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan deserved the support of women in the country because he had delivered on the promises he made to Nigerian women in 2011.

She spoke during the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Women Campaign Rally held  in Makurdi, the state capital.

Dame Jonathan said, “today pregnant women enjoy free antenatal care, we have realized our 35 percent affirmative action and more women are beginning to realize their potentials under this administration.

She told the women to reject Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC, “because a 72 year old man has nothing to offer Nigerians.”

Wife of the Benue state Governor, Arch. Yemisi Suswam, in her speech lauded the efforts of Dame Jonathan for carrying women along, particularly in the actualization of 35 percent affirmative action for women.

Mrs Suswam said Benue women were desirous of President Goodluck Jonathan’s return to Aso Rock because of his impressive achievement in all sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

Wife of the Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark, in her speech said the women of the state would vote the  PDP in all the elective positions, and urged all women to turn out en-masse to vote all  PDP candidates in the elections.

Governor Gabriel Suswam, on his part described the first lady as a reliable woman who had remained firm in supporting her husband to record resounding success in governance.

Raw: Buhari's Speech At Chatam House

BY MUHAMMADU BUHARI

Permit me to start by thanking Chatham House for the invitation to talk about this important topic at this crucial time. When speaking about Nigeria overseas, I normally prefer to be my country’s public relations and marketing officer, extolling her virtues and hoping to attract investments and tourists. But as we all know, Nigeria is now battling with many challenges, and if I refer to them, I do so only to impress on our friends in the United Kingdom that we are quite aware of our shortcomings and are doing our best to address them.

The 2015 general election in Nigeria is generating a lot of interests within and outside the country. This is understandable. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, is at a defining moment, a moment that has great implications beyond the democratic project and beyond the borders of my dear country.

So let me say upfront that the global interest in Nigeria’s landmark election is not misplaced at all and indeed should be commended; for this is an election that has serious import for the world. I urge the international community to continue to focus on Nigeria at this very critical moment. Given increasing global linkages, it is in our collective interests that the postponed elections should hold on the rescheduled dates; that they should be free and fair; that their outcomes should be respected by all parties; and that any form of extension, under whichever guise, is unconstitutional and will not be tolerated.

With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the collapse of communism and the end of the Cold War, democracy became the dominant and most preferred system of government across the globe. That global transition has been aptly captured as the triumph of democracy and the ‘most pre-eminent political idea of our time.’ On a personal note, the phased end of the USSR was a turning point for me. It convinced me that change can be brought about without firing a single shot.

As you all know, I had been a military head of state in Nigeria for twenty months. We intervened because we were unhappy with the state of affairs in our country. We wanted to arrest the drift. Driven by patriotism, influenced by the prevalence and popularity of such drastic measures all over Africa and elsewhere, we fought our way to power. But the global triumph of democracy has shown that another and a preferable path to change is possible. It is an important lesson I have carried with me since, and a lesson that is not lost on the African continent.

In the last two decades, democracy has grown strong roots in Africa. Elections, once so rare, are now so commonplace. As at the time I was a military head of state between 1983 and 1985, only four African countries held regular multi-party elections. But the number of electoral democracies in Africa, according to Freedom House, jumped to 10 in 1992/1993 then to 18 in 1994/1995 and to 24 in 2005/2006. According to the New York Times, 42 of the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa conducted multi-party elections between 1990 and 2002.

The newspaper also reported that between 2000 and 2002, ruling parties in four African countries (Senegal, Mauritius, Ghana and Mali) peacefully handed over power to victorious opposition parties. In addition, the proportion of African countries categorized as not free by Freedom House declined from 59% in 1983 to 35% in 2003. Without doubt, Africa has been part of the current global wave of democratisation.

But the growth of democracy on the continent has been uneven. According to Freedom House, the number of electoral democracies in Africa slipped from 24 in 2007/2008 to 19 in 2011/2012; while the percentage of countries categorised as ‘not free’ assuming for the sake of argument that we accept their definition of “free” increased from 35% in 2003 to 41% in 2013. Also, there have been some reversals at different times in Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mali, Madagascar, Mauritania and Togo. We can choose to look at the glass of democracy in Africa as either half full or half empty.

While you can’t have representative democracy without elections, it is equally important to look at the quality of the elections and to remember that mere elections do not democracy make. It is globally agreed that democracy is not an event, but a journey. And that the destination of that journey is democratic consolidation – that state where democracy has become so rooted and so routine and widely accepted by all actors.

With this important destination in mind, it is clear that though many African countries now hold regular elections, very few of them have consolidated the practice of democracy. It is important to also state at this point that just as with elections, a consolidated democracy cannot be an end by itself. I will argue that it is not enough to hold a series of elections or even to peacefully alternate power among parties.

It is much more important that the promise of democracy goes beyond just allowing people to freely choose their leaders. It is much more important that democracy should deliver on the promise of choice, of freedoms, of security of lives and property, of transparency and accountability, of rule of law, of good governance and of shared prosperity. It is very important that the promise embedded in the concept of democracy, the promise of a better life for the generality of the people, is not delivered in the breach.

Now, let me quickly turn to Nigeria. As you all know, Nigeria’s fourth republic is in its 16th year and this general election will be the fifth in a row. This is a major sign of progress for us, given that our first republic lasted five years and three months, the second republic ended after four years and two months and the third republic was a still-birth. However, longevity is not the only reason why everyone is so interested in this election.

The major difference this time around is that for the very first time since transition to civil rule in 1999, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing its stiffest opposition so far from our party the All Progressives Congress (APC). We once had about 50 political parties, but with no real competition. Now Nigeria is transitioning from a dominant party system to a competitive electoral polity, which is a major marker on the road to democratic consolidation. As you know, peaceful alternation of power through competitive elections have happened in Ghana, Senegal, Malawi and Mauritius in recent times. The prospects of democratic consolidation in Africa will be further brightened when that eventually happens in Nigeria.

But there are other reasons why Nigerians and the whole world are intensely focussed on this year’s elections, chief of which is that the elections are holding in the shadow of huge security, economic and social uncertainties in Africa’s most populous country and largest economy. On insecurity, there is a genuine cause for worry, both within and outside Nigeria. Apart from the civil war era, at no other time in our history has Nigeria been this insecure.

Boko Haram has sadly put Nigeria on the terrorism map, killing more than 13,000 of our nationals, displacing millions internally and externally, and at a time holding on to portions of our territory the size of Belgium. What has been consistently lacking is the required leadership in our battle against insurgency. I, as a retired general and a former head of state, have always known about our soldiers: they are capable, well trained, patriotic, brave and always ready to do their duty in the service of our country.

You all can bear witness to the gallant role of our military in Burma, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Darfur and in many other peacekeeping operations in several parts of the world. But in the matter of this insurgency, our soldiers have neither received the necessary support nor the required incentives to tackle this problem. The government has also failed in any effort towards a multi-dimensional response to this problem leading to a situation in which we have now become dependent on our neighbours to come to our rescue.

Let me assure you that if I am elected president, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently; that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian territory will ever be lost to the enemy because we will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service, we will give them adequate and modern arms and ammunitions to work with, we will improve intelligence gathering and border controls to choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment channels, we will be tough on terrorism and tough on its root causes by initiating a comprehensive economic development plan promoting infrastructural development, job creation, agriculture and industry in the affected areas. We will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester, and I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat terrorism.

On the economy, the fall in prices of oil has brought our economic and social stress into full relief. After the rebasing exercise in April 2014, Nigeria overtook South Africa as Africa’s largest economy. Our GDP is now valued at $510 billion and our economy rated 26th in the world. Also on the bright side, inflation has been kept at single digit for a while and our economy has grown at an average of 7% for about a decade.

But it is more of paper growth, a growth that, on account of mismanagement, profligacy and corruption, has not translated to human development or shared prosperity. A development economist once said three questions should be asked about a country’s development: one, what is happening to poverty? Two, what is happening to unemployment? And three, what is happening to inequality?

The answers to these questions in Nigeria show that the current administration has created two economies in one country, a sorry tale of two nations: one economy for a few who have so much in their tiny island of prosperity; and the other economy for the many who have so little in their vast ocean of misery.

Even by official figures, 33.1% of Nigerians live in extreme poverty. That’s at almost 60 million, almost the population of the United Kingdom. There is also the unemployment crisis simmering beneath the surface, ready to explode at the slightest stress, with officially 23.9% of our adult population and almost 60% of our youth unemployed. We also have one of the highest rates of inequalities in the world.

With all these, it is not surprising that our performance on most governance and development indicators (like Mo Ibrahim Index on African Governance and UNDP’s Human Development Index.) are unflattering. With fall in the prices of oil, which accounts for more than 70% of government revenues, and lack of savings from more than a decade of oil boom, the poor will be disproportionately impacted.

In the face of dwindling revenues, a good place to start the repositioning of Nigeria’s economy is to swiftly tackle two ills that have ballooned under the present administration: waste and corruption. And in doing this, I will, if elected, lead the way, with the force of personal example.

On corruption, there will be no confusion as to where I stand. Corruption will have no place and the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration. First and foremost, we will plug the holes in the budgetary process. Revenue producing entities such as NNPC and Customs and Excise will have one set of books only. Their revenues will be publicly disclosed and regularly audited. The institutions of state dedicated to fighting corruption will be given independence and prosecutorial authority without political interference.

But I must emphasise that any war waged on corruption should not be misconstrued as settling old scores or a witch-hunt. I’m running for President to lead Nigeria to prosperity and not adversity.

In reforming the economy, we will use savings that arise from blocking these leakages and the proceeds recovered from corruption to fund our party’s social investments programmes in education, health, and safety nets such as free school meals for children, emergency public works for unemployed youth and pensions for the elderly.

As a progressive party, we must reform our political economy to unleash the pent-up ingenuity and productivity of the Nigerian people thus freeing them from the curse of poverty. We will run a private sector-led economy but maintain an active role for government through strong regulatory oversight and deliberate interventions and incentives to diversify the base of our economy, strengthen productive sectors, improve the productive capacities of our people and create jobs for our teeming youths.

In short, we will run a functional economy driven by a worldview that sees growth not as an end by itself, but as a tool to create a society that works for all, rich and poor alike. On March 28, Nigeria has a decision to make. To vote for the continuity of failure or to elect progressive change. I believe the people will choose wisely.

In sum, I think that given its strategic importance, Nigeria can trigger a wave of democratic consolidation in Africa. But as a starting point we need to get this critical election right by ensuring that they go ahead, and depriving those who want to scuttle it the benefit of derailing our fledgling democracy. That way, we will all see democracy and democratic consolidation as tools for solving pressing problems in a sustainable way, not as ends in themselves.

Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition

Permit me to close this discussion on a personal note. I have heard and read references to me as a former dictator in many respected British newspapers including the well regarded Economist. Let me say without sounding defensive that dictatorship goes with military rule, though some might be less dictatorial than others. I take responsibility for whatever happened under my watch.

I cannot change the past. But I can change the present and the future. So before you is a former military ruler and a converted democrat who is ready to operate under democratic norms and is subjecting himself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time.

You may ask: why is he doing this? This is a question I ask myself all the time too. And here is my humble answer: because the work of making Nigeria great is not yet done, because I still believe that change is possible, this time through the ballot, and most importantly, because I still have the capacity and the passion to dream and work for a Nigeria that will be respected again in the comity of nations and that all Nigerians will be proud of.

I thank you for listening.

Breakng News: Dozens Killed In Nigeria's Suicide Attack

At least 17 people were killed Thursday in a suicide bombing at a bus station in Nigeria's northern Borno state, according to witnesses and security forces.

The attack took place in the town of Biu, the scene of previous attacks that have been claimed by the militant group Boko Haram.

A second person attempted a suicide bombing at the same bus station, but was killed before he could detonate his explosives.  Some reports say he was beaten to death by his would-be victims; others say he was shot by security forces.

Separately, in the central Nigerian city of Jos, many people were reported killed after twin bombings near a bus park and a university on the Bauchi road.  The French news agency quotes witnesses as saying a total of 17 people died: five in the first blast, and 12 in the following one.

On Tuesday, a pair of suicide bombings at bus stations in the cities of Kano and Potiskum killed at least 27 people, with dozens more injured.

It was the second attack in Potiskum in recent days, after a young girl killed herself and five others in a suicide bombing at a market on Sunday. 

Last week, Biu and Potiskum were both targeted for attack on the same day.  On February 17, multiple blasts hit a military checkpoint in Biu, killing 12 people.  According to local media, two suicide bombers riding a three-wheeled vehicle were stopped at an entry checkpoint, where they dismounted their vehicle and detonated their explosives.

In Potiskum on the same day, three people died and 12 were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a restaurant.

There have been no claims of responsibility for the recent blasts, but they each bear the hallmark of Boko Haram.  The group has made increasing use of young female suicide bombers in the past year.

In addition, the Nigerian military said some male terrorists have begun wearing women's clothing to fool security officials.

Boko Haram has suffered a series of defeats this month in a campaign led by Nigeria and its neighbors, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Boko Haram, which means "Western education is forbidden," has killed thousands of Nigerians in the past five years in attacks on schools, towns, markets, churches, mosques and various government targets.  The group has expanded its deadly campaign to gain territory for an Islamic state into other countries in the region.

Chatham Event: Did You Tell Them How Much You Love B'Haram? Fani Kayode to Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation has said that it is amazing that a man that refused to participate in a debate in his own country is so ready to go to a foreign country to sell his message in a desperate attempt to curry favour with the people of that country.

PDP Presidential Campaigns Organisation said that the decision of the next president is for Nigerians to decide, not in London.‎

Referring to the appearance of General Muhammadu Buhari at the British Chatham House, the PDP Presidential Camapign spokesman, Femi Fani Kayode said in a statement, "We wonder whether General Buhari told his foreign audience whilst he was in London how much he loves Boko Haram.

"We wonder whether he told them that he once said that he believes that ‘an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the north’ and that the Boko Haram terrorists should be appeased, pampered, resettled and paid allowances.

"We wonder if he told them that he was once nominated by Boko Haram to be their spokesman and representative during proposed negotiations with the Federal Government.

"We wonder if he told them that he was the one that ordered and organised the violent injecting, crating and disgraceful kidnapping of a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the name of Alhaji Umaru Dikko from the streets of London 31 years ago when he was in power.

"We shall state our views about General Buhari's stage-managed show of shame at Chatham House at a later date; and, at that time, we shall go into far more detail.

"For now, all we can say is that it is truly pitiful that a former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria believes that it is more important to win the hearts and minds of the British than it is to win the hearts and minds of the Nigerian people.", ThisDay Live has reported.

Rivers: Gunmen Kidnap Gov Amechi's Aid

Unknown gunmen have kidnapped Mr. Freddy Ndigbara an aide to Rivers State Governor and Director General of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Organization [APCCO], Sunday in Rivers State.

Ndigbara who was kidnapped at Kaani Community, Khana Local Government Area of the state during a ward rally organised by the All Progressives Congress in the area, is an anchorman to Governor Rotimi Amaechi's events inside and outside Government.

Ndigbara is popularly called Freddie by Government House workers. 

Speaking on the incident, a former Chief Press Secretary to Amaechi, Mr. Blessing Wikina, said a group of gunmen suspected to be thugs working for the Peoples Democratic Party, invaded the rally and took Ndigbara away.

“Yes, Freddie was kidnapped today by a group of men during a rally organised by the APC in Kaani Community Ward Six. The men came in a red Toyota Highlander and took him (Ndigbara) away,” Wikina, who is also an Ogoni indigene, said.

Describing Ndigbara as a gentleman and an easy-going journalist, Wikina condemned his abduction and called on the kidnappers to release him unconditionally.

“The action of those who kidnapped Freddie is condemnable and we call on them to release him unconditionally. Ndigbara is a gentleman that abhors violence,” he stressed

M.D Lawal

Again Mbu Tells Police Men, Return Fire For Fire

Controversial Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, Mr. Joseph Mbu, has reaffirmed that he insists on his fire for fire stance since Policemen were also human beings, they should take decisive action on imminent violence in self defence.

Mbu spoke with some journalists in Olorunsogo, Ogun State, during the inauguration of the Olorunsogo II Power Station by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr. Mbu who led Policemen to provide cover for Jonathan at the event told Journalist when accosted over his recent inflammatory statement that, "I still stand by what I said. And what I said is very clear: that if any violent group attacks my policemen, my policemen should attack them violently.

“If any violent group attacks a law-abiding citizen in a bid to cause injury or cause harm, the police should repel and save that law-abiding citizen because we have the powers to do so.

“If hoodlums or touts decide to be lawless; carrying knives, carrying illegal firearms and shooting at my policemen, if they shoot at my policemen and they are a hundred or 200, my policemen will not be looking at them. They will reply back in self-defence.

“The number I kill is immaterial because a policeman is also a human being.”

When asked if his strategy of fire-for-fire is the best way to handle the situation, Mbu answered, “Which other way do you think you can handle it? 

“You will shoot at the police. Is it not when the person is alive that he is coming to give evidence? How will somebody who is violently attacking others be stopped; how are you going to stop him? 

Are you going to use your hands? You must repel him using a stronger force.”

Mbu had been quoted in the media to have told his men at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, during a recent visit that, “If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20 of them, but don’t shoot first. If they shoot you, shoot back in self-defence. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in self-defence.”

M.D Lawal

Obasanjo Meets Five African Presidents

Insecurity and political instability in Africa, especially the crisis in Libya, which has adversely affected other parts of the continent, was the crux of discussions when Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, met with five African presidents in the last three days.

Briefing the media after a 30-minute private meeting with President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, Obasanjo said the parley provided both leaders opportunity to examine peace and security issues in Africa, particularly the situation in North Africa.

According to Obasanjo, “Peace, security and stability, which are fundamental to the development of any nation, must be our preoccupation,”

“We must do everything possible to ensure that all over Africa, and particularly in North Africa, efforts are made to guarantee peace, security and stability no matter where the need arises.

“My brother (President al-Bashir) and I have agreed to work together with other partners to ensure that stability is achieved in the region and across the continent.”

The former Nigerian leader, who chairs the Africa Union’s Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan, has been a leading advocate of peace and security in Africa.

In the 1990s, he initiated the Conference on Security, Stability Development and Co-operation in Africa (CSSDCA), a policy development process created to function within the framework of the African Union and adopted at the 36th Session of the Assembly in Lome, Togo, in July 2000.

Obasanjo also held crucial talks with President of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, on the future of the West African nation, which on December 30 last year, witnessed an attempted coup.

The former Nigerian president, who was one of four African leaders invited to private talks with  Jammeh after the 50th Independence anniversary of The Gambia, briefed reporters on his visit, saying discussions centred on the recent coup attempt, security in The Gambia and the future of the nation’s economy.

“One of the points that we looked at together is what this country has going for it,” Obasanjo said.

“There is relative peace, relative stability, relative continuity and relative security. These are necessary ingredients to fast track development and growth as a democratic country.

“This is why I said to my brother (President Jammeh) that nothing stops The Gambia from being the Switzerland of West Africa.

“Switzerland is a small country, but it is a great country. Gambia is a small country, but it is on the path of being great”.

Obasanjo said it is in the interest of all Africans that The Gambia grows to become a great country.

“I, therefore, hold myself ready to be a partner in pursuance of that great objective,” he said.

After the meeting with Obasanjo, Jammeh held further talks with the Presidents of Ghana, Mauritania and Equatorial Guinea.

Obasanjo’s visit also took him to Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia in solidarity with the West African nations worst hit by the Ebola Virus Disease.

He arrived in Guinea Conakry on Thursday and was received by President Alpha Conde at the Presidential Palace.

Speaking during a meeting with the Guinean President, Obasanjo said he was in Conakry to commiserate with the people over the losses suffered due to the Ebola outbreak and to congratulate the nation’s leadership for its efforts in containing the disease.

“True friendship is tested in times of trials,” the former President said.

“I am here because this is a trying time for my brother and the people of Guinea.

“I commiserate with you and also congratulate you for the way and manner you have handled this crisis.”

Obasanjo reiterated his commitment to seeking international assistance for countries affected by the Ebola crisis.

“Let me assure you that I am personally involved in mobilising support for the affected countries,” he said.

“I have been working closely with the African Union chairperson to raise funds from the private sector in Africa to support efforts to eradicate Ebola.”

The former Nigerian President said although Guinea and the other affected countries have reasonably contained the disease, it is important for global partners to provide assistance to victims and find ways to ensure such outbreaks are avoided in the future.

“I will continue to sensitise the international community on the need to support victims of the disease and to assist the affected countries to recover from this epidemic.

“The children who have been orphaned by the virus will require support to make it through childhood.”

Responding, President Conde said Obasanjo’s visit came as no surprise to him, even though other global leaders are reluctant to visit the Ebola-hit countries.

“You have always been a Pan-Africanist, who takes the issues of Africa very seriously,” President Conde said.

“Your visit here, therefore, comes as no surprise to me and it reinforces the friendship we have shared over the years.”

“At the moment, there are critical areas in which I would kindly request your urgent intervention.

“First, the affected countries will need debt relief from the international community.

“Second, there is urgent need for a Marshall plan to help the countries recover from the disaster.

“We also need assistance to strengthen our health and education sectors to effectively deal with disasters of this kind.

“I ask these not only as the President of the Republic of Guinea but also as the Chairman of the Mano River Union.”

Obasanjo gave his assurances of seeking support for the countries.

“You can count on me and my good offices whenever you need my intervention,” he told President Conde.

In Sierra Leone, Obasanjo met with President Ernest Bai Koroma at his Goderich residence in Freetown where he lamented the effect of Ebola on the people of Sierra Leone at a time when the country’s rapid development was taking off.

He praised the efforts made by the government of Sierra Leone and development partners in containing the disease and promised to further garner international support for the affected countries as they deal with and recover from the outbreak.

In his remarks, President Koroma thanked Obasanjo for his statesmanship and reassured him of the commitment of the three worst hit countries to eradication of Ebola and economic recovery.

He hailed the role played by Nigeria, which sent medical personnel to help Sierra Leone combat the disease.

President Koroma urged the international community not to isolate the affected countries but instead to show empathy and offer assistance.

Following the meeting with Koroma, Obasanjo paid a surprise visit to the Western Area Emergency Response Centre in Freetown, where he met with the various teams combating the Ebola outbreak.

From Sierra Leone, Obasanjo proceeded to Liberia where he met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at her offices in Monrovia.

Discussions during the meeting centred on post-Ebola economic recovery for the three worst hit countries.

B'Haram Takes Over Nigerian Villages asTroops Record Major Gains

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) -- Nigerian troops retook a major border town and killed scores of Boko Haram fighters Saturday, Nigeria's military said, although witnesses also reported the Islamic extremists killed scores in attacks on other villages.

Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said troops seized back the garrison town of Baga, on Lake Chad and the border with Cameroon, after a fighter jet bombarded the area and soldiers advanced on booby-trapped roads by dismantling some 1,500 land mines.

"Many of the terrorists died while an unknown but substantial number of them fled with various degrees of injury," Olukolade said.

Many insurgents drowned in trying to escape as soldiers stormed into Baga early Friday, he added.

The victory, which the AP was unable to verify independently, comes amid a major multinational push to halt the spreading Islamic uprising by Nigeria's home-grown extremist group, which has been attacking neighboring Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

In the latest Boko Haram violence involving Niger, a military official said Saturday that seven soldiers were killed in an overnight attack on the island of Karamga in Lake Chad. Col. Salaou Barmou said 14 Boko Haram assailants were also killed in the fighting Friday night.

In a major turnaround after months of gains by Boko Haram, military from Nigeria and Chad have reported retaking at least a dozen towns in recent weeks that had been in extremist hands for months.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau this week warned he will disrupt March 28 presidential elections that are shaping up to be the most closely contested vote in the history of Africa's most populous nation and its biggest oil producer. Boko Haram wants to install an Islamic caliphate and says democracy is a corrupt Western concept.

Earlier this week, residents and local officials said suspected Boko Haram fighters killed at least 34 and injured several others in attacks on villages near Konduga and Chibok, the town where in April last year Boko Haram kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls in northeastern Borno state. Dozens escaped independently but 219 are still missing.

The gunmen attacked the Tamsu-Shehuri village on Wednesday night where they killed more than 12 people, said a resident.

"Many of them came riding on (motor)bikes and Hilux vans, and all of them were armed with rifles," said Aisami Bashir, a member of a local civilian protection militia. "They opened fire on the village as residents began to flee. Many aged persons who could not run were caught and killed. They broke into homes and looted their belongings -- especially their food items."

Twenty-one people were killed in the coordinated attacks, said local government official Suleiman Ali.

In neighboring Adamawa state, the insurgents attacked three villages on the outskirts of the Sambisa Forest and killed at least 40 people on Thursday and Friday, survivors said.

"They ransacked our villages for almost two days," said chief hunter Baba Jibrin.

International concern has increased along with the number of fatalities, estimated at some 10,000 in the past year with about 1.5 million people driven from their homes, according to the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations.