OBASANJO'S SON FLOWN ABROAD AFTER BEING SHOT BY BOKO HARAM

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s son, Lt. Col. Adeboye Obasanjo, who got injured fighting Boko Haram on Monday, is in stable condition, the Federal Government said yesterday.

Lt.- Col. Obasanjo , an engineer, was shot in the leg as his platoon battled the sect’s fighters in Bazza, Michika Local Government Area.

He was flown out of Yola, the Adamawa State capital, where he had been receiving treatment.

“He is in high spirits. I spoke with him. What is on his mind now is how he will get well and get back to the field,”   National Orientation Agency (NOA) Director General Mike Omeri said yesterday at the security agencies’ regular briefing on the state of the nation’s security, which he coordinates.

Heads of government security agencies attend the sessions at the National Information Centre.

Also yesterday, Adamawa State Acting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri praised officers and men of the Armed Forces for their efforts in containing the insurgency in the state.

Fintiri spoke after visiting recuperating Lt.-Col. Obasanjo at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

Fintiri was received at the hospital by Chief Medical Director Dr Aliyu Danburam, who said Lt.-Col. Obasanjo was in a stable condition.

FMC spokesman Adam Dodo confirmed that the officer was responding well to treatment.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also visited the officer before he was flown out.

Omeri cautioned Nigerians against purchasing used phones and SIM  cards.

He urged Nigerians to report cases of stolen phones and SIM cards to the police.

“The centre wishes to call on Nigerians to desist from purchasing used GSM phones and pre-registered SIM cards from uncertain sources because such phones and SIM cards might have been used by  terrorists and for other untoward activities.

“This caution has become necessary to save members of the public the embarrassment of being apprehended for criminal activities committed with the phones and SIM cards found in their possession,” he said.

Omeri said the recapture of Bama, Borno’s second largest town by troops attests to the renewed zeal and commitment which officers and men of the Armed Forces have shown towards defending the country and safeguarding her territorial integrity.

“The government calls on all Nigerians to support the efforts of the military by providing worthwhile information which will boost the current campaign to end insurgency in the region,” he said

Speaking on the Australian negotiator Stephen Davis, who named former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and former Army Chief Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika as Boko Haram backers, Directorate of State Security (DSS) spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar, said the Federal Government would not rush into investigating any Nigerian, unless it had detailed information linking such person to Boko Haram.

She urged Nigerians to continue to provide information on the sponsors of Boko Haram in order to save the lives of Nigerians.

“Our information will be based on facts and not hearsay. Nigerians should stop disturbing security forces but allow them to carry out their duties effectively,” she said.