The glamorous lovers’ day celebration on Monday turned bloody at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) when gunmen killed two students. Daily Sun gathered that the clash was between two rival cult groups, namely, Black Axe and the Buccaneers,’ over a female student allegedly snatched by the Capone of the Black Axe for Valentine celebration.

The action of the Capone , the source said did not go down well with the other group leading to the clash.
A student who witnessed the shooting said besides the two cult members who were shot dead, about four others sustained injuries and were ferried out of the campus by their leaders to shield their identity.

The sources said the cult members who carried out the attack were not UNILAG students but members from another campus, adding that the attack was carried out in a commando style with sporadic shooting.
An undergraduate student of English Department told Daily Sun that the Buccaneers’ group attacked the Black Axe members while another student returning from the Mosque said those who carried out the killing were not from UNILAG because they did not cover their faces.

It was learnt that as soon the shooting started, students scampered for safety while others took cover behind the wall and under cars packed around, while others ran into the halls to avoid being hit by stray bullets. 
A senior lecturer who confirmed the killings said the university management had met to curtail any reprisal attack while security personnel had taken over the investigation of the deadly cult clash.
When Daily Sun visited the troubled institution yesterday, there was uneasy calm, as most staff and students rebuffed efforts made by the reporters to get their comments.

However, one of the students who resides at Sodeinde Hall, said there was sporadic gunshots outside the premises which caused panic everywhere. 
It was gathered that the crisis, which erupted when the students were at the peak of lovers’ day celebration, created stampede on the campus as people ran for safety.

One of the victims of the attack reportedly ran into Sodeinde Hall for help, from where he was taken to the hospital.
Although the Hall Master of Sodeinde Hall declined comments on the issue, one of the officials, who wouldn’t want his name published, said the attack could not be linked to any cult group. He said there was increasing speculation that the perpetrators of the attack could be fighting for love. Efforts made by Daily Sun our reporter to ascertain the identities of the victims were unsuccessful.
The news bulletin of the university, Information Flash (ISSN 08195540) also captured the incident, while assuring the staff and students of the university of adequate security.

“The attention of the universities authorities has been drawn to the incident which occurred in one of the Halls of Residence in the late hours of Monday, February 14, 2011 where two persons were reportedly injured in fracas. The university management has commenced investigation into the unusual incident, in particular at a time when preparation for the first semester examinations due to commence on February 21, 2011 are in top gear. Security has been intensified to ensure safety of life and property on campus. Law enforcement agents have been involved to assist the university in this respect,” it said. 
Daily Sun learnt that students are leaving the campus because of the fear of reprisal attack while some parents called their wards on phone to return home until the situation is brought under control. 

The Deputy Registrar Information of UNILAG, Mr. Dare Adebisi refused to pick his calls or replied to text message sent to his phone.
When the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Samuel Jinadu (DSP) was called thrice, he promised to contact the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area and did not call back as at the press time....

PLAIN clothed security agents in their hundreds seized, Charles Okah, the younger brother to detained MEND leader, Henry Okah, in Apapa area of Lagos.

Charles Okah was arrested with some of his children according to family sources.

His brother, Henry Okah, who is currently detained by the South African police and undergoing trial for terror -related charges claimed in diary seized from him that Charles was faking his voice to negotiate with the Nigerian authorities in a "cease-fire" deal.

It is not clear if Charles was arrested over his brother's claims before South African magistrate or relating to the latest MEND threats which security sources said might have been traced to him.

Nigeria tightened security Saturday at the busy Abuja International Airport, a day after the militant group MEND threatened an imminent attack in the nation's capital, travellers said.

The officials, armed with bomb detectors, screened vehicles about 250 metres (800 feet) out on the airport access road, including conducting physical inspections of some vehicles.

"There was no such security measures in place at the airport three days ago," one traveller said.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) threatened in a statement on Friday that a bomb attack was "imminent" in Abuja, which experienced twin car bombings two weeks ago in which at least 12 people died and several others injured..

The threat came in a statement that criticised the government's response to the October 1 Independence Day bombings.

Death of telecom engineers worsens security challenges

The BTS sites in Aba, Abia State where six personnel staff were killed. Photo courtesy: MTN

Professionals in the telecommunication sector have frowned at the killing of six staff of MTN Nigeria at the firm’s Base Transceiver Station (BTS) site in Aba, Abia State.

A project manager of MTN in Aba, one Valentine, explained that the incident took place last week while the staff went to work at the site.

“This is to inform you that our team of engineers went out to work at Gabby Oil, Aba Road, Aba, Abia State, and while working on the generator, four gunmen walked into the BTS site while the team of engineers were waiting for the RBS to load after bringing up the generator and held them at gunpoint,” Mr. Valentine said in a report to the company’s head office.

“One Petrolseal engineer, two Mopol men, the rigger, and the security man were killed outright while the second Petrolseal engineer died on arrival at the hospital,” he said..

Titi Omo-Ettu, the president of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said in an email message that the murders are shocking.

“Nobody living in Nigeria can pretend that this is a new development, but this certainly is one murder too callous to be regarded as one of the usual stories. We commiserate with MTN and with the families of the murdered persons,” he said.

Government must act now

Mr. Omo-Ettu, however, said the increase in criminal activities in the country shows that the government is helpless and must act now before it loses its relevance.

“We invite attention of the Federal Government to these murders and kidnappings, which is now blatantly portraying government as helpless. The essence of governance is now appearing to be meaningless while living and investing in our country may be becoming anathema to all peoples of the world,” he said.

“Our association pledges to do all things possible to assist the police in investigating this incident and we invite the attention of the new Inspector General of Police to the need to see this as one case which requires speedy investigation and prosecution of those found culpable, as this will determine where we go from here. Criminal acts of this nature have been encouraged because perpetrators are hardly ever caught and prosecuted,” Mr. Omo-Ettu said.

Enough is Enough

Telecom operators have reported that security is a major challenge to them, as their BTS sites are constantly vandalised by hoodlums.

In a press conference last week, Gbenga Adebayo, the president of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said apart from the recent shutdown of some BTS sites around the country, some equipment at the sites are constantly vandalised and stolen. He said this affects national security as well.

“Peace, investment, life, and living, have now been threatened to a level that makes it necessary to invite the president, Goodluck Jonathan, to please intervene urgently,” Mr. Omo -Ettu said.

“Enough is enough, and a country that seeks the loftiest theme of vision 20-2020 cannot continue to go on like this,” he said.

Only two personnel survived the armed attack at the BTS; one Ericssion engineer and his driver hid behind the RBS units in the site, so the fired bullets missed them.