Imo Judges Lament: Okorocha Bought Us Tokunbo Cars

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January 9, 2020

By Gideon Njoku

It was supposed to be a day of joy for the Imo Judiciary, especially, for the families of those who had just been elevated to the position of High Court Court Judges.

For the state Judiciary, it was a big relief. Serving Judges have been overwhelmed and completely over-worked by the number of cases before them. Too many cases. Very few Judges.

They have been praying for a breather which ought to have come since by the appointment of new Judges to help lessen their burden.

It is not that the state is lacking in Judicial officers due for elevation. It has many qualified Judicial officers waiting to be elevated.

The immediate past Rochas Okorocha administration almost solved the problem. But the former governor disappointed.

Interviews had been conducted for those deemed qualified to be elevated. But just as they were waiting for the names of the successful ones to be announced, Okorocha halted the process.

It was like setting a table for lunch for a famished group of people, and then, removing the food as soon as they entered to pounce on it. One Counsel said it was like denying a crying baby a candy when you had shown it to the baby.

Okorocha’s reason for stopping the process, it is said was: “I have no money to pay them”. By so doing, he encouaged delays in the dispensation of justice. The consequence was denial of justice. Justice delayed, is justice denied, a wise popular saying emphasis.

So, this other day when incumbent Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, excuse the cliché, took the bull by the horn, and swore-in a total of nine Judges – seven High Court Judges, and two Customary Court Judges, it was double whammy in the State – Joy in the State Judiciary for the relief the new appointees would bring to the system, and joy for the new appointees whose elevation had been so delayed that they had lost hope of it ever happening.

The already serving Judges were over-joyed. The workload would reduce.

**Governor Emeka Ihedioha sworn-in new judges**

But suddenly, even in their joy, their faces turned gloomy. Sad, almost.

It began when they saw the brand new official vehicles Ihedioha bought for the new Judges – Ford SUVs. It was not that they were not happy for their new, younger, colleagues. They were. It is just that they could not but remember their sad situation. Their humiliation.

They parade second hand vehicles, popular as Tokunbo cars as their official vehicles – Toyota Highlander. Even the official vehicle of the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Paschal Nnadi, is a Tokunbo vehicle.

Said an angry senior lawyer to this magazine: “Governance was so debased in this state that Okorocha bought Judges, including the Chief Judge, second hand vehicles as official vehicles”.

Another told the story of the second hand cars.

“I know from where Okorocha bought the cars. It was from a friend of mine. It cost N2.7million a piece. It is a big shame. Many of us planned to protest the insult on behalf of the Judges. But the Chief Judge was not forthcoming. He kept quiet in the face of the insult to his office.

“On purchase, the cars were taken to government house for re-spraying”.

Another senior lawyer narrated the humiliation Imo Judges go through at the annual All Judges Conference.

His words: “It is easy to know Judges from Imo at the Conference. When the drivers of Judges from other states pull out in vehicles., you can call machines, at the end of everyday to pick their principals, Imo Judges assemble at one corner to wait for a hired bus to pick them to their hotel.”

On one occasion, he narrated, the securitymen at the gate to the conference venue refused their bus entry, telling them that only Judges vehicles are allowed. They were saved when one of the Judges, in a subdued voice, told them: ‘We are are Judges from Imo State’.

“They could not use their official vehicles because they are likely to break down on the way to Abuja. It is such a shame”, he lamented.

As it is, the Judges now hope that Ihedioha, who has exhibited great respect for the Judiciary, by providing brand new official vehicles for the new Judges, would listen to their lamentations, and wipe their shame off their faces – long before the next All Judges Conference. Perhaps.

Minimum Wage: Oyo, Lagos Lead In South West

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Bayo Bernard

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January 9, 2020

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By Fola James

Civil servants in Oyo state will not be left out in the payment of new National minimum wage signed by President Buhari middle last year.

Apprehension has mounted among workers that the six south west states will not be able to pay the new pay package.

States like Osun, Ekiti states still owe their workforce a backlog of salary, so, many watchers of these states’ politics have doubted their capacity to pay their workers the new minimum wage.

Some of these states have set up committees to negotiate with the various labour unions in their states, following pressure from the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC but it was learnt that, they are not committed to paying the new wage.

Apart from Lagos state which has assured workers that it will commence the payment this month, no other state in the region has made serious commitment.

But Governor Seyi Makinde has broken the ice on the matter.

His declaration on Wednesday that the state will pay the new wage has sent jubilation across the state.

According to the governor, while speaking at the 2020 Inter-Religious Prayer Service organised by the state government at the State Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan, all the workers will enjoy the approved minimum wage.

Celebration has rented, Ibadan, the state’s capital since the declaration as many civil servants lauded the governor.

Those who spoke with the magazine said, Governor Makinde has identified with the workers since he came to office, considering various decisions his government has made to promote the welfare of workers.

“For the first time in many years, Governor Makinde paid Oyo workers the 13^th month salary.

He has also made sure that workers are not owed salary, having cleared the backlog left by his predecessor,” Akeem Okanlawon told, a worker in the state told the magazine on Thursday.

Another top civil servant in the state Primary Education Board( SUBEB), who said her name should not be mentioned, said the policy of the administration is “workers first.”

She disclosed that Governor Makinde has made the civil servants a top priority as a way of turning the state around within the shortest time.

“The civil servants are the engine room of any government, they determine the success or otherwise of any administration.

They are the engine room of any government.

The Governor has made sure that every member of his cabinet has keyed into this policy and so far so good,” the source said.

She said, the action is in line with state’s slogan as the pacesetter.

Access Bank Support For Creativity Grows

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Bayo Bernard

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January 9, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Group Managing Director/ CEO of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe has reiterated the bank’s commitment to showcasing the continent of Africa to the world by supporting creative arts.

Wigwe said this is what the bank has been doing in supporting Born In Africa Festival, BAFEST an initiative aimed at celebrating African creativity.

In a statement released by the lender, the bank stated that BAFEST 2020 will be one of the biggest events in the country.

“BAFEST is not just a means of providing quality entertainment to Africans, but a platform Access Bank has created to spotlight Africa through its enormous creativity and talents.

We believe it is time the world knew the true story of Africa. I believe that this year’s BAFEST will further strengthen this new African narrative we are creating,” Wigwe said.

The banks stated that the successful maiden edition in 2018 and 2019 edition was a dynamic fusion of African art, film, fashion and music.

CBN Lauds Banks On Investment, Raises LDR

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Bayo Bernard

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January 9, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Central Bank of Nigeria has lauded deposit money banks, DMBs for pushing its investment drive in the country.

Investment analysts who spoke with the magazine said there’s a steady rise in credit to major sectors of the economy in the last few months.

But it doesn’t seem the Godwin Emefiele led CBN is satisfied yet with the performance, and has therefore increased the Loan to Deposit Ratio, LDR from 60 per cent in the last quarter of last year to 65 per cent.

The magazine learnt from competent sources in CBN that the LDR would still be migrated higher in the next quarter.

The apex bank, through the LDR instrument has made sure that banks make funds available for the private sector to grow.

It has also punished erring banks that failed to comply with the directive.

Three times last year, the CBN increased the LDR by significant a figure, not in a way that will affect the liquidity of the commercial banks.

Rolling out the performance figure on Wednesday, the apex bank disclosed that lending to various sectors have increased significantly.

The CBN said there has been upward increase of 150 per cent in respect of lending to the Small and Medium Enterprises, retail, mortgage and consumer lending.

The apex bank said it will not hesitate to punish any violating bank.

Failure to comply will now attract a levy of additional Cash Reserves Requirements of 50 per cent of the lending shortfall of the target LDR on or before March 31, 2020, CBN said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the release, “The CBN has noticed remarkable increase in the size of gross credit by the DMBs to customers.

Accordingly, the CBN has decided to retain the minimum 65 per cent LDR in the interim.

All the DMBs are required to maintain this level and are further advised that average daily figures shall be applied to assess compliance going forward.”

It disclosed that a further review will be conducted by the end of March to measure compliance.

“The incentives which assign a weight of 150 per cent in respect of lending to the SMEs, retail, mortgage and consumer lending shall continue to apply while failure to achieve the target shall continue to attract a levy of additional cash reserves requirement of 50 per cent of the lending shortfall of the target LDR on or before March 31, 2020,” the apex bank said

Market Women Groan Over Low Patronage

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The Source

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January 9, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Every resumption of a new academic section, especially the second term that berths in a new year, both Primary and Secondary Schools pupils and Students glow in their new shoes, uniforms, bags, socks, water bottles, lunch bags, watches, caps, berets and ties.

Sadly, it is a different scenario this year as most parents could not replicate the annual rituals of providing new things for their children and wards due to the present economic hardship, that has made Nigerians financially incapacitated

Rather, parents made sure their children and wards adorned their previous outfits and school materials.

Visits to some schools around Lagos on Monday, when Schools in the State resumed for another academic session, show it wasn’t business as usual, as most Pupils and Students made do with their previous school materials.

Katangowa market, located in Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of the State, is unarguably the cheapest market in the State where you can purchase clothes, bags and all other school materials.

But traders are moaning about the low patronage they have been experiencing since the end of the Yuletide season.

Some complained that unlike previous years when people complained of being financially crippled, yet, get to spend substantially, this year has been futile.

Kelechi Mbeonu, who sells school bags of different sizes said that for the past three days he had managed, go home with N7,500, daily, lamenting that there has been low patronage, as parents have refused to purchase bags for the new academic session.

“It hasn’t been this bad in a long time. Children resume for school in a new year and the market is scanty of buyers. This shows that this administration is a failure. Even during the time of the military, it was not this bad”, he stated.

Agreeing with Mbaonu, Regina Ibeh, who sells sweater an stockings said that she is still in shock that there has been low patronage despite the harsh weather condition.

“We are experiencing harmattan, and normally, this period is when I sell the most, because parents will want to protect their children from the harsh weather condition. Sadly, there hasn’t been any sales. I almost didn’t want to go to the market today because for weeks now, there hasn’t been sales. I don’t understand what is happening in this country again”.

Chinonye Ihezuo, who sells water bottles lamented that in her 11th year of selling in the market, it hasn’t been this bad.

She said people who even wanted to buy, will price the wares in a ridiculous way, and one can’t blame them, because you can’t give what you don’t have.

“Some families don’t even have what to eat, and you are telling them to purchase new things for their children to take to school. Won’t they rather manage what they have, than to spend money on frivolities”, she concluded.

Just like the market men and women in Katangowa market, sellers of perishable goods in Ile-Epo market joined in the wailing bandwagon.

Some of them said since the end of the Yuletide season, there hasn’t been high patronage, as many market men and women hardly make sales due to low turnout of prospective customers.

In a chat with Alhaji Mohammed Yaro, the leader of Yam, Onions and Pepper sellers in the market, he lamented that due to the high cost of bringing these products from the north down to Lagos, which has made the prices of the commodities skyrocket, there has been low patronage.

The Rice and Beans sellers are not left out of the bad situation. Some of them who spoke to the magazine said that the closing of the border has affected the patronage by customers because the prices of commodities have skyrocketed to an all time high.

Feyisara Amoo, a rice seller said that both foreign and local rice are within the same price range.

“A derica of local rice costs between N480 to N520. A bag of local rice goes for between N26,000 to N27,000. For foreign rice, you must have between N30,000 to N32,000. The worst part of it is: how can you ascertain that you are buying local or foreign rice sealed in a bag, because people now package local rice inside foreign bag deceiving people.

“Due to this, and the unavailability of finance, there is low patronage. I know people are patiently waiting for President Buhari to open the border, so that prices of commodities will come down”.

Ukrainian Airline Crashes In Iran After Takeoff In Controversial Circumstances

By

Uche Mbah

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January 8, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

Just as news filtered in that Iran has hit US Military bases in Iraq, a Ukrainian passenger plane crashed immediately after takeoff killing 176 passengers comprising 168 passengers and 9 crew members on board. Out of these there were said to be 147 Iranians and 32 non Iranians. It later crashed between Parand and Shahriar towns, a spokesperson for the Iranian Aviation authority said. There were no survivors.

The Plane, Flight PS 752, a Boeing 737-800 from Tehran to Kiev, was said to have lost contact with the control tower immediately after take-off from Imam Khomeini International Airport Wednesday. Iranian officials said on National television that there are no chances that anyone survived.

Immediately the plane crash was recorded, the Iranian authorities were quick to ascribe the cause of the crash to technical issues. The black box was not yet recovered, neither was it analyzed for the authorities to have come to such a conclusion. This has fueled speculations that the crash may have been a terrorist attack, although there is no evidence to link the Iranian attack on American military base to the plane crash at this time.

The Boeing 737-800 is a very common single-aisle, twin-engine jetliner preferred for short to medium-range flights. It is an older version of the 737 max 8 that flew into turbulence due to computer error from the manufactures. Airlines around the world see it as their preferred Aircraft.

Since the crisis involving Boeing 737 max 8, the American manufacturing concern has been battling to recover from the ban imposed on them by the American Civil Aviation Authority. The Aircraft had crashed twice for the same reasons-computer error-killing a cumulative number of 346 people, a situation that resulted in the the American Civil Aviation Authorities probing its own certification process. The cisis cost Boeing CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, his job. The Authorities have certified the Airline fit for the air, and could not explain the tragedies that followed the flight. Although Boeing made spirited efforts to keep the airline afloat, it remains grounded all over the world.

Now an older version of it has crashed.

Boeing has been at the forefront of the battle for the air between it, the European Airbus and Brazilian Bombardier. They have been the source of Aircraft for Nigerian local Aviators. In fact, both Air peace, backed by Fidelity Bank, and Arik were among Nigerians that ordered the troubled max 8. Unconfirmed reports traced the travails of the Air peace boss, Allen Onyema, to his wanting to switch allegiance from Boeing to Bombardier, since the Americans allegedly kept assuring him that the Max will soon have its ban lifted. Onyema had ordered ten Aircraft for his increasing fleet. The grounding of Max, however, did not effect the other members of the fleet.

Minimum Wage: Rivers, others Face Workers’ Showdown

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Bayo Bernard

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January 8, 2020

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By Gbemi Oye

Oil rich states in the country are yet to finalize talks with labour leaders on the payment of the new minimum wage.

Many Nigerians want the oil endowed states to pay the new wage because they have the capacity to do so.

The states are Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom.

But so far, the state’s, the magazine learnt have not indicated any interest to pay, though they have set up committees to negotiate union bodies such as NLC and TUC.

If the situation persists these states could be flashpoints for labour showdown in the new year.

President of the Nigerian labour Congress, Ayuba Wabash on Monday, read riots act to state government still dragging their foot on the issue.

According to Waba, over 33 states have been negotiating with his members, three, he stated were yet to do anything at all.

The states are Cross River, Kogi and Taraba.

The labour leader warned that his members will not take it easy with states that refuse to pay the new wage.

According to the breakdown, only 10 states have concluded negotiations with workers on consequential adjustments and are ready to implement the minimum wage law.

A total of 23 states are still talking with labour, Waba said recently.

Wabba also listed eight states Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, , Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Ebonyi, to have concluded negotiation but yet to implement.

He said states must obey the law signed last year by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We are actually on track. The Federal Government has set the pace. They have been able to meet up with all the obligations, including payment of arrears.

Let us also not lose sight of the fact that from the day the President assented to the bill, it became law. Therefore, states have no reason not to respect a law that was enacted.”

States he said have capacity to pay “We insist on the process of collective bargaining because we don’t want an allocation of peanuts to workers.

The principle of collective bargaining is enshrined in international law that workers should be able to know what they will be paid because the N30, 000 is already a law. What we are discussing is the consequential adjustment.”

“That is why the unions are interested in looking at the details before they sign.

Some (states) will want to pay peanut and that is what we are trying to avoid.”

Lagos and Kaduna states have started implementation of the new wage “there’s no excuse for oil rich states to pay N30,000 or more, ” said Ahmed Ajala, a human rights activist in Lagos.

Boko Haram Targets 4 Generals

By

Bayo Bernard

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January 8, 2020

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By Fola James

Boko Haram nearly scored a high point on Tuesday after targetting three top Nigerian Army Generals, including the theatre commander of Operation Lafia Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi.

The commander was ambushed by the insurgents, who fire heavy weapons including, anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and some of their foot soldiers about 2 Kilometres to Auno in Kaga L.G.A of Borno while returning from Jakana where he visited troops’

Three other Generals, Major Gen. MG Ali, Brig. Gen. E.I. Eze, Brig. Gen. S.I. Igbinomwany and other top military officers were with General Adeniyi during the attack.

Security analysts told the magazine that the insurgents were sending a strong message to the military that they will not relent in their attacks in the new year.

The misguided group has launched a couple of attacks in the state and Yobe state since the beginning of the year.

Meanwhile, the army said it was more prepared this year to totally eliminate remnants of the insurgents, who, the military said has been highly decimated.

Had the group succeeded in their operation, the troops fighting insurgency in the north east would have been demoralized, analysts say.

This suggestion came on the crest of attack by Governor Zulum of Borno state, on the troops, for collecting bribes from motorists.

The army had warned politicians from making comments that can demoralize the troops.

In spite of this, the military said they won’t relent until the north east is totally cleared of the insurgents.

Army spokesman, Colonel Aminu Iliyasus, in a statement after the attack on General Adeniyi said: “In a clear display of misguided desperation to stage a reprisal following the recent neutralisation of several of their top commanders by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, on January 6, some marauding elements of the Boko Haram insurgents laid and eventually sprung an ambush against the convoy of the theatre commander operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi.

The commander’s convoy came under the criminals ineffective and uncoordinated fire from anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and some of their foot soldiers about 2 Kilometres to Auno in Kaga L.G.A of Borno while returning from Jakana where he visited troops’ location following his meeting with the governor of Borno, Professor Babagana Zulum at Auno.”

He commended the gallantry of the troops who repelled the deadly ataack

“In a commendable demonstration of bold action in battle, the theatre commander led the gallant troops of his convoy to engage the Boko Haram insurgents with superior fire power, subduing them, and thereafter, assaulting the ambush site with his men, thereby causing the criminal insurgents to flee the location in disarray. Other senior military officers in the theatre commanders’ convoy at the time of the ambush include the deputy theatre commander, Major Gen. MG Ali, Brig. Gen. E.I. Eze, Brig. Gen. S.I. Igbinomwanya and Lt A.A. Tejuoso. In the aftermath of the encounter, several Boko Haram insurgents were decimated. Additionally, 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 2 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one camouflage trouser, one Nigeria Police Force fragmental jacket, 2 AK 47 rifles and 3 AK 47 rifle magazines were captured from the fleeing insurgents. Thereafter, Major Gen Adeniyi and his convoy continued their trip, and have since returned safely to headquarters. Regrettably, two soldiers were wounded in action during the encounter, ” he said.

The wounded, he stated “are currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility and are responding positively.

To this end, the theatre commander, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Turkur Yusufu Buratai congratulates the troops for their resilience and courage and urges them not to relent in their efforts until all the remnants of the Boko Haram and ISWAP criminal insurgents are completely annihilated and defeated.”

The attack on Gen Adeniyi was the third in the series of the terrorists ambushes on military commanders since the commencement of the counter-insurgency operations.

Boko Haram had attacked the convoy of Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai and former General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army Maiduguri, Brig Gen Victor Ezegwu.

2019 CAF Awards: Oshoala, Mane Are Africa Best

By

The Source

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January 8, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Super Falcons Captain and Barcelona Football Club of Spain striker, Asisat Oshoala, has been announced as Africa’s Best Female Footballer for 2019.

At the Confederation of African Football awards ceremony held in Egypt, Oshoala was voted the best female player for the third time, ahead of Bayana Bayana of South Africa forward, Thembi Kgatlana, and Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon forward, Nchout.

The Barcelona forward scored a brace over the weekend for the Catalan Club Side, to extend her dominance among other African players in Europe.

In the Male category, Senegalese Captain and Liverpool Football Club of England mercurial forward, Sadio Mane, was crowned the best Footballer in Africa, displacing fellow Club side player, Mohammed Salah, who holds the award.

Mane became the final awardee for the decade 2010 – 2019 in the Egyptian city of Hurghada.

He succeeds Salah who was also shortlisted along with Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez who led Algeria to AFCON glory in 2019. Both contenders were absent at the event.

The consistent Liverpool player, this season, received his award from CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad, alongside the first award winner for the decade, African legend, Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, who won his fourth award in 2010 when he was with Italian side Inter Milan.

Mane was instrumental to his club side’s winning of the UEFA Champions League in the 2018/2019 season, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA World Club Championship in Qatar, and was captain of the Senegal side that lost the 2019 AFCON to Algeria in Egypt.

This was the fourth straight time that he had been shortlisted for the award. He lost in 2016 to Gabons Aubameyang (at the time with Borussia Dortmund). Then missed out to Salah twice in 2017 and 2018. Many analysts projected, after AFCON, that this was his year despite the final loss.

The hope of Victor Osimhen winning the Youth African Footballer of the Year award was dashed, as Morocco and Borussia Dortmund’s defender, Achraf Hakimi, won the award, to the disappointment of Osimhen’s teeming fans.

Breaking: Iran’s Attack On US Military Bases- “All Is Well”, Says Trump.

By

Uche Mbah

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January 8, 2020

0

President Donald Trump of the United states has reacted to the Iranian attack of two military bases belonging to the US in Iraq, saying that “All Is Well”.

Iran Wednesday, in the first move in the international terror chess board after the US ordered the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, attacked at least two US military bases in Iraq. This was done through firing several missiles towards the bases. Assessment of casualties are still ongoing though it has been estimated by Tehran that about thirty people died.

Besides this, a Ukrainian Boeing 737 with 180 passengers on board crashed in Iran with reports of no survivors and speculations of possible terrorism connection, and a Magnitude 4.9 Earthquake shook the south west part of the country the same day that several US Aircrafts reportedly left the Airbase of Iraq minutes after the strike. Iran, through their local media, has claimed that more than 30 American soldiers have been killed. CNN, however, reports that the casualties are Iraqi soldiers, not American.

Donald Trump, in his twitter handle, tweeted: ” All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties and damages taking place now. So far so good! We have the most powerful and equipped military anywhere in the world. by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning”.

But Marco Rubio, an outspoken Republican Senator, has said that the US was prepared for the attack. “Potus has a broad range of options available for response. We will soon have a full assessment of this attack. Thereafter I am very confident he will pursue an appropriate response & act at a time of our choosing“, he tweeted. Iran launched 15 missiles out of which four refused to launch, reports Los Angeles Times.

Although over 5,000 American troops are currently stationed in Iraq as part of US efforts to fight Islamic State, as yet there has been no reports of casualties from the US. Iraq shares an extended border with Iran, and Iran has banned any American aircraft flying over their Airspace.