I killed my master because I needed N150,000 for Dubai trip – motor boy

A look at 32 year-old Sani Saidu , will never pass him for a betrayer, let alone a killer , owing to his quiet disposition and soft way of speaking. But his disposition has only proved to be deceptive after all , as he is currently cooling his heels at the Lagos State Criminal Investigations Department ,SCID, Yaba , Lagos, over a case of alleged murder.

The Gombe state born suspect allegedly stabbed one Mr Shittu Aremu, driver of a truck to death while accompanying him to Port Harcourt, Rivers state, destination of the 40,000 litre of petroleum product .

The late Aremu whose age was put around 56 years, was a driver to S.K Transport Service Nigeria Limited . He reportedly loaded the truck with plate number AGL 368 XA with aviation fuel worth N5.5 million and consequently left Lagos for Port Harcourt on November 13, 2014, to discharge

the product.

But before leaving Lagos State, he was said to have invited Saidu to work with him as his motor boy, with a promise to pay him an undisclosed amount at the end of the trip. But little did he realize that the invitation would end his life.Sani-Saidu

The first sign that signalled an unpalatable situation for the truck driver, followed difficulty by his employee to reach him on his mobile phone, two days after he embarked on the journey.

Further checks from the tracking device on the truck reportedly showed that the truck had been diverted from its original route to somewhere around Mutum Biu, in Taraba state.

Suspecting that the driver had a sinister motive up his sleeve ,the company reportedly lodged a complaint at the State Criminal Investigation Department SCID, Yaba, where detectives swung into action by travelling to Taraba state. Fortunately for them, the truck was recovered at the Taraba state Police Command, with only Saidu, the motorboy.

I stabbed him, threw him out of the truck

Preliminary investigation as gathered , revealed that Saidu allegedly murdered the truck driver before diverting the truck to the northern part of the country.

In this interview, Saidu gave a graphic description of how he stabbed his master with a knife and threw him out of the truck , before taking over the steering..

Asked what made him carry out such dastardly act, Saidu replied : “ I killed Mr Aremu because I wanted to sell the aviation fuel and use the money to travel to Dubai on a business trip”

Narrating how he snuffed life out of Aremu whom he fondly called baba Oyo, , Saidu said: “ A day after we left Lagos, at about 6pm, the company called baba Oyo and instructed him to park at Umunede, Delta state for security reason and that he should proceed on the journey the following day.

While there , I bought a knife without him knowing and tied it with a rope on my leg. Very early the third day, baba Oyo started the ignition to continue the journey. As he was about to move, I told him that one of the tyres had developed a fault. I came out of the vehicle and pretended to be checking the tyres. I went to his side of the truck, bent down as if checking the tyres and in the process, I brought out my knife. But as I raised my hand to stab him, he held my hand and we started struggling, in the process of which the knife cut me on the index finger. I succeeded in stabbing him first on the lap and blood started gushing out. Again, I stabbed him again in the stomach, leaving the knife in there. By then he was too weak to shout.

Thereafter, I pushed him out of the vehicle and mounted the driver’s seat and zoomed off.

Diverts truck to the north

My intention was to take the aviation fuel to Taraba state and sell it at the black market. When I got to Adamawa state, I sold four drums , at the rate of N28,000 per drum. On reaching Katsina Ala, the truck developed a fault and I ended up spending N57,000 to fix it. I continued the journey but on reaching Mutum Biu, I was stopped by some soldiers who were on a joint operation with the Police, at a check point. They demanded for the way bill and I showed them.

But one of the policemen asked where the plate number was and I brought it out from where I kept it. I had earlier removed it because the company’s number was inscribed on it. When the policemen dialled the telephone number, they discovered that the vehicle was supposed to be heading for Port Harcourt. When they asked what it was doing at Taraba, I could not provide a ready answer and I was subsequently apprehended”

I wanted to raise 150,000

The father of five whose family resides in Adamawa state further disclosed that “ I did what I did in order to raise N150,000 for a ticket to Dubai. A friend of mine who lives in Kano usually travels to Dubai to buy handsets and sell in Kano. He told me he would take me down if I could raise N150,000. That was why I did what I did. But with the look of things, it is obvious that I am in a big trouble and may never come out of from it for the rest of my life”, he stated remorsefully.

Information at Crime Guard’s disposal revealed that operatives at the SCID would be leaving Lagos for Umunede in Delta state, to inspect the spot where the suspect claimed to have thrown Aremu’s body, with a view to ascertaining whether he is alive or not.

Police sources however hinted that the driver’s seat of the recovered truck was stained with blood, adding that at the end of investigation, the suspect would be charged to court for murder and stealing.

2015 Presidency: It’s Buhari Vs Jonathan

WITH 3,430 votes, former Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), yesterday, trounced his four opponents to emerge the 2015 presidential candidate of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
His main challenger, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president, got 954 votes to come third behind Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, who scored 974 votes. The other contenders, Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha and Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah got 624 votes and 10 votes respectively.
In line with the pre-convention agreement reached by the five aspirants, Atiku has conceded defeat and congratulated Buhari on his victory, saying, “my word is my bond, I am committed to the success of the APC in 2015 polls.”
Buhari and Jonathan
Buhari and Jonathan
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, also congratulated Buhari and hailed Atiku and the other presidential aspirants for their sportsmanly conduct.
With the development, there will be a repeat contest between General Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan, who is flying the flag of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 2015 election.
In the 2011 presidential polls, Jonathan polled 22.5 million votes to beat Buhari who garnered 12.2 million votes.
Okorie, Eke pick UPP, CPP tickets
Apart from PDP and APC, the United Progressives Party (UPP), yesterday, picked its founder, Chief Chekwas Okorie, as its presidential candidate with Bello Umar as his running mate.
This was announced at the National Convention of the party held at Binez Hotel, Aba, Abia State, which was monitored by a team of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by the Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Jacobs Jatau.
The UPP also presented governorship tickets to Dr. Osmond Ukanacho (Imo State), Dr. Chris Akomas (Abia State) and Hajiya Binta Gwarzo Rufai (Kano).
Earlier in the week, the Citizens Popular Party (CPP) also picked its National Chairman, Chief Sam Eke as its presidential candidate.
Atiku concedes
On a day that Buhari’s victory sparked off infectious jubilation among his supporters at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, venue of the primaries, Atiku, in a concession statement by his media office, when it became clear that he had lost out, said that General Buhari ran a spirited campaign, and that since the delegates had spoken, he fully deserved the victory.
The statement reads in part: “I am very confident that you will provide the needed leadership to turn this country around. I have no doubt that you will work with dedicated and qualified Nigerians to protect our citizens, improve our economy, create jobs, improve education, reform governance and fight corruption. You will indeed bring the change Nigerians have been yearning for. Once more, congratulations.”
The loss by Atiku was being taken, yesterday, as a big blow by some of the major operatives of the former vice-president, who traced their woe directly to the governors.
“For us, it is a very bad one, having lost woefully. The reason we lost so badly was because the governors were convinced that they could not bend Atiku. They believe that his wealth has made him too independent,” a source in Atiku campaign team said yesterday.
Oshiomhole congratulates Buhari, hails Atiku
Congratulating Buhari on his emergence as APC presidential candidate, Governor Oshiomhole, in a statement, also gave kudos to the other presidential aspirants for a gallant fight and urged them to join hands with the party’s candidate to scale the next hurdle.
His words: “First, let me congratulate the flag-bearer of our party, a highly disciplined, tested and trusted leader, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari for emerging through this refined, transparent and credible process of delegate election.
“Also, I wish to congratulate the delegates for their tolerance, patience, maturity and commitment towards ensuring a successful convention which has produced such a strong candidate for our party. This goes to show that we all are committed to being agents of change in this democratic process. With the emergence of Buhari, Nigeria will no doubt get a true and selfless leadership needed to drive the much-desired change at the centre and the race to effect that real change has just begun.”
We must wipe away tears of Nigerians — Tinubu
In his goodwill remarks at the convention, APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu said “a special history is in the air and I can say this is the voice of the young, the old, the North, South, East and West, Christians and Muslims all over the country. With our convention holding tonight, the history is to be written tonight and this convention represents the beginning of a new Nigeria, new dream and hope.”
He continued: “We are doing things differently given the challenges facing our country, we are bringing about change to avert a national failure. We cannot afford to squander this opportunity and that is why we are showing a sense of national purpose, transparency, openness according to the spirit of fair play in our presidential primaries.
“This will show Nigerians we are a democratic party and we are pure because our behaviour will speak for us. Our new manifesto has shown hope of our party and it is going to be a turning point in our lives.”
Buhari declared winner
While officially declaring Buhari the winner of the exercise, Chief Returning Officer, Dr Kayode Fayemi said: “It is my esteemed pleasure to reach this historic conclusion of this keenly contested race. Having won the majority of votes cast, it is my pleasure and honour to declare Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the APC presidential primaries in preparation for the 2015 presidential election. All our aspirants have proved to be champions in this race.”
We’ve made history – Oyegun
APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun commended the convention planning committee for a job well done. He also commended the aspirants for display of good sportsmanship saying “to all of you who are here and those who have gone home, you have made history.”
Join me to bring about change –Buhari
In his acceptance speech, winner of the presidential primaries, Buhari commended the convention planning committee for the success of the convention.
He said: “The outcome of the presidential primaries is a demonstration of democracy at work. What has happened is not about winning or losing but about freedom of association. I wish to thank my fellow contenders for putting up a good fight. I extend my gratitude for accepting my nomination and I will meet you in due course to fashion out how we will win the elections. It is with deep sense of humility that I accept to be the candidate and flag-bearer of the APC. I stand before you and ask that you join me to bring about the needed change for this country. It is either we advance as one or we fail together.”
I’ll work with Buhari —Kwankwaso
On his part, Kwankwaso promised to work for the success of the party and Buhari at the polls.
“I want to start by thanking God for making me to be part of history. On behalf of myself especially the delegates that voted for me, I want to congratulate the winner of this primary, General Buhari. We earlier agreed that whoever wins this election, we will work for him. Let me assure you that we will work together for the success of the APC at all levels,” he said.
Internal democracy has begun –Okorocha
Also speaking, Okorocha said: “The responsibility falls on the shoulder of General Buhari. I believe it is God and it came to him because he is the oldest of the family and I believe the next one will go to the youngest of the family. We have now taught the world that internal democracy can begin in a party.”
Explaining why he participated in the race, he said: “I participated in the race because I wanted to give our brothers from the South-East a sense of belonging.”
APC is the only alternative— Tambuwal
Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal said history is being made with the coming together of opposition parties in Nigeria. “What we are seeing today has never happened in the history of Nigeria and we have shown we are the only alternative to what we have in Abuja.”
Tambuwal appealed to Nigerians to vote out the PDP-led government at the centre, saying: “I must say with every sense of belonging that APC remains the party for today, tomorrow and the future. So I call on Nigerians to come together by voting out incompetence and malfunction government we have in Abuja.”
PDP welcomes Buhari
National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has welcomed the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as the Presidential candidate of the APC.
In a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP urged the APC presidential candidate to be issue- based in his campaigns, adding, “We hope that this time round, General Buhari will conduct a campaign that is issue based and devoid of ethno-religious sentiments.”
Metuh said, “This will be the fourth time General Buhari will be contesting in the presidential elections. On each of the three previous occasions, he failed to articulate a vision of the future that was acceptable to Nigerians. On each occasion his brand of politics was rejected across Nigeria. Apart from changing to a dinner suit, General Buhari, has not changed the tired ideas and provocative utterances that Nigerians rejected in previous elections.”

WONDER BANK: 2 pastors get 7 years in jail over N32m theft

WONDER BANK: 2 pastors get 7 years in jail over N32m theft
A Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has sentenced two clergymen to seven years imprisonment each for stealing N32 million from investors in a wonder bank.
They convicts are Pastor Glory Abrefera and Reverend Vincent Okpogu.
Convicting the accused on the nine-count charge levelled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, trial judge, Justice F. Ohwo sentenced them to seven years imprisonment on each count with the sentence to run concurrently.
According to the prosecutor, Mr. G. Latona, “both accused are still answering to other charges before another state high court sitting in Otor-Udu for related offences.”
The clerics were arrested on allegation of deceiving members of the public into investing in Mustard Seed Micro Investment Limited, a wonder bank, where they were said to have defrauded the investors.
Justice Owho held that they would serve the term at Okere Prisons in Warri, Delta State.

Buhari’s likely running mates

HAVING emerged victorious at the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress,APC, in line with pre-convention predictions, the question of who becomes the running mate of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) is on the front burner.
Earlier the matter had attracted so much controversy following statements by Buhari, suggesting that he was not indisposed to the possibility of picking a Muslim as his running mate.
”I have not absolutely closed my mind to picking a Christian or Muslim as running mate if I get the ticket. Because I firmly believe that Nigerians, having gone through what they have gone through, realise it is not a matter of religion, but a matter of Nigeria.
Political confusionists
Fayemi: I am ready to defend my actions
Fayemi
And the main religions, Christianity and Islam, they know and they believe in the almighty God. The question of stealing and short-changing people in the name of religion should stop. This new phenomenon of religion is another blackmail political confusionists in Nigeria are bringing to the fore,” he said.
Even though his stance was backed with the June 12 presidential election scenario, when Chief Moshood Abiola and his vice-presidential candidate, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, won on same fate ticket, the heaven was literally let loose, as many objected to the possibility of that.
With that level of controversy, indicating a general rejection of a possible Muslim-Muslim ticket, it became obvious that aside religion, ethnicity would be key in deciding the matter.
Before now, names that had been touted as likely running mates include; Lagos State governor, Mr. Babarunde Fashola (SAN), former Ekiti State governor, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Olurumibe Mamoro, Prof. Yemi Osibajo (a former commissioner in Lagos State), Senator Ajayi Borofice (currently representing Ondo North in the Senate) and Mr. Wale Edun, a former commissioner in Lagos State.
While the trio of Osibajo, Borrofice and Edun may have existed in the realm of speculation, Ameachi, Oshiomhole, Fayemi and Mamora among others, are still in contention.
Fayemi
Shortly before yesterday’s exercise, speculations were rife that the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, may be chosen.
His religion and political experience are the factors behind the possibility of pairing him with Buhari.
Fayemi, who lost the last governorship polls is regarded as an urbane politician, whose popularity extends beyond the South-West geopolitical zone.
His robust civil society background also adds to his resume.
Rotimi Amaechi
Rotimi Amaechi
Fayemi, who has a Doctorate degree in War Studies from the University of London, England, specializing in civil-military relations, is also known to have had a cordial relationship with Buhari when he governed Ekiti.
Before he ventured into full time politics, he was the Director of the Centre for Democracy & Development, a research and training institution dedicated to the study and promotion of democratic development, peace-building and human security in Africa.
Prior to his establishment of the centre, he worked as a lecturer, journalist, researcher and Strategy Development adviser in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He was Strategy Development Adviser at London’s City Challenge; research fellow at the African Research & Information Bureau in London, UK. He also played key roles in sending the military out of the Nigerian political firmament and was responsible for the founding and management of the opposition radios – Radio Freedom, Radio Democracy International & Radio Kudirat.
Amaechi
Amaechi’s name is not new in speculations and permutations in the presidential race, as he was generally alleged to have nursed the ambition of paring with Alhaji Sule Lamido on the platform of the PDP.
Ardent Buhari
However, since his defection to the APC, the Rivers State governor has been regarded as an ardent supporter of Buhari. For instance, the former Head of State had been a frequent guest at most functions organised by Amaechi.
Having emerged more of a democratic hero in the crisis that resulted to his defection, Ameachi went ahead to become one of the leading governors in the party, hence, his emergence as a likely running mate.
While it is the prerogative of the party to make a decision in that respect, some believe that Buhari/Amaechi ticket remains the best for the opposition party.
Mamora
As a two term senator, Mamora distinguished himself in the National Assembly.
So remarkable was his representation of Lagos East Senatorial District, that many were shocked about his inability to return to the Senate in this dispensation.
In fact, governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, among other politicians, reportedly expressed shock over his withdrawal from the race in 2011.
Till date, the Ikorodu-born politician, who was a Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly is regarded as a widely admired politician.
Of note are his principles and deep knowledge of democratic norms, which he exhibited as the Senate Deputy Minority Leader.
Oshiomhole
Aside the fame he earned as a result of long period of activism in the labour movement, the Edo State governor ranks among the few governors, who had helped deepen this democracy.
Oshiomhole
Oshiomhole
This is widely evident from his utterances and actions on issues of governance.
Known to be rich in political experience, governance and foreign policy, he is reputed to command a lot of supporters across the country.
Little wonder, commentators described him as committed to national unity, a characteristic that manifested so much during his tenure as chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.

Bukola Saraki, James Ibori, Kingibe, others framed Iyabo for corruption—Obasanjo

 Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has alleged that a “cabal” surrounding late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua framed corruption charges against his daughter, Iyabo when she was a senator in order to get back at him because of his personal views against them. He has previously been openly accused of incest and adultery by his son, Gbenga, who sought to divorce his wife alleging that his father was sleeping with her.
“My adversaries tried other means to get to me,” he stated. “If Obasanjo could not be cut down to size, they must have thought, what about those close to him, including his daughter? When Senator Iyabo, my daughter, was accused of corruption, I took my time to have a serious interview with her on what exactly had transpired. She briefed me in detail and I was satisfied.
“But I did not stop there. I spoke with the Senate President, who also briefed me and assured me that Iyabo had not committed any offence as he had personally looked into the matter. I was again reassured but did not stop there. I talked to another senator, Mrs. Ekaette, who was a member of the health committee of which Iyabo was chairman. Mrs. Ekaette again satisfied me with her explanation. I was advised to talk to President Yar’Adua but I refused to do this, especially as I was told he was expecting me to. Instead, I advised Iyabo to hand the matter over to Chief Afe Babalola, a lawyer and friend, to deal with it through the court process. She was discharged and acquitted by the court.
“The fact that my ordeal, and that of my daughter, occurred under the administration of President Yar’Adua, who was brought into power by God through me, did not surprise me. I have always held to a belief that any person who expects commendation, praise, eulogy, or credit from any human being might die a frustrated wretch.”
He named some members of the “cabal” as Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi and Baba Kingibe “aided and supported by two governors – Bukola Saraki and James Ibori – for their own personal and selfish reasons”.
This was part of the revelations in his yet-to-be-released three-part volume of his memoirs titled My Watch, which was exclusively obtained by an online journal, The Cable Alert.
He had also accused Goodluck Jonathan’s administration of inducing Iyabo to attack him while pointing accusing fingers at governors during his tenure of sponsoring the third term bid.

Twin blasts hit Kano market

A high calibre Improvised Explosive Device went off at the Kano textile market Wednesday afternoon.

Eyewitnesses  told Journalist that the  twin blast  went off simultaneously at Alarama shopping complex by Fillin Paki.

File: Residents look at a burnt motorcycles outside the central mosque in northern Nigeria's largest city of Kano on Novemer 29, 2014, a day after twin suicide blasts hit the mosque during weekly Friday prayers. At least 120 people were killed and 270 others wounded when two suicide bombers blew themselves up and gunmen opened fire during weekly prayers at the mosque, a week after the emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, of one of Nigeria's top Islamic leaders called on northerners to defend themselves against Boko Haram Islamists that have been carrying out deadly attacks and seizure of territory in the northeast. AFP PHOTO 

File: Residents look at a burnt motorcycles outside the central mosque in Kano on November 29, 2014, a day after twin suicide blasts hit the mosque during weekly Friday prayers. AFP PHOTO

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You can’t buy your way into my team – Siasia

The chief coach of the national U-23 men’s football team, Dream Team VI, Samson Siasia has warned players who intend to play for the team not to give money to anybody in a bid to secure a place in the team.
Coach Siasia gave this warning while addressing players after the team’s training session yesterday at the FIFA Goal Project.
“Do not give money to either my assistants or any agent with the hope of making this team. If I find out, the player(s) will be dismissed from camp. I did not mandate anybody to collect money on my behalf. Anyone who falls prey to such cheats will be sent out of camp forthwith. Money cannot buy you a place in my team. Instead, your talent and discipline will take you to the top of your career.
Siasia

As long as you hold the passport of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you are eligible to play for this country. I was spotted and selected through this type of process. I’ll also like to give young ones like you the chance to play for our country. It is your country, too’’, he said.
The U-23 gaffer disclosed that he has been fair to all who have taken time to try out their luck with the team, adding that Nigeria is blessed with so much talent. ‘’I’m overwhelmed with the turn out of players who are here for the screening exercise’’, he confessed.
Turning to the invited foreign-based players, Siasia said that there would be no sacred players as only their fitness and form will determine their stay in camp. ‘’You can only secure a place in the team with dedication, hardwork and discipline. Nobody is superior to another player in this camp’’.
He applauded all the players and advised those who could not make the team to try harder as not all players who turned up would be selected.
So far Aminu Umar of Samsunspor FC Turkey and Swedish-based Samuel Ayinoko of Angelholms FC have been the early birds to arrive the Dream Team VI camp for their screening exercise.
This weekend the Dream Team VI are expected to travel to Bauchi to play series of friendly games to put them in shape for the battles ahead.

France hostage freed in Mali after three years

France’s last remaining hostage, Serge Lazarevic, who was kidnapped by Islamist militants in Mali in 2011, has been freed, President Francois Hollande said Tuesday.
Serge Lazarevic, 51, was snatched by armed men in Mali on November 24, 2011 while on a business trip with fellow Frenchman Philippe Verdon in a kidnapping claimed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
“I lost about 20 kilos, but I’m in fine shape,” Lazarevic said after meeting with Nigerian president Mahamadou Issoufou.
There was no immediate information on how the release was secured or whether France paid a ransom, but Lazarevic expressed his gratitude for Nigeria’s role.
“I would like to thank the president of Niger (and) the people of Niger, who worked with France for my freedom,” he said.
Lazarevic is the last of more than a dozen French citizens taken captive in recent years, with those held in Africa reaching a high of 15 last year. Four journalists held by Syrian jihadists were released earlier this year.
“Our hostage Serge Lazarevic, our last hostage, is free,” Hollande said. “There are no more French hostages in any country in the world.”
The French presidency said a plane carrying Lazarevic’s daughter Diane was on its way to Niger capital Niamey to fetch the former hostage, who would be met by Hollande on his return home.
“He is in relatively good health, despite the gruelling conditions of his long captivity,” said Hollande.
A Malian security source said the final stages of Lazarevic’s release had taken place in the northern desert city of Kidal.
“I won’t say if there was a ransom payment or liberation of prisoners,” the source told AFP.
In his three years in captivity, Lazarevic appeared in several AQIM videos, the most recent of which was in November in which he said he was gravely ill and believed his life to be in danger.
Fears spiked for the safety of the towering Frenchman of Serbian origin after hiker Herve Gourdel was abducted in Algeria and beheaded in September by Islamic State-linked militants.
– Home ‘for Christmas’ –
After Lazarevic’s appearance with a thick beard and dark headdress in the last video, his daughter Diane beseeched Hollande to double down and obtain his release “as fast as possible… for Christmas.”
Kidnapped at a small hotel in Hombori, in Mali’s north, Lazarevic and Verdon were held captive during one of the most turbulent periods of the country’s history.
The pair, who worked in security and construction, were accused by AQIM of being French intelligence agents, something which their families have denied.
They were in the hands of AQIM as it and other hardline Islamist groups launched a takeover of vast areas of northern Mali in 2012 and as they were in turn ousted by the French army who intervened in January 2013.
Verdon, who suffered from an ulcer and tachycardia — an abnormally fast heartbeat — was found shot dead last year, and those close to his family suggested he had been executed as he was weak.
Uncertainty remains over the fate of another French hostage Gilberto Rodrigues Leal whose death was claimed by an AQIM splinter group but whose remains have never been found.
“We have the grimmest information concerning him. His family knows this. But, France has no more hostages, it must have no more hostages,” Hollande said, calling for great vigilance and protection of French interests.
Hollande thanked the authorities in Mali and Niger for their assistance in securing Lazarevic’s release.
“This liberation was the result of intense and continued efforts from authorities both in Niger and Mali,” the presidency in Niamey said in a statement.
One of the main armed Tuareg groups in the still-volatile region, the High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA) said it had also “participated in the release” efforts.
While the details of Lazarevic’s release were not given, France has repeatedly denied paying ransoms despite being accused of using back-channels to do so by other Western nations.
“France does not pay ransoms, nor does France engage in prisoner exchanges,” Hollande said in September.
But he added: “This does not mean that countries do not do it. It has happened that some countries, to help us, do it. That I concede.”
Former anti-terrorism judge Alain Marsaud was more sceptical.
“There is no reason for heated debate. We pay, we pay and that is all,” he told RTL radio. “There is no release if there is no payment. Someone paid, if not the government, a business or insurance company.”

Help he’s turned into a monster!

I left the village to come and live with my uncle in Abuja. Unfortunately, he lost his job and since I was already employed by a private nursery school, I decided to move in with my boyfriend who is a personal assistant to the proprietress.
At first, he was really nice and I slowly started getting my life back together, buying things for the house and for myself. Almost overnight, he changed. He locks me in all the time as soon as I return from work. He wouldn’t let me go out with him and always times me when I go to the market. Whenever he thinks I’ve taken too much time, he’ll beat me up. He doesn’t drink, and he’s not on drugs but his eyes are always wild and scary when he’s angry.
Why is he this way?
Blessing, by e-mail.
Dear Blessing,
I have no idea why your boyfriend is suddenly behaving in this way.
It might be that he’s mentally ill, or that he has a violent personality.
He’ll probably try to assure you that his behaviour is caused by the way you provoke him. He may tell you that if only you were loving, he wouldn’t need to be like this. You may even end up thinking that if only you could change, then he would change.
Well, you are wrong. The reason your boyfriend is like this doesn’t matter.
What’s important is that you get out of this situation right now! It may feel impossible, but you must escape. Violent men seldom change.

Police diffuse bomb in Jos as residents scamper for safety

There was a bomb scare yesterday in Jos the Plateau State as a “grenade” was reportedly found near a Primary school in the city thereby forcing the closure of the school and passersby scampering for safety.
The device was reportedly defused by the Police Anti-bomb squad with one of the experts who did not want to be named saying that the fuse on the bomb had been lit, but it went off before it could cause an explosion.
The expert confirmed “the device is homemade and could not be set off using remote control and it contained about one kilogram of explosives, was about 22 cm long and cylindrical in shape.”
However, the Officer In-charge, O/C Anti-Bomb Squad, Abel Mbibi told Journalist, “it was not a serious thing. The whole situation is under control, people should go about their business.”
It would be recalled that residents had raised concern about the influx of people in the city as the result of the sacking of many communities in some states in the north and they are praying that Jos residents celebrate the coming yuletide in peace.

Damaturu, Maiduguri Aattacks : 38 policemen, 6 soldiers, 106 others dead

The Police High Command in Abuja, yesterday, confirmed that 38 Police officers were killed during Monday and Tuesday’s attacks on Damaturu and Maiduguri by Boko Haram terrorists, who targeted police stations and other security agencies. More than 150 persons, including two medical doctors, a staff of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu and his two children were also killed during the attacks, a rescue official and a health worker told AFP.

The Police confirmation came just as a top security personnel confided in Vanguard that about 60 terrorists were killed by troops of the Nigerian Army backed by Air Force helicopters, thereby successfully repelling the terrorists from both towns.

Relatives sit around one of the victims of twin suicide blasts at Kano central mosque in the accident and emergency ward of the Nassarawa Specilist Hospital in northern Nigeria's largest city of Kano on November 28, 2014. At least 120 people were killed and 270 others wounded when two suicide bombers blew themselves up and gunmen opened fire during weekly prayers at the mosque, a week after the emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, of one of Nigeria's top Islamic leaders called on northerners to defend themselves against Boko Haram Islamists tha have been carrying deadly attacks and seizure of territory in the northeast. AFP PHOTO

Relatives sit around one of the victims of twin suicide blasts at Kano central mosque in the accident and emergency ward of the Nassarawa Specilist Hospital in northern Nigeria’s largest city of Kano on November 28, 2014. At least 120 people were killed and 270 others wounded when two suicide bombers blew themselves up and gunmen opened fire during weekly prayers at the mosque, a week after the emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, of one of Nigeria’s top Islamic leaders called on northerners to defend themselves against Boko Haram Islamists tha have been carrying deadly attacks and seizure of territory in the northeast. AFP PHOTO

The military has also raised the alarm that the Boko Haram terrorist group was getting both human and equipment reinforcements from Chad as many of their members either captured or killed in battle turned out to be Chadian citizens or mercenaries.

Police confirms 38 officers dead

Confirming police casualties during the terrorists’ attacks on Damaturu, Yobe State capital, Force Public Relations Officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu in a telephone chat with Vanguard, said that “the 38 policemen were killed in battle with the insurgents while fighting jointly with other security agencies to ensure Boko Haram did not succeed in taking Damaturu and infiltrating Maiduguri.”

Eyewitness reports had indicated that during the attacks on Damaturu and Maiduguri, the terrorists swooped on some police stations and targeted the armouries before setting the stations ablaze.

A senior rescue official and a medical source at Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu said 115 bodies were brought to the morgue after Monday’s attack, although it was not clear whether they were insurgents or civilians.

“All 115 were in civilian clothing, but it was not certain whether they were all non-combatants and among the dead were two medical doctors, a staff member of the federal polytechnic in the Yobe State capital, and his two children. Six soldiers were also killed”, the sources added.

The medical source said it was “likely” that most of the 115 persons who died were insurgents.

Rescue team still searching for more bodies

He added: “Rescue teams are still looking in the bushes around the city for more bodies. It’s believed that people might have died from gunshot wounds while trying to flee.”

The senior rescue official said 78 people were injured. Of those 53 were treated and discharged.

Most of the policemen killed were at the Mobile Police base in the Gujba Road area of the city, according to the police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, confirming eye-witness accounts from residents that the facility was attacked.

Monday’s raid came just hours before two female suicide bombers attacked a market in Maiduguri, less than a week after two other women hit the same location, killing more than 45.

Also, a top security source said soldiers from the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, stationed in Kawuri which is the major town before Konduga got wind of the plot by the terrorists to invade Konduga, from where they would advance to Maiduguri.

Konduga, which is the closest town to Maiduguri from the eastern part of the capital, has been the scene of several fierce battles. It was gathered that the terrorists were determined to capture Konduga, because if the town falls and Maiduguri is invaded, it would be difficult for the military to retake Maiduguri because the fight back will come through Konduga that would become their ambush base.

A military source in Maiduguri and a civilian vigilante both confirmed the attack in Konduga and said it was a likely reprisal for the failed Damaturu raid.

Konduga, 35 kilometres (20 miles) from Maiduguri, has been attacked repeatedly in recent months but has high military presence.

Musa Yohanna, who fled Lassa on Tuesday to the Adamawa State capital, Yola, said the attack on his town followed a previous unsuccessful raid on Saturday.

The attack on Konduga left scores of militants dead, according to a military source and a civilian vigilante, while one resident said many civilians were feared killed in the town of Lassa.

Why curfew was lifted

Abdullahi Bego, spokesman for the Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, told AFP the curfew on the town was lifted “following the return to normalcy”.

Journalist gathered that yesterday morning, troops in Konduga, Borno State destroyed a vehicle laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) meant for suicide bombing operation by the terrorists.

“This is the latest incident in the series of recent attempts by terrorists to make incursions into the town and other surrounding communities”, a source said.

The source disclosed that an undisclosed number of terrorists were killed, noting that no personnel or civilian was affected in yesterday’s incident.

A top military source who commented on the development, urged residents to always report suspicious movements as well as strange people to appropriate authorities for investigation and appropriate actions.

He said: “What we need from Nigerians is their support, their encouragement and prayers to enable us overcome this insanity from unrepentant terrorists.

Policeman kills first class graduate

Thirty-year-old first class graduate of Economics from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Moses Murtala Aminu was shot dead by a constable with the Nigeria Police. Moses had on Sunday, left his No. 67 Ahmadu Ahidjo Street, Narayi High Cost family residence for a party in Barnawa, Kaduna State.
According to his friend and eyewitness, the police constable who was identified as Alex Okpe was beating up Aminu’s girlfriend outside the party venue when he tried to intervene. At that point, the constable got angry, reached for his jeans trousers, brought out his gun and fired, killing Aminu on the spot. The constable also shot in the air as he escaped on his motorcycle.
The killer policeman has been tracked down and arrested by officers from the Barnawa Police Division.
The incident has also been confirmed by Femi Adenaike, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and he said that it was true Alex Okpe was arrested and he confessed to the killing on interrogation. He said that Okpe claimed that he fired in ‘self-defence’ when Moses and his friends were trying to fight him over his girlfriend. According to the Police, Okpe was not even sent to Barnawa as at that time and he will be tried and dismissed if found guilty.
“The suspect is in the cell and we have commenced investigation. And if he is found guilty, we will give him an in-house trial and summary dismissal so that he can face the law for homicide,”the police boss said.

Ebola: Have schools jettisoned preventive measures?

ABOUT two months after schools re-opened behind schedule due to the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, it seems that the instituted regulations and hygiene policies have been abandoned by staff, students and management of some public and private schools.
Recall that the EVD was brought into Nigeria in August with the arrival of the late American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, and it killed over eight people. This resulted in the shift in the resumption of schools by the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who charged all state Ministries of Education to immediately organise and ensure that, at least, two staff in all public and private schools are trained on how to handle any suspected case of Ebola and also embark on immediate sensitization of all teaching and non-teaching staff in all schools on preventive measures.
Also, as a result of pressure from the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola further postponed the resumption date to October 13 to enable it adequately distribute EVD preventive kits to all public schools in the state.
But despite these, most schools have relaxed on enforcing or have completely jettisoned the preventive measures as directed by the Minister of Health so as to prevent further contact and spread of the virus, giving rise to the question: should hand washing be just to prevent further contracting and spread of EVD or should it be part of our daily hygiene?
ebola-checkA visit to some schools in Lagos revealed that while there were still different degrees of compliance by different schools, some have totally abandoned these preventive measures.
For Amarachi Francis, a student of Promiseland College, Weighbridge, Ikorodu Road, “we don’t wash our hands any more neither do we have our temperatures checked in my school because Nigeria is free of Ebola so there is no need for us to continue to practice such, especially as they are time-consuming.”
Likewise, a student of Jestoban College, Ketu, Adeola Dairo, students are at will to decide whether to comply or not as there are no strict enforcement of these preventive measures.
She said: “Initially, we used to have our temperatures checked, wash our hands and use the sanitizers before entering the school and even before we enter the school bus. But now, nobody enforces that anymore, so we decided to skip those checks and would not be penalised.”
Giving reasons why they have relaxed on enforceing the measures, the Head Nurse, Rybeka Model College, Olodi-Apapa, Joy Ogechi, said: “We have been checking their temperatures but it is really time-consuming, especially as they are having their continuous assessment tests, we hardly check them now. The bucket and soap are still there and the children use them.
“Though the country has been declared Ebola free for over a month, we have continued the hand-washing and temperature checking, at least, till the end of the year. This will give us more time to instil the hand- washing habit in the students so they will grow with it.”
Though a student from DeLight International School, Olodi Apapa, said her temperature has not been checked for a while though she still washes her hands, the Principal, Mrs. Rita Ofoegbu, however, said the reason why they didn’t check their temperatures was because it was on a Friday, which is a half day for schools.
“But we have been checking their temperatures because we have had reasons to send back children who are not feeling well as some parents are in the habit of dumping their sick children on us. The digital thermometer has made it easier and saves us a lot of trouble because even if it is not Ebola, we send any sick child back”, Ofoegbu said.
Pointing out that his students have already imbibed hand-washing habit, the Head Teacher, Umbrella Schools, Lagos, Mr. Ben Teah, said: “We still check their temperatures, and will continue doing so till the end of the session as directed by the proprietress. The children are already used to hand-washing so we can’t take that away. They wash their hands when they come in the morning or after using the convenience. If the water is finished they go to the person in charge to fill it up for them. It has become a habit, which is not a bad one to imbibe.”
Public schools are not left out as a visit around town showed that a good number of them are guilty of failing to comply with the preventive directives.
Defending their failure to completely comply despite insisting that teachers would not resume till the necessary EVD preventive kits have been supplied to all public schools in the state, the Chairperson, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Lagos State Chapter, Comrade Segun Raheem, said most schools don’t have access to water to for their students to wash their hands. According to Raheem, “it is true we insisted that these preventive measures be provided and at the right quantity, and have held several meetings since resumption to ensure full implementation by all because we insist that these hygienic steps be part of our lives and not just to prevent EVD.
“For schools that have abandoned these measures, especially hand-washing, it is as a result of lack of access to water due to no public power supply to power their generators (if they have any) or have run out of funds to buy water. But despite these, I’m assuring you that the implementation committee would look into this.”
Despite the various reasons given by these schools, a community health specialist, Dr. Ifeoluwa Sulaimon, insists that regular and proper hand-washing habit go a long way in preventing us from being sick and from spreading germs to others around us.
“For example, you sneeze or cough into your hands or even touch fecal matter after using the toilet/handling a pet and use same hands to scratch your eyes, pick your nose, bite your nails and touch others by shaking/hugging them or using same hands to handle food materials which become contaminated and consumed by you and other persons. The chain of events could be unending.
Introduction of bacteria
“Our hands are the most exposed parts of our bodies to germs and the aforementioned body parts are lined by very thin mucous membranes through which germs could easily gain entry into the body system thereby leading to the introduction of bacteria into the body and then the individual becomes sick!
“This concept is the reason why emphasis was placed on regular hand washing in order to ameliorate the scourge of the dreaded EVD as the chain of events resulting from germ transmission from person to person can only be interrupted by regular washing of hands.
“This would reduce the load of germs transmitted thereby reducing the chances of you and others falling sick. Therefore, take responsibility by washing your hands regularly after coming in contact with diverse surfaces.”

I Have Not Slept With Another Woman Since I Got Married In 2007 – Actor Kenneth Okonkwo

Actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, in an interview with City People mag this week said since he got married to his wife Ifeoma in 2007, he has been 100% faithful

“Since I got married, I have not had a carnal knowledge of any other lady but I have been very close to it, been tempted but Jesus has been helping me, it has not happened” He said. Continue..

He said as an actor who is always on location, whenever he has the urge for sex, he takes an excuse and leaves the location to go meet his wife…

“What does it take? If I am on location and I feel the need, I can fly in, see my babe and fly back to location. At times I would be on location and after a while, I will scream I just have to go home. I don’t know how my body is feeling. I am that straight forward. I will announce it in public. And if I don’t run that time, something will happen” he said

75 Years Old Man Impregnates 13 years Old Girl

75 year old Pa Muse Alabi is  currently at the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Oyo State Police Command, for defilement of a 13-year-old girl (name withheld) allegedly committed by the old man, and which has resulted in pregnancy.


Crime Reports learnt that Pa Alabi was doing carpentry work for a lady under whom the victim was an apprentice. The young girl seized the opportunity to tell Pa Alabi to build a safe for her. After giving her the safe, Pa Alabi wooed the girl and she agreed to his proposal. After the first sexual intercourse they had, it was learnt that the suspect gave the girl N200. When she also demanded for a handset, he gave her N1,500 to buy i-tel phone.

Four days after, they made love again. Both times were in September this year.In an interview with Crime Reports, Pa Alabi admitted having s*x with the girl and the paternity of the baby. He also agreed to marry her and take care of her and the baby when born. According to the man who lives at his family house at Oje area,

    “I am a carpenter and I still work till the present time. I even take roofing jobs. I am very strong.I have two daughters and a son. My first wife gave birth to the female children but had to be taken away by her people when she developed mental illness. My second wife is the mother of the boy who is an SSS3 student but she has left for another man. Currently, I have no wife.” 


 So how does he satisfy his sexual needs when it looks as if he is very active?

“I don’t go looking for any woman. I usually have sex with any of the married women who like me and come to me for s*x. This is not always though.”

 Speaking on how he came in contact with his victim, the elderly man said

: “I used to do carpentry work for her boss who sells tailoring materials. That was where I knew her. One day, she asked me to help her build a safe in which she could be keeping her money. When I finished it, I asked her to come to my shop for the safe late one evening and I gave it to her.

“She used to pass by my shop whenever she was going home and used to stop by to greet me. On a particular day, I expressed my interest in her and she promised to think about it.She later consented and on one of the days she stopped to say hello to me, we had sex when I had an urge. And it was mutual. About five days after the first time, we had sex again and she stopped coming.

“One day, she came to me and told me that her grandmother said she was pregnant. She stopped coming again and I didn’t see her again until policemen came to arrest me.”

When asked whether he knew that his action was in contravention of the law, Pa Muse replied that he didn’t know, describing the outcome of his relationship with the young girl as “an act of God”. He said:

 “Mistake has no master. I pray that God should forgive me.”

The suspect said he doesn’t use any sex performance enhancement drug before making love to a female

 “I don’t take any herbal drink for enhancement of sexual performance. They are alcoholic and I don’t take alcohol as a good Muslim. I observe my five-times-daily prayers faithfully.”

Pa Alabi said he was ready to take responsibility over the pregnant girl and the baby she is expecting.

 “I can take care of her adequately. I have a nephew who is a medical doctor and he has promised to help too,” he stated.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Okuwobi-Ilobanafor however said that the suspect would be charged to court.

Stephanie Okereke Linus Address Brother’s Rape Allegations

Popular Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke Linus has finally spoken about recent allegations of rape levelled against her brother. She did this through her press team. You can read her release below: LAGOS, Nigeria (November 24, 2014) - “Rape is Rape, Regardless of Who the Face of the Accused is” I am distraught and devastated to hear of the recent allegation of rape brought against a relative of mine, Daniel Okereke (my brother).
While it is a very difficult time for me, and my family; I feel the need to make clear my position, lest there be any doubt. Rape is rape, regardless of who the face of the accused is. Indeed, the irony is not lost on me. I have spent my lifelong career advocating and living my conviction that women around the world should be able to live free of violence, sexual harassment or any form of abuse against their persons. This conviction led me to be involved in numerous initiatives combating violence against women in several countries including the U.S, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The conviction also led me to place much of my energy on my work with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a passion that dates back to my time at the University of Calabar.
As a student, I heard a story about young girls who had been forced into early marriage and were suffering the negative and embarrassing effects of VVF. The story stayed in my consciousness and drove me, for years, to seek ways to raise awareness on the condition; leading to my work with a team of dedicated doctors to carry out repair surgeries for VVF victims across the country; and my self-produced, soon to be released movie, ‘DRY.’ So, again, it is indeed heart breaking for me to receive and deal with news alleging a family member of mine is an alleged perpetrator of sexual violence against a woman. I am devastated. This case is now in Nigeria’s criminal justice system as the accused awaits arraignment. I have also encouraged and assured the alleged victim of my stance against rape and applaud her for her bravery to upset the culture of silence, in Nigeria; even as I accord deference and patiently wait for the criminal justice system to determine the guilt or innocence of my brother. For Nigerian press and blogs; I call on you to please report this case in an ethical manner. I am a married woman living my life. The alleged transgression of my relative does not make it mine. The focus should be the impact of rape on the alleged victim, and resources for other alleged victims, not me. Some members of the press and blogs have turned me into the accuser; using my name for sensational headlines and putting my images, exclusively, in their stories. This is a form of victimization of me as a woman, its unethical and extremely hurtful. I am not the alleged accused. I therefore please ask all bloggers and the media who have placed my pictures and name to this story to refrain from further using me to sensationalise this story.

I thank my fans, and all well-wishers for your continued support and ask for your continued prayers.

God bless.

Nigeria Comedian Helen Paul Delivers A Baby Boy!

Nigerian comedian, singer, TV and radio host Helen Paul Bamisile who is popularly known as Tatafo. Helen and husband Femi Bamisile got married in 2010 already have a 3 year old son.
Helen took to her Twitter page  this morning November 2014 to announce that she safely delivered a baby boy.

This is the second child Helen and Femi Bamisile will have together. Big Congratulation to them 

Insurgents disguise as traders, kill scores in fresh Borno attack

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen in a convoy of Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles attacked Damasak town in Borno State, yesterday, with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol bombs, killing scores of residents.

mass burial at the destroyed central mosque in Konduga Council Area on Wednesday

mass burial at the destroyed central mosque in Konduga Council Area on Wednesday

The gunmen were said to have stormed the town around 7 am.

Damasak is a border town with Niger and 187 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the state capital.

The gunmen, according to Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) sources in Maiduguri, also torched and looted several houses and shops, before the soldiers rushed to the border town by 11.45pm, yesterday.

“I cannot give you the exact number of people killed today (yesterday) here in Damasak, but many people were killed while fleeing into the river and to Gashigar and Diffa towns for safety. The gunmen used IEDs and petrol bombs in attacking this town in the morning while most residents were still in their houses,” said the MJTF source, yesterday.

Gunmen disguise as traders

Another account of the attack had it that the gunmen disguised as traders and opened fire at a crowded market in the town.

A military officer, who had direct knowledge of the raid, told AFP that “the terrorists disguised as traders and opened fire on unsuspecting traders at a market in Damasak.”

Another witness, Mohammed Damasak, who works with the local government, said the weapons were concealed in containers the gunmen brought to the market.

“They pretended to be traders but sadly inflicted horror. Many traders escaped with bullet wounds while many are lying dead at the market,” he added.

Confirming yesterday’s attack, Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan said one of the border towns in the Borno North Senatorial District was attacked, yesterday, by suspected Boko Haram Islamic militants with many residents killed, while others fled to Niger and into River Kumadugu for safety.

Lawan in telephone interview said: “The residents of Damasak, a border town with Niger, are in confusion with sporadic gunshots and looting of shops and houses. The reports I am receiving, as I speak, indicated that a lot of houses and shops there were set ablaze by insurgents that struck Monday morning. Most of the gunmen dressed in military uniform to disguise as Nigerian soldiers sent to protect Damasak, only to launch multiple attacks on this border town with a population of over 250,500.

“The firing powers of the gunmen overwhelmed our soldiers in the MJTF, so what they did was to flee the town for safety like the residents that fled into Niger and river this morning.”

The attack and killings in Damasak came barely 24 hours after the terrorists killed 48 fishermen and traders, weekend, at Doron Baga, 155 kilometres east of Damasak, the council headquarters of Mobbar in Borno 

Police arrest fake suicide bomber in Kano

A fake female suicide bomber was taken into custody by the police in Kano yesterday, following a bomb scare.
An eyewitness told media agents that the incident occurred around 12.30p.m. when the police guard on duty at Kwali Police Division suspected a strange middle-aged woman in Burqa (veil) heading to the station.
The account had it that “the strange woman refused to stop for scrutiny, when ordered by the police guard at the security post.”
The encounter at the security post drew the attention of armed personnel, who mobilized themselves and surrounded the strange woman for failing to comply with police order.
The account added that the strange woman said: “I am ready to die. But mark you, there are two others at large in the city.”
A security source, who corroborated the eyewitness account, said: “We acted fast and got her sleeping with a substance fired at her.
“To our surprise, the woman had covered herself with used pomade containers and sundry harmless objects.”
The security source told Vanguard that “preliminary investigation revealed that the strange women is mentally deranged, but would be confirmed by expert”
Contacted for confirmation, Kano State Police imagemaker, ASP Magaji Majia, sent an SMS saying, “I am sorry, I am out of the country.”

Police arrest herbalist over alleged murder of client in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command weekend, arrested a 55 year-old herbalist in connection with the alleged murder of a 62-year-old woman, who was declared missing last month, at Olodi Apapa area of Lagos.
Recovered from the suspect identified as Isiaka Akanbi, who also claimed to be a Muslim cleric, were the deceased’s personal effect which were exhumed in his shrine.
The deceased, Raliatu Kareem, reportedly visited the herbalist in his shrine located on Lawani Street, Olodi Apapa, on October 25, 2014 before her mysterious disappearance. The late Kareem, who resided at 15 Ope-Ewe street in Ijaiye Agbado area of Lagos was said to have gone on a visit a relative who had a baby at Salubi Street, Olodi Apapa.
However on her way back, she reportedly informed her relative that she was going to the herbalist’s place.
But apprehension set in two days later, after the undisclosed relative got a call from Agbado Ijaye, demanding for the whereabouts of Mrs Kareem.
Policemen from Tolu division were contacted, consequent upon which the herbalist was arrested. Police sources hinted that the herbalist eventually confessed weekend, disclosing that he dumped Mrs Kareem’s remains at Marine beach.
“But when we went to where he claimed to have dumped the corpse, we did not find it. During interrogation, he said he did not kill his client but that she slumped and died while in his shrine which he claimed doubles as a healing home.
”He collected the deceased’s personal effects which included handset, bangles and ring and buried them behind his compound so as not to leave any trace. But the lid was blown because the relative who the deceased went to visit was aware of the visit to the alfa’s home.   We are still searching for the corpse. Its recovery will form another phase in our investigation,” police sources hinted.
Contacted, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu confirmed the arrest of Akanbi, saying investigation was still on.

Man, 40 arrested for impregnating 16-yr-old mad girl in Jigawa

Operatives of Jigawa State command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, has apprehended one Abdullhamid Abbas, 40 year, for impregnating a mentally retarded 16-year-old girl.
The NSCDC also disclosed that the mentally-retarded teenager had delivered female twins in her parents house.
Abdulhamid, who lives at Mijirgan village of Miga local government area of Jigawa State, is yet to admit committing the crime.
The Commandant of the agency in the state, Gidado Muhammad, told newsmen over the weekend that the man had been arrested for impregnating an insane woman in Jigawa.
He further disclosed that the case was currently under investigation, adding the accused person would, thereafter be arraigned for prosecution.

7-month pregnant woman dies after romp with lover

The police in Anambra State are interrogating a man to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a seven-month pregnant woman during a marathon sex bout with him in Onitsha.
The man (names withheld), according to a police source, had allegedly taken the deceased to an undisclosed hotel in Onitsha, only for the hotel staff to discover that the woman was dead in the morning.
The incident, the source said, occurred on Tuesday when the man allegedly checked into the hotel with the heavily pregnant woman, only to find out in the morning that his partner could not wake up on Wednesday morning.

A resident’s account
Though the police in Onitsha Area Command refused to give details on the incident, a resident of the area said the suspect and the deceased were just love birds.
He said the suspect had lodged into the hotel room and invited the deceased through a phone call.
The source further faulted rumours that the woman died as a result of charms made by her husband, adding that it was possible that the woman died of exhaustion from the marathon sex romp.
He urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
At press time, nobody from the suspect or deceased’s family had been identified, as the corpse was deposited in an undisclosed mortuary in Onitsha by the police.
At the Inland Town Police Division, Onitsha, the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Cosmas Eze, refused to comment on the incident but referred to the Area Commander, ACP Benjamin Wordu, for clarifications.
Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Uche Ezeh, said the command received the information concerning the incident, disclosing that the suspect had been arrested and case transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, Awka, for further investigations.

Banks close shop in Akure over robbery scare

BANKS in Akure, the Ondo State capital, hurriedly closed shops yesterday, following rumours of impending robbery across the state.

Commercial activities were completely paralyzed for hours as the news spread like wild fire.

Customers were asked to vacate the banking halls immediately the news got to managers of the banks across the state capital.

media gathered that there were reports that some dare-devil gang of armed robbers had arrived the state capital around 10a.m., yesterday.
Many banks even asked their staff to vacate the bank premises and await text messages, if situation normalises.

Staff of one of the old generation banks, including managers, immediately they got the alert from other managers vacated the bank for fear of attack.
However, it was later discovered to be a hoax.

Speaking with media, the image maker of the state police command, Wole Ogodo, confirmed that there was a robbery scare across the state capital yesterday.

Ogodo, however, said detectives had been deployed to the nooks and crannies of the state capital.

He pointed out that the state police command was up to the task, saying their men were always on the alert to track down any suspected criminals.
He pleaded with members of the public to go about their normal business and commercial activities as men of the command were alive to their responsibilities.

Dismissed policeman accused drawing pay from 15 commands

The Nigerian Police authorities have told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, that a dismissed police officer, Victor Afam Banor, had been earning salaries from 15 different police commands.
The dismissed officer was alleged to have stolen N20 million meant for salaries of officers of Enugu State Police Command.
Banor, said to have been dismissed while serving at Umunede Police Division in Delta State for allegedly stealing an exhibit vehicle in a criminal case under investigation, escaped from detention and resurfaced at Enugu Command with a falsified signature, claiming to still be a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
The police IG, in the counter-affidavit opposing an application by Banor to be freed from police detention by the court, urged the court not to release him since investigation into his alleged crime was still ongoing.
Justice Aneke adjourned to November 21 for ruling on Banor’s bail application.

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD APAPA DISTRICT CONVENTION 2014 Tagged;GRACE UNLIMITED

District headquarters, 73 Road, 7th Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos.

www.agcapapadistrictconvention.org

Announcing the convention, the presiding minister of AG, FESTAC (2), Reverend Izuchukwu Chukwudebelu, explained that the gathering of the saints would be another refreshing time in the presence of God.

First and second days of the convention are dedicated for Leadership and Business Summit to be held at Assemblies of God FESTAC 1, 22 Road, A1 Close, FESTAC, Lagos.”

The event will feature ministrations by highly anointed men of God. Some of them include Bishop H Erumaka,Revd Ubong Uyo,Pastor steve E Banning and Host of other annointed men of God;to mention a few.

“The convention is another opportunity to rejoice in the presence of the Holy Spirit,”

Boko Haram: Rise to your responsibilities, PENGASSAN tells FG, military

Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, yesterday, called on the Federal Government and the military to rise to their responsibilities and end insurgency and wanton destruction of lives and properties in the country.
In a statement, PENGASSAN decried the level of insecurity, especially the killings by the Boko Haram insurgents in the North Eastern part of the country and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to step up the political will to deal with the crisis.
Condemning the blast that killed 47 school children and injured 79 others in Potiskum, Yobe State on Tuesday, PENGASSAN President, Francis Johnson, said the government should use all the powers to deal with the situation and ensure that Nigeria was a safe place to live.
According to him, “attacks on the Northern part of the country and killings of innocent Nigerians have been on the increase and taken a new dimension since the government announced the controversial ceasefire pact with the Boko Haram.”
While calling on government to bring full force to bear in containing the activities of the sect, Johnson, who described the killings of the school children as barbaric, lamented that since the insurgency started in 2009, many Nigerians had been killed, while many more were rendered homeless and turned refugees in their own country.

Edo governor’s convoy accident survivors seek help

Two and half years after the accident involving the convoy of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, which claimed the lives of three journalists, five of the survivors have appealed to the governor to come to their aid as they now find it difficult to sustain themselves and their families due to injuries.

Comrade Adams Oshomole

Comrade Adams Oshomole

The affected victims, who are now retired from the services of Edo State government, are Mr. Eddy Amakhu, cameraman; Gabriel Asika, photographer; David Acha, photographer; Henry Odeh, sound man; and Samson Enobemhe, driver.

Counsel to the survivors, Ebosele Okhifoh, in an open letter to the governor, recalled that on April 28, 2012, they were among the press crew of the governor that were involved in a ghastly accident in Owan East Local Government Area, during his campaign, in which George Okosun and Olatunji Jacobs, both of ITV and Fidelis Okhai of AIT died.

They explained to the governor that the accident had taken a heavy toll on their lives, as Eddy Amakhu now has a broken waist and fractured legs and cannot walk.

He said Gabriel Asika has knee and ribs problems, while David Acha has issues with his brain due to head injuries.

Similarly, the counsel said Henry Odeh remains maimed and cannot walk, while Samson Enobemhe was maimed and presently languishing on his sick bed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Benin.

PDP chieftain submitted fake certificates to LASIEC, witness insists

A prosecution witness, who was formerly the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Chairman of Agbado Oke-Odo Local Government Area, Segun Shodia, in the ongoing trial of forgery against a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Otunba Ayinde Busari, yesterday, told an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court that Ayinde submitted forged GCE result and affidavits to Lagos State Electoral Commission, LASIEC in 2011.
Shodia, who was cross examined by the defence counsel, Fola Elegbinde, insisted that the documents submitted by the defendant were forged, adding that police investigations also confirmed that the defendant forged an affidavit before a Lagos High Court in Oyo State.
When asked by the defence counsel why the defendant was cleared by LAISEC to contest the 2011 local government elections if he actually forged the documents, Shodia said: “LASIEC requires candidates to submit all documents before an election, I do not know if he submitted it, but it is the job of LASIEC to verify a claim when raised by an opponent.”
The matter was adjourned to December 8.
The defendant, who was declared winner of Agbado Oke-Odo election in 2012 by Justice S. Owobiyi, was arraigned for alleged forgery and perjury.

I can do without Eagles job, says Keshi

Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi has shrugged off the issue surrounding his contract extension with the country’s football federation, NFF saying his “destiny” is not tied to the Super Eagles job.

The African champions face their Congolese counterparts, the Red Devils, at the Stade Municipal in Pointe-Noire in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match this Saturday which Nigeria must win by a two-goal margin to put life back into their hopes of defending their title.

Keshi

Keshi

The 52-year-old coach is yet to be offered a new contract since his first deal with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elapsed after the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

But Keshi has now stated that contract talks is not an issue at the moment. He added that his future is not dependent on the Nigeria head coach job.

The former Mali and Togo manager believes there is life after managing the Super Eagles should he not be handed a contract at the end of the 2015 Afcon qualification.

“I don’t think it is proper to say my fate is tied to this (Nigeria) job. My concern right now is the game against Congo, and not whether I will still be in charge of this team after the match against Congo or South Africa.

“I think you all need to stop this because my destiny is not tied to Nigeria. I came from somewhere (to take up the Nigeria job). It is wrong to say my destiny is tied here because this country is bigger than any individual. If I am not the Super Eagles head coach today, my life will still go on. Also there are other places where I can go if I stopped being the coach of this country.

“But right now, I have a job to do and that is to ensure that the team qualifies the country for the Nations Cup. God forbid if we don’t qualify what will happen? It will not only affect Stephen Keshi, it will also affect you and every other Nigerian who love this sport. So I think this is not about Stephen Keshi but about Nigeria. All I want from my countrymen is to pray for the team and not me because I am just one man,” Keshi told journalists in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Keshi has been in charge of the African champions since November 2001 and has overseen more than 50 matches as the Nigeria head coach, including their 2013 Afcon triumph and appearance at the 2014 World Cup.