Global Naija Info

Ex-militants from the Niger Delta. Armed members of the Oodua Peoples Congress have engaged suspected Niger Delta militants, who have been terrorising riverside communities, in a fierce gun battle. The clash at the weekend led to the arrest of four of the militants, who have been terrorizing residents of Igbo Olomu community of Ikorodu in Lagos State. Mr Femi Atiku, the coordinator of Ogbagba Zone of OPC in Isawo-Ikorodu area under Gani Adams confirmed the incident on Sunday. Atiku said that they lost one members of their group during exchange of gun fire. “The OPC members engaged the militants in a fierce gun battle around Yewa community in Igbo-Olomu and facilitated the release of two landlords earlier kidnapped by the gunmen. “Sadly, an OPC member was killed but other members succeeded in arresting four members of the gang, who were handed over to the Owutu Police Divisional. “The division later handed them over to the area commander in charge of the area,’’ he said. Atiku

The gavel of justice Paul Iyoghojie The police at the Maroko Division, Lekki, Lagos have arrested a security guard, Ibrahim Musa, 30, for allegedly using interlocking stones to batter his employer, Flora Nwafor, a prominent resident of Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, one month after he was employed. The police also accused him of attempted murder and theft in the charge sheet. The second count accused Musa of using stones to break her employer’s right arm, finger and biting her on the face. The police stated that the victim’s shouts attracted neighbours and other security men in the area who saved her from being killed. She was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. The security guard, it was learnt, escaped from the scene before he could be apprehended and fled to his vilage in Yola, Adamawa State. Following a report of the incident, the DPO in charge of Maroko Division, Lekki, Lagos directed a team led by Inspector Sunday Arebamen to arrest the fleeing suspect. The detective

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has appealed for patience, orderliness and the cooperation of motorists as rehabilitation and reconstruction work on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway progresses. The call was made on Sunday even as the contracting firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, handling the Lagos end of the road, explained that the nature of the rehabilitation work on its long bridge section which required the complete scraping off and replacement of the asphalt surface (technically called Milling) and replacement of the expansion joints, necessitated the partial restrictions on the bridge. While giving an insight into its tight work schedule for the bridge, the contractors stated that the two main lanes currently under construction would be completed by the end of August while work on the various other “narrow lanes” would be spread over the next four months for final delivery by middle of

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has asked the Federal Government to set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak incident at Koton Karfe Prison Yard in the state. The governor, who expressed shock over the incessant incident at the prison yard, said this particular attack in the early hours of Saturday, 30 July 30, 2016, seemed to be a conspiracy between insiders and criminals who came to free the inmates. No fewer than 13 inmates were said to have escaped from the federal prison, even as prison officials disappeared when the governor visited the scene. This brings to three times the Koton Karfe Federal Prisons has witnessed jailbreaks in recent time. The first was 2013, the second one was 2014 and this one. According to information offered by some junior officers, who begged not to be mentioned, the inmates made some remarkable marks on the inside walls, which they scaled to freedom with th

Yahaya-Bello of Kogi State The location and work schedule of the Kogi State Staff Screening Review and Complaints Committee will be announced next Wednesday. The Chairman of the committee and State Auditor General, Alhaji Yakubu Yusuf Okala, disclosed this while speaking with the media after the inaugural meeting of the committee at the Government House, Lokoja. Alhaji Okala said all Kogi state civil servants and pensioners, who felt aggrieved with the outcome of the staff screening exercise but have relevant documents to support their claims should make themselves available to the committee. He said all cases will be treated carefully and fairly. He reiterated that the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello is determined to keep every genuine worker in its employment and was only interested in removing ghost workers or those who are working illegally in the state civil service. Following the presentation of the report by the Staff Screening & Validation Committee last Monda

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State Since the problem of non-payment of salaries for public sector workers across states of the federation became national issue early this year, the Aregbesola government, which started the policy of denying workers their salaries since late 2014, has been going to town to claim a form of victory. We are told that the government is actually doing better than most state governments in the country on the issue of salary payment. However, before Aregbesola government and its town-criers, go to town with their cheap propaganda, these are the facts on salaries and pensions in the state: 1. Resident doctors in the state are owed salaries of more than 7 months. Hospitals were shut down for months as a result of the non-payment of salaries of medical personnel. The impact of the shutdown and low morale resulting from non-payment of salaries is better imagined. The doctors, disturbed by the worsening health situation in the state called off th

Army Spokesman Col. Sani Usman The Nigerian Army on Sunday said it had recovered cache of arms and ammunition in Gamboru. This is contained in a statement signed by Col. Sani Usman, Ag. Director, Army Public Relations Officer and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja. The statement said the troops conducted raids at Gamboru town early on Sunday morning following a tip off. “The troops recovered 3 AK-56 rifles and 2 AK-L rifles with registration numbers; AK-L-AGB 1172, AK-L PU2879, AK-56-2556688, AK-56-22622832 and AK-56-22622315, respectively. “They also recovered 235 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 7 AK-56 rifle magazines. “The Nigerian Army wishes to commend those good citizens that alerted the military for the timely and useful information that led to this recovery. “This is the type of cooperation and support we always require from citizens of this country to enable us clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists. “We wish to reiterate the need for all to b

Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd) Two armed robbery convicts and 11 awaiting trial suspects were among the 13 inmates who escaped from Koton Karfe prison in Kogi in the early hours of Saturday. Investigations revealed that the inmates in one of the cells in the prison dug a big hole in the wall of their cell to aid their escape. An authoritative source at the prison revealed on Sunday that armed and conventional squads of the Nigeria Prison Service had launched manhunt to re-arrest the fleeing inmates. The source added that the prison authority had also contacted the police to assist it in tracking down the inmates some of who are facing trial for capital offences. The 180-capacity all male prison facility inaugurated in 2014 had a population of 263 inmates as at the time of the latest jailbreak. Some residents of Koton Karfe who spoke on the issue expressed shock at the incident. They insisted that the inmates could not have dug a big hole in the concr

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, President, Nigeria Union in South Africa, has confirmed that two Nigerians were killed in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province. This is coming barely two weeks after a South African guard killed a Nigerian businessman in the country. Anyene disclosed on Sunday in Port Harcourt in a telephone interview from Pretoria that the two men were killed on Friday, July 29, at different areas of Johannesburg. He said that the first victim, Gideon Ogalaonye, an indigene of Onitsha, Anambra, was allegedly shot dead at 7 p.m. while on a visit to the residence of his daughters. He said that the second victim, Nnamdi Michael, an indigene of Enugu state, was allegedly stabbed to death by a Zimbabwean national at Yeoville at 8 p.m on the same day. Anyene said eyewitnesses said the assailant first demanded for money from Michael, which was not given and later attempted to forcefully remove his phone. He said that the assailant stabbed the victim

Professor Dibu Ojerinde, JAMB registrar The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has withdrawn the list of recommended candidates for admission earlier sent to tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Dr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB Head of Media said the list was withdrawn to enable the Senate of the respective institutions perform the statutory responsibility of conducting the selection of candidates and refer it to JAMB. He added that it was also withdrawn to enable the institutions confirm the admission in line with the criteria of merit, catchment area and educationally disadvantaged states, as directed by the Minister of Education at the policy committee meeting. “The earlier list was sent to help fast track the process of admission so as to allow other tiers of institutions also conduct their admission,” he said. He urged candidates not to panic, saying it was part of the process of the 2016 admission exercise. He however, expressed regret over any inconvenience the decision

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is leading other Governors in the poll organised by the African Leadership Magazine to determine Nigeria’s top performing Governor. The poll, tagged ‘Good Governance Polls for Nigeria’s Top Performing Governor’ started two weeks ago with Ambode maintaining the lead with increased 36.1 percent of the total vote casts. Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano is closely trailing Ambode with 25 percent. The Poll, according to its organisers, was designed by the group as part of its strategic engagement tool to monitor performance and gauge the mood of the electorates in Nigeria in line with its objective of providing credible information and support to leaders in Nigeria and Africa at large. An overwhelming 35 percent popularity rating for Governor Ambode, among other governors, clearly shows his popularity as he continues to deliver good governance, promoting infrastructural development and people-centred policies that be

Yinka Egbeyemi, Taskforce Chairman The Lagos State Taskforce on Saturday arrested 85 people for violating the environmental sanitation law of the state. Taskforce’s Head of Public Affairs Unit, Taofiq Adebayo disclosed that those arrested included 68 male and 17 female, saying that they were arrested for loitering around while the cleaning exercise was on. He said one of those arrested during the environmental sanitation exercise at Ojodu-Berger, Mrs. Florence Chima, 48, had pleaded guilty when she was arraigned before the court and claimed that she never knew the environmental sanitation exercise would caught up with her as she rushed to the market at Ogba to buy provision. Others were arrested around Ojota, Yaba, Marland, Ikorodu, Mile 2, Ikoyi, Ajah, Orile-Iganmu, Ojodu Berger, Agege and Lagos Island. The state government had set aside every last Saturday of every month for a general cleaning exercise across the state between the hours of 7.00am to 10.00am. The Lagos State Co

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday embarked on an extensive tour of the Eko Atlantic City project, expressing confidence that the initiative will not only boost the economy of the State, but also increase its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Ambode, who was accompanied on the tour by members of the State Executive Council, pledged the total commitment of his administration towards the success of the project, saying that it would go a long way to facilitate the quest to boost the State’s economy. “I would like to express the total support of this government to this project because at the end of the day we need to grow the economy of Lagos and this obviously is going to have multiplier effect on our IGR. We promise that we are going to grow our IGR to N30bn by 2017 and N50bn by 2018 and this project is a sure outlet in achieving that goal,” he said. He also expressed satisfaction on the infrastructure already put in place, saying that it no

Dolapo Badmos, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Dolapo Badmos of the Lagos State Command, on Sunday said that the police had arrested 14 suspected criminals who allegedly stole computers at a public school in Shomolu. Badmos, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, who spoke with newsmen added that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). She said that items recovered from them include: seven computers accessories, four mini-laptops, a LaserJet scanner, a desktop and a printer, all belonging to the school. “The suspects were arrested on Wednesday morning when RRS intelligence team got a lead that one of the suspects was lurking in a gaming shop at 29, Awoseni St., Shomolu. “On interrogation, the suspect, who turned out to be a buyer of one of the stolen mini-laptops, specifically designed for secondary school pupils, assisted the police in arresting other suspects. “The lead suspect, a 19-

Dr Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health With workers of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) set for a fresh strike over the non-payment of April and May salaries, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its resolve on the no-work-no-pay rule. The workers had gone on strike in March and remained at home till June, with government vowing that it would not pay for the period they were out of office. Last month, the workers were indeed paid just their June salaries, leaving out the two months. The miffed workers have, however, vowed never to accept the situation and signified intention to go on another strike next week, to press for the salaries. But government, in a letter to the management of the hospital said that the request by workers and their unions for the refund of their salary deductions during the period of the strike, should be disregarded. “Should any worker go on strike because of this, forward his or her name and the IPPIS number to the Federal Ministry of Health and t

Muslim Folami, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs Kazeem Ugbodaga The Lagos State Government at the weekend paid N142 million to families of deceased staff as insurance claim. A total of 71 families benefited from the insurance package which was paid through LASACO Assurance Plc at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Government Secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The beneficiaries are families of deceased Local Government and the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB staff. Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode said the welfare of staff was a top priority of his administration. Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Communities Affairs, Muslim Folami said the payment of insurance package to deceased staff’s families was the second in the series as the first one was carried out in 2013. According to Ambode, the government cared for the welfare of staff, even when they were dead as

National Theatre: owing N9m for electricity consumed The Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC) on Sunday confirmed that electricity supply to the National Arts Theatre in Lagos was disconnected for refusal to pay over N9 million owed. Mr Idemudia Godwin, General Manger, Media Communications of EKEDC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the complex was disconnected after several appeals and demand notices went unheeded. According to him, the debt is an accumulation of unpaid bills over time. We don’t disconnect without serving notice. “Besides, we recently ran a newspaper advertisement informing all EKEDC debtors of Ministries and Departmental Agencies (MDAs) of our intention to disconnect them. “We have commenced disconnection of all historic debtors, including residential, commercial, industrial and government establishments within our network,’’ he said. The EKEDC spokesman said that the astronomical indebtedness by some customers was taking its toll

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, acting Inspector General of Police The Nigeria Police Force on Sunday in Abuja warned personnel of the force against giving money for selection for Peace Support Operations (PSO). The Officer in charge of Peacekeeping, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Lawan Jimeta, disclosed that the police force frowned at issues of indiscipline among its officers. He said that fraudsters had opened face book account in his name and other officers with their photographs with the aim of duping unsuspecting and greedy officers. “For the avoidance of doubt, peacekeeping selection is not done on face book, there are established procedures and it is not done with money,“ he said. He said that anyone requesting for money to select any officer for peacekeeping was only out to deceive such officer. Jimeta warned that any person caught would be prosecuted according to established laws. On behaviours of Nigerian contingent, he said that all selected officers undergo pre-deploymen

Two suicide attacks hit Somalia’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in the capital city of Mogadishu on July 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse) At least five people were killed and several others were injured on Sunday in twin car bomb blasts at the headquarters of Somalia’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in the capital city of Mogadishu. Police said the blasts hit the gate of the CID headquarters before militants stormed the building. Spontaneous gunfire could be heard. The militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group, fighting against the Somali government, frequently stages attacks in Mogadishu. “There were two huge bombings near Somali’s Criminal Investigations Department. I have seen black smoke rising from the place,” Jamal Omar, an eye witness, told Xinhua. Two suicide attacks hit Somalia’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in the capital city of Mogadishu on July 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse) The death toll could r

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Dogara Yakubu requesting him and other principal officers “suspected to be involved in the alleged budget padding to step aside pending the outcome of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other agencies.” The letter dated 29 July 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni states that, “Following confirmation received by SERAP from the EFCC that it has taken up and looking into SERAP’s petition to the body on the allegations that the leadership of the House of Representatives padded the 2016 budget to the tune of N481 billion, SERAP is now writing to request you to immediately step aside from your position as Speaker of the House of Representatives pending the out outcome of the investigation.” The letter reads in part: “We also urge you to ensure tha

Ms Koike is a former TV journalist and was Japan’s defence minister Former Japanese defence minister Yuriko Koike has been elected as the Japanese capital’s first woman governor, exit polls project. Public broadcaster NHK and other media forecast Ms Koike as the winner after polls closed at 20:00 (11:00 GMT). If confirmed, one of her key challenges will be curbing the financial problems plaguing Tokyo’s preparations to host the 2020 Olympic Games. Scandals linked to the Games forced the last two governors to resign. “I will lead Tokyo politics in an unprecedented manner, a Tokyo you have never seen,” Ms Koike, 64, told cheering supporters. In all, 21 contenders were vying to lead the sprawling capital and a number of other cities in the prefecture. Ms Koike, politician Hiroya Masuda and journalist Shuntaro Torigoe were the front-runners. Sunday’s election was called after previous governor Yoichi Masuzoe resigned last month following fierce criticism over allegations that he u

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the alleged murder of a Lebanese, Mr Moin Amsuri, a Mathematics Teacher, at the prestigious Nagarta College, Sokoto. The spokesman of the command, Mr El-Mustapha Sani, made the confirmation in an interview. ”The deceased was suspected to have been killed by gunmen who are right now at large. ”The incident was said to have occurred on Thursday at his residence in Yauri flats, Sokoto, and it was reported to the Gwiwa Police Station on the same day. ”We are suspecting that the assailants were armed robbers as his Toyota car is still missing,” Sani said The spokesman said the command would not relent until the perpetrators of the nefarious act were fished out and brought to justice. The funeral prayer of the deceased was conducted on Friday in Sokoto, according to Islamic rites. It was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, and Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu,

Babachir David Lawal, Secretary to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria The Federal Government has banned the procurement and distribution of conference bags, T-shirts and other souvenirs at events such as Conferences and Seminars funded by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr Salisu Dambatta. It said President Buhari had approved the ban following recommendations by the Efficiency Unit. It said the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari, had forwarded the directive to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministers of Finance and Budget and National Planning, for implementation. According to the statement, the ban was in continuation of the on-going cost-cutting and efficiency drive in the utilisation of public funds by the present admin

President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey I was shocked by the trenchant reaction to my piece on the July 15 attempted coup in Turkey from at least two persons. The piece titled “Nigerians and the Failed Coup in Turkey” (The Guardian, Sunday, July 17) had fetched a mail and direct messages from a concerned Nigerian who objected to my description of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a bad guy- an intolerant, arrogant, temperamental dictator who after July 15 could become even more authoritarian. The fellow praised Erdogan and spoke glowingly about how well the Turkish economy has fared under his watch. I also got a list of current economic indicators on Turkey sent to me. I assured the fellow that I was not in any way in support of any anti-democratic move, and that the article was not about the Turkish economy but Erdogan’s politics and leadership. I added that while he was perfectly entitled to his admiration of Erdogan, I had no reasons to change my views and that he should bewa