Monday, 16 January 2017
Kidnappers Of Nigerian-Turkish College Students And Teachers Demand N1.2b Ransom
The abductors of students and employees of the Nigerian Turlish
International College (NTIC) Isheri, Ogun State, are demanding the sum
of N1.2 billion ransom for the victims to be released.
The gunmen invaded the school last Friday night and abducted eight
people, including two Junior Secondary School (JSS) students, one Senior
Secondary School (SSS) students, two Turkish employees and three
Nigerian workers.
They reportedly dug through the school fence and entered through the
back door. The victims were taken away in a white Toyota Hilux vehicle.
According to detectives, the kidnappers placed a N300 million ransom on
each of the Turkish nationals and N100 million on each of the six other
victims. Father to one of the kidnapped female students confirmed he has
been contacted by the kidnappers but pleaded that his name and family
should be protected, considering the delicate nature of the case.
He further disclosed that the kidnappers used the victim's mobile phones
to call their relatives for the ransom. The Public Relations Officer,
Ogun Police command, Abimbola Oyeyemi said police were on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government has assured parents and relatives
of the victims of prompt action to ensure their safe and immediate
release.
"I want to assure our people that they should keep calm, they will be rescued within a short time," said the Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, who visited the school at the weekend. "I know how the feel right now. The government will not neglect them to their fate" she added
Businessman Charged With N1m Fraud Suit
A 42-year-old businessman, who allegedly duped one Mr. Christopher Utulu of N1 million by falsely presenting himself as a lawyer, was on Monday in Lagos granted N400,000 bail.
Daniel Esogban, a resident of Alagbado area of Lagos, pleaded not guilty plea to a four-count charge of stealing, impersonation, forgery and obtaining by false pretences.
Magistrate Y.R. Pinheiro, who granted the accused bail at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, asked him to produce two sureties who must be gainfully employed.
He said that the sureties should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The prosecutor, Insp. Matthew Akhaluode told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in November 2016, at Meiran area of Ikeja.
Akhaluode alleged that the accused, pretending to be a lawyer, obtained N1 million from the complainant with a promise to stand as a solicitor for one Biba Utulu awaiting trial in Dubai.
He said that Esogban, who had no intention to travel to Dubai to stand as a solicitor for the complainant’s son, converted the money to his personal use.
The prosecutor said the accused also forged identity cards, written land documents and lawyer bib, to present himself as a real lawyer.
“Utulu said that when he did not get any feedback from the accused, he decided to confront him and ask for a refund.
“The complainant said that when Esogban started making up excuses for not paying the money, he decided to take the matter to the police station.
“Utulu said the accused was arrested and taken to the police station for further questioning,” Akhaluode said.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 285, 312, 363 and 378 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused risks a 15-year jail term if convicted.
The magistrate adjourned the case to Feb. 16 for mention.
BBOG Joins Search For Missing Girls In Sambisa
The group reviewed the conditions it earlier gave to the government to travel with the team heading for the North East to witness first-hand the military’s ongoing search for the girls.
The BBOG delegation included the convener of the group, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, the spokesperson of the Chibok community, Dr Manasseh Allen, Aisha Yusuf and Ibrahim Usman.
It will be recalled that following the invitation extended to the group by government to participate in the search mission the BBOG had given certain conditions before its members would join.
Specifically, the group requested a Pre-Tour Meeting with government officials and a retraction of some remarks allegedly made by the Chief of Army Staff, which it found to be slanderous.
The government in a letter signed by the Minister of Information ad Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had rejected the conditions given by the group and insisted that the team would proceed on the trip as scheduled.
Following the position of government, the BBOG reviewed the conditions and indicated acceptance to participate in the exercise.
In a letter to the Minister on Sunday night, the group asked government to “quickly provide us more details of the tour duration and detailed logistics including the names of the local and
international media on the delegation.
” We need this information to enable us send you a more substantial letter conveying our acceptance to join the Guided Tour”.
The Minister responded to the request by giving details of the trip and other requests by the group.
PM News
VVF Centre Cures 175 Patients In Kebbi
Dakingari told on Monday in Birnin Kebbi said that the treatment was 90 percent successful and that most patients were affected following prolonged labour.
He, however, said some others became affected after genital mutilation.
He added that the center offered treatment freely to patients from within and outside the country, stressing that “we have patients from Benin and Niger Republics, as well as some states in the country.
“We have the best VVF treatment center in the country; we offer free drugs and feeding to patients.
The medical director said many women affected by the condition were from remote villages that lacked roads and functional healthcare facilities.
He, however, noted that the center had done series of awareness to educate the people about the ailment, especially among teenage girls giving birth for the first time.
“We embarked on community mobilization awareness; the awareness included religious and traditional leaders.
“It has greatly helped in reducing new cases in the both the urban and rural communities.”
He said the center was supported by USAID and Non-governmental Organisations (NGO).
“We received hospital equipment, theatre beds, surgical tools, family planning items and examination lamps from USAID as donation.
The surgeon said the center had assisted in the delivery of 37 women who were treated for fistula ailment.
“Because of the nature of their condition after undergoing treatment, we instruct them to come when their expected date of delivery is due in order to assist them to have a smooth delivery,” he said.
He then urged well-to-do individuals, stakeholders and philanthropists to provide additional support to the centre.
Bukky Wright And Others Urge Government To Resuscitate Moribund Textile Industries
Some stakeholders in the entertainment and creative industry on Sunday advised the Federal Government to resuscitate the moribund textile industries across the country so that they could produce and promote high grade and high-quality made-in-Nigeria fabrics.
Popular Nollywood actress Buky Wright, Mrs Yeside Laguda, Mr Bayo Balogun and an ex-lawmaker, Mr Bashiru Bolarinwa, gave the advice on Sunday in Lagos.
Such fabrics would be able to compete favourably with their peers internationally, they also said.
Speaking in separate interviews during the official launch of Fashion and Life Style Store in Lagos, they said that the Federal Government should resuscitate the moribund textile industries across the country, it would also boost the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
They said that with the existence of the textile industries functioning, many jobless Nigerians would also secure employment opportunities.
Mrs Yeside Laguda, the Creative Director, MyQ Life Style Concepts, said that African fashion was trending alongside their foreign counterparts.
Laguda, also the owner of the fashion store, said that there was nothing that the western designers could do with their fabrics that African designers cannot do with theirs also.
“Our local designers are improving day-by-day and are meeting up with western standards.
“I do not think there is any reason for people to still be overwhelmed by foreign designers.
“What the local designers are doing with Africa fabrics are mind blowing,’’ she said.
Laguda said that the fashion industry was capable of generating huge employment opportunities for people, boost revenue and improve the nation Gross Domestic Products (GDP) if well developed.
She added that the Nigeria fashions had continued to get gain global recognitions and acceptance.
“There is nowhere in the world that you will wear Nigerian fabrics to that you will not be respected and also be identified as Nigerians.
“The Nollywood practitioners are really trying in terms of promoting Made-in-Nigeria fabrics and designs in their movies which have made foreigners to be conversant with our native fabrics and styles,” she said.
She urged the Federal Government to provide the necessary infrastructure and incentives to support the development of the industry.
Laguda also advised the Federal Government to resuscitate the now dead textile industries across the country.
They will be the ones to fully promote made-in-Nigeria fabrics through their products when fully back into operations, she said.
Also, they would provide job opportunities to several of our teeming unemployed youths, she said.
Also, Mr Bayo Balogun, the Commissioner, Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, speaking on made-in-Nigeria fabrics, said that he was an ambassador of made-in-Nigeria goods.
He said that all his household items were made-in-Nigeria products including his clothing.
“The Nigerian fashion industry is improving day-by-day, the materials are of high quality and last for a long period of time.
“People who are saying products made in Nigeria are substandard patronise substandard products but the ones that patronise quality products will have value for their money, ” he said.
He urged Nigerians to support and patronise made-in-Nigeria fashion designs and products.
Also, veteran actress Bukky Wright said that the Nollywood practitioners have been playing their roles in promoting the country fashion designs.
“I used to wear, showcase and flaunt Nigerian attires, designs in all my movies; the idea is to promote the country’s fashion industry.
“Each time I travelled abroad to show a movie, foreigners were always thrilled by African designs I wore, “she said.
Wright urged the government to create an enabling environment for the industry to thrive.
Earlier, Mr Bashiru Bolarinwa, a former Lagos State House of Assembly member, urged the Federal Government to restore the moribund fabrics and textile industry.
He said that insufficient and lack of textile companies was responsible for low production and substandard fabrics.
“Nigeria should have been mass-producing for the neighbouring countries by now but the lack of textile and other productions companies are responsible for the inadequacy, ” he said.
Bolarinwa appealed to the government to provide the necessary infrastructure to boost the production capacity of the industry.
PM News
Senior Civil Servant Commits Suicide In Ekiti Because Of Unpaid Salaries
Afolayan, a native of Oye- Ekiti, the headquarters of Oye Local Government Area of the state, worked in the Office of the state Accountant-General.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Afolayan, a level 10 officer, who died on Thursday, was survived by a teacher wife and three children.
The source added that Afolayan was found hanging from the ceiling of his house, located on Peace Avenue, Olorunda, Ado-Ekiti.
The source said the deceased was a final year student of Law at Ekiti State University (EKSU) and an interpreter in a branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ekute area of Ado-Ekiti.
The source said Afolayan, who had been buried, did not leave any suicide note.
The source added that the deceased had consistently complained to friends about the non-payment of his accumulated salary arrears.
He was said to have attributed his inability to pay his debts and perform his financial responsibility for the upkeep of his immediate family on the non-payment of his salary.
“Although he didn’t leave any suicide note before hanging himself he had been very moody and heartbroken for a couple of weeks before the incident happened.
“He had been complaining about the debts he owed which he was unable to defray because of non-payment of the arrears of salaries.
“In fact, he was among the last batch of applicants for car loan given by government last year but his name did not come out.
“We are shocked by Afolabi’s death because nobody thought he would go to that extent, we are still mourning his death,” the source said.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP. Alberto Adeyemi confirmed the incident.
Adeyemi said that the incident was reported at New Iyin Road Police Station in Ado Ekiti.
Staunch APC Suppporter Says She Regrets Voting For The Party, Nigerians React (See Screenshot Photos)
Ifeoluwa (pictured above), a former APC supporter, took to her twitter
handle to say she regrets campaigning for APC in 2015, as things aren't
better now. Many of her followers reacted to the tweet, saying she only
regrets her decision because she already squandered the money she was
offered. The lady went on to deny the allegations, swearing that she
never collected any money.
See their reactions and her responses after
the cut.
Zimbabwean Police Have Arrested The Prophet Who Said President Mugabe Will Die This Year (Lolz)
Last week, the leader of Kariba Church in Zimbabwe, Prophet Patrick Mugadza was quoted to have said:
'I
just want to tell you something concerning the year 2017. It is a very
special year because of number seven and at the same time also, 2017
collides with 37 years by which Zanu PF has been ruling this beautiful
nation of Zimbabwe, but something is going to be happening also, which
is very critical for us to know. It was on the
26th of December 2016 when I was in prayer and God said to me this
coming year 2017 the President is dying and he told me that he is dying
on 17th of October.’
According
to Zim Eye, the controversial prophet was arrested this morning
outside the Harare Magistrates Court where he had gone for his routine
remand hearing.
He’s being accused of undermining the authority of the president.
See Graphic Photos From The University Of Maiduguri Mosque Bomb Blast
The bomb blast which took place this morning at a mosque at the
University of Maidugri has claimed the lives of 5 people including a
University professor of Veterinary medicine, while 20 have been injured.
Exams scheduled to take place at the school has also been canceled. The
bomb blast has been attributed to a Boko Haram attack. According
Baba-Gana Ali, the bomb blast took place during fajr prayers (dawn
prayers). He said another explosion took place at gate 5 of the school,
which killed only the suicide bomber. More photos and tweets after the
cut..
Donald Trump Needs To 'Appreciate' The Intelligence Community - CIA Director John Brennan
It's no news that Donald Trump is not a fan of the media as he calls them 'dishonest', he doesn't quite trust the US Intelligence agencies either because of the leak on the dossier that he accused the CIA of releasing to the media.
The CIA chief defended his agency and said in a Sunday interview with Fox News' Chris Wallace that the CIA was not trying to harm the incoming president or his team.
"There is no interest in undermining the President-elect and the team coming in. It's our responsibility to make sure they understand exactly the dangers that are out there," Brennan said.Trump has slammed the intelligence community repeatedly over the past few weeks in response to what he said was unfair coverage caused by leaked information from intelligence officials.
The Intelligence agency had summoned Trump and informed him that the Russians said they had incriminating information about him in regards to prostitutes and desecrating the hotel which Pres Obama had stayed in before him, allegations which later turned out to be false. Trump was upset that the false news report which he only had with the CIA was leaked.
Trump said it was a disgrace that the intelligence committee would do that and compared the CIA to Nazi Germany.
However, Brennan bristled at Trump's public displays of contempt for the intelligence community and said Trump needed to understand his words could undermine national security.
"If he doesn't have confidence in the intelligence community, what signal does that send to our partners and allies, as well as our adversaries? I don't think he has a full appreciation of Russian capabilities, Russia's intentions," Brennan said.
"Now that he's going to have an opportunity to do something for our national security as opposed to talking and tweeting, he's going to have tremendous responsibility to make sure that U.S. and national security interests are protected," Brennan said on "Fox News Sunday,".
"Spontaneity is not something that protects national security interests," Brennan declared.Trump, who has unleashed a series of aggressive tweets against the U.S. intelligence community and his political rivals in recent weeks, responded aggressively on Twitter several hours later.
Tanzania's President Warns Newspapers Over Critical Articles
Speaking at a rally which held at the Northwestern town of Shinyanga, he said:
'We will not allow Tanzania to be a dump yard for inciting (newspaper) content. This will not happen under my administration.
'Whenever you read them, they are full of inciting content ... their days are numbered.' he added.However, Government officials believe he was likely referring to one English daily and another Swahili daily owned by a privately-owned media organisation.
In November 2016, the president signed into law a bill that gives officials powers to shut down media organisations that violate their licenses by confiscating printing machines.
Bomb Blast At The University Of Maiduguri Mosque
Several people have been reportedly killed and others injured, but there hasn't been any official confirmation of the casualties.
Charms Found Inside The Church Of A Pastor Accused Of Committing Adultery In Edo (Photos)
A mob in Benin City, Edo state last week destroyed the Miracle House of God Prophetic Ministry allegedly run by a Pastor who was recently accused of committing adultery. He allegedly had an affair with a married woman who came to his church for prayers.
The youths in the area destroyed the church and in the process, discovered charms, used female pants and other weird items. See more photos and a video from the scene after the cut.
Army Discovers Shallow Graves Of Boko Haram Terrorists Who Died From Gunshot Wounds (Photos)
Troops of 119 Task Force Battalion of 7 Brigade Nigerian Army on
Operation Lafiya Dole while on mop up and clearance patrol yesterday,
discovered shallow graves used to bury of Boko Haram members that
escaped with gun shot wounds and died after an encounter on 13th January
2017.
The troops also recovered a 36 Hand Grenade and one 12.7 X 108mm round of ammunition concealed by the terrorists.
See more photos below:
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