Eminent citizens, yesterday, took a critical look at the state of affairs in the country and returned a grim verdict: Nigeria is on the brink of collapse and needs to be saved.

AFTER cessation of hostilities for some months in the Niger Delta, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, weekend, threatened to bomb telecommunications giant MTN, SACOIL and other investments by South Africans in Nigeria over alleged interference of President Jacob Zuma in its struggle for justice in the oil producing communities.

MORE facts emerged yesterday, regarding the condition of acclaimed spokesman for the Jamaatu Ahlil Sunna Lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, Abul Qaqa, after his arrest at about 4 am on Wednesday.

OFFICIALS of the State Security Service, SSS, in Borno State, yesterday, confirmed that they have dealt dreaded sect, Boko Haram, a major blow by arresting the spokesman of the group Abul Qaqa. He was reportedly arrested in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

IN Continuation of its plan to Islamize Northern Nigeria, the Boko Haram Islamic Sect on Monday night invaded the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, barracks as well as a police station in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing five persons including a soldier, two policemen and two civilians.

Twelve years after he was charged with the murder of the amazon of the pro-democracy movement in the early nineties, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola , wife of late business mogul and politician MKO Abiola, a Lagos high court yesterday found Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, guilty and held that he should die by hanging.

Former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has blamed his successor, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso over the poor security situation in Kano, saying that he (Kwankwaso) dismantled enduring policies introduced by him to guarantee genuine peace in the state.

IN a landmark decision, the Supreme Court yesterday sacked five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, who won re-run elections in 2007

Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar yesterday took over the reins of police leadership from his predecessor, Hafiz Abubakar Ringim vowing to fight the dreaded Boko Haram sect in all its ramifications.

EMBATTLED Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Hafiz Ringim has been fired by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Boko Haram sect has cited the stoppage of its monthly financial support for the recent attacks on northern states, claiming that the group was until recently being bankrolled by some northern governors.

KANO city, yesterday, came under a fresh attack as the Boko Haram sect bombed a police outpost at Sheka along Zoo road, close to the Shagari quarters.

The pomp of royalty was set aside, yesterday, as the revered Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero broke down in tears as he recounted the loss of human lives that followed last Friday’s Boko Haram attack on the ancient city before a visiting President Goodluck Jonathan.

Anxiety about the potential danger posed by the continued elusiveness of the alleged mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing in Madalla, Suleija has spurred the security forces to combine efforts at tracing and apprehending him.

ABUJA – The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has dismissed calls by critics for her to step down from office to allow proper investigation into allegations of abuse in the management of petroleum subsidies.