The 3rd Eye: BBM pranksters: The security implication (2)

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I knew immediately it was a prank. For example; why would any killer in his right senses drop the corpse of his victim in broad daylight and then left the deceased’s school ID card at the scene?
If it was true, why didn’t the person spreading the news, took snapshots of the alleged killers or even picture of their black jeep? Two weeks ago, the pranksters targeted two schools, one in Mushin and the other, at Surulere.
The story was that Boko Haram attacked one of the schools and kidnapped 10 pupils, while in the second school, Boko Haram ‘massacred’ 10 pupils.
The pranksters had parents from both schools, running crazy, just to be able to reach their kids and wards and confirm that their kids were not one of the ‘victims.’ Indeed, some parents left their places of works and trades to dash to these schools.

Boko Haram runs out of food supply

 

Boko Haram sect
| credits: File copy

There are indications that the need to feed the over 200 students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, abducted by Boko Haram insurgents on April 14 has put pressure on the Islamic terrorist group to steal food items and loot communities close to Sambisa Forest in the North East.

Saturday PUNCH investigations revealed that the violent Islamic sect had in the past week stepped up the looting of villages, markets and food stores in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states for food items including grains and bread.

Residents of these communities told Saturday PUNCH that the rate at which the insurgents stole their foodstuffs was unprecedented, noting that the pressure to feed the abducted girls might have contributed to the desperation of the insurgents to steal and kill the villagers in the process.

One of the villagers, Bukar Umar, who resides in Kamuyya village in Borno State, told one of our correspondents that though it was normal for the insurgents to ask communities to contribute money towards “God’s work,’’ they were usually satisfied when communities raised money for them.

He, however, said the insurgents in recent times had stepped up their activities by invading their communities and carting away food items.

With the pressure on Nigerian soldiers to

My boyfriend made me dump prostitution for armed robbery–Suspect

 

Bakare (middle) with other members of the gang
| credits: Kunle Falayi

Twenty-four-year-old Sherifat Bakare, is a young lady one could describe at first glance as pretty. But as she sat on the ground in front of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Ogun State Police Command in Abeokuta, one cannot but imagine how deadly she might have been on operations with her robbery gang.

“I was hustling before Raji, my boyfriend, told me to join his gang,” Bakare began.

But when she was asked to elaborate on what she did as a “hustler,” she explained that she meant prostitution.

Bakare in company with four other members of her gang, were apprehended on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 by the men of Ogun State SARS, who had been on their trail after receiving a tip-off about the gang’s plan.

It all began a few weeks ago, Bakare narrated. She said another member of the gang, Bola Onasile, (also in SARS custody) had approached her boyfriend about the availability of N70m in a wealthy man’s house in Joju area of Sango, Ogun State.

“I have only gone on two operations with them. I don’t know him (Onasile) well. I only know that he was the one who brought the job.

Last operation: How Lagos Police Command lost two officers

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Police duty schedules are certainly unpredictable. To be ordered, to get ready to travel as you walk into the office in the morning, was nothing new to any seasoned policeman. Many of them had often been ordered to work round the clock or mount surveillances in bushes for days, in order to monitor and arrest a wanted suspect.
Such schedules were certainly nothing new to late sergeant Nuhu Aliyu, from Katsina State, who had worked with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Command, for long. Mrs. Nuhu, a woman who had been married to him, close to three years, had gotten used to the unpredictability that comes with her husband’s job. When Nuhu got to office on May, 2, 2014, he had no idea he would be travelling to Kaduna State.
But when he was ordered to get ready, that he would be travelling with members of team nine, to arrest some suspects that same day, he had followed order. But friends and colleagues later confessed that Nuhu had been quite reluctant to embark on that fateful journey, which was very unusual and out of character with him.
“It was almost like he knew something terrible would happen,” said a colleague. According to his colleagues, he was always willing and ready for the most difficult task and journey. He however knew that as a policeman, ‘Obey the last order,’ was the mantra.

Speaker’s 90-yr-old mother-in-law kidnapped

Ninety-year-old  Madam Ogboro Dark,  mother-in-law of the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Honourable Kombowei Benson, has been kidnapped by gunmen the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported.

Dark, fondly called Obololo, was reportedly abducted by gunmen operating along the waterways of southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

She was abducted in her hometown, Korokorosei Community of southern Ijaw, at about 2:00 a.m on Friday.

The armed men, it was gathered, entered the community through the waterside in three speed boats.

Boko Haram murders emir, attacks two others •Soldiers, insurgents in gun duel

 

GUNMEN suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents on Friday killed a first class emir in Borno State, the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta, during an attack in which two other emirs escaped death by a whisker.

Presenting the official account of the murder of the Emir,the Borno State government said the traditional ruler was killed on his way with others to the funeral of the Emir of Gombe who died on Tuesday. 

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“The emir was killed around 9:00a.m. today following a bloody attack by some gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram along Tashan Alade on the way to Biu town, headquarters of Biu Local Government Area in southern Borno State.

“The late emir was in company of the Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama, and Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza – all of who drove in the same vehicle as they headed to Biu to pick the Emir of Biu so they could all drive in a convoy to Gombe  State to attend the funeral of the late Emir of Gombe who was scheduled for burial in Gombe today (Friday).

Foster mother who was jailed for 14 years for torturing three children in her care is set to be released from prison - and could now be re-homed near her victims

 

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Eunice Spry, 70, was jailed for 14 years in April 2007 after she was convicted of subjecting the vulnerable youngsters to years of horrific abuse

A foster mother who was jailed for beating, abusing and starving three children in her care is set to be freed from prison in a matter of weeks – and could be rehomed just miles from the daughter she once tortured.
Eunice Spry, 70, was jailed for 14 years in April 2007 after she was convicted of subjecting the vulnerable youngsters to a ‘horrifying catalogue of cruel and sadistic treatment’ over a 19-year period.
However, after serving just over half of her sentence, Spry is set to be released on parole in a couple of weeks and is reportedly set to be rehomed just 25 miles away from her daughter in Worcester, West Midlands.
The news has horrified her adopted daughter Victoria Evans, 28.

Bizman Arraigned for Dud Cheque

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on May 28, 2014 arraigned one Igwilo Emeka Henry before Justice Chudi Nwankwor of the Anambra State High Court, Onitsha on one count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and issuance of dud cheque.

NDLEA ARRESTS MAN WITH CANNABIS

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a Malian, Kone Ali with compressed cannabis weighing 4kg.

The suspect, a businessman and student at Guangdong University of Technology, China holds dual citizenship of Nigeria and Mali. He was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos while attempting to board a Kenyan Airways flight to China.

The cannabis was hidden inside foodstuff like melon, dried bitter leaf and assorted local spices.

Currency Counterfeiter Bags Seven Years Jail Term

Justice Fatu Riman of the Federal High Court Kano today sentenced one Mohammed Basiru Abdulkadir to seven years imprisonment for offences bordering on currency counterfeiting.
The convict was arraigned on May 28, 2014 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 5-count charge bordering on possession of counterfeit currency.

Navy Hands Over 7 Suspected Oil Thieves,

Seven suspected oil thieves and two vessels, MT CERGEN D and MT RHEINFELDEN, have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for further investigation and prosecution by officers of the Central Command of the Nigerian Navy in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Commodore Bamidupe Babagbale who represented the Navy at the brief ceremony on May 28, said that the vessels were arrested at different times by his team.

11 Ways You May Be Sabotaging Your Marriage

Of course you want the happiest marriage possible, but little things you do-some of which you don't notice-may be damaging your relationship. In fact, you may intentionally opt for these actions because you believe they're helpful, even though the opposite is true. Steer clear of the following mistakes to keep your marriage on the right track. Photo by Thinkstock


1. You wait for your husband to speak up if he needs something, especially sex. Men want to be strong, not vulnerable, and many feel they can't admit to having additional needs. If he senses you're too busy for, or not open to, hearing his desires, he'll stay mum-and miserable. "Ask him what he's thinking and wanting," advises clinical psychologist Andra Brosh, PhD. "Don't wait for him to bring it up because he probably won't."

. You don't tell your husband you appreciate him.
Whether he's the breadwinner or a stay-at-home dad, acknowledge his efforts, or your man may feel you take him for granted. "Even if you work equally as hard, it's essential to show your heartfelt thanks," says Dr. Brosh. "Saying 'I appreciate all that you do for me' is so easy, but lack of appreciation leads to resentment in marriage." Flip side: If you don't feel like he appreciates you, tell him.

3. You complain he doesn't show affection when he actually does.
No matter how head-over-heels in love your husband is with you, he isn't likely to talk about it. "He might show his feelings through being a dad and/or provider or even mowing the lawn instead," Dr. Brosh says. While you may not get the long conversation you crave, don't overlook these expressions of love and support.

Nigeria's president orders full scale offensive on Boko Haram

ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's president said on Thursday he had ordered "a full-scale operation" against Boko Haram Islamist militants and sought to reassure the parents of 219 schoolgirls being held by the group that their children would be freed.

Speaking on Nigeria's Democracy Day, Goodluck Jonathan said he had authorized security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that Boko Haram, which operates in the country's northeast is defeated.

"I am determined to protect our democracy, our national unity and our political stability, by waging a total war against terrorism," Jonathan said in a TV speech.

It was not immediately what such an offensive could entail given that the northeast of the country has been under a state of emergency and a full scale military operation for a year. Nigerian forces are also hugely overstretched.

Indian teen girls gang-raped and hanged from a tree: police

NEW DELHI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Indian police have arrested one man and are looking for four other suspects after two teenage girls were gang-raped and then hanged from a tree in a village in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, police said on Thursday.

The two cousins, who were from a low-caste Dalit community and aged 14 and 15, went missing from their village home in Uttar Pradesh's Budaun district when they went out to go to the toilet on Tuesday evening.

The following morning, villagers found the bodies of the two teenagers hanging from a mango tree in a nearby orchard.

"We have registered a case under various sections, including that of rape, and one of the accused has been taken into custody. There were five people involved, one has been arrested and we are looking for the others," Budaun's Superintendent of Police Man Singh Chouhan told reporters.

Chouhan said a post-mortem confirmed the two minors were raped and died from the hanging. DNA samples have been also been taken to help identity the perpetrators, he added.

The victim's families say the girls were gang-raped and then hanged by five men from the village. They allege that local police were shielding the attackers as they refused to take action when the girls were first reported missing.

DEMOCRACY DAY: IGP ASSURES HITCH FREE CELEBRATIONS

·        Calls for vigilance amongst the populace 

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar has assured the citizens that effective security measures have been put in place towards ensuring a hitch free Democracy Day which comes up on the 29^th May, 2014. 

Businessman Bags 2 Years in Prison for N6m Scam

A Federal High Court sitting in Jos and presided by Justice Andrel Alagwa has sentenced a Jos businessman, Ibrahim Nayaya to two years imprisonment in a case brought before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Nayaya was arraigned on June 15, 2013 on one count charge that borders on obtaining by trickery, contrary to and punishable under Section 421 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

Fraudster Bags Three Years Jail Term for Impersonating Lamorde

Justice Farouq Lawal of the Kano State High Court has convicted and sentenced one Daniel Okpara to three years imprisonment for impersonating the chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde.
The convict allegedly opened a facebook account, presenting himself as the Executive Chairman of EFCC and began to solicit and collect money from job seekers under the pretext of offering them employment at the commission.
Daniel was arraigned on May 27, 2014 and he pleaded guilty to the 3-count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence preferred against him by the EFCC.

EFCC Arraigns Three Former Bankers for N16.9m Scam

Three former bankers with a new generation bank,  were on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 arraigned before Justice Akindavid Oladimeji of  Osun State High Court, Ile-Ife on separate charges,  all bordering on failure to exercise due diligence, forgery and conspiracy to commit fraud involving a sum of N16,891,100 (Sixteen Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, One Hundred Naira)

The accused persons: Foluso Opayinka, Ebenezer Adeyemi and Esan Okunola were former employees of Skye Bank, Ila-Orangun branch, Osun State. While Opayinka was arraigned on three count charges, Ebenezer Adeyemi and Esan Okunola were arraigned on one count each.

BOKO HARAM kills 45 soldiers, policemen •Hoists flag in Borno villages, residents allege

GUNMEN suspected to be Boko Haram members have allegedly killed at least 45 Nigerian security personnel, after laying siege on the town of Buni Yadi, the headquarters of Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

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Reports said Boko Haram gunmen, on trucks and motorcycles, stormed the town late on Monday.

A source with Nigeria’s Joint Task Force told Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service that 24 soldiers and 21 police officers were confirmed dead following the attack. 

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen took away an armoured tank and many vehicles.

There has been no word on civilian casualties. 

Gunmen invade Benue varsity, rape students

YOUTHS suspected to be cult members, on Sunday, invaded the female hostel of Benue State University, Makurdi, raped and robbed the students of their valuables.

No fewer than 20 female students were said to have been raped at gunpoint during the invasion.

Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that the invaders stormed the Technical Block of female hostel about 10.00 p.m in commando manner and beat up the girls, before carting away their valuables.

The armed men were said to have had a field day without disturbance by the university security operatives.

Arepo: Vandals kidnapped 9 policemen —Investigation •Figure not yet confirmed —PPRO

INVESTIGATION, on Tuesday, revealed that nine policemen were kidnapped on Saturday last week by pipeline vandals at Arepo, during a gun duel between the police and the vandals, which resulted into explosion.

Nigerian Tribune, on Monday, reported that two policemen attached to the Inspector General of Police Special Anti-Vandalism Team were abducted, while two others were killed by the vandals.

B’Haram: MTN, forensic expert to testify against Ndume

Senator Aliyu Ndume

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday granted an application by the Federal Government to call two additional witnesses against Senator Aliyu Ndume, who is facing charges of sponsoring the violent Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram.

The proposed witnesses, according to the Federal Government, are the MTN and a forensic expert. Three prosecution witnesses had already testified in the case.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, after dismissing Ndume’s opposition to the prosecution’s application on Tuesday, gave the Federal Government seven days to file its additional proof of evidence and serve same on the defence.

My services are still available – Boko Haram negotiator

Salkida

Northern-born journalist widely reported to have strong ties with the Boko Haram sect, Ahmad Salkida, has said that he is still readily available to render his services to bring an end to the insurgency in the country.

Salkida was said to be close to the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, as well as many top shots of the group.

He had since fled to the United Arab Emirates on account of an alleged threat to his life over what he described as his “professional closeness” to the insurgents.

“My first-rate exclusive reports on the insurgency in northern Nigeria served by the Boko Haram militant group unsettled a section of the local authorities. This consequently led to threats to my life. I now live with my family and work part-time in the United Arab Emirates,” a post on his LinkedIn page read.

Stop abusing my husband, Patience tells Nigerians

Mrs. Patience Jonathan

Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, on Tuesday advised Nigerians to desist from abusing her husband because God Himself made him the head of the nation.

Patience gave the advice while addressing children at an event she organised to mark the 2014 Children’s Day at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The children used the occasion to send letters of protest to the Boko Haram sect and President Goodluck Jonathan on the need to release the abducted girls.

Couple arrested for beating house help to death

The Pen-Cinema Police Station, Agege, Lagos State, has arrested a couple who allegedly beat their 12-year-old houseboy to death.

The incident was said to have occurred on May, 27, 2014 at about 20:30pm, at the Pen-Cinema area of Agege.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Obiefule were alleged to have pounced and beaten 12 year old Onyedikachi Mbanozo, to death for offences yet to be ascertained.

Father beats son to death for stealing N1000

A grief-stricken father is presently trying to explain to Homicide detectives, at the State Criminal Investigations Department, (SCID), Panti, Yaba, why be beat his son to death.

But preliminary investigations carried out by the detectives revealed that the man, Mr. Bright, living at No.6. Olarewaju Street, Oregun, Ikeja, allegedly hit his son’s head with an iron belt for stealing the sum of N1000.

Ezekwesili, Agbaje, Falana call for new leadership

Eminent Nigerians on Sunday night, called for a turning point in Nigeria leadership spearheaded by the youths. This was even as they noted with shock the overwhelming criminalities found among youths today.

This call was made at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, by former World Bank Vice-President, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Femi Falana (SAN) and pharmacist-turned politician, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, at the launch of Chude Jideonwo’s book, ‘Are We The Turning Point Generation?’

Ezekwesili, who chaired the event, insisted that the best form of leadership was one that understood and embraces sacrifice and service to the masses. While she noted that not every youth could possibly have the idea and ideals of bringing change in the country, she opined that there were few exceptional ones.

Chibok: We must not accept this horror- Gbadamosi

The launch of Chude Jideonwo’s book, ‘Are We The Turning Point Generation?’ held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island on Sunday night, turned into a protest ground, as several  Nollywood celebrities and comedians, supported by former World Bank Vice-President, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, carried lettered cards, which formed the words, “Bring back our girls now and alive.”

The celebrities held lighted candles and kept chanting, “Bring back our girls now and alive.”

Sighted in their midst were Julius Agwu, Monalisa Chinda, Funmi Iyanda, Derele Edun, Mo Abu, ace comedian Aliababa, Seyi Law, among others.

FG’ll rescue Chibok schoolgirls alive – Sambo

Vice-President Nnamadi Sambo

Vice President Namadi Sambo on Monday assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would ensure that the abducted pupils of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, would be rescued alive.

The girls had been seized from their hostels at night by members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, since April 14.

Sambo said Nigerians must however compliment government efforts in order to win the current war against terrorism and insurgency in the country.

Arepo: We’re still searching for missing officers, say police

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Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, has said that the police were still searching for two officers who went missing during a shootout with petroleum pipeline vandals at Arepo on Sunday.
He said: “We are searching for the two missing police officers at the Sunday incident at Arepo community; because the missing officers are precious to our command. Therefore, we are working hard to bring them back alive.
“The perpetrators of the act will not go free; they will pay dearly for their actions.” The missing policemen were said to have engaged the vandals in gun battle in Arepo, a community in Ogun State.

Bomb victim was in her final year —Sister

Shekinah Ejeh

Blessing, elder sister of a final year student of the College of Education, Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Shekinah Ejeh, who died in the May 20 Jos bombing, speaks with TEMITAYO FAMUTIMI

What is your name?

My name is Blessing Ejeh, a Mass Communication student of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. I lost my immediate younger sister, Shekinah to the Jos bomb blast of May 20.

What was your sister doing at the Terminus Market, the scene of the blast?

My sister was a final year student of the College of Education, Akwanga, Nasarawa State where she was studying Computer Science/Economics until she was killed by the explosion. She had just finished her teaching practice exercise and preparing to resume her last semester in the college.

Jos blast victim’s last words: Nigerians are helpless

One of the victims of last Tuesday’s twin bomb blasts at the Terminal Market, Jos, Plateau State, Lydia Komolafe, had in weeks preceding her untimely death lamented the incessant loss of lives to the Boko Haram insurgency. This she did in a series of tweets.

On May 19, two days before the Tuesday attack, Komolafe prayed for a brighter and rewarding week. This was expressed in the post she penned on her Twitter page which read, “This week, I shall be satisfied with favour.”

Sadly, this was not to be as Komolafe was one of the seven students of the Medical Laboratory Science Department of the University of Jos, who lost their lives in the bombing.

Meanwhile, a cursory look at her Twitter timeline and the activities therein revealed that she was indeed philosophical as she was clearly not apolitical, as evident in her posts.

In some other tweets, the late undergraduate spoke as she had the slightest premonition that she may become a victim, herself.

She posed a rhetorical question in a tweet, “Hmm, now we don’t know if our parents or siblings are safe in the park, church, mosque, market, and schools. The airports are not left out. I forgot, Aso Rock, isn’t left out either.

“They (Boko Haram) go wherever they want! It’s a fight against Nigeria, and Nigerians are helpless. Because they didn’t curb it at first, terrorism has grown so wild!,”

She also enjoined Nigerians against the belief that insurgency is only a “northern problem.”

At various times, the late Komolafe indicted the Federal Government for allowing the insurgency to fester and expressed concerns that Nigerians were no longer safe in motor parks.

For instance, when a second bomb went off in Nyanya, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on May 1, Komolafe, expressed deep concerns over the violence and called for prayers to end the extremism.

Her tweet at the time read, “Pray for Nigeria, Nigerians can’t sleep! We are not even secured in the midst of road blocks! This has got to stop!! Who’s going to be our ‘Avatar’ in this nation?”

Arguing that terrorism had indeed “grown so wild” in Nigeria as it had become a daily occurrence, Komolafe accused the Federal Government of playing the ethnic and political card with the insurgency from the outset.

Her thought-provoking tweets in this regard read, “They ignored the red flag for terrorism when it started earlier in Jos and Kaduna. Nobody cared. They called it all kind of names. They called it religion, ethnic, political. We suffered in silence. They shut us up! Now it’s coming closer ‘home,’ the seat of government and everyone is crying wolf!

“If only we had curbed it earlier! They left it to our governors to fight it; they brought soldiers who molested us! Nobody cared! I’m not being insensitive; I’m just saying if we had saved the cup of milk from falling, we wouldn’t have been worrying about the spill now.”

Komolafe urged Nigerians to refrain from actions and inactions capable of brewing acts of terrorism. Treating members of other religions, ethnic and political groups, she argued, was capable of breeding terrorist actions.

“Boko Haram started like a joke, we prayed, cast and bound, we did nothing! The citizens kept pointing fingers at the government! Calling it different things! We thought it will vanish. Or maybe, since it started in the north it would remain there. As long as it didn’t go down south, they didn’t care.

“They tagged it a northern syndrome. Little did they know that it wasn’t going to be restricted for long! Today there’s a blast, tomorrow nobody cares. Fighting terrorism isn’t only for the government, it’s for us too! What we say, what we preach how we live, reflects if we are terrorists or not,” another post read.

Komolafe, who was a passionate fan of Chelsea Football Club of London, during her life-time also lent a voice to the ongoing global campaign demanding the release of the abducted Chibok girls.

“With one voice, let’s speak against terrorism. I’m not calling for protests or any of that sort! The moment you hold hate in your heart, you’re giving room to hateful thoughts that could lead to terrorism. Nigeria will get past all this! So help us God!”

Often, she expressed her thoughts and views with the hashtag, #BringBackOurGirls.

Her words, “Nobody should be punished for going to school! There’s no basis to this kidnap! Our hearts are bleeding. Please bring them alive! May the angels protect them wherever they may be.”

Meanwhile, tributes have been pouring in for the late student. One of her close friends, Zion Abiodun, described her as a “Yoruba girl who loved the North like anything.”

“I am trying to stop the tears, but it’s difficult. I have never cried for anyone this much, just can’t hold the tears. I need to wake up from this dream,” Abiodun added in a tribute to her on Twitter.

PUNCH

We know where Chibok girls are —Military •Rules out force option to rescue them

THE Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, in Abuja, on Monday, said the military now knows where the abducted schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, are,  adding that the military will not use force in the rescue operation.

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Badeh disclosed this while speaking to members of the Citizen Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA), a non-government organisation, who were on solidarity campaign to the Defence Headquarters.

“The good news for the parents of the girls is that we now know where they are, but we cannot tell you, we cannot come and tell you the secret. Just leave us alone, we are working to get the girls back.

“I can tell  you our military can do it, but where they are held, can we go with force? Nobody should say Nigerian military does not know what it is doing. We can’t kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back. So we are working, the president has empowered us to do the work,” he said.

Your heart is full of evil, US Islamic clerics write Shekau

Shocked by the delay in the release of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Borno State, by leader of the proscribed Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, Islamic clerics resident in the United States of America have called for the immediate freedom of the girls.

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This was contained in a letter written to Shekau and made available to Sunday Tribune. It was signed by the Supreme Council of Muslim Organisations Zaytuna College Washington, DC Berkeley; Imam Sheikh Jamal Said; Imam Sheikh Kifah Mustapha; The Mosque Foundation, Bridgeview, IL Bridgeview; Dr. Hatem Bazian; American Muslims for Palestine; Council on American-Islamic Relations; Islamic Circle of North America; Khalil Meek W. Deen Mohammed II; Muslim Legal Fund of America The Mosque Cares, Dallas, TX Chicago, IL; Mahtabuddin Ahmed Hussein Ata, among others.

Explosion rocks Jos again

Barely four days after a deadly explosion  that left no fewer than 150 people dead in Jos, Plateau State, another bomb explosion  rocked part of the city with unconfirmed casualty on Saturday.

Sunday Tribune learnt that the latest incident occurred at Angwan Rogo in Jos North Local Government area, a suburb settlement behind the University of Jos main campus at about 9:40 p.m.

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A source close to the scene of the incident revealed that the multiple explosion occurred at television viewing centre  where the inhabitants of the area were watching European League final match between Real Madrid FC and Atletico Madrid FC.

Sunday Tribune learnt that the loud bang from the explosion was heard in virtually all parts of the city, thus causing tension and panic.

The 3rd Eye….. BBM pranksters: The security implication

The use of the Black Berry Messenger to cause panic in the country, especially Lagos State is becoming recurrent. It’s quite sad really, that a sane person could sit somewhere and concoct devilish, imagined occurrences just to scare people witless.
And it’s equally remarkable that once such messages are broadcast, another set of people begin to broadcast such news without first cross checking their facts.
We’re all accepting these BBM pranksters with indulgence and mild anger. The danger in this stupid game is that when the ‘wolf’ finally surfaces and the pranksters begin their broadcast, nobody will believe. Thus such unbelief may eventually lead to avoidable accidents and deaths.
In a nutshell, we should not cry wolf, when there’s no wolf! There had been several of such pranks that I had lost count. There was a time the pranksters posted that there would be an acid rain. It was so widespread that some citizens became apprehensive and paranoid, fearful of even stepping out of their homes.
When it finally rained, I was caught in that downpour. I was at the Landipo area of Ikeja when it started pouring. Even commercial bike riders abandoned their motorbikes and took off. I saw people running like the hounds of hell were after them, just to avoid the rain touching them. Since it was ‘supposedly acid rain, ‘they had conjured and imagined the harm such a rain could do to their skin. Utter rubbish of course! But the fact is that people swallowed it, hook, line and sinker.
The pranksters again came up the story that trucks loaded with Boko Haram members had invaded Lagos through the Lagos/ Ibadan expressway, forcing law enforcement agents to dash to the area. It was also a wolf call! Perhaps the most ridiculous was the broadcast that four men in a black Jeep dropped a headless Lagos State University undergraduate’s corpse, along the long bridge of the Lagos/Ibadan route. People believed and even journalists were asked to investigate.
TO CONTINUE

Coroner Law: ‘Some pathologists sign reports without even examining the bodies’

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Worried by the growing cases of uninvestigated extrajudicial killings in the country, especially of suspects in police custody, a nongovernmental organization, Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN Foundation), has taken steps to ensure reduction and justice for victims of such killings.
To achieve this reduction and ensure inquest, NOPRIN reviews the Lagos State Coroner Law, 2007. Indeed, in Nigeria, many cases of extrajudicial killings go uninvestigated and unpunished. The families of the victims usually have no recourse to justice or redress. Many do not even get to find out what exactly happened to their loved ones.

Strike: Fashola stops LASU lecturers’ pay

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The lingering crisis between the management of Lagos State University and the Academic Staff Union of Universities LASU chapter may be far from over as Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has ordered the stoppage of their salaries.
New Telegraph on Sunday gathered the striking lecturers would, in addition to losing their salaries, not have their check-off dues deducted while they run the risk of suffering other disciplinary measures.

Kidnappings: Police to transfer officers out of Anambra

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Following a resurgence of kidnapping in Anambra State, especially with the reported death a few days ago of the immediate Commissioner for Science and Technology in the state, Chike Okoli, in the hands of suspected criminals, the Inspector- General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, is said to have acceded to a request from the state government for the transfer of senior police officers out of the state.

EFCC to Arraign Oil Services Manager for N48.9m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has concluded arrangement to arraign the Finance Manager of Cetco Oilfield Services Limited, Akintunde Ajao alongside his company, YPSL Limited for offences bordering on forgery, conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences. The Commission on May 21, 2014, filed four-count information at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, River State against the suspect.
The suspect allegedly  acting on a directive purportedly  from the River State Board of Internal Revenue (RSBIR) diverted the sum of fifty-two million, two hundred and eighty two thousand (52, 282, 000:00)  to YPSL Limited, a company allegedly promoted by him, to defrauded Cetco Oilfields Services Nigeria Limited.

EFCC Urged To Expand Its Anti Corruption Campaign

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 1, Alhaji Tambari Yabo Mohammed, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to expand its campaign on anti corruption from youths to public office holders.

He made this remark at the inauguration of the EFCC Integrity Club at the Police Girls Secondary School, Shanono, Kano State.

According to him, Corruption “ is a monster that has eaten all sectors and segments of the society and in order to tackle it, we have to take this message not only to the kindergarten level but also at the adulthood stage”.

He added, “in as much as we want the children to hate and shun corruption, the adult should also drop the idea and the time to do that is now”.

Wonder Bank: Accused Person Operated Without Licence – EFCC Witness

The trial of Moses Samanja Audu, an alleged wonder bank operator began on Thursday, May 22, 2014 before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.

 

At the resumed trial, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulkareem Chukkol who was led in evidence by counsel to EFCC, Joshua Saidi told the court that the accused person operated a wonder bank without valid license.

Fake soldier jailed seven years

One of the fake soldiers paraded by the police on Tuesday has been jailed seven years for impersonation.

The defendant, Israel Amuzu (24), was sentenced to jail with hard labour on three counts charges of impersonation.

 He pleaded guilty on all the charges.
The other defendants, Joseph Jidai, John Henry Musa, Azubuike Peter, Obi Chinyere Steaphen, Paul Ohalate, Sulaiman Raheem, Hammed Gbadamosi and Oguntamu Abiola were remanded with option of bail in the sum of N500,000 and two surties in like sum each.

Baby boy rescued from dump-site, dies

Hundreds of people gathered at the Agege-Ogba road, to day after a passerby sighted an abandoned baby and attempted to rescue it.

The baby boy was rescued, but when on looker broke into tears, when it breathed its last and died right there.

The baby was dumped at a dumpsite around Agege area of Lagos.

Bird transforms to woman: She’s our mother, two men told police

Two men, who claimed to be biological children of the old woman who transformed into a bird on Wednesday, yesterday went to Area 'B' Police Command, Apapa,  Lagos State, attempting to explain how their mother 'vanished' from the apartment.

According to a police source, the two men said that the woman is their mother and lives with them at Iju-Ishaga area.

The source said: “The men claimed that they were looking for their mother who left home without informing them. They said they were surprised to read in the pages of newspapers that they saw her in Ajegunle where she turned from a bird to a woman.

“The men said they never know their mother to be a witch and wondered why people spread such rumour about her.”

Jos blasts: Seven UNIJOS students among dead victims

Two victims of the Jos bomb explosions and a crowd at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital... on Wednesday
| credits: Jude Owuamanam and AFP

Seven students of the Medical Laboratory Science Department of the University of Jos were among the dead victims of Tuesday’s twin bomb blasts at the Terminal Market in Jos, Plateau State.

   They were said to be final year students of the department. Three of them were said to be members of the Redeemed Christian Fellowship.

The students   were going to their hostels after receiving lectures at the old campus of the university when they met their death.

One of their friends, Miss Vivian Eke, disclosed this on Wednesday as the death toll in the   blasts rose by 15.

The PUNCH had reported on Thursday that 150 people were killed by the bombs. The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe, had put the casualty figure at 46 even though he admitted that it could be higher.

How we escaped death in Jos blasts, by survivors

• Boko Haram kills 17 near Chibok

• FG accuses northern govs of laxity in fighting terror

A day after they survived the Tuesday twin bombings of a market in Jos, the Plateau State capital, which claimed about 118 lives, some of the survivors yesterday recounted the last moments before two bomb-laden vehicles exploded to shatter the relative peace of the tin city.
It was however learnt that the death toll might have risen as more people had died in hospitals by yesterday. But the Plateau State Government in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Olivia Dazyam, put the death toll at 75 and that 126 others were injured. The incident also attracted more condemnations yesterday from Senate President David Mark; his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the United States.

EFCC to Arraign Female Suspect for N30m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will on May 23, 2014 arraign a business woman, Mary Okoh alias Josephine Williams, for offences bordering on fraud and forgery.

Okoh was arrested by the operatives of the Commission following a complaint by Okon Abasi, executive officer, Mutual Alliance Property Development Company Limited.

The 3rd Eye: Sabotaging the fight against terrorism

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I have been trying to figure out the reason why the Nigerian military, as revealed by Amnesty International, would ignore advance warning about planned mass abduction of the Chibok school girls by Boko Haram. I can only imagine two possibilities.
First, it is clear and beyond doubt that the terrorists whom our soldiers are sent and expected to combat are equipped with better and more sophisticated weapons than they are.

The FBI’s Child ID App: Putting safety in your hands

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You’re shopping at the mall with your children when one of them suddenly disappears. A quick search of the nearby area is unsuccessful. What do you do? Now there’s a free new tool from the FBI that can help.
Our just launched Child ID app—the first mobile application created by the FBI—provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and vital information about your children so that it’s literally right at hand if you need it.

Child abduction: How the FBI child ID App aided recovery

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These are certainly not the best of times for Nigerian parents and law enforcement agents, no thanks to the ritual killers and kidnappers roaming the country, seeking kids to ‘devour.’
Below is one of the ways the FBI used in tracking missing or abducted kids. Its a metholology that some Nigerian law enforcement agents need to emulate. When a 6-year-old boy was abducted in Puerto Rico in October 2012, local media outlets issued conflicting details about the boy’s age; some said he was 7, others said he was 4.
Eager to put out an accurate, detailed description to expedite the search, the FBI in San Juan interviewed the missing boy’s parents and asked about his particulars—name, age, and what he was wearing when he was abducted.

Killings: Calm returns to Mushin after arrest of suspected ringleaders

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For years now, Mushin and Fadeyi areas of Lagos State have been in the eyes of the storm. Several innocent people are killed in the series of yetto be understood reasons for gang wars.
Indeed, the killings were so much that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, attributed the sharp increase in murder in the review of 2013 achievements of his command, to killings in Mushin.
The situation at Mushin, however, came to a head in April, 2014, after the gangs allegedly clashed and, as usual, under the guise of the gang war, robbed several buildings and vandalised several vehicles.
Just days after the attacks on the houses, a visibly angry Manko ordered 24 hours surveillance of the areas, leading to the arrest of three key young men, believed to be behind the disturbances and incessant killings. Since their arrest, strangely, uneasy calm has reigned in Mushin and Fadeyi.
Reacting to their arrest on April, 24, 2014, police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide said: “The Command has arrested the kingpins of gangsters that had rendered Mushin and its environs uninhabitable to citizens. Toba Ajiboye, Yusuf Akinwale and Adigun Oriyomi alias Muda were all apprehended at a hideout in Karimu Street, Mushin, while hatching a plan to attack Oshodi.

I’m being persecuted for not dumping PDP for APC – Auxiliary

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A chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Mukaila Lamidi alias Auxiliary, said he was being persecuted because he refused to work for some politicians.
Auxiliary spoke during his parade yesterday by the police in Lagos for unlawful possession of fire arms and a series of murder in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The NURTW chieftain was declared wanted by the in 2012, with a ransom of N500,000 placed on him and the immediate past Chairman of the union, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola alias Tokyo, for the murder of the National President of the Nigerian Medical Students Association, Bala Usman Shanono, a 500-level medical student of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

Suspected thief stabbed in the eyes

A suspected thief, who attempted to burgle a boutique in the night, got more than he bargained for when someone saw and raised the alarm.

But for the quick intervention of policemen from Ikeja Police Station, the suspect would have been lynched alive.

Jungle justice: Police arrest suspects who set woman ablaze in Abule-Egba

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, yesterday revealed some of those who set a suspect kidnapper ablaze at the Abule-Egba area of the state, had been arrested.

We got our uniforms from genuine soldiers-fake soldiers

The Lagos State Police Command have arrested nine suspected fake soldiers.

The suspects were mostly members of Man 'O' War in army uniforms. 

 Their names were given as Israel Godwin, Joseph Jidai, John Musa, Peter Azubuike, Stephen Obi, Paul Oha, Sulaiman Rahman, Hammed Gadamosi and Abiola Oguntamu.

Pandemonium as residents claim bird transforms into old woman

There was pandemonium yesterday at the Ajegunle area of Lagos State after a strange bird, allegedly transformed into an old woman.

Resident who witnessed the incident, which took place along Ojo Road, said they were shocked to see a bird turn into human being. 

One Emeka disclosed that he was sitting in front of a compound with his lover when they saw three black birds in the air flying as if they were playing.