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Showing posts from August 9, 2016

Indiscipline: AIG Ali reads riot act to officers

AIG AbduMajid Ali addressing officers and men of the Zone 2 Command Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta The new Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, Abdulmajid Ali has read out riot act to officers and men of the command on his zero tolerance for indiscipline and unethical conducts at the Zone 2 headquarters, Onikan, Lagos. Ali gave the warning while addressing officers and men of the command. In a statement signed by the zonal PPRO, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the AIG surprised the officers and men of the command by arriving his office at 7:40 a.m. and met only a few personnel on duty. The police boss warned against lateness to duty, idleness, complacency, corruption and incivility to members of the public and any other inappropriate behaviors; emphasizing that, “it is no more business as usual”. Ali confirmed receiving lots of reports concerning various illegal, unethical and unprofessional acts exhibited by police personnel in Lagos and in the comman

Pictures: Buhari receives outgoing Vietnamese ambassador

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received the outgoing Vietnamese ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hoang Hgoc Ho at the State House, Abuja. Photos: Sunday Aghaeze R-L; Second Secretary of Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr Vu Quang Thang, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Buka Abba Ibrahim, President Muhammadu Buhari, the outgoing Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Hoang Hgoc Ho and his wife Lady Thi Ihanh Yen during a farewell audience at the State House in Abuja. R-L; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Buka Abba Ibrahim, President Muhammadu Buhari, the outgoing Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Hoang Hgoc Ho and his wife Lady Thi Ihanh Yen during a farewell audience at the State House in Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari in a handsake with the outgoing Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Hoang Hgoc Ho during a farewell audience at the State House in Abuja. President Muhamma

Agriculture remains top priority – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration will continue to accord agriculture premium importance through programmes and initiatives designed to motivate the citizens to produce enough food to feed the nation. Speaking at a farewell meeting with Mr. Hoang Ngoc Ho, the out-going Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the State House on Tuesday, President Buhari said the high profile of agriculture in the priorities of his administration was primarily to achieve food self-sufficiency, economic revival and jobs creation. “We are hoping to motivate fellow Nigerians to work hard in this regard. We will continue to work closely with other countries to re-orient Nigerians towards their active involvement in the sector. We believe that the impressive agricultural developmental strides achieved by countries such as Vietnam, especially after the 1975 war, will be replicated here,” the President said. President Buhari congratulated Vietnam f

Man stabs wife with screwdriver

A 31-year-old father of one, Sunday Dennis, was on Tuesday brought before a Badagry Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for allegedly stabbing his wife, Blessing, with a screwdriver. The accused who resides at No. 6, Aro St., Ajara area of Badagry, was arraigned on a two-count charge of assault and threat to life. The Prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Uko told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 25 around 8:00 p.m at the mentioned address. He said the incident occurred when the accused was arguing with his wife over a certain amount of money. “They were arguing because his wife borrowed him a certain amount of money and he had yet to return it. “In the middle of the argument, the accused threatened to kill her with a screwdriver and stabbed her at the back. “She is presently at a hospital recovering from the injuries she sustained from the assault,” he said. Uko said the offences contravened Sections 56 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused

Blatter to attend FIFA ban appeal

Former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter will appear in person at the Court of Arbitration for Sport for his August 25 appeal against his ban from football, his spokesman said Tuesday. Thomas Renggli, Blatter’s spokesman, said: “Mr. Blatter will go in person with his lawyer Lorenz Erni.” FIFA’s ethics committee initially suspended Blatter along with his one-time heir apparent Michel Platini in December for eight years over ethics violations. Those bans were cut to six years in February. Following Platini’s appeal, the Lausanne-based CAS reduced Platini’s suspension to four years. Both men were thrown out of football over a 2 million Swiss franc ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) payment that Blatter authorized to Platini in 2011. FIFA’s ethics judges deemed the payment “disloyal” to world football’s governing body. Blatter and Platini are the top names in a long list of football power players who have been brought down in a scandal that erupted in M

Lagos vows to seize houses, hotels used for kidnapping

Fatai Owoseni, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Kazeem Ugbodaga The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it will henceforth seize houses and hotels used as hideouts for kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state. This is in a determined effort to tackle increasing crime rate in the state. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni who briefed newsmen after the State Security Council meeting presided over by Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at the State House, Ikeja on Tuesday said the government was determined to eradicate the menace of kidnapping and militancy in the state. “The Security Council meeting was for us to look at the strategies that we would be deploying in tackling the criminal challenges that we have in the state and to further come up with strategies of sustaining those measures that would put criminal elements in check and of course the security council of the state has come out with plans to let our people know emphatically that the state

2 transformer vandals bag 6 years imprisonment

An Iyaganku Senior Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has sentenced Akeem Azeez, 23, and his cohort, Quadri Yusuf, 25, to three years in prison each for vandalizing transformer. Delivering the judgment on Tuesday, the Senior Magistrate, Mrs. Munirat Giwa-Babalola, found the convicts guilty on count one charge of conspiracy, count two of vandalizing and stealing and discharge them on count three of going about armed in public. She said the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others planning to commit such an offence. Akeem, a trader of Oke Are area of Ibadan, and Quadri, a baker of Baba Isale Compound, Foko, Ibadan, were docked after pleading guilty to the charges. The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Kola Olaiya had earlier told the court that the convicts on July 22, at about 2 a.m at Itamaya area, Ibadan, conspired to vandalize a 500 KVA transformer. Olaiya said the convicts stole six fuses, two pipe coppers valued at N30,000 from the vandalized transformer belonging to

Woman sleeps with son for money ritual

Yvonne Banda 52-year-old Yvonne Banda from Ndola, Zambia, has revealed how her son has been sleeping with her every Wednesday for ritual purpose. Banda said she started offering her nakedness to her son, Abel since 2002 in accordance with the prescription of the witch doctor he got his riches from. Banda while confessing this bizarre story said that she is the main pillar of her son’s success. Since he started his transportation business and has been sleeping with her, the business has grown tremendously and he now owns a fleet of trucks, buses and other small cars. The crime for this success is to sleep with his Mother every Wednesday and they do it at her house where the charm was buried. She, however, went further to say she has been very worried about her son because she feels like she is growing weaker each day and she fears she might not keep up for the next coming year. The price is that, once she stops sleeping with him, all their hard earned wealth will vanish into th

Military vows to apprehend culprits of Nembe attack

JTF men on patrol The Joint Military Force deployed to the Niger Delta has vowed to apprehend the militants who attacked its base and killed the three soldiers at Nembe jetty on Monday. This is contained in a statement by Lt.-Cdr. Abdulrashid Ahmed, Acting spokesman of Operation Delta Safe, in Yenagoa on Tuesday. Ahmed said that the troops had been reinforced to fish out the militants. “Some suspected gunmen believed to be militants at about 10 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2016, attacked 343 Artillery Regiment, a detachment of Operation DELTA SAFE deployed at Nembe Jetty in Bayelsa State. “During the incidence, three soldiers lost their lives. “The Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, has consequently deployed reinforcement team to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” he said. Ahmed quoted the commander of the joint force as warning that henceforth, Operation Delta Safe would go on the offensive to fish out all criminals in the region. He attributed

Manchester City sign Everton defender, John Stones for £47.5m

Stones Manchester City have signed John Stones from Everton for £47.5m, making him the world’s second most expensive defender. The 22-year-old England international has signed a six-year deal and is City boss Pep Guardiola’s eighth signing. Stones was earlier named in City’s official Champions League squad, published on the Uefa website before the transfer was confirmed. Advertisement “It’s an ambitious club with a great manager so I can’t wait to get stuck in,” he said. “I know it will be tough getting a place in this team but I’m determined to become the best player I can be and help us to success.” In a short statement, Everton confirmed they had received a “record fee” for Stones. The Yorkshireman made 95 appearances for the Toffees in three seasons, scoring once. Championship club Barnsley, his first club, will get between £7m and £9m from a sell-on clause. Everton rejected a £40m bid for Stones from Chelsea last summer, with the player having a transfer request refused

5 injured after Police broke traffic rule

No fewer than five persons were seriously injured on Monday in an accident that occurred when a police bullion van driver broke traffic regulation. An eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the accident occurred on Sani Abacha barracks road involving a police vehicle’s driver. He, Agada Daniel of the police FCT command, allegedly drove against the traffic. He said bullion van, “proforce”, with plate number NPF 2647D while taking one way, hit a taxi. “The driver of the bullion van decided to take one way and with the rate of his speed, it rammed into an Abuja painted taxi marked Kaduna, DKA 601XA. As a result of the speed, the driver collided with the oncoming vehicle; another painted taxi driver,” he said. He said four of the injured are staff of the Halogen security company in Area 3, FCT. According to him, driving against the traffic has become norms for the police and the military, mostly on Maraba axis. “It is so unfortunate that the lawmakers are the law break

5 killed in Ogun auto accident

One of the accident victims being taken to the hospital Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta Five persons were confirmed dead Monday afternoon in a motor accident which occurred in Sagamu township, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. The accident involving two trucks and three commercial motorcycles, occurred at Ajegunle-Akarigbo Road, close to a first generation bank around 2 p.m. A witness, Yusuf Adebayo blamed the accident on overspeeding and break failure. Narrating the incident to our correspondent, the witness said, “the accident involved two trucks. One of the trucks broke down on the road and was being repaired. The other truck, with registration number MU 008 rammed into it after he driver lost control. Another victim “The driver of the second truck was trying to avoid the broken down truck when it swerved to the right and hit commercial motorcycles, killing three riders and two passengers. Some of the injured were taken to the hospital in the town. A police source at

Nigerian women enter Italy for prostitution- UN

Nigerian sex workers The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that about 3,600 Nigerian women arrived Italy by boat in the first half of 2016, an amount said to be almost double the figure in the same period last year. IOM said more than 80% of these women were trafficked into prostitution in Italy and across Europe. The UN agency according to UK Guardian said traffickers use migrant reception centers as holding pens for women who are then collected and forced into prostitution. Simona Moscarelli, an anti-trafficking expert at the IOM said, “What we have seen this year is a crisis, it is absolutely unprecedented and is the most significant increase in the number of Nigerian women arriving in Italy for 10 years.” Moscarelli added that majority of the women were being deliberately brought in for sexual exploitation purposes while reiterating that the criminal gangs and trafficking networks engaging in the sexual exploitation of younger Nigerian g

Couple die minutes apart after 63 years of marriage

Henry and Jaenette De Lange An American couple married for over six decades has proven that even death is not strong enough to keep the loved ones separated. A report on Tuesday in San Francisco said that Henry and Jeanette De-Lange, who married 63 years ago, both died last Sunday within 20 minutes in the same room at a nursing home in the state of South Dakota. The nursing home said that 87-year-old Jeanette had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and had been living in the nursing home since 2011, while her husband, 86-year-old Henry, visited her everyday. It said that after being diagnosed with prostate cancer and suffering a few falls, Henry moved to the nursing home where he shared a room with his wife. It said that on July 31, the family was told that both of them were not doing well. “At 5:10 p.m. local time (2310 GMT), Jeanette passed away, and 20 minutes later, Henry died. Lee De-Lange, one of their five children said that the children are tagging their parent’s

Thousands render homeless as flood destroys 5,300 houses in Kano

File photo: A flooded area in Nigeria At least, 5,300 houses have been destroyed by flood in Kano with thousands of residents rendered homeless. Massive flood swept six local governments in the state and left behind tales of anguish and pains. The affected local governments are Bebeji, Dawakin Kudu, Kiru Shanono, Bagwai and Garun Mallam. Kano State Relief and Emergency Agency,+ on Tuesday confirmed that at least 5,300 houses were destroyed by flood in six councils. Executive Secretary of SREA, Aliyu Bashir told Punch that in Dawakin Kudu, over 2,300 houses were affected while not less than 600 houses in each of the remaining five areas were also destroyed by the flood. He added that officials of the agency had undertaken an assessment visit to all the affected areas, so as to determine the extent of damage caused by the flood. Bashir said that the State Government would come to the aid of the victims as an interim measure, as soon as the Agency concludes and submits its report.

Hoeness to return as Bayern president

Uli Hoeness Uli Hoeness will run in Bayern Munich’s presidency elections in November, the club has announced. 64-year-old Hoeness was previously Bayern president between 2009 and 2014 but left the role in March 2014 when he was convicted of evading millions of euros in tax through an undeclared Swiss bank account. According to Deutsche well, a press statement released by Bayern Munich on Monday said that Hoeness had decided to run for president of the club when the next election is held during November’s annual general meeting. It also said that following discussions with Hoeness, the club’s current president, Karl Hopfner, had agreed not to run for another term. This would appear to make Hoeness’ election to the post a mere formality. The move doesn’t come as a complete surprise as there had been much speculation about a possible comeback after Hoeness was released from prison back in February 2016, after having served 637 days – exactly half of his three-and-a-half-year senten

Don’t demolish 1,000 houses, AI begs Gov El-Rufai

Amnesty International (AI) has called for an urgent international action to stop the Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai from demolishing more than 1,000 houses at Gbagyi Villa, Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Amnesty International stated that el-Rufai threatened to demolish houses in Gbagyi Villa. At least 1,000 houses have been marked with an X for demolition. Thousands risk being forcibly evicted. ”The Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) has issued 21-day demolition notices to some residents of Gbagyi Villa, Kaduna State, on four occasions between 4 November 2015 and 16 March 2016. Amnesty International has seen these notices and some of the houses marked X. Residents say they have not been consulted about the planned demolition, and no alternative housing or compensation has been offered. The residents initiated a court case on 10 March and obtained an injunction against the planned demolition. Despite the on

Why details of Abacha’s loot is being delayed- World Bank

Late Sani Abacha The Wiorld Bank has again asked for more time to release details on the spending of recovered loot by late General Sani Abacha. This followed the bank’s decision to refer “portion of appeal by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to the Bank Archives Unit for processing for public access.” In a letter dated 8 August, 2016 and sent to SERAP, the World Bank said, “In response to your request under AI4288, we would like to inform you that we are working on your request as referred to the Archives by the Access to Information Committee in its decision on the appeal and need additional time to provide a more comprehensive response. We regret any inconvenience for this delay.” This development was disclosed on Tuesday in a statement by SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni. The World Bank’s request for more time followed the appeal SERAP lodged with the Bank on 5 February, 2016 on the ground that the Bank’s decision on its initial request di

Manchester United re-sign Pogba for world-record £89m

Paul Pogba Paul Pogba said “the time is right to go back to Old Trafford” after completing his world-record £89m transfer to Manchester United. The 23-year-old midfielder returns after four years away, having left United for Juventus for £1.5m in 2012. Pogba, who signed a five-year deal, added: “This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to.” Manager Jose Mourinho said the France international could be “the heart of the club” for the next decade. United will pay the Italian champions 105m euros for Pogba, plus 5m euros (£4.5m) in performance-related bonuses and other costs, including 5m euros if Pogba signs a new contract. It surpasses the £85m that Real Madrid paid Tottenham for Wales forward Gareth Bale in 2013. The announcement was made by United just after 00:30 BST on Tuesday, with a glossy video showing the player – with a red devil marked into his hair – emerging from the shadows. It was followed by a series of sponsor videos, including one with English

Inter Milan: Frank de Boer officially announced as club's new manager, one day after Roberto Mancini's departure (ESPN)

Inter Milan: Frank de Boer officially announced as club's new manager, one day after Roberto Mancini's departure (ESPN)

Paul Pogba rejoins Man Utd for world-record £89m

Paul Pogba unveiled at Manchester United Paul Pogba said “the time is right to go back to Old Trafford” after completing his world-record £89m transfer to Manchester United. The 23-year-old midfielder returns after four years away, having left United for Juventus for £1.5m in 2012. Pogba, who signed a five-year deal, added: “This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to.” Manager Jose Mourinho said the France international could be “the heart of the club” for the next decade. United will pay the Italian champions 105m euros for Pogba, plus 5m euros (£4.5m) in performance-related bonuses and other costs. It surpasses Wales forward Gareth Bale’s £85m move to Real Madrid from Spurs in 2013 as the biggest transfer deal in history. The announcement was made just after 00:30 BST, with a glossy video showing the player – with a red devil marked into his hair – emerging from the shadows. It was followed by a series of sponsor videos, including one with English rapper

Viral: SNL: Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah surprise departures ahead of season 42

Viral on EW.com SNL: Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah surprise departures ahead of season 42 Two big names won’t be returning for Saturday Night Live season 42. Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah are departing the long-running NBC sketch comedy... Published on August 9, 2016 at 04:16AM Shared at 2.06K shares/hour Read more: http://ift.tt/2aNGung

Wild celebration as hosts Brazil win first Rio gold

Brazil flag Brazil won their first gold medal of the Rio Olympics as Rafaela Silva triumphed in the women’s 57kg judo. Silva defeated world number one Sumiya Dorjsuren of Mongolia by Waza-ari to delight a partisan crowd at Carioca 2. The gold medal marks a fairytale rise to Olympic triumph from a childhood in Rio’s notorious ‘City of God’ favela for Silva. She qualified for London 2012 Games but was disqualified in the early rounds for a rule violation. London champion Kaori Matsumoto of Japan took bronze alongside five-time European champion Telma Monteiro of Portugal.

Trump fires back against national security letter

Donald Trump Donald Trump on Monday lashed out at 50 top Republican national security officials for criticizing his presidential campaign. “The names on this letter are the ones the American people should look to for answers on why the world is a mess, and we thank them for coming forward so everyone in this country knows who deserves the blame for making the world such a dangerous place,” he said in a statement. “They are nothing more than the failed Washington elite looking to hold onto their power, and it’s time they are held accountable for their actions.” Trump said the coalition dismissing his national security positions are many of the same voices guiding Hillary Clinton’s poor foreign policies. “These insiders – along with Hillary Clinton – are the owners of the disastrous decisions to invade Iraq, allow Americans to die in Benghazi, and they are the ones who allowed the rise of [the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria],” the GOP’s presidential nominee said. “Yet despite the

Table Tennis: Quadri makes history, zooms into Q/Finals

Aruna Quari Nigeria’s only medal hope in the men’s singles of the table tennis event here at the Rio Olympics, Aruna Quadri, continued his fairytale run as he qualified for the quarter-finals after defeating Timo Boll from Germany 4-2 on Monday. Quadri has thus become the first African to reach the men’s singles quarter-final in Olympic history. Quadri took the first three sets 12-10, 12-10 and 11-5 at the Riocentro-Pavilion 3 as he closed in on another big win. Recharge Card Pin: Etisalat N500 – 62111 78989 17487 (Acknowledge if you’re the lucky one. Use ‘Leave A Reply’ field. State your location) However, Boll bounced back to claim the fourth and fifth sets 11-3 and 11-5. But Quadri eventually prevailed after clinching the sixth set 11-9, to advance into the last eight. Complete Sports reports that Quadri would now meet Long Ma from China who is ranked number one by the International Table Tennis Federation on Tuesday. To get to the quarter-finals, Ma beat South Korea’s Youn

80,000 pilgrims to be transported to Saudi Arabia in 5 weeks – FAAN

Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Monday, said no fewer than 80,000 pilgrims were expected to be transported in the next five weeks for the 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. This is contained in a statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mr Yakubu Dati, in Lagos. Dati said that this year hajj operation would be carried out in 17 airports across the country. He said FAAN was providing security and safety oversight to all airports including state-owned airports participating in the exercise. A Director, Ministry of Transport, Mr Adamu Wakil was quoted as saying that the ministry would collaborate with aviation agencies to ensure that safety and security in the airports. Wakil, who is also the Chairman, Aviation Monitoring Committee, said that his team would ensure seamless passenger transportation during the period. Dati said two directors from FAAN, Mr Olufemi Ogunode and Capt Henry Omeogu, h

Farmer sells sons, 5 others for N400,000

A 49-year-old farmer, Gabriel Ajor, has been arraigned before a Lokoja Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly abducting and selling seven children, including his two sons and an eight-year-old baby, for N400,000. Ajor was alleged to have abducted and sold the children under the pretext of sending them to schools in Owerri and United States of America, USA. On arraignment at the Lokoja Chief Magistrate’s Court II on Monday, the accused was said to have tricked one Kenneth Omale and John Attah, parents of five of the children, into believing he meant well. According to the prosecuting police officer, ASP Cornet Ayabatu, the accused, who is from Nwajala in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, between March and June, criminally conspired with others now at large to commit the offence. Vanguard reports that Ayabatu said that the matter was reported on July 8 by Kenneth Omale of Nwajala at the police area command office, Idah and Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department,

Youths kidnap lawyer in Makurdi

Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, new President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Benue has appealed to security agencies to redouble their efforts to secure the release of its kidnapped member, Mr Terfa Jirgba. Chairman of the association, Mr Emmanuel Agbakor, told journalists in Makurdi on Monday that Jirgba was kidnapped in the early hours of Monday by armed youths in his house on Badagry Street in Makurdi. Agbakor said the youths, numbering over 20, stormed his residence in six Toyota Hilux pick up vehicles to kidnap the lawyer with two of his relatives. The NBA chief said neither the association nor family members of the kidnapped lawyer had been contacted by the kidnappers. He said the matter had been reported to the police. However, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Moses Yanmu, said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.

50 Republican security experts rail against Trump

Donald Trump, official Republican Presidential nominee An open letter signed by 50 Republican national security experts has warned that party nominee Donald Trump “would be the most reckless president” in US history. The group – which includes the former CIA director, Michael Hayden – said Mr Trump “lacks the character, values and experience” to be president. Many of the signatories had declined to sign a similar note in March. “None of us will vote for Donald Trump,” the letter states. The letter comes after a number of high-profile Republicans stepped forward to disown Mr Trump. Mr Trump has broken with years of Republican foreign policy on a number of occasions. The candidate has questioned whether the US should honour its commitments to Nato, endorsed the use of torture and suggested that South Korea and Japan should arm themselves with nuclear weapons. “He weakens US moral authority as the leader of the free world,” the letter read. “He appears to lack basic knowledge ab