Global Naija Info

Social media video showed people fleeing after the incident BREAKING: At least, 30 people have been feared dead as a lorry struck a crowd during Bastille Day celebrations in the southern French city of Nice. The incident took place on the famous Promenade des Anglais during a firework display, media reports have said. One image on Twitter showed about a dozen people lying on the street, some being tended to. The local prefecture has urged people in the area to remain indoors, calling the incident “an attack”. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi said that “a lorry driver appears to have killed dozens of people”. A local official was later quoted as saying that at least 30 people were dead. Some reports spoke of shots being exchanged between police and the occupants of the lorry but these have not been confirmed. Social media video showed people running through the streets in panic following the incident. A journalist with the Nice Matin newspaper reported from the scene that there w...

Godwin Obaseki, APC governorship candidate for Edo State Jethro Ibileke/Benin Mr. Philip Shuaibu, the running mate to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, has disclosed that his nomination surprised and excited him. Shuaibu who hailed his nomination as the running mate to Mr. Godwin Obaseki, ascribed his emergence to the work of God. ‎The federal lawmaker currently represents Etsako Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Benin. He said: “The office of the deputy governor is not one that you contest for. It is the leaders that take that decision and I was surprised and excited that my name featured in their mind and I was selected to be the running mate. I pray to God that I meet the challenges ahead and not to disappoint those who reposed this confidence in me.‎ ‎ “I am really excited because it was not something I expected, I believe it’s God’s doing. I know I was asked by...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday 14 July received the Moroccan special envoy Nasser Bourita at the State House, Abuja. Photos:Sunday Aghaeze. President Muhammadu Buhari, Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Moroccan Special Envoy, Nasser Bourita and Director Yassine Mansouri, during an audience with the President at the State House in Abuja. R-L: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Brutus Lolo, President Muhammadu Buhari, Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Moroccan Special Envoy, Nasser Bourita and Director Yassine Mansouri during an audience with the President at the State House in Abuja. R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari, Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Moroccan Special Envoy, Nasser Bourita, Director Yassine Mansouri and Morrocan Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Mosidfa Bouh during an audience with the President at the State House in Abuja. R-L: President Muhammadu Buha...

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, acting Inspector General of Police Kazeem Ugbodaga The Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris has engaged the services of two professional audit firms to undertake the audit of police investments and subsidiaries. Idris made the disclosure while addressing the Board and Management of Police Investments bodies and subsidiaries, at the Police Headquarters, Abuja, North Central Nigeria on Thursday. “The measure is in line with the federal government’s agenda to institutionalise fiscal discipline, transparency, probity and accountability in the management of public funds,” he explained. The IGP said that the exercise was aimed at carrying out due diligence to ascertain the true financial position, assets and liabilities, challenges and recommendations on how to restructure and reposition the subsidiaries for effective and efficient services, profitability and return of investment to shareholders and the Nigeria police community at large. Accordi...

Dr. Samuel Adejare, Environment Commissioner (left) and Mr. Tunji Bello, Lagos SSG, during the tree planting campaign Kazeem Ugbodaga The Lagos State Government says it intends to plant 10 million trees by 2020 as part of move to mitigate the impact of climate change. So far, the state government has planted about six million trees since the launch of the tree planting campaign in 2008. Speaking at the 2016 Tree Planting Day, which took place at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Camp, Orile-Agege area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Thursday, State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode disclosed that his administration was working frantically to meet the target of planting 10 million trees by 2020. He said the annual event was one of the most reliable and cheapest means of combating the effect of global warming and climate change, adding that planting of trees was very important for the environment as trees provided oxygen, cool the atmosphere, help conserve energy, save water, prevent...

Yahaya-Bello of Kogi State Protesting students of Kogi State University, Ayangba, on Thursday blocked major roads leading into and out of Lokoja, thereby paralysing socio-economic activities for hours. The students, who were protesting against three months closure of the university due to lecturers’ unpaid salaries, said they were tired of staying at home. Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi had repeatedly appealed to the lecturers to call off the strike to no avail. Bello had at stakeholders’ forum on July 5, said government had met 80 per cent of the lecturers’ demands, wondering why they were still on the strike. The Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Strategy, Malam Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, said the ongoing ASUU strike was premised on falsehood. He stated that government had offset four out of five months salaries owed them, adding that the lecturers’ refusal to call off the strike remained a shock to government. “I am saying very clearly that only 40 per cent of the bailout ...

President Muhammadu Buhari, Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and Morrocan Special Envoy. Nasser Bourita and Director Yassine Mansouri during an audience with the President at the State House in Abuja. Nigeria is in a hurry to see projects take off in the agricultural sector to enhance food security and create jobs for teeming unemployed youths. President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed this Thursday at State House, Abuja, while receiving Ambassador Nasser Bourita, a Special Envoy of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. “For us in Nigeria, it is like starting all over again. There was a time we had so much money and took things for granted. But with the fall in the international price of oil, we are now managing,” the President said. The President welcomed the plan by Morocco to establish a fertilizer plant in Nigeria, which would not only serve the country, but the entire West African sub-region. The envoy, who is also Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Coop...

Embattled Senator Melaye. He threatened to beat up a serving senator The Women Advocacy Research and Development Centre (WARDC) on Thursday gave Senator Dino Melaye from Kogi State, three days to apologise to Senator Oluremi Tinubu over his verbal assault against the senator from Lagos central. The women group threatened to occupy the National Assembly if Melaye failed to do so within three days. The centre in a statement by its Coordinator, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said the altercation between Tinubu who is the wife of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) “is another case to buttress the lackluster attitude to the issue of women’s human rights protection and gender equality in Nigeria”. The non-governmental organization (NGO) which is at the vanguard of promoting women’s participation in politics said the confirmed verbal attack on Tinubu by Melaye became much more reprehensible at a time women participation in politics is at its lowest ebb in Nigeria. Ak...

At last, embattled Senator Dino Melaye of the All Progressives Congress, representing Kogi west, has confirmed that he threatened and abused Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the senator representing Lagos central, during the senate’s closed-door session on Tuesday. PREMIUM TIMES reports that Melaye, however, denied using some of the words reported by the media. Senators at the session told the online medium on Wednesday that Melaye verbally assaulted Tinubu, and used offensive words against her. A source quoted Melaye as saying, “Look this is not Bourdillon (referring to the famous Lagos residence of Mrs. Tinubu’s politician husband). I will beat you up, ….. impregnate you and nothing will happen.” But addressing a press conference Thursday, Senator Melaye said he never spoke about impregnating Senator Tinubu, whom he said had reached menopause. He said he did not use “insolent, abusive, degrading and mannerless language against any Senator”. “How could I have said I would beat and impreg...

Six men on Thursday appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos charged with illegal sale of petroleum products at Seme near Badagry. The accused are Peter Loco, Isaac Okpono, Abagbo Achika, Kulubu Itieni, Sode Junior and Ado Sikiru. They are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and illegal distribution of petroleum products. They pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following an oral application for their bails by defence counsel, Mr John Owoyemi, Justice Babs Kuewumi, admitted the accused to a bail of N500, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum. He added that one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below grade level 12, while the other surety must be a blood relation of the accused and must have a landed property in Lagos. Earlier, Prosecutor Rita Ezeilo told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 1. She said they were arrested at Ilero near Seme border in Badagry, Lagos State, for dealing in petroleum products without lawful autho...

Senator Dino Melaye, a fallen man The youth leader of the All Progressives Congress, Southwest zone, Femi Egbedeyi, has condemned the verbal assault of Senator Dino Melaye against Senator Remi Tinubu (OON). In a statement issued today, the APC youth leader stated: ”The Southwest APC read with consternation Melaye’s public boast that nothing will happen to him if he carries out his threat. ”Melaye has escaped judgment so far despite his well documented history of notoriety for violent conduct both in public and private affairs. He now lives in fool’s paradise with the mindset of being a law unto himself. But he has forgotten that anyone who climbs the tree beyond the branches will kiss the soil. ”In our view, Melaye’s case is not about the fact that nothing can happen to him if he carries out his threat. We want to let him know that that something has indeed happened to him as the fate of uncultured and uncouth people like him are already sealed in the Yoruba lifeworld. ”It is onl...

The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule on Wednesday urged women to be more participatory in government to promote the ideals of sustainable democratic practices and values. Adebule said this at the opening of “Women in Government” conference organised by the Department For International Development (DFID), South-West Region in Lagos. The conference was put together in collaboration with the Lagos State Office of the Deputy Governor. She said that such participation was a prerequisite for achieving political, social, economic, cultural and environmental security in Nigeria. “The 35 percent slot for women participation in government is something that we as women must all strive to ensure that we meet up with. “Majority of women are looking for appointments but we should work toward getting elective positions because it is only there that there are no opportunities to advocate for the course of women and the girl-child. “The attitude of shying away from taking up elective...

The National Industrial Court has restrained Auchi Polytechnic from suspending or terminating the services of Igbinosun Ese for alleged offence contained in a query from the institution. The court also restrained the Institution from interfering with the employment or duties of Ese, pending the determination of the motion on notice. The judge, Justice Peter Lifu, gave the order on Wednesday after hearing the ex-parte motion by V.O. Edegbenin, counsel to the claimant. Lifu said that he gave the order since injunction is an equitable remedy because he who come to equity must do so timeously. He said that he had considered the applicant’s supporting affidavits, and “it is my considered view that the applicant’s prayer should be granted. “The defendants is hereby restrained either by themselves, agents, servants, privies from suspending, terminating, dismissing or in anywhere interfering with the employment, duties of the claimant,” he said. Ese had sued Auchi Polytechnic and joined ...

A 25-year- old man, Wasiu Shobayo, was on Thursday arraigned before Mrs O.O Layinka of an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stabbing a man with a broken bottle. The accused, a tricycle rider, who lives at 5, Merimi St., Off power line, Agbado, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for alleged assault and causing grievous harm. The prosecutor, Sgt. Donjor Perezi told the court that the offence was committed on June, 26 at Ibari Junction, Pen cinema, Agege, Lagos. Perezi said that a fight ensued between the accused and one Isaac Ogokeh over transportation fee, and “the accused broke a bottle and stabbed the complainant on his hand and was about to run away when passer-byes apprehended him”. He said the offence contravened Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The Chief Magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N150,000, with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case to Aug. 15 for mention.

Dino-Melaye: reacts to story that he threatened Bola Tinubu’s wife The All Progressives Congress, South West Zone, has barred Senator Dino Melaye from the zone until he apologized to Senator Oluremi Tinubu over his vituperations against the senator representing Lagos Central in the red chamber. Senator Melaye had on Tuesday on the floor of the Senate insulted Senator Tinubu, threatening to beat her up and ‘impregnate’ her. The Southwest APC in a statement signed by Ayo Afolabi, Zonal Secretary, warned that Senator Melaye should regard the South West Zone as a no go area if he refused to tender a public apology and desist from such unruly behaviours on any colleague from any party of this country in the future. Read the full statement sent by the Southwest APC on the issue here: ”All Progressives Congress members (South West Zone) feel scandalized and traumatized that we are in the same political party with the likes of Senator Dino Melaye who was credited with using the sovereign...

The Mercedes Benz Benjamin Michael attempted to steal Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday, July 12 nabbed, Benjamin Michael, 27, for attempting to remove a Mercedes Benz A-Class with the registration number UB 202 AAA from the park at a popular night club (name withheld) in Ikeja. The suspect, who hails from Ughelli in Delta State, was arrested after the policemen prevented the angry mob from carrying out jungle justice on him when they sighted him entering the car. The suspect, who had sustained various degrees of injuries on his head before the arrival of RRS operatives, was taken to the hospital for medical attention by the police. Upon his arrival at the RRS’ headquarters, he confessed that his plan was to steal the vehicle and take it out of Lagos to a neighbouring country to sell. “I took a wrap of Indian-hemp before I went to the club that night. On getting to the club, I was looking for a car whose door was not locked. Th...

Flying Eagles during a training section Flying Eagles Head Coach Emmanuel Amuneke has urged Nigerians to support the Flying Eagles as they face Sudan in the second leg of the U-20 AFCON qualifiers on July 23. Amuneke on Thursday in Abuja said that the team resumed training on Wednesday ahead of the second leg match, which holds at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. He said the team was gradually getting back to form after their encounter with the Sudanese side– an encounter Nigeria won 2–1 earlier in the month. “As long as we are playing in Nigeria, what counts is that Nigerians should come out in their numbers to support the team. “They are young players determined to make the nation proud. “I think Nigerians should come out in large numbers to support them and to cheer them up. “We have gone to Sudan; thank God we achieved success halfway through the journey and it is left for us to accomplish the mission here in Nigeria in front of our people and in front of our fans. “A...

Mr. Tony Attah, new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd. The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd., has appointed Mr. Tony Attah as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations, on Thursday. Eresia-Eke said Attah takes over from Mr. Babs Omotowa, who had held sway in the organisation since December 2011. He said that Omotowa would return to Shell International in The Hague, ‎Netherlands. According to him, Omotowa is leaving the NLNG in a stronger position and well positioned for the next chapter of the company’s growth. Eresia-Eke said that Attah, prior to the appointment had worked at Shell’s Group Integrated Gas business as Senior Projects Advisor, working on projects in The Netherlands and Singapore. He added that the new NLNG chief executive was the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Pro...

A 38-year-old Festus Ajaere, who posed as an importer and defrauded a stove seller of N10 million on the pretext of importing and supplying her stoves, is to spend the next 36 months in Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos. A Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court which gave the verdict on Thursday, however, did not grant the convict an option of fine. The convict had earlier pleaded guilty. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Kikelomo Ayeye, ruled: “You are hereby sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour without an option of fine.” She warned those in the habit of defrauding innocent citizens to desist and find decent jobs to do. Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Nurudeen Thomas told the court that the accused had some time in February 2012 at Evans Street, Lagos Island, obtained the money under false pretences. “Ajaere, who said he was an importer with others still at large, defrauded a kerosene stove and lantern seller (names withheld) of N10 million under the pretext of supplying her stoves.” ...

Gbaramatu women in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State protesting the arrest and detention of youths in the area by the military Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt Hundreds of men and women from Gbaramatu community from Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday staged a peaceful protest over the arrest and detention of some youths in the community by soldiers. The women who wore black attires carried banners with inscriptions like: “Buhari BringbackOurBoys”, Our Boys Are School Children”, Our Boys Are Not Members of the Niger Delta Avengers”, “Buhari, Time Is Running Out.” Some of the women rolled on the ground and wept, asking the soldiers to release their innocent children accused of bombing oil facilities. The people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State are kinsmen of wanted ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo. The protesters also accused the military of detaining their children for ...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has commenced the training of 204 e- collation staff of the commission for the Nov. 26 governorship election in Ondo State. Mr. Olubunmi Egbeeye, Head of Voters Registration and ICT in the state, on Thursday in Akure said that the training was necessary for the conduct of the election. Egbeeye said the training, which would last for six days, was for all INEC staff in the 18 local government areas of the state. He added that the training would enhance the staff’s computer knowledge and keep them abreast of vital concepts and terms. “We want to get our staff acquainted with ICT knowledge and with all the new technology to be used during the Nov. 26 gubernatorial election. “We aim to cover every member of INEC family with in-depth ICT knowledge. “It is better we start training e- collation officers now as they would be the one to train ad-hoc staff in all the 36 state of the federation. “E- collation is done only by INEC...

Nigeria’s Super Eagles The Super Eagles have dropped nine places in the latest rating announced by the world football governing body while Argentina remain at the summit of the July FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, but only after a tumultuous month of action that resulted in plenty of movement further down. Nigeria dropped nine places to rank 70th in the ranking released on Thursday. The Super Eagles were ranked 61st in June’s rating but have now dropped to be ranked 16th best team in Africa. Algeria, one of Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers opponents are the highest ranked African team while Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions are 53rd in the world and seventh in Africa. For Zambia, they are the 88th best team in the world. New Zealand emerged as the month’s biggest climbers, moving up a whopping 54 places to 93rd on the back of an OFC Nations Cup victory that both qualified the All Whites for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and furthered their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying ambitions. Por...

Nigeria’s Consul-General in South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, on Thursday, urged Nigerians travelling to South Africa to be wary of taxis they board on arrival in that country. Okeke in Johannesburg, South Africa, said that the Consulate had received reports from 17 Nigerians robbed on arrival at the Oliver Thambo International Airport since the beginning of the year. “These robbery attacks have put the mission in a lot of problems. “The president’s aide on NEPAD arrived in South Africa, boarded a taxi recommended by the NEPAD Secretariat and was robbed at gunpoint a few meters away from the airport, ” she said. She also cited the robbing of a top Nigerian cosmetologist who recently arrived in South Africa to showcase the use of traditional Nigerian cosmetics and improved local value of Shea Butter. “She was robbed at gunpoint with her husband after a car crossed their path in front of their hotel and took away all they had,” she said. The ambassador stated that another Niger...

By Adeyinka Ogungbe Herbert Wigwe, Access Bank’s Group Managing Director It is a widely acknowledged fact that what brings the best out of the workforce of any establishment or institution is Motivation. According to Business Dictionary, “motivation is internal and external factors that stimulate desire and energy in people to be continually interested and committed to a job, role or subject, or to make an effort to attain a goal. Motivation results from the interaction of both conscious and unconscious factors such as the (1) intensity of desire or need, (2) incentive or reward value of the goal and (3) expectations of the individual and of his or her peers. These factors are the reasons one has for behaving a certain way.” Ever since he assumed the position of the Group Managing Director of Access Bank in 2013, Herbert Wigwe has either initiated or sustained existing organizational policies in motivating Access Bank Staff optimally, most sought after and even an envy of every ot...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday received the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo 111 at the State House, Abuja. Photos: Sunday Aghaeze. President Muhammadu Buhari receives the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo 111 at the State House on Thursday in Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari receives the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo 111 at the State House in Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari receives the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo 111 at the State House Abuja.

Parents and guardians of children in Damaturu, Yobe, on Thursday, pledged to cooperate with government and partners to sustain achievements recorded in the fight to rid the state of wild polio virus. Investigations conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), revealed that parents known to have an apathy to polio immunization in ‘Baban- Tsangaya’ , Nayinawa, Kasaisa and other areas of Damaturu metropolis, have since embraced the program. Malam Salisu Habu, a resident of Baban-Tsangaya, said “we initially resisted administration of oral polio on our wards out of ignorance and misinformation, but have now realized its importance Baba Ali, a resident of Nayinawa said he, along with several others, had embraced the program and had been cooperating with immunization officers on immunization days, to ensure that every child was immunized. A housewife who did not want her name mentioned said her husband had before now, threatened her with divorce if she presented her children for immuni...

The Federal Government said on Thursday that it had commenced the review of the cost profile of all its revenue generating agencies. Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, made the disclosure at a two-day National Revenue Retreat in Kano. The retreat was organised by the Ministry of Finance as part of government’s effort to brainstorm on how to shift emphasis from oil to non-oil revenue. Adeosun said that the measure was necessary in order to ensure that maximum operating surpluses were declared and remitted in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act. She said that the ministry had commenced a number of audits of a range of agencies that would provide the government improved visibility into the revenue and cost profiles. “This will enable us to generate an indicative cost profile that can be used to establish reasonable budget targets going forward,” she said. The minister stressed that the focus was now on non-oil revenue generation, adding that exploiting solid minerals a...

Mr Ibrahim Magu, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) The Presidency on Thursday requested the Senate to confirm Mr Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). A letter to that effect, read at plenary by President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, also sought the confirmation of Messrs Nasule Moses, Lawan Mamman, Galadanci Imam, and Adeleke Rafiu as members of the commission. Saraki said that in the letter, the presidency requested the senate to confirm the list of the persons at the shortest time possible. “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act of 2004 established the commission. “It makes it responsible, among other things, for the coordination and enforcement of all economic and financial crime laws and enforcement functions conferred on of all persons or authority. “Section 2(1) of the Act also provides that the commission shall consist of the chairman, which shall be the chief executive and accounting offi...

Two Indonesian sisters fought off a crocodile in a river in Sumatra’s Riau province, local media reported on Thursday. Al, 12, and Cek, 8, escaped with a bite on the hand and on the leg, respectively, after they were attacked near their village of Sungai Iliran, in Indragiri Hilir district, detik.com reported. “The girls were bathing in the river when Cek disappeared underwater suddenly, before reappearing with her leg in the jaws of a crocodile,” their mother Minah was quoted as saying. Al swam up to the crocodile and grabbed her sister’s arm. The reptile released its grip on her leg, and Al was able to drag her to the river bank, but not before being bitten herself, on the hand. “Both sisters then screamed for help and their mother came with other villagers to their rescue, they were treated at a local health facility,” the District Police Chief Wicaksono said.

Ayo Oritsejafor, PFN President The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has called on the South African chapter, CANSAF, to work for the unity of the church. Oritsejafor made the call at the inauguration of the chapter on Wednesday night in Johannesburg, South Africa. He said as Christians, members should love one another and obey God`s commandments. The president also urged them to avoid evil in all endeavours. “As Christians, we must avoid evil. The church is facing a battle and it demands that we should be one to overcome the challenges. “When evil is mentioned, we should not be counted. Please do not allow sin to build on sin. “We must always speak with one voice always,” he said. Oritsejafor urged Nigerians resident in South Africa to obey the laws of that country. “When you break the law, you have committed an offence. “You must understand that you are Nigerians. You must be proud of your country and obey the laws of South Afric...

The Acting Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has engaged the services of two audit firms, Messers Nsebot William & Co. and Gbenga Abimbola & Co. to undertake the audit of Police Investments and subsidiaries. The order is contained in a statement issued by the Force spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Don Awunah in Abuja on Thursday. Idris gave the order while addressing the Board and Management of Police Investments Bodies and subsidiaries at the Police Force Headquarters. He said the measure was in line with the Federal Government’s agenda to institutionalise fiscal discipline, transparency, probity and accountability in the management of public funds. The I-G said that the exercise was aimed at carrying out due diligence to ascertain the true financial position, assets and liabilities and challenges of the entities. He said that fighting corruption at all levels was part of his vision for the Police which was in tandem with the cardinal point of ...

File Photo: Some Fulani Herdsmen on a Nigerian road The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai in Gusau on Thursday said that intelligence reports indicated that many cattle rustlers and bandits were already fleeing the forest in Gusau. Buratai made the disclosure during activities to mark the Army Day celebration in Gusau. “We have also got the report that many of the criminals are already on the run in the forest. “We understand that they are trying to escape from the ongoing operation but this will not deter us from going on with the operations,” he said. He noted that the Army would sustain the offensive against the criminals until all known enclaves in the forest were cleared. The Army chief assured the people of the state and residents of the entire North-West that the present efforts would address the security challenge in the region. On his part, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari said local vigilantes and members of some border communities in the state had reported seeing some ...

Amnesty International said that more than 1,000 people accused of supporting Boko Haram in Cameroon are being detained in military bases and prisons often without any evidence. Amnesty Researcher, Ilaria Allegrozzi, said on Thursday during a report presentation in Nairobi that dozens are dying from diseases, malnutrition and torture. She said that since a regional offensive last year drove Boko Haram from most of their strongholds, the Islamist militants have waged a guerrilla-style campaign targeting civilians. “In Cameroon, teenage girls have killed dozens in suicide bombings carried out by the group. Allegrozzi said that investigation revealed that a crackdown by the government and security forces on the Islamist militants has fuelled the widespread abuse of civilians across Cameroon’s Far North region. “We are not necessarily talking about Boko Haram fighters, but about normal people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. “In the fight against Boko Haram, in...

Abu Omar al Shishani, top ISIS commander has apparently been killed in an American airstrike in Syria. Abu Omar al-Shishani, who the Pentagon described as Islamic State’s “minister of war”, was killed in combat in the Iraqi city of Shirqat, south of Mosul. Amaq news agency, which Islamic State regularly uses to issue reports, disclosed this on Thursday. The Pentagon said in March that Shishani had likely been killed in a U.S. airstrike in Syria, but this was the first time the group appeared to confirm his death. A report said that Islamic State supporters have been exchanging notes of praise and condolence on social media, including pictures of the ginger-bearded fighter, and pledged to launch a fresh offensive in his honor. The officials at the Pentagon said they were aware of the report but could not confirm or deny it. Meanwhile, Hisham al-Hashimi, a Baghdad-based security expert who advises the Iraqi government, said a source in Shirqat confirmed Shishani had been killed t...

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State The Ogun State Government on Wednesday sacked Mr. Oluwole Olubena, one of the commissioners in the State Civil Service Commission for alleged gross misconduct. The Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, who signed the statement announcing Olubena’s dismissal on Wednesday, said the action was in accordance with the extant laws of the state. Adeoluwa, however, did not state the particular offence the sacked commissioner, who was said to be commissioner IV, had committed. He said, “The governor has the power to hire and fire. He (Olubena) was removed on the account of misconduct,” stressing that the action the of the state government was in order Olubena had been directed to hand over all government properties and documents in his possession to the Permanent Secretary at the commission immediately.

Chuba Akpom is Arsenal’s only fit striker heading into the new season Photo: Getty Images Chuba Akpom is set to start the new Premier League season as Arsenal’s only fully-fit centre forward. The 21-year-old, who has never scored a senior goal for the club, has been told that he will not go out on loan because Arsenal will need him in August. Arsenal were confident of signing Jamie Vardy in early June but after he decided to stay at Leicester City, they have not been able to sign anyone else up front, and are increasingly resigned to the fact that they will not. Unless a new striker arrives in the next few weeks, or they can rush Olivier Giroud back to match fitness, either Akpom or Theo Walcott will start up front in their Premier League opener against Liverpool on 14 August. Last season Arsenal primarily relied on Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck to play at centre-forward. Giroud’s role in Euro 2016, playing for the France side that lost the final to Portugal on Sunday...

Following the attacks by armed militants on some communities in Ogijo, Sagamu area of Ogun State, the leaders of the Yoruba Unity Forum and the Ijaw National Congress, on Wednesday, met at the palace of the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo, in Sagamu in order to find a lasting solution. Towards the end of June and early July, some Ogun communities were under deadly attacks in which no fewer than 50 persons were killed, the affected communities included Imushin, Imuti, Ebute-Ibafo, Elepete, Igbo Olomu among others. Many residents had fled the communities and are yet to return to their homes. The purpose of the meeting according to the leaders of the two parties was to rub minds with stakeholders in the area to ensure adequate peace among residents. Mr. Yinka Odumakin led the Yoruba leaders under the umbrella of the YUF while the Chairman of Bayelsa Elders Council, Chief Francis Dokpola, led other notable leaders of Ijaw nation to the meeting. Odumakin ...