Attorney-General Admits Deaths of Four Americans in Drone Attacks

The Obama Administration has formally admitted killing four of its citizens in authorized drone attacks in Yemen and Pakistan since 2009, according to a letter from US attorney-general Eric Holder.

The letter, which was addressed to congressional leaders on Wednesday, named three US citizens – Samir Khan, Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, and his father, Anwar al-Awlaki, the intended target of a drone strike in September 2011.

However, the fourth citizen, Jude Kenan Mohammed, was regarded as a victim of America’s efforts to combat terrorism through drone strikes.

The letter reads, “Since 2009, the United States, in the conduct of US counterterrorism operations against al-Qaeda and its associated forces outside of areas of active hostilities, has specifically targeted and killed one US citizen, Anwar al-Awlaki.”

“The decision to target Anwar al-Awlaki was lawful, it was considered and it was just,” he wrote.

“The United States is further aware of three other US citizens who have been killed in such US counterterrorism operations over that same time period,” Holder added, after which he named three citizens.

Holder refused to explain why Jude Mohammed and 16-year-old Abdulrahman al-Awlaki were killed. “These individuals were not specifically targeted by the United States,” he said.

“The administration is determined to continue these extensive outreach efforts to communicate with the American people. To this end, the president has directed me to disclose certain information that until now has been properly classified. You and other members of your committee have on numerous occasions expressed a particular interest in the administration’s use of lethal force against US citizens.”

“In light of this face, I am writing to disclose to you certain information about the number of US citizens who have been killed by US counterterrorism operations outside of areas of active hostilities.”

The letter came just a day before US President Barack Obama was scheduled to deliver a speech on the use of drones, and was addressed to Senator Patrick Leahy and the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Apparently, it was released with the purpose of defending the Obama Administration over allegations that it wasn’t holding up to its promise of utmost transparency as Obama’s campaign plans has stated.

Only a few months earlier, Senator Rand Paul led a marathon filibuster in an effort to criticize the drone program of the CIA, demanding the administration stand before lawmakers and justify the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the execution of suspected enemies of the state while turning a blind eye to the innocent civilians killed in the process.

What Nigerians Must Learn From The Capture of the Second Boston Bombing Suspect

After hours of breath-taking manhunt for the teenage suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been caputred. The Police said they exchanged gunfire with Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, after cornering him in Watertown, near Boston. He was found hiding in a boat in a surbuban homeowner's backyard, looking injured.

It was a night of celebration for the people of Boston, as they can finally sleep better at night, knowing that the passionate, patriotic men and women of the Boston Police Department will always be there to guarantee their safety.

The search is over, but the sad memories of the bomb attack, the deaths of three innocent Americans, the injuries forced on hundreds of others, the adrenaline rush, the gunfights, the destruction of properties, and the unrelentless hunt for the culprits of the dastardly acts for the past of few days will forever linger in the heart of many.

US President Barack Obama has commended  the efforts of law enforcers and Bostonians, saying, ''Tonight, our nation is in debt to the people of Boston. They all worked as they should as a team''. He has ordered a full investigation into the reasons why men who grew up and studied as part of the community resorted to violence.

While Anzor Tsarnaev, father of slain Tamerlan and captured Dzhokhar, believes it was a terrorist attack carefully organised by secret services he is not certian of (in his words, he claims his son used to go to a mosque, so they once paid us a visit to ask why he is doing that.), Ruslan Tsarni, an uncle of the suspects who lives in Maryland, said he was "ashamed" at his nephews' alleged role in the bombings.

What do we really know about these men?. Dzhokhar, 19, was awarded a scholarship to pursue further education; he wanted to become a brain surgeon, according to his father.Tamerlan, 26, was an amateur boxer who had reportedly taken time off college to train for a competition; he described himself as a "very religious" non-drinker and non-smoker.

The elder brother comes across less social, not quite fitting into American life or making friends. As he is seven years older, could it be that he drew his younger sibling into his own world in which he seemed to be exploring radical Islamist ideology?.

The attack may not have been extreme like September 11 attacks, but it was seen as a threat to every breathing American, and the government unleashed on only two men its mostly deadly and unrelenting agents to ensure that justice is served cold. That is a government willing to do anything to ensure that every American can sleep well at night.

What have Nigerians learnt about the intense week Americans have gone through?. We have become a country where religious and tribal disasters have made enemies out of friends, ignorance has made its bed into the hearts of many, government has done little to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens and parents do very little to bring up their children in the right way.

When will our intelligence services and police force set up to the challenge in the hunt for those who seek to destroy what's left our unity?. When will every tribe learn to trust and love one another?. When will parents put more efforts into bringing up their children in the right way so that their future will be bright?. When will the government stop being cowardly and ensure that Nigerians gain their trust again?. When will the youth open their eyes and kick ignorance and hate from their hearts?

Talk is cheap. Action will always speak louder than words even if the largest public address system was utilised. It is said that a word is enough for those wise enough to listen. Have we learnt anything at all?