Force not solution to Boko Haram – ACF

11:45 PM News No Comments

National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum, Mr. Anthony Sani
| credits:

The Northern socio-political group, the Arewa Consultative Forum, on Thursday, told the Federal Government that force was not the solution to the Boko Haram challenge, submitting that dialogue remained the most viable option for ending activities of the violent Islamic sect.

“It is very heartening to hear President Goodluck Jonathan say the security agents have been foiling attacks by Boko Haram of recent.

“But this does not vitiate the need for dialogue as a viable option. This is because there has been a precedent in which President Umaru Yar’Adua used force and killed 700 members of the sect and their leader but Boko Haram has remained unbowed,” spokesman for the ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani, said in an interview with one of our correspondents in Kaduna.

The ACF National Publicity Secretary said the insurgence by Boko Haram could not be stopped with force.

The group’s position was in a reaction to comments by Jonathan and a ranking senator from the North-East, Buka Ibrahim.

The President had on Sunday in Abuja said that the security challenge confronting the country would soon be a thing of the past, and that plans by the Boko Haram sect to launch attacks during the Christmas period were foiled.

But Ibrahim had in an interview with journalists on Monday said that dialogue remained the best option.

“In terms of security, dialogue still remains the best. It is not the only way out, but I believe it still remains the best,” he had stated.

Commenting on the dialogue option, the ACF said the revelation that bomb attempts were allegedly foiled during the festive period did not defeat the need for dialogue.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government is to spend N24.1bn on internal security operations for the armed forces in the 2013 fiscal year. The sum exceeds the N16.4bn allocated to police formations across the country by N7.7bn.

The soldiers’ provision consists of N16.107bn earmarked as “Operations-internal for Armed Forces” and N8bn for the payment of Nigerian Army Quick Response Group, including arrears as captured in the 2013 budget passed by the National Assembly.

Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces are currently engaged in several internal security operations, including membership of Joint Task Forces fighting kidnapping in the South- East; oil bunkering in the South-South and Boko Haram in the North.

Our correspondent reports that the N24.1bn for internal security is separate from the N64.013bn budgeted for Defence, including the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and the Nigerian Navy.

In a reaction to the sum allocated to soldiers’ involvement in internal security, a retired Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav, said the increased internal security role being given to the military was unhealthy for democracy.

Tsav argued that the Nigerian public was gradually being groomed to further disrespect the police, which, he said, were better trained to handle matters of internal security.

According to him, the sum budgeted for soldiers’ intervention in internal security would have been better applied to strengthening the police through training and provision of equipment.

He said, “The job that the military is doing within Nigeria today is essentially that of the police. If the police had been properly equipped and given additional training they would do the job so that the military concentrate on their constitutionally assigned role of protecting us against external aggression.

“The allowance that these military men are getting for their operations in trouble spots like Yobe and Borno states is too much; if the military can assist in properly manning our porous borders it will stop the smuggling of weapons which fuel these crises.

“What is happening today reminds me of the Abacha era when certain individuals in government did terrible things in the name of the National Democratic Coalition just to get money out of the system.”

Tsav’s opinion tallies with that of the Convener of the Northern Politicians, Academics and Professionals, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, who similarly said the role being given to the military in internal security was dangerous for democracy.

Junaid argued that the preference given to the military, especially the Army in funding to carry out internal security operations should be a source of concern to all lovers of democracy.

Junaid said, “First, I do not believe this administration is being sincere with the figures being brandished about.

The figures are clearly understated, they are lying with statistics. It indicates a dangerous trend.

“A situation where soldiers are in charge of areas that constitutionally they have no business in does not in anyway help to entrench democracy.

“Today, we have a chief of Army staff who is actively involved in domestic security policy, and taking political decisions, including decisions on how much he wants to spend on operations, is certainly not healthy.

“In functional democracies, the military should be seen to be effectively under civilian control while the Police are given preference in funding to carry out internal security functions.

“This is so because, the police are more approachable by their training to interact with the civil populace.

“The Shagari administration did that effectively by properly equipping the police with water cannons and Armoured Personnel Carriers and the like which the military took when they overthrew his government.”










Source - Punch news

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Are you a Victim of a FaceBook Pornographic Photo Tag?

11:03 PM Education, News, Technology No Comments

Recently one of my friends had a big problem with his facebook account. He is basically not an IT guy. Joined Facebook few years ago and has added few friends all over the world without personally knowing them. He usually surfs internet and checks for updates on facebook on regular basis at the workplace.

One day when he logs into his facebook account at the workplace his wall was full of pornographic images. The girl next to him has already seen these and she has initially misunderstood him as he's watching porn on his office computer. Unfortunately he was unaware of how to remove the facebook photo tags.

Improving your facebook account's security is the only thing you have to do to get rid from these bad experiences.

Even though there are many security features offered by facebook, most of us are unaware of these facilities. Let's see how we can improve your facebook account's security.

If you can follow the following few methods, you won't probably be worried about your facebook account's security.

First you need to go to Privacy Settings. Then select Edit Settings on the section Timeline and Tagging.

Then you will get a box with the properties as shown in the image below. This is where you need to alter for a better privacy. It's better to change "who can post in your timeline" into no one.

The option to review the friend's post would be set as off on default. So you need to set it On. Then you will get a pop up. You need to make it "Enabled" if it is "Disabled" by default. That's all what you need to stop tagging into posts. If anyone tagged you, you will get an instant notification saying you have been tagged by someone. Then you will have the option to approve the tag or decline the tag.

Further, you can follow few guidelines below in order to protect your facebook account as well. May be you have thousands of friends in Facebook. More friends means you are sociable, but on the other hand that means you are more insecure on your privacy.

Tip 1 : Always look at the address bar before logging into facebook. If you are surfing internet in a cyber cafe, this is a must. Look the address bar twice and make sure that the address is https://www.facebook.com, because there may be phishing sites which looks exactly like facebook.

Tip 2 : Avoid logging into facebook as much as possible from public computers.

Tip 3 : If you got a friend request by a profile with a half naked female picture, surely it is a fake male account. So be careful when adding them as friends and chatting with them. If your facebook account already has such friends then remove them and report. Otherwise block those accounts.

Tip 4 : Avoid clicking any link which you don’t know. Those links will probably direct you to problematic content. Don't authorize your account for unwanted facebook applications.


Tip 5 : Never give your facebook account password to anyone. Be sure to sign out before you leave the computer.


If you can simply follow the above tips, then you can avoid yourself getting in to more troubles.

    

  

Source:  tricksfinder.com

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Police rearrest pastor for raping 12-year-old

11:00 PM News No Comments

The entrance of the toilet. Inset: The victim

The Lagos State Police Command has rearrested a 40-year-old pastor, Alasco Sobowale, for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl in Epe area of the state.

Police authorities said the suspect, who is a pastor at Okiki Imole Church, Epe, was rearrested on Thursday at his home located at 10, Togodo Street, Temu Town.

The police had arrested Sobowale on December 21, 2012, for allegedly raping the minor but was later released on bail because courts were not in session.

However, after PUNCH Metro published the story on Thursday, the policemen attached to Epe Division stormed his home and rearrested him.

A police source, who craved anonymity, said, “The pastor should never have been released in the first place and the police high command is very much interested. If Sobowale was released because courts were not in session, why were all other suspects in police custody not granted bail as well?

“Rape is a very serious offence and we will make sure that he is prosecuted. After the publication, many members of the community, including elders, rose against the pastor and promised to make sure that the case was pursued to a logical conclusion.”

When contacted on the telephone, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the rearrest of the pastor, adding that he had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

“The suspect has been transferred to the SCID for further investigation and he will be charged with rape and sodomy,” she said.

Our correspondent learnt that the victim had been referred to Epe General Hospital for medical treatment.










Source - Punch news

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Koreans paid N30m ransom for kidnapped expatriates – CP

10:31 PM News No Comments

Kidnap victims.
| credits: thesun.co.uk

Korean owners of the Hyndai Heavy Industries paid N30m to the kidnappers of four of their workers at the company in Okpoama, Brass Local Government, Bayelsa State, it has been confirmed.

Eight gunmen on December 17, 2012 raided the firm and kidnapped Jong Ken, Hi Kim, Doo Lee, Joon Chae and a Nigerian, Austin Giwa.

The victims were, however, released four days later at Azikoro Village in Yenagoa with the management of the company claiming that no ransom was paid for their release.

However, our correspondent learnt that the company paid some money to secure the release of the victims, who spent about five days in the kidnappers’ den.

It was also contrary to the statements by the victims that the kidnappers branded them “bad market” and set them free, despite initially demanding N200m for their freedom.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Kingsley Omire, confirmed in Yenagoa on Thursday that the firm paid the ransom to the kidnappers but without consulting the police.

The CP said after arresting the suspects linked to the incident, the police discovered that the firm had bowed to pressure from the hoodlums and parted with N30m.

He said the police initially arrested Romeo Egbo, Goodnews Amabebe, Dito Ologbo and Digiteme Itua a.k.aSeko in connection with the crime.

Omire said, “On interrogation three of the suspects voluntarily confessed to kidnapping the four Koreans and two Nigerians on December 17. They also disclosed to us that one Digiteme Itua alias Seko is the leader of the kidnap gang.

“Itua was arrested in his Odioma house in Brass at about 1.30am. One AK 47 rifle,60 rounds of ammunition, a telescope and three magazines were recovered from his house.”

He, however, said Itua and Egbo tricked the police and escaped.

He also said the suspects escaped after telling the police that they had concealed four AK47 rifles and several rounds of ammunition at Ogboinbiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government.

Omire also said the leader of the gang that kidnapped the Paramount Ruler of Okordia clan, Yenagoa Local Government, King Seiba Simeon, on August 25 had been arrested.










Source - Punch news

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PDP youth group blasts Jonathan over 2015 posters

10:30 PM News, Politics No Comments

| credits:

Youth wing of the Peoples Democratic Party has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to resign if he is bereft of ideas instead of denying sponsorship of posters for his second term, which surfaced in Abuja on New Year’s day.

The group, in an electronic mail on Thursday, said since the the President assumed office, he had not shown any competence to solve the several problems bedevilling the nation.

The statement was signed by its Publicity Director, Comrade Bala Usman, and its National Director, Mr. Fidelis Uzoka.

Jonathan’s 2015 posters were seen in several places including the Peoples Democratic Party headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Though Jonathan has denied being behind the posters, opposition political parties and groups have continued to doubt the President’s claim.

The statement was entitled, ‘What will Jonathan gain by digging the grave of our great party, the PDP?’ and ‘Resign if you have run out of luck and ideas’.

The group said the time had come to save the PDP from the President.

It said, “The event of the last few days has ignited outrage and public condemnation because of the deliberate and well-calculated commencement of a presidential campaign by President Jonathan even in the face of his so-called ban on political activities.

“This is an unwarranted test of the will and patience of Nigerians, who tried to exhibit high level of tolerance of an administration which seems in the last two years to have lost the focus of true leadership and proper understanding of the ideals of our party’s founding fathers.”

Though the group said it believed that every member of the party was entitled to seek re-election, it said the display of the President’s posters was capable of destroying the party’s unity.

The group added that almost two years in office, “Mr. President has not shown the will and competence to solve the many problems of our country for which Nigerians entrusted him with their mandate.”

The group said with Jonathan’s performance, it was evident that the PDP might suffer its first presidential defeat.

It said the denial by the President that it knew nothing about the posters was informed by the condemnation that greeted their appearance.

The group appealed to the President to honour his alleged agreement with party leaders and governors in 2011 not to seek re-election.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, however, said the group did not exist.

He said, “Let me make it clear that my response is a mockery of a childish attempt by a faceless, inexperienced and impotent persons using a non-existing name or body.”










Source - Punch news

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Generator fumes kill 80-year-old woman, four grandchildren

10:29 PM News No Comments

| credits: Rasheed Bisiriyu

Sorrow and sadness on Thursday enveloped Robiyan, near Ijoko in Ifo Local Government, Ogun State as residents discovered the lifeless bodies of an 80 year-old woman, identified as Madam Kuburat, and her four grandchildren, including a toddler in a newly completed house.

Five other people who slept in the house were in critical conditions at two general hospitals as doctors battle to save their lives.

Although there were different accounts of what could have caused their death, the Divisional Police Officer of Agbado Police Station, Mr. Okere Daniel, suspected it could be fumes from a generator.

The DPO said, “From the physical examination of the victims, it is obvious that they must have died of carbon monoxide, all foaming from the mouth; this means that they must be gasping (for breath).

“A similar thing happened at Obadofin in 2010, when I was a DPO at Alafia. A whole family was wiped off. It was during a festive period like this; they put on the generator and locked it up inside the house for use overnight.”

It was learnt that the generator which was placed in the veranda of the house must have worked overnight while the doors and windows were locked.

Apart from the 10 people, a man and his wife also in the house were said to have rushed their child to a nearby community hospital at midnight when they found her gasping for breath.

PUNCH Metro learnt that it was the woman that reportedly cried out and alerted the whole community to the tragedy when she returned in the morning and found everybody “sleeping.”

The traditional ruler of the area, Chief Olu Kujore, said he ordered his men to break into the house and forced the windows open.

Kujore said, “We hurriedly rushed those who were still breathing to the hospital. Some of them were taken to Ota General Hospital while others were taken to Ifako General Hospital.

“But two of the kids died before they could be attended to at the hospital and their corpses had to be returned to the house.”

One of our correspondents saw the five dead victims before they were taken to the Ota General Hospital for autopsy.

Another resident of the area, who identified himself as Baba Michael, said no fewer than five bricklayers with different sets of workers handled the construction of the house.

“During the construction, three times, a section of the house had collapsed and had to be re-erected,” he said.

A young lady, Amina Disu, who said she was Kuburat’s grandchild, said they had come to the village for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

She recalled that they prepared rice for the family and their neighbours on Wednesday before she left for business at Mushin in Lagos.

Disu said, “My mother had a protracted battle with two other people over the ownership of the land before she eventually built it. And we went through hell to get the job done.

“My mother was a fish seller at Mushin. We only came to celebrate the Christmas and New Year with granny. My brother, his wife and their children were around too. It was a full house. I was here yesterday (Wednesday). We had fun and had to serve food to our neighbours.”

She said she was surprised when her granny’s neighbours called her to inform her about the incident.

Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, said the matter would be investigated.

“The fumes were discovered to have got into the house through the veranda where it was placed. Three of the victims had died before they got to the hospital, while two others also died later in the hospital. Five others, who were affected, are currently recuperating,” he said.










Source - Punch news

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Nollywood actress, Bisi Komolafe, buried in Ibadan

10:25 PM Entertainment, News No Comments

Bisi Komolafe

A dismal atmosphere pervaded the Mokola, Oke Padre, Oke-Itunu and Soka areas of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Friday as Nollywood actress, Bisi Komolafe, was buried.

Komolafe, who was said to be pregnant, died on Monday, December 31, 2012 of complications arising from miscarriage.

Before the sad incident, the actress was on admission at the University College Hospital in Ibadan for a few days. She was said to be responding to treatment before her condition suddenly relapsed.

Although she received more than 30 units of blood at the hospital, Komolafe’s health had deteriorated further before she passed on.

As early as 8 am, some members of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, dressed in dark mourning clothes, had converged on the UCH to receive the body of the deceased from the mortuary.

Komolafe’s colleagues, friends and members of her family took turns to pay glowing tribute to her during the funeral service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oke Padre, Ibadan.

An associate of the late actress, Bolaji Amusan, a.k.a Baba Latin, described her death as very shocking and unexpected. He said she was a promising and well-behaved actress, too cool and nice to be ignored.

“The members of Bisi Komolafe’s family should take solace in the fact that to die young when the ovation is loudest is better than to live the stage unsung. I want other up-and-coming actors and actresses to emulate her lifestyle,” Amusan said.

Many of Komolafe’s colleagues turned up at the burial ceremony to pay her their last respect. They include Yinka Quadri, Bimbo Oshin, Moji Olaiya, Ayo Adesanya, Muyiwa Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Toyin Adegbola, Tayo Adeleye and Toyosi Arigbabuwo.

Others present at the event were the Governor, ANTP, Lagos State, Akeem Alimi Jibola Dabo, Ireti Osayemi, Razaq Olayiwola, Sunny Alil, Fathia Balogun, Yomi Fash-Lanso and Taiwo Hassan.

The actress was finally buried at the Catholic Church Cemetery in Oke Are. Unable to bear the loss, some of her colleagues and siblings, Bukky and Tinuke, wept uncontrollably as her body was being laid to rest.

Meanwhile, there were insinuations that Komolafe’s death might be due to abortion. A friend of the actress, who spoke with SATURDAY PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said her four month-old pregnancy was allegedly terminated at another hospital before she was taken to the UCH.

Source - Punch news

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Delhi gang-rape victim’s boyfriend speaks out

10:24 PM News No Comments

NEW DELHI (AFP) – The boyfriend of a 23-year-old woman who died after a brutal gang rape on a New Delhi bus spoke out Friday for the first time about the savage attack that has sparked protests across the nation and his own trauma over his inability to save her.

The 28-year-old man, who suffered a fractured leg and other injuries in the attack, has been deeply traumatised and is currently at his parents’ home in rural northern India where he is taking time out from his job at a software firm in New Delhi.

“What can I say? The cruelty I saw should not be seen ever. I tried to fight against the men but later I begged them again and again to leave her,” he told AFP in an interview by phone from Gorakhpur, a town in Uttar Pradesh state.

On December 16, the couple had been out to watch a movie and decided to get into a private bus when several rickshaws had refused to drive them back to the victim’s home in a New Delhi suburb.

Students demonstrate in Hyderabad on Thursday against violence on women. The boyfriend of a 23-year-old woman who died after being brutally gang-raped on a New Delhi bus spoke for the first time Friday about the savagery inflicted on her and his failed efforts to intervene.

Credit: bangkokpost.com

Once in the bus, he was attacked and his girlfriend was gang-raped by six allegedly drunk men, including the driver, who also violated her with an iron bar causing immense internal damage that would lead to her death last weekend.

The horrifying crime has appalled India and brought simmering anger about widespread crime against women to the boil amid angry calls for better protection by police and changed social attitudes.

The boyfriend, who asked not to be named, also recounted how passersby had failed to come to their rescue after they were thrown out of the moving vehicle at the end of their nearly hour-long ordeal.

He was also critical of police for failing to be sensitive to his and his girlfriend’s mental condition and also raised questions about the emergency care given in the public hospital where she was admitted.

“A passerby found us (after the attack), but he did not even give my friend his jacket. We waited for the police to come and save us,” he told AFP.

The police have since arrested six suspects for the crime — five men and a minor believed to be aged 17 — who were charged with murder, rape and kidnapping in a city court on Thursday.

“I was not very confident about getting into the bus but my friend was running late, so we got into it. This was the biggest mistake I made and after that everything went out of control.”

The driver of the bus then made lewd remarks and his accomplices joined him “to taunt” the couple, the boyfriend said.

He said he told the driver to stop the bus, but by then his accomplices had locked the two doors.

“They hit me with a small stick and dragged my friend to a seat near the driver’s cabin.”

After that the “driver and the other men raped my friend and hit her in the worst possible ways in the most private parts of her body”.

“I cannot tell you what I feel when I think of it. I shiver in pain,” he said.

He said the police who came to their rescue took his girlfriend to a government hospital, but failed to take into account his injuries and mental trauma.

“I was treated like an object by the police…. They wanted all the help to solve the case even before getting me the right treatment. Nobody witnessed the trauma I suffered,” he said.

Source - Vanguard news

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Lagos donates N4.5m to ailing actress, Ngozi Nwosu

11:44 AM Entertainment No Comments

In a bid to save the life of ailing actress, Ngozi Nwosu, the Lagos State Government, has donated the sum of N4.5million to facilitate her treatment abroad.

*Ngozi Nwosu

The actress has been battling with a kidney and heart-related ailment for a while now and needed N6 million for further treatment abroad.

Before now, she has raised N2 million from compassionate Nigerians and needed N4million extra.







Source - Vanguard news

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Nigeria may join global economic powers in 2030 – US

11:30 AM News, Politics No Comments

Nigeria could join a handful of countries including China that would be pivotal in shaping the world’s economy by the year 2030 according to a report by the super secret United States National Intelligence Council, NIC.

The NIC report just released, projects an idea of what the world would look like in the future.

The report which is an articulation of expertise opinion from the US intelligence community released last December, however, admits that it may not be exact.

It is a fact many Nigerian experts would appreciate given earlier expertise opinion from the United States army that Nigeria may implode by the year 2015.

The report could come handy to Nigerian administration officials working towards the goal of putting Nigeria among the top 20 economies by the year 2020.

In the report on Global Trends 2030, the report notes that the United States and Europe would be overwhelmed by the economic powers of Asian countries as China and other Asian countries and Brazil take a leading role in dictating the pace of the world economy.

File photo: United States President Barack Obama and President Goodluck Jonathan

China according to the report would just overtake the US before 2030 as the world’s biggest economy.

Other powers including Nigeria according to the report, would also jump to the top in global economic ranking.

“In addition to China, India, and Brazil, regional players such as Colombia , Indonesia , Nigeria , South Africa and Turkey will become especially important to the global economy,” the report says.

“The diffusion of power among countries will have a dramatic impact by 2030. Asia will have surpassed North America and Europe combined in terms of global power, based upon GDP, population size, military spending, and technological investment.

China alone will probably have the largest economy, surpassing that of the United States a few years before 2030.

“Meanwhile, the economies of Europe, Japan, and Russia are likely to continue their slow relative declines.”

Since its establishment in 1979, the NIC has served as a bridge between the intelligence and policy communities, a source of deep substantive expertise on intelligence issues.







Source - Vanguard news

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Gunmen, JTF clash in Adamawa, Borno: 7 soldiers, 2 policemen, 80-yr-old woman, 5 gunmen killed

11:10 AM News No Comments

MAIDUGURI — AT least seven security operatives and five gunmen were killed in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State when some gunmen suspected to be terrorists ambushed troops deployed in the area to maintain peace and order.

Also, unidentified gunmen, yesterday, killed four persons including a soldier, a policeman and an 80-year-old woman with her 13-year-old grandson in a gun duel at Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State, leaving the number of Nigerians lost to insecurity and violence on the third day of the New Year at 14 and the casualty figure in the last 10 days at 37.

However, the Joint Task Force, JTF, “Operation Restore Order” through its spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, denied that six soldiers and a policeman died in the Borno incident.

He insisted that one soldier, a policeman and five of the gunmen were killed during the gun duel.

The Borno incident, according to a source, occurred at about 2 p.m. when the gunmen laid ambush to one of the locations of the troops from the 21 Armoured Brigade, took them unawares and opened fire. The soldiers returned fire leading to an exchange of gunfire that lasted over an hour.

The source said seven security personnel and five gunmen suspected to be terrorists were killed during the encounter.

JTF denies casualty figure

Confirming the incident, Sagir in a statement in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital said: “This is to confirm that at about 2 p.m, yesterday, January 2, 2013, gunmen attacked 21 Brigade troops’ location at Marte, Marte Local Government Area in the Northern part of Borno State.”

He said in the process, one soldier, one police personnel and five gunmen lost their lives during an exchange of fire, adding that no civilian casualty was recorded.

He stated that during the clash, the troops were able to recover some items which include two AK 47 rifles, one locally-made double barrel gun, three magazines loaded with 35 rounds of ammunition, one dane gun and four machetes.

In Adamawa, the attackers struck at about 1: 30 am, killing four victims and wounded two other soldiers and some civilians who are now in critical conditions in some hospitals in the state.

LG secretariat, police station burnt

Sources told Vanguard in Adamawa State that the attackers further set the Song Local Government Secretariat and Song Police Divisional Headquarters ablaze and damaged several vehicles.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Adamawa State Police Command, Mohammed Ibrahim, who confirmed the attack said two other soldiers and some civilians were in critical condition as a result of injuries they sustained in the gun battle.

The PPRO said: ”It is true that there was an attack on some government formations. We are on our way to the scenes of the attacks with the state commissioner of Police to assess the level of damage. We had it on good authority that one gallant soldier, a policeman and one old woman with her grand-son were killed in the attack.” He added that the local government secretariat and the police station in the area were razed during the attack while some cars were damaged.

He, however, appealed to law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful activities as the police were doing their best to protect them.

An eye witness told Vanguard, on the telephone, that the gunmen shared themselves into two groups before launching the attacks simultaneously. One of the groups, which was heavily armed, attacked the police station in the heart of the town, shooting sporadically before overrunning and setting it ablaze, while the second group headed for the local government secretariat, ransacked it and set it on fire alongside nearby houses.

Unknown gunmen had in the last two days attacked four other local councils in the state including Maiha, Hong, Fufore and Song.








Source - Vanguard news

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Deportation of monarch’s wife tears Delta community apart

11:00 AM News No Comments

Asaba—THE deportation of the wife of Obi of Igbodo community in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, recently, has divided the community, just as feelers from the state government circle indicate that the warring factions might be summoned to Government House, Asaba, for the issue to be resolved.

While some of the villagers stormed the palace last Friday to sack the wife of the Obi on account of the woman not being an indigene of the community, some other villagers are backing the embattled Obi, Obi Ikechukwu Osedume I, who had insisted that his Ebonyi-born heartthrob remained his choice wife.

Those in the camp of the Obi, under the umbrella of Concerned Igbodo Citizens, in a statement, yesterday, by their Chairman, Mr. Victor Christopher, said there was nothing wrong with the Obi insisting on marrying an Abakaliki woman, from Ebonyi State.

The group tackled the Iyase of Igbodo (the Prime Minister), Dr. Joseph Unomah, who was in the forefront of the deportation. The Iyase had queried: “Why should he (Obi) marry a non-indigene? The last straw that broke the camel’s back was that he brought the said lady to the palace. So, the community rose, marched to the palace and demanded her evacuation.”

The Concerned Igbodo Citizens insisted that “he (Obi) is a listening father and one of the youngest Obis in Africa, whose love for his people has no limit.”







Source - Vanguard news

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Why I chose Hinduism over Christianity – Biola Ige

10:30 AM Entertainment No Comments

Biola Ige is an epitome of beauty. She joined the industry about four years ago and already she has become one of the most-sought- after actresses in Nollywood. Recently, she suffered a terrible growth of her thyroid gland that affected her neck, tongue, complexion and ultimately her budding career.

Then, it looked as if, all was over for her. But with divine intervention, she was flown to India where an operation was successfully carried out on her. And today, Biola can live to retell her story. In this interview, she talks about the operation, the rumoured controversy between Tonto Dikeh and her new-found faith- Hinduism. Enjoy!

How did you become an actress?

I have always wanted to be an actress since I was a child. Then, I wanted to star in Hollywood movies because my dad was a movie person. As a child, I had the opportunity to watch all the hit movies produced in Hollywood alongside my elder brother. My dad also supported my dream, but he wanted me to travel to America after my studies.

Unfortunately, when I completed my secondary education, my dad was not as wealthy as he used to be. He couldn’t send me to America again as he promised. As a result, there was nothing I could do. Like I said earlier, I fell in love with acting, but l wanted to act in Hollywood. When it didn’t work out because of lack of finance, l moved to Lagos after my University education. I went for auditions in Lagos and landed my first role in “Blindfold” produced by OJ Productions.

How many movies have you done to date?

Acquiring experience in whatever job you are doing is very vital and my experience has helped me star in more than fifty movies and I am still counting. Yes, I have been in the industry for about four years. I am proud of my achievement. I would have starred in more than fifty movies now, if not because of my sickness that took me to India. I am back in the country though lam not looking the same again. I am grateful to God for giving me my life back.

Which role has been the most challenging in your career?

The most challenging role for me was the one I played in the movie “Blackmail”. In that movie, l played the role of a model who married a rich man. Complications set in when the model’s old flame showed up as an employee in the company owned by her husband. And the situation became more complex when she fell again for the old flame who was already married to another woman. The intiruges at play were very challenging.

Which of your movies has been most financially rewarding and how much did you rake in from it?

The monetary compensation is good, but it is not the most important thing when it comes to growing in your craft. Yes, l was rewarded for some of my jobs, but l cannot tell how much was given to me. I remember, “Blackmail”, Grand Player”, “Shakira”, “Darkest Link” and “My Fantansy”, were quite rewarding.

Is it true that you went to India to undergo an operation?

Well, I was very sick at some point in my acting career. I ran different tests because l didn’t know what was wrong with me. The test results showed I had thyroid problem. So, I travelled to India for treatment as well as to worship. I am sure people would think I went there for spiritual powers.I am sorry to disappoint you guys because I am not that kind of person.

What do you mean, you had a thyroid problem?

Having a thyroid problem is a grave disorder and illness. It is as a result of the expansion of the neck. It occurs when your thyroid gland over works itself or under works itself because of lack of the nutrient known as iodine.

When you said to worship, what do you mean by that?

It was an avenue for me to worship my God and yes, l worship as an Hindu. I know what you may want to say. I do not see anything wrong with following any religion of your choice. It is a free world. And I choose Hinduism.

What is your view of women who do body-enhancing jobs?

It is all about choice, so if you don’t feel good about your body and you have the money to do body makeover surgery, then do it with joy. As for me, I am good with the body God gave me. If a man doesn’t like me the way l am then he is on his own. But my only advice is that you should love yourself the way you are, there is nothing wrong with the body God gave you.

What would attract you to a man?

The way l carry myself is unique, but you can never tell what these men see in the ladies that attract them! Moreover, we all have something that should attract different men as the case maybe. Most men see things we don’t even know we possess. So, I would leave that to the men to decide what they see in me.

Did you become an Hindu when you travelled to India or while you were in Nigeria?

I was a Hinduist before I travelled to India. I was a Christian before I changed my faith and I must tell you I have found peace in Hinduism. And in India, I felt at home. I didn’t feel like returning to Nigeria again because everyone was so nice to me.

What is the controversy between Tonto Dike and yourself?

When I was sick, there were a lot of stories flying here and there that Tonto Dike was responsible for my sickness. But l didn’t believe it because we were not even friends before I fell sick. And why would Tonto Dike want to harm me when she has made a name for herself?

Are you in a relationship?

I don’t have time for that at the moment. I have just returned from a long break of illness and l need to make up in my career for the time I have lost.

When are we hearing the wedding bells for you?

Marriage comes naturally in the course of living and meeting people. I am not in a hurry to tie the knots. In fact, I am taking another three years to grow myself before thinking about marriage.

Some of your female colleagues are getting married to married men. Would you marry a married man?

When I am in a relationship, it takes my whole being and life. So if I am in love, l fall hopelessly in love, hence l cannot see myself loving another woman’s husband. I cannot share my man at all with any woman as I do not share my love.

Who are those people you admire in the industry?

I admire everyone I have worked with and my colleagues in the industry. I cannot actually mention one person as being more special to me. They are all different and special in their own ways.

Before you take up a role what do you consider first?

I picture the role and character in my mind’s eyes and how it is going to play out. I also consider what people would say when they see the movie and the character I played. If it will boost my image then the role is mine, if it is not good for me then l leave it.

Do you have any regret since choosing acting as a career?

I regretted not having my usual childish yearnings. I hate it when people discuss you, when they don’t even know you to guide their judgment. I hate that l cannot join the regular bus, but l don’t care what people say when l park to buy my regular roasted plantain known as boli. When it comes to that l don’t care what people say again!

Tell us a little about your childhood?

My childhood was awesome! I was a kid who loved to play football when I was growing up with my siblings. We went swimming in the river, climbing mango trees to pluck mangoes and all that. I was a tomboy while growing up, I never did girls stuff at all.

Are you related to the popular late Bola Ige family?

No. It is just a case of name sakes; late Bola Ige was from Oyo state, while l hail from Osun state.

Which part of your body do you consider sexiest?

Most people would say they prefer my boobs, shape and all that, but to me, I prefer my eyes. They are the mirror to my soul.

Nollywood is really evolving, with more sensual scenes. Would you take a role that involves you having sex on set?

I won’t describe it as having sex because it is drama- a make- believe world; hence everything done is not real. I would describe it as pretending to have sex. And yes I have done that in many movies, but they were never real.

How do you describe Nollywood love-making scene?

Nollywood love-making scenes are not like Hollywood where boobs and bums are exposed. In Africa, it is not in our tradition to do stuffs like that; hence the producers, directors and actors themselves are careful how they interpret such roles because of their futures.







Source - Vanguard news

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Campaign Posters: Why sponsors have not been arrested – Presidency

10:00 AM News, Politics No Comments

ABUJA—Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Thursday, said security agencies did not need any goading from the President to go after those pasting posters of President Goodluck Jonathan for 2015 elections, if the security agencies felt the activities of those people were capable of compromising public peace in the country.

The pasting of posters of the President in some strategic places in Abuja, declaring the interest of President Jonathan in the 2015 election, has generated widespread criticism from opposition parties in the country, some of whom accused the President of flying a kite through anonymous sources.

Though the presidential spokesman, Abati, had denied any involvement of the President, the criticisms have remained unrelenting.

However, speaking with State House correspondents yesterday, Dr. Abati said: “The President of Nigeria has an office that is so important that he cannot behave in a cowardly manner. This is a man who is honest and have reputation of being honest.

*Campaign posters

“Those who are bent on distracting this government have brought out the posters. I repeat that President Jonathan knows nothing about it.”

‘It’s not Jonathan’s job’ Asked why the President had not directed security agencies to go after the people behind the posters, Abati said: “The security agencies have their jobs cut out for them. If they feel there is anything that is likely to disturb the polity, that is likely to affect the integrity of the State or they feel something has happened and they need information, that needs to be investigated, then of course they will do their job.

“They don’t even need to wait for presidential directive. It is part of their normal duty to find out what is happening in the environment particularly if what has happened is a matter of public interest.

“The President does not need to give any order. People whose job is it to ensure that nothing goes wrong within the Nigerian state will do their job.

“They will make their own assessment; they will do their own investigations. If they feel that there is any threat whatsoever to public peace, to rule of law and order, they will make sure that that is not allowed.

“President Jonathan has not launched any campaign for re-election in 2015. He has not asked anybody to go and paste posters around Abuja. Whoever those people are, they are acting on their own. They are not President Jonathan’s agent. They are on to their own mischief.

‘Jonathan’s focus’ “The President has been consistent with the issue of 2015. In the last presidential media chat, he said he was not talking about 2015 at this moment.

“He had been given assignment by the Nigerian people which is to see through the transformation agenda, to ensure the different changes he has promised in life and society. That is what he remains committed to.”

He said what was playing out was an indication that “the contestation for power in Nigeria is quite a complex one and people will go to any length to push their own agenda.

“This is not coming from the President. When the President takes a position in terms of his own personal involvement or otherwise with regards to the 2015 elections, you can be sure he will come out to Nigerians and say this is where he stands on this matter the same way he did on previous occasions.

“But the President is not going to adopt this kind of tactics that you see on display.”







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Assets seizure: Sylva begs Court to stop EFCC

9:55 AM News No Comments

ABUJA – Spirited efforts by the embattled former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, to invoke the powers of a Federal High Court in Abuja with a view to stopping the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from taking possession of his 48 choice properties in Abuja, failed.

Sequel to resolve of the anti-graft agency on Thursday to take possession of Sylva’s properties pending the determination of the six-count criminal charge it preferred against him, the embattled former governor Friday, ran before the high court, begging it to restrain the EFCC from touching his assets.

This was even as the Commission accused the ex-Governor of deliberately attempting to subject the judiciary to ridicule by approaching the high court for a restraining order despite being aware that another high court of the same coordinate jurisdiction had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order against him.

One of the seized property.

Whereas Justice A.R Mohammed had on December 21, 2012, granted the EFCC leave to seize the properties, however, Justice M.M Kolo while sitting as a vacation judge, on December 27, following an application by Sylva, granted a restraining order against the anti-graft agency.

Consequently, both the EFCC and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, Friday, entered preliminary objections querying the legal propriety of the subsequent order that was issued in favour of the ex-Governor.

Arguing in court Friday, counsel to the EFCC and AGF, Mr Oghenovo Otemu and B.A Saheed, respectively, further challenged the jurisdiction of the high court presided by Justice Kolo to entertain Sylva’s suit.

Though Sylva had through his counsel, Mr Benson Ibezim, insisted that the preliminary objections filed against his suit were not ripe for hearing since the processes were served on him inside the court room, saying he would need time to respond, however, EFCC, urged the court to allow for an oral argument so as to save the judiciary from mockery owing to the two conflicting orders.

EFCC maintained that the accused ex-Governor ought to have vacated the interim forfeiture order earlier issued against him before securing a conflicting order from another court of same coordinate jurisdiction.

Nevertheless, in a bid to justify his action, Sylva, told the court that the EFCC did not serve the said forfeiture order on him hence his decision to seek for a restraining order.

In response, EFCC, told the court that the December 21 order was pasted on all the affected properties and that it was also served on Sylva himself, insisting that the former Governor hoodwinked the court into granting him ex-parte order by deliberately suppressing information regarding the matter.

It therefore urged the court to vacate its December 27 restraining order as the properties in question have already been seized.

In his ruling, presiding Justice Kolo said he would not vacate the order, contending that the court was not aware of a pending order of the Federal High Court before it issued the controversial ex parte order in favour of Sylva.

Besides, Justice Kolo said he had decided to hands-off the matter, saying his stay as a vacation judge expired yesterday.

He however told all the parties that the case-file will be remitted back to the Chief Judge of the High Court for re-assignment to another judge with an order that the matter be heard expeditiously due to the nature of the case.







Source - Vanguard news

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Suntai: Taraba govt dispels rumour, says ‘he’s not incapacitated’

9:49 AM News No Comments

Injured Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, will soon bounce back to his duty post and shame those who claim that the air crash he was involved in last October damaged his brain, the state Commissioner for Information, Emmanuel Bello, has said.

Bello, told Vanguard in an interview that contrary to insinuations by certain persons that the governor was incapacitated, he would soon return to Nigeria and continue with governance of the state.

The commissioner said, “Look let me tell you the truth, the picture being used in the media did not come from Taraba State but from Germany, it was not generated from Jalingo, as claimed by some persons.

Hauwa Suntai, Governor Suntai, and Tita Mbalam

“Governor Danbaba Suntai is coming back any moment from now but I cannot say exactly when. It is the doctors who are attending to him who will decide when he should return home.

“We are not under any pressure to embark on desperate measure since the machinery of government is working perfectly with the Deputy Governor in charge.

“I can tell you that there has been no conflict of any type in the state since the law has stipulated what should be done in times like this and that is what the government has been doing since the accident occurred.

Suntai, an aviation enthusiast, owns two aircraft and a helicopter, crashed near Adamawa State airport on October 25, last year and was later flown to Germany for urgent medical attention following the severity of his injury.

His aides, who were also injured along with him, had been treated in Germany and discharged.







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Keshi: We’ll have stronger squad before Afcon

9:30 AM Sports No Comments

Following the 1-1 draw earned against star-studded Catalonia in Wednesday’s friendly international, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has said his side will be better prepared before the Africa Cup of Nations starts in a fortnight.

Bright Dike’s second half strike cancelled out Sergio Gonzalez’s early penalty goal to give the visitors a good draw in Barcelona. Ikechukwu Uche missed opportunities to increase the lead that would have seen the Nigerians grab an upset against the Catalonians as they looked confident with substitutions in the second half.

Keshi said he was happy at the display of the team but was not totally done yet with building a strong team.

“It was a great game. I must commend the players because they played to instructions. The purpose of this friendly was to try out some formations and tactics and not to win at all cost, but knowing the pedigree and quality of our opponents and so the boys gave their all and I must commend them for this and also Nigerians for their prayers,” Keshi told MTNFootball.com

He said, “I needed to see that reaction from the players in a game like this and I must commend them because they lived up to expectation. It’s a test and confidence-building game and the boys from back home needed this more.”

He sounded confident that the team would be ready before the commencement of the tournament in South Africa.“In the next two weeks we should have a stronger and more reliable team to defend our colours come South Africa 2013,”.

Keshi is expected to announce his final squad for the tournament in coming days.

Nigeria will begin their campaign against Burkina Faso in Group C on January 21. They will also play against defending champions Zambia and Ethiopia.







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N6.5b FRAUD: EFCC seizes Sylva’s 48 property in Abuja

9:00 AM News No Comments

*EFCC violating the law; property not mine — Sylva
*Order for interim forfeiture secured on Dec. 28, 2012


ABUJA— The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, seized 48 choice property belonging to former Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Timipre Sylva, who is being prosecuted at a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged misappropriation of N6.46 billion state funds when he was governor of the state.

The interim forfeiture of the property order by Justice A. R Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja was obtained on December 28, 2012.

Meanwhile, the embattled former Bayelsa State governor has condemned the action of the EFCC, charging them to respect the law.

Assets belonging to the former governor against which a forfeiture order was obtained by the EFCC are: a mansion at 3 River Niger Street, plot 3192 Cadastral zone AO, Maitama District Abuja; nine units (comprising six one bedroom and 3 two bedroom apartments) at 8 Sefadu Street Wuse zone 2, plot 262 Cadastral zone AO2, Wuse Abuja; and 2 units duplexes at 5 Oguta Street, plot 906 Cadastral zone Wuse 11 Abuja.

One of the seized property.

Others are: a duplex at Plot 1271 Nike Street Cadastral zone AO5, Maitama District Abuja; a duplex at Phase 1 Unit No. 1 (Villa 1) Palm Springs Gold Estate, Cachez Turkey Projects Limited, Mpape, Abuja; 10 units of one-room apartments at 8 Mistrata Street plot 232 Cadastral zone Wuse 11 Abuja; 5 units duplexes at Plot No 1070 Dakibiyu District Cadastral zone B10, Abuja; 16 units service apartments at Plot 1181 Thaba Tseka Crescent, Off IBB Way, Wuse 11, Abuja and 3 units of three- bedroom flats at No. 1 Mubi Close, Plot 766. Cadastral Zone A01, Garki, Abuja. Sylva was first arraigned on Tuesday June 5, 2012.

The Charges

The first three of the six count charge against him read: “That you, Timpre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, sometime between October, 2009 and February, 2010, at various places in Nigeria, including Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did conspire to commit a crime to wit: conversion of property and resources amounting to N2 billion belonging to Bayelsa State Government and derived from an illegal act, with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the said amount and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act), 2004 and punishable under Section 14(1) of the same Act.

“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about January 22, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N380 million property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Habibu Sani Maigidia, a Bureau De Change Operator with Account No. 221433478108, in Fin Bank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.

“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about February 5, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N50 million, property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Enson Benmer Limited with Account No. 6152030001946, in First Bank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.”

The substantive suit has been adjourned to January 10, 2013, for trial.

….EFCC violating the law — Ex-gov Sylva

Embattled former Governor Sylva has reacted to the move by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to confiscate his property calling the anti-corruption agency to respect the law.

Sylva in a statement by his media adviser, Mr. Doifie Ola, said the Abuja High Court never granted any temporary asset forfeiture order to the EFCC.

He said the court directed the EFCC to put Sylva on notice and the substantive matter is fixed for January 10, 2013.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, announcing the seizure of a number of property alleged to be owned by Chief Timipre Sylva, former Bayelsa State Governor.

“The claims by EFCC are completely misleading. Not surprising, this style is in line with EFCC’s known bully-boy tactics and media hysteria. The houses in question do not belong to Sylva.

Sylva’s property are intact, and fully covered by the order validly issued by Justice M. Kolo of the Abuja High Court on December 27, 2012. Sylva had applied to the court for “an interim order of court for the service of the originating process on the respondent to serve as a stay of all actions in respect of the property – plot no 262, Cadastral Zone A02, Wuse 1, District, Abuja, plot 3192, located within Cadastral zone A06 Maitama District, Abuja, plot 232, Cadastral Zone A07,(No. 8 Mistrata Street; Wuse II, Abuja) – by the respondents, their agents, privies, representative or any other person deriving his/her authority from them; either by sealing off, confiscating, ejecting any person from the property, trespassing into the property or doing any other thing how ever so described relating to the said property pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.” This application was granted and hearing in the matter is fixed for January 4, 2013.

“Justice A. Mohammed never granted any temporary asset forfeiture order to EFCC on December 21, 2012. Rather he directed EFCC to put Sylva on notice and the substantive matter is fixed for January 10, 2013. EFCC as a creation of the law cannot be seen to be acting lawlessly and with impunity.”








Source - Vanguard news

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