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.