Global Naija Info

Soldiers involved in ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ Four soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Delta Safe, ODS, who are currently carrying out an operation codenamed ‘Crocodile Smile’, to rid the Niger Delta of criminalities, were on Monday feared dead in the creeks of Bayelsa State. The loss of the security personnel, it was learnt, followed a boat mishap along the Brass Water Front in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa, which led to the troops drowning in the water which was said to have risen to a high level at the time. All the weapons in the possession of the troops at the time of the accident, including service rifles, were also said to be missing. It wasn’t clear why the boat capsized, but it was gathered that during the accident, which occurred about 10am on Monday, many other soldiers were able to swim to safety, though their weapons could not be recovered at the time of this report. No military officer was willing to comment on the matter, but it wa

Senate President, Bukola Saraki The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, says that increasing fuel pump price beyond 145 Naira will translate to more hardship on Nigerians. Abdullahi stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, while reacting to the recommendations by former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The former GMDs had claimed that the current fuel price cap of N145 per litre of petrol was not in line with current economic realities and called for upward review of the price. Abdullahi advised the Federal Government to ignore the recommendation, saying that it would not augur well for Nigerians who were already groaning under the yoke of hardship. “Let me say that this is my personal opinion; I am not making this submission as spokesman of the senate. “I read the newspaper report and I was disturbed, worried and I think for all intents and purposes, I’m very much disappointed. “F

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan The Oke-Oluokun, Ibadan, home of late Chief Adegoke Adelabu is to be officially enlisted as one of the tourist sites in Oyo State. This was revealed during the memorial programme tagged “58 years after 1958” and public presentation of the newly rehabilitated home (TAJ MAHAL) in honour of the late minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to a statement signed by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun, who represented Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the event, the government explained that the development was in recognition, remembrance and celebration of the eloquent and flowery politician’s enviable academic records, exceptional writing skills, oratorical prowess and contributions to the Nigerian political landscape especially as the pioneer of grassroots politics in the then Western Nigeria during his short lifetime. The government commended the efforts of the Adegoke Adel

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman Jethro Ibileke/Benin The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its readiness to conduct the gubernatorial election in Edo state, scheduled for Saturday. A special adviser to the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mohammad Kuna, stated this on Monday in Benin, the State capital, at a stakeholders meeting on public presentation of the security threat assessment for the election, organised by CLEEN foundation in Benin city. Kuna said the Commission has been well equipped in terms of human and capital resources to carry out the exercise, urging that all stakeholders must be up and doing to ensure a violent free polls. “It is however important that the people must own the process of electoral system. It has been observed that whatever the modalities INEC has put on ground to conduct a credible poll, the people must ensure that they behave in a civil manner to help democracy grow in the country,” he said. In his presentation, Prof.

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, acting Inspector General of Police Jethro Ibileke/Benin The immediate past Commissioner for Police in Edo State, Mr. Chris Ezike, has assured the people of the state of adequate security of lives and properties during next Saturday gubernatorial election. Ezike gave the assurance in Benin while handing over to his successor, Mr. Fimihan Adeoye. According to the outgone CP, elections in some parts of the country have been inconclusive because of security challenges. He therefore urged the new Commissioner of Police and the Edo Police Command to implement the laid down security arrangement for the success of the gubernatorial election, just as he also urged officers and men of the State Police Command to remain professional and police with integrity. “For the election, Nigerians are looking up to Edo State to lead so that others will follow. You either remain a professional or a police politician,” Ezike told officers of the command. He said he was leaving E

Activists marking the 7th anniversary of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi Some Activists on Monday said they had resolved to mobilise the people to begin a political movement that would take away the sufferings of the common man and the poor in Nigeria from Oct. 1. The activists made the decision at a rally to mark the 7th year anniversary of Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi at the Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos. The rally was jointly organised by the National Conscience Party (NCP) and a section of the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG). The late human rights lawyer, popularly called “Gani’’, died at 71 on Sept. 5, 2009, after a prolonged battle with lung cancer. During his lifetime, the highly vocal lawyer, who rose to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stood on the side of the masses and condemned bad government policies, leading to his arrest and detention on numerous occasions. He also delved into politics and founded the National Conscience Party. The Secretary of

Nigeria’s currency, the naira The Naira on Monday appreciated marginally at the interbank market, gaining N0.57 against the dollar. The Nigerian currency closed at N314.20 from N314.77 it traded at the interbank market on Friday. The Naira, however, dipped three points to N425 at the parallel market, from its Friday rate of N422 against the dollar. Also at the parallel market, it traded at N537 and N465 against the Pound Sterling and the Euro respectively. At the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market, the naira exchanged at N422, N535 and N464 to the dollar, Pound Sterling and the Euro respectively. Traders at the market said that the scarcity of forex was responsible for the poor performance of the naira.

Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Governor of Abia State, The Police Command in Abia said it had arrested 16 suspected kidnappers and some suspected armed robbery alleged to have been terrorising residents of the state. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Leye Oyebade, made this known at a news briefing at the command’s headquarters in Umuahia on Monday. He vowed that the command would deal decisively with criminal acts in the state and warned criminals to engage in legitimate business or leave the state. The commissioner alleged that the suspected kidnappers abducted two relatives on Friday in Aba, while the victims were returning from a pharmaceutical shop. He said that the suspects took the victims to their hideout in Uratta, from where they demanded N2 million as ransom. He said that the police immediately trailed the suspects to their hideout where they rescued the victims and arrested two of the suspects while others escaped. Narrating their experience, one of the victims told n

Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu on Monday refuted media reports of possible increase in the prices of petroleum products in the country. Supported by the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alhaji Maikanti Baru, after a closed-door with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, Kachikwu described the reports as untrue. Pressed on the issue by State House correspondents, he asked, “have you seen any memo to that effect?’’ On his part, Baru said that NNPC has no plan to increase the pump price of petroleum products, stressing that “there is nothing like that.’’ The GMD, however, directed the correspondents to go to the Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA‎) for further clarification on the issue. Oil marketers had indicated intention to increase prices of the products, citing continued scarcity of foreign exchange to finance importation of the product

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt A detained loyalist of former Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State, Mr. Jonah Okah, has accused Governor Seriake Dickson of being behind his ordeal. Okah made the allegation in a press statement he smuggled out from his prison cell in Yenagoa on Monday. Okah who is a civil servant in the state was arrested in Yenagoa on August 31 by the police and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department for allegedly defaming the Government House accountant, Mr. Richard Etonye, in a Facebook post. The post involved an alleged conversation between Okah, a former aide to Sylva, and Etonye regarding a purported missing $4.6 million said to belong to Dickson. The Dickson administration has imputed political motives to Okah’s Facebook post on the alleged missing money in several press statements. And many believe that it was the governor who ordered Okah’s arrest. The Commissioner for Information and Orientati

L-R: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari Mr Anselm Ojezua, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, said President Muhammadu Buhari would lead the party members to Benin on Tuesday for the governorship campaigns finale. Ojezua disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Benin on Monday and said that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and all APC governors would be at the event. He said that the rally would take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. The governorship poll in the state will hold on Saturday. Ojezua said that the National Campaign Council for the election headed by Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State was already in Benin to prepare grounds for the rally. He said that all arrangements had been concluded to ensure that the event was hitch-free. “All logistics to ensure free movement of the visitors and party supporters across the state have also been perfected. “Anytime APC is holding rally, there is always mass mobilisation. ”On

FILE PHOTO: Nigerian oil workers The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged the Federal Government to give adequate protection to oil workers returning from the field to prevent being kidnapped. The President of NUPENG, Mr Igwe Achese, made the plea on Monday in Lagos. He condemned the kidnapping of 14 oil workers of Nestoil returning from Egbema-Ohaji field to Port Harcourt, Rivers, by yet-to-be identified kidnappers. Achese expressed shock at the act and called on security agencies to spread their dragnet to rescue them unhurt. “The kidnap is one too many as all hands must be on deck to protect the lives of oil workers, especially those working in installations. “We are, therefore, worried about the attack which has made oil workers endangered species, the NUPENG boss said. Achese said that the recent kidnapping of the workers would further scare foreign investors that would want to bring in the needed foreign capital and expertise to expand on

Rafael Nadal Young Frenchman Lucas Pouille scored a stunning, five-set upset over 14-times Grand Slam singles champion Rafa Nadal, winning a climactic tiebreak 8-6 to reach the U.S. Open quarter-finals. Displaying poise beyond his years, the 22-year-old Pouille took charge early and led two sets to one, then rebounded after sagging in the fourth set. The Frenchman went on to win 6-1 2-6 6-4 3-6 7-6(6) in a four-hour struggle against the fourth seed. Playing his third consecutive five-set match on Sunday, the 24th seed Pouille showed that his quarter-final advance earlier this season at Wimbledon was no fluke. “It’s my first match on the centre court, against Rafa,” Pouille who is still looking for his first ATP Tour title, said in an on-court interview. NAN reports that this was after he had dropped flat on his back in celebration after his forehand winner ended the marathon on his fourth match point. “I couldn’t dream better than this.’’ The see-saw battle carried all the way

The suspect Kazeem Ugbodaga The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Tanko Abdulateef, a 22-year old house guard who allegedly killed his employer, Mrs Mabel Mba Okafor in Ajah area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria last month. The suspect was alleged to have killed her boss in Ajah on 17 August, 2016. The suspect, who was arrested from his hiding in Bali, Taraba State, was said to have stabbed the victim in the stomach and left her stomach ripped open. It was also gathered that the suspect took away valuable items from the victim including three phones, trinket and a lot of clothes, all of which were recovered from him. When contacted, Public Relation Officer of the State Command of the Nigerian Police, Dolapo Badmos confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspect would be charged to court after conclusion of investigation. Giving a background of the crime, Badmos said: “On August 17, 2016, there was a murder case of one Mrs Mabel Mba Okafor aged 50 of No J68B, Close 9, Victori

Anofiu Elegushi Kazeem Ugbodaga The Lagos State Government has unveiled another multiple lay-by at Car Wash bus stop, Iyana-Oworonshoki area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria to decongest traffic in the axis. The new lay-by will ensure free-flow of traffic from Ogudu inward Third Mainland Bridge and to the Island while the usual traffic gridlock in the area would be mitigated. Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi unveiled the new lay-by on Monday, warning drivers’ unions not to abuse the facility. He described the construction of lay-by in the traffic-prone areas as ‎strategic approach of the current administration to solving the recurring traffic gridlock in the state, especially along the Third Mainland Bridge axis. Elegushi said that the Ambode-led administration remained committed to driving the state’s economy through efficient transportation, saying ‎that it would continue to improve on infrastructure that would ease transportation for reside

One of the explosions-AFP At least 40 people have been killed in bombings in mainly government-held areas of Syria, state media report. Four attacks took place within an hour of each other in Tartous, Homs and in a western suburb of Damascus, with one in Hassakeh, dominated by Kurdish forces. The deadliest incident was outside Tartous, home to a Russian naval base and in the heartland of President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite sect. The Islamic State (IS) group said it was behind the attacks. The group made the claim in a statement carried by its affiliated news agency, Amaq. The attacks took place between 08:00 and 09:00 (05:00-06:00 GMT) on Monday. Syria’s official Sana news agency reported that 30 civilians had been killed and 45 others injured in the Tartous countryside. First, a car bomb was detonated on the Arzoneh motorway bridge, a local police source told Sana. Then, as a crowd gathered at the scene to help the wounded, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive belt, the

US President Barack Obama (left) and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte US President Barack Obama (left) and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (AFP Photo/Saul Loeb, Manman Dejeto) President Rodrigo Duterte called Barack Obama a “son of a whore” on Monday as he vowed not to be lectured by the US leader on human rights when they meet in Laos. The acid-tongued Duterte bristled at warnings he would face questioning by the US president over a war against drug crime in the Philippines that has claimed more than 2,400 lives in just over two months. “You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum,” Duterte told a news conference shortly before flying to Laos to attend a summit. “We will be wallowing in the mud like pigs if you do that to me.” Duterte was due to hold a bilateral meeting with Obama on Tuesday afternoon on the sidelines of a gathering of global leaders hosted by the Association of Southeast As

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State Mrs Ladi Iliya, the Deputy National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), says Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State is free to return to Labour Party. Iliya made the offer in an interview in Akure on Monday. Mimiko was elected Ondo State governor under the platform of the Labour Party in 2007 and 2012, but defected to Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) on Oct. 3, 2014. Iliya, who did not say whether Mimiko had shown interest to return to Labour Party, described the governor as a “politician of repute.’’ “The governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and his followers are free to come back to Labour Party. “Gov. Mimiko is a person to be reckoned with politically and he is free today if he decides to come back to Labour Party. “Nobody will stop him because he has contributed his quota to the party and he has worked in Ondo State as governor under the Labour Party. “Whether we like it or not, when we write the history of Ondo State and the perform

President Muhammadu Buhari The United Nations in its recent report on Nigeria says the nation’s economy is in shamble. The report read during a consultative meeting on the formulation of the UN Development Assistance Framework IV for the South-East zone, in Awka, Anambra State painted a gory picture of the nation’s economy as development and social indices in the country were at the lowest ebb. According to the report, the nation had been prised along ethnic, religious and regional lines. The report also lamented decades of marginalization which were being expressed by different groups in the nation and were neglected. The UN also projected that the nation’s population would hit 200 million by 2019 and 400 million by 2050, making it the top five most populous countries in the world then. Sadly, the nation is regarded as one of the poorest in the world with over 80 million of its inhabitant living below the poverty line.

Afghan security guards at the scene of the twin bombings At least 24 people are dead after two bombs exploded Monday near the Afghan Ministry of Defense in Kabul, a hospital official said. Another 11 people were injured in the blasts, said Saleem Rasooli, head of Kabul hospitals. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahed tweeted that the group carried out the attack. In recent months, a rash of kidnappings and Taliban bombings have heightened security fears in Kabul, the Afghan capital. American and other diplomats were barred from traveling the short distance from the city’s international airport to their diplomatic missions by road. Instead, they’ve been ferried by helicopter. Many countries, including the United States and UK, have had longstanding travel advisories against all but essential travel to Afghanistan because of the security situation.

The gavel of justice A Jos Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday sentenced a truck driver, Sani Abubakar, to 40 months imprisonment for driving recklessly and causing soldier’s death. The Chief Magistrate, Mr Jovita Binjin, sentenced 40-year-old Abubakar, after he pleaded guilty to the crimes but pleaded for leniency. “I hereby sentence you to 32 months imprisonment for the offence of reckless driving or an option of N28, 000 fine, and eight months imprisonment for the offence of causing death or an option of N8, 000 fine,’’ Binjin said. Abubakar, a resident of Tudun Alaranma, Madawaki Ward, Doma L.G.A. of Nasarawa, was charged with reckless driving and causing death. The driver had told the court: “I did not do it intentionally; my brakes failed me while I was approaching a very busy road. “I tried to control the car and avoid oncoming traffic but couldn’t. Have mercy on me.’’ Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Thomas Amuku, submitted that the driver was arrested on June 29 over reckl

Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker The Lagos State Government (LASG) has advised operators of hotels, hospitality centres and other recreational facilities to register them or face sanction. The state Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, who gave the advice, said the registration would afford the state government to monitor activities at such places. The ministry’s spokesman, Mr Ganiyu Lawal, disclosed that hotels and facilities centres must comply before the end of the year or face sanctions. He said the registration was part of the ministry`s efforts to upgrade the present standards of hotels and hospitality groups in the state to an internationally acceptable standard. He said the exercise would also serve as security-assurance for tourists and users that might want to lodge in them. The spokesman said that the ministry would invoke the Hotel Licensing Law of Lagos State to ensure that all hotel operators and hospitality groups complied. “A n

Minister of Youths and Sports Solomon Dalung in a photograph with the Nigerian contigent to the Rio Paralympic Olympic The Nigeria’s contingent to the 2016 Paralympic Games has arrived in Rio, Brazil. The 35 member contingent departed Abuja on Sept.1 A statement issued by Nneka Anibeze, Special Assistant, Media, to Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports, said that the team promised to win medals for the country. Twenty-three athletes will represent Nigeria in the games. Six of the athletes will feature in Para- Athletes, 14 in Para-Powerlifiting, while three will take part in Para-Table tennis. Twelve officials, including coaches, medical personnel, helpers, loaders and team administrators, accompanied the team. Anibeze said that the minister had urged the team before its departure, to compete fairly and be of good behaviour at the games. “I bring you warm greetings from the father of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari. “Mr President sends his goodwill and encourage

PDP logo Internal squabbles have stalled the swearing-in of new ward officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaura Local Government, Kaduna State. The officials were to be inaugurated this Monday in Kagoro, but the event was postponed indefinitely. Mr Donatus Shemang, Chairman of the party in the state told members who had converged for the event, that the postponement was inevitable to guard against any breach of the peace. He said supporters of some candidates in Kaura and Bondong wards had threatened to disrupt the event, should it hold. The chairman appealed to all PDP members in the area to accept the postponement in good faith, assuring that the leadership of the party would reconcile the aggrieved groups. In a remark, the State Assistant Secretary, Mr Samson Sheyin, who represented the State Chairman of the party, Mr Felix Hassan Hyet, advised the members to reconcile, saying that the party will not be built on factions. He said it was important to unite so as

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, has urged Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra to sack non performing aides, if he wants to retain his seat in 2017. Ezeonwuka gave the advice in an interview in Awka on Monday. According to him, most of the commissioners and other aides appointed by the governor lack the vision and creativity to generate ideas to compliment the governor’s hard work. “Things are going wrong in the state; the sycophants are not telling you the truth, they manufacture lies to please what you want to hear, that things are working. “Ask your commissioners and other aides to submit to you the blueprint of what they have achieved since their appointments to justify their salaries. “I advise that you sack them and inject goal-getters into your administration, so that we shall win the election again. “I am more on the ground in the state to tell you the truth and nothing but the truth,” he

Plenty rams but no buyers Ram sellers in Kaduna on Monday expressed regrets about the low sale they had recorded, barely a week to the Eid-el-Kabir festival. Many ram selling points which include Zango, Bachama road and Rigasa markets in Kaduna metropolis saw the presence of many rams that remain unsold for days. Alhaji Rabo Mohammad, who sells his rams at Bachama Road market, said that the ram sellers had never had it so bad. Mohammad, who came from Sokoto with rams, said he sold only five out of the 50 rams he brought to Kaduna two weeks ago. “The economic situation has contributed to the low patronage and is affecting even our pockets. “There is still hope, as the festival is one week from now, we pray to make some sales before then. “Returning the animals to Sokoto will be a great loss to me because of the expenses involved, “ he said. Mohammad said prices of the animals ranged from N25,000 to N120,000. Another ram dealer, Baballe Yaro, also blamed current economic recess

FirstNation Airways has promised its traveling passengers that the airline would return to normal scheduled flight operations by Sept. 15. A statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs of the airline, Mr Rasheed Yusuff stated that the carrier’s current fleet was undergoing engine maintenance for safety operations, in line with global practice in the industry. It denied reports that the company was on the verge of folding up, stressing that taking aircraft out for maintenance was not the same as winding up operations. “FirstNation is not on the verge of folding up. In reality, since the airline launched services in 2011, the airline has built a strong followership and has been rated consistently as market leader on safety and schedule integrity. “This reputation was reinforced by Firstnation’s achievement of International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, which is the airline industry global bench mark for world class safety standard in rec

A building collapsed in a Tel Aviv construction zone on Monday, injuring at least 18 people and trapping three people inside, according to police and media reports. The collapse sent a large plume of dust floating over the area. Officials were trying to determine the cause of the collapse as rescue crews and medical workers converged on the scene. The Israeli military dispatched search-and-rescue units to assist in the efforts. Lior Teherani, a fire official, told Channel 10 TV that the incident began with the collapse of a multi-level underground parking garage being built at the site. He said that brought down a crane, which then caused part of a building to collapse as well. Aerial images released by police and shown on Israeli TV showed a large, crater-like hole in the ground. Mada, the national rescue service, reported 18 people injured, one in serious condition with head injuries. Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said contact had been made with two people trapped inside. She sai

Governor Adams Oshiomhole flanked by Mr Godwin Obaseki, Governorship candidate of the All progressives Congress (APC) (right) and Hon Philip Shaibu, his running mate (left) at a rally of the APC for the forthcoming Governorship election in the state, at Ramat Park, Benin City, Thursday. As a mark of appreciation to the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for his intervention in reclaiming the gully erosion-ravaged areas of Ogbeson community, the leadership of the community has promised to massively vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Godwin Obaseki in the governorship election in the state, this Saturday. The Community which presented an award of commendation to Governor Adams Oshiomhole and endorsed the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki as their candidate for the September 10, governorship election in Edo State said they will support the Governor as they will never forget how he saved them from consumed by the gully erosion

Robert Morin A librarian who quietly saved a $4 million fortune, passed away and left his entire estate to the university where he worked for nearly 50 years. Robert Morin, who graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1963 and worked as a cataloguer in Dimond Library, was known to live simply and he loved books, according to the school’s website. In fact, he was such a lover of the bounded written word that he read every book published in the U.S. between 1930 and 1940 in chronological order with some exceptions. The school estimates that by the time he died last year at the age of 77, he had read 1,938 books. The university announced earlier this week that Morin left his entire fortune to the school, earmarking $100,000 to the library in which he worked. The school’s website said the money will be used to “provide scholarships for work-study students, support staff members who continue their studies in library science and fund the renovation of one of the library’s mult

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats fell to third place in a state election on Sunday behind the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, TV exit polls showed. In a stinging defeat for Merkel one year ahead of parliamentary elections, the upstart AfD won 21 percent of the vote in their first election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state by campaigning hard against the chancellor’s policies on refugees, according to an exit poll by the ARD TV network. The SPD, which has ruled the rural state on the Baltic coast with the CDU as junior coalition partners since 2006, won 30.5 percent of the vote, down from 35.6 percent in the last election in 2011. The CDU won 19 percent, down from 23 percent in 2011, and its worst result ever in the state, the broadcaster said. The far-left Left Party won 12.5 percent, down from 18.4 percent five years ago, while the pro-environment Greens won

Major_General Leo Irabor, Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole A Brigade Commander is among 16 officers and troops being court martialed for selling arms to Boko Haram terrorists. He is facing a secret trial in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State over what happened to 21 anti-aircraft guns assigned this year to his artillery brigade. The brigade commander, not yet identified, claimed before his arrest that he only received one gun, the Associated Press reported. Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, the theatre commander in northeastern Nigeria, told a news conference last week that military authorities have confirmed that some soldiers were selling arms and ammunition to Boko Haram. He called it a betrayal of the Nigerian people. He gave no more details. The admission comes three weeks after the Nigerian army said a military tribunal is trying 16 officers and troops accused of offences related to the fight against Boko Haram, including the theft and sale of ammunition. President Muhammadu Buhar

The Late Prophetess Abiara Prophet Samuel Abiara, the General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, has lost his wife, Prophetess Christiana Aduke Abiara. Prophetess Abiara died on Saturday, according to a statement released by Mrs Eniola, a media aide of Chief Abiara. The statement read: ”This is to announce the passing unto glory of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, Prophetess Christiana Aduke Abiara (Mama Agbala Itura Worldwide), and wife of the General Evangelist of C.A.C World Wide, Prophet S.K. Abiara. She passed away on Saturday by 9:00pm at the age of 70 years. Funeral arrangement will be announced later.”

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture Photo: Femi Ipaye/PM News The Federal Government has described as sadly out of tune with reality the published letter from US Congressman Tom Marino to Secretary of State John Kerry, asking the US to withhold security assistance to Nigeria on the strength of some imaginary infraction by the Buhari Administration. In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said Congressman Marino was poorly informed about the issues he commented on, wondering why he did not take the pains to get first hand information from the US Embassy in Nigeria or any other credible source before engaging in what is nothing but a ‘propaganda of his own imagination’. The Minister said by asking the US to refrain from selling warplanes and other military equipment to Nigeria based on a faulty premise, the Congressman has demonstrated a poor understanding of global security issues. ”Insecurity anywhere i