Monday, June 30, 2014

The 'Mystery Marine' finally turns himself in: Two-time deserter accused of faking his kidnapping is in custody after spending 9 years on the run in Lebanon

A U.S. Marine charged twice with desertion has turned himself in to U.S. custody after hiding for nine years in Lebanon, authorities said Sunday.

Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, 34, surrendered to NCIS investigators in Bahrain, reportedly telling them that he feared for his life in Lebanon.

Capt. Eric Flanagan said that Hassoun was being from out of the Middle East to Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday. From there, he is to be moved to Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina, where authorities will decide whether or not to court-martial him.

'I slept with 10,000 men': Former Australian escort tells all in new book about her life as a sex worker (and the exact number was 10,091)

She has slept with 10,091 men, binged on cocaine and blew tens of thousands of dollars on a new car and clothes.

Now Gwyneth Montenegro has lifted the lid on the world of escorts - revealing her seedy lifestyle despite being raised by devout Christians.

Oscar Pistorius murder trial resumes as psychiatric tests determine runner knew right from wrong the night he shot dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Piustorius was not suffering from a mental illness when he killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a panel of mental health experts has concluded.
The chief prosecutor at the athlete's murder trial told the court of the report's findings as the hearing resumed following a month's break.

The secret of a happy marriage? Sleep naked: People who wear nothing in bed are most content in relationships

The best way to keep a marriage happy is to sleep in the nude, a study suggests.

Those who wear nothing in bed are more content in their relationships than those who cover up, according to a poll.

Of 1,004 Britons, 57 per cent of those who sleep in the nude said they were happy in their relationships, compared with 48 per cent of those in pyjamas, 43 per cent of nightie wearers and 38 per cent of those in onesies.

We don’t know where Chibok girls are – US

The United States said on Friday it had decreased its surveillance flights in the search for the about 219 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram, but added that the overall effort was unchanged due to more flights by other countries.

It stated that it had no idea of the location of the girls, noting however that there is no letup in the efforts to locate and rescue them.

FIVE churches, including Cocin, EYN and Deeper Life in Kwada village, about 10 kilometres from Chibok town, Borno State, were attacked by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members, on Sunday, leaving scores of worshippers dead.

The attackers, according to report from locals in Chibok, targeted the time the people were in their churches for the Sunday worship. “They killed and burnt houses after attacking worshippers in five churches in Kwada and advanced to Kautikari, less than eight kilometres to Chibok town, killing people and burning houses and properties.

“As of now, those who could flee have fled the village into the bush and they are being pursued by the attackers,” Mallam Yahi told the Nigerian Tribune.

Man shot dead in wife’s presence

A man popularly called More Blessing was shot dead by a yetto- be identified assailant on Saturday night while resting in his room in the presence of his wife and their only child, a two-month old baby boy named Daniel. The man, who resided at 24, Branco Street, Mafoluku-Oshodi, Lagos, was murdered around 9pm.

11 die, 28 injured in Bauchi explosion •Police arrest one suspect

ELEVEN people were confirmed dead in Friday night’s bomb explosion, which rocked a brothel, the People’s Hotel, at Bayan Gari area of Bauchi metropolis, while 28 others sustained varying degrees of injury in the attack, even as the police said they had arrested a suspect in connection with the incident.

Sunday Tribune gathered that the explosion occurred at about 9:50pm, as some fun-seekers converged on the brothel. The attack on the brothel was the second time it would be bombed in two years.

It was gathered that the attackers detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and took to their heels, leaving wailing and crying behind.

Susan Rice
| credits: www.telegraph.co.uk

Boko Haram members

Married at 13, divorced at 14: Sad story of child bride, Maimuna Abdullahi

By the time she ran away, she bore the scars of an abused woman anywhere – a swollen face, a starved body, and, barely a year after her wedding, a divorce. But for Maimuna Abdullahi, it all happened by the time she was 14. Maimuna is one of thousands of divorced girls in Nigeria, who were forced into marriage and have since run away or been thrown out by their husbands.

I was strangled, tied up ─ Kidnapped six-year-old boy

A six-year-old boy, Emmanuel Emeka, who was rescued from a suspected kidnapper on Wednesday in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, has recounted how he was lured, seized and tied up by his abductor.

Emmanuel said the suspect, identified as Mama Ifunaya, who was a neighbour, lured him into her room, strangled him, covered his mouth with clothes before tying him up with rope to prevent him from screaming.

Police raid kidnappers training school, arrest 37

The Abia State Police Command says it has raided one Ugorji compound at the Obingwa Local Government Area used by hoodlums as “a training school for kidnappers.”

Commissioner of Police, Adamu Ibrahim, while briefing journalists on Thursday, said 37 suspects were arrested by his men during the raid.

Abuja blast victims recount ordeal

As he(bomber) bent his head towards his Sienna, I told my friend that we should get away from there. Within a few seconds, there was an explosion …. I saw many corpses on the ground. Heads, hands and legs littered everywhere–Ademola

On that fateful day, I just crossed over to buy corn …. Within seconds after I left that point, I heard a big bang and found myself on the ground. My right leg was affected. Presently, I can’t stand with it

– Tyokasi

I thought my head had been blown off by the blast. I touched my head while on the ground and realised that it was there. I stood up and was looking for help, but help didn’t come immediately

–Olatunji

Some of the hospitalised victims of the Emab Plaza explosion in Abuja on Thursday recounted their experience and thanked God for sparing their lives. The explosion had happened on Wednesday.

The victims, who spoke with our correspondent at the Maitama District Hospital, were students, a fashion designer and a vendor.

They gave their names as – Donald Tyokasi, Sulaiman Ademola, Junaid Taofeek Olatunji and Michael Ojeh.

Ojeh’s mother, who was also in the hospital, said the whereabouts of her husband who was at the scene of the blast were still unknown as of 5pm on Thursday.

Accident: Truck kills 6 on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, others injured

SIX people have been confirmed dead in the early morning accident involving a truck and other vehicles on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Traffic on the express is at a standstill as a result of the accident.
TRIBUNE

The 3rd Eye: State Police in Nigeria (2)

Some governors also favour the creation of state police so that they will be in full control of the policing structures in their states. They contend that of all the progressive democracies in the world today, only Nigeria has a centralised unitary policing system in a nation presumably run by federalist doctrines and principles.

Child sex tourism

Last month, the FBI asked for public help in a case involving a suspected serial child predator who for years taught in private international schools overseas.
The suspect committed suicide after his employer saw pornographic images on his thumb drive, but as part of our subsequent investigation—when we began the process of identifying and notifying the victims,—we also asked that possible victims and others who may have information come forward, not only to aid investigators but to potentially access our victim assistance services.

National Coordinator NOPRIN, Okechukwu Nwanguma

In August 2008, a member of the Editorial Board of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Abayomi Ogundeji was killed. It was later reported that Ogundeji was killed by a gang of six armed robbers.
The incident allegedly took place at a point between Dopemu and Akowonjo area of Lagos about 11.45pm. Investigations showed that his death was not random but premeditated.
The matter actually reached the court, but was stalled after one of the witnesses, identified as Tunmise, was killed by unknown gunmen. Tunmise, a key witness was assassinated a month after Ogundeji was killed. The witness was said to have been with Ogundeji in his car on the fateful day he was killed. Many believed that the police were behind the murder of Ogundeji and Tunmise, but it is yet unproven.
A close friend to Tunmise, who wishes to remain anonymous, spoke with the New Telegraph about her demise. The friend said: “Tunmise was beside Ogundeji in the car when he was killed. Invariably, Tunmise knew who and how Ogundeji was killed. After the incident, she became paranoid and was relocated to her grandmother’s home in Ibadan for care and probably safety.
Tunmise predicted her own death. She told us, ‘the trigger happy gunmen who killed Ogundeji could be after my life.’ Every sound and everything seemed to startle her. She was gunned down right in front of her grandmother’s house in the morning while she was washing clothes. She was shot twice. Since her death, her grandmother had never been the same.”

Bullion van snatching: Robbers overwhelmed us, say police

Three days after daredevil armed robbers snatched a bullion van, police in Delta State yesterday said they had recovered the empty.
The police also recovered two Hilux pick up vans with registration number FR 985 LSR and PF 1628 SPY, 343 expanded AK47 ammunition and two magazines with 60 rounds of AK47 live ammunition.
The robbers, numbering over 15, had three days ago laid ambush on Benin- Asaba Expressway by Edo/Ogwashi- Uku at Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area and snatched the van carrying an undisclosed amount of money. The bullion van was on cash transit from one of the new generation banks in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Asaba, the state capital.
The state Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said in a statement issued in Asaba yesterday that though the command mobilised patrol teams to the scene, the robbers still gained the upper hand. She said: “They (policemen) successfully rescued the bank escort team.

NDLEA offers drug addicts help, says Giade

Those struggling with substance abuse may soon heave a sigh of relief as there is hope of breaking free from drug addiction. The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, gave the assurance at the commemoration of the 2014, International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The theme of this year’s celebration is; “A Message of Hope: Drug Use Disorders are Preventable and Treatable.”
The origin of this event is traceable to December 7, 1987 when the United Nations through resolution 42/112 dedicated every June 26 as World Drug Day. “I present to you today a message of hope that drug use disorders are preventable and treatable. NDLEA has drug abuse prevention experts who carry out enlightenment programmes in schools, markets and work places.

Many people were believed to have been killed and more injured after twin explosions rock the Creek Road area of Liverpool Apapa, Lagos State on Wednesday night.

The explosions occurred between 8:30 and 9pm, and occurred within 10 minutes interval of each other. Nobody could confirm the number of people that died or got injured, but a policeman, attached to the Lagos State Monitoring Unit, said: “Many people were injured.”

A tanker owner, who simply identified himself as Henric said: “Anybody who told you anything different from the fact that a bomb was inside the Sienna car is lying to you. It was a bomb explosion! The buildings in this area shook to their very foundations. Take a walk around the street and see all the buildings affected, yet the blast happened quite few metres away from them.

Nine-year-old stabs girl, five, to death

A nine-year-old girl has been detained at the Akenfa Police Division, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for the murder of a five-year-old girl.

The suspect was said to have stabbed the victim to death with a knife after a minor squabble.

The incident, which happened at Igbogene, on the outskirts of Yenagoa metropolis, on Monday, was said to have left the residents of the area awe-stricken.

The reasons for the killing were still sketchy as of the time of this report. However, sources from the area gave two versions.

The first, according to a source who craved anonymity, was that the suspect was under a witchcraft attack.

Ebute Meta Magistrate Court
| credits: File copy

Boko Haram worse than civil war —Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, insisted that the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East is worse than the Nigerian civil war.

Receiving the College of Bishops of the African Church, led by Primate Emmanuel Udofia, who paid him a visit in State House, Abuja, he observed that whereas the battle line was drawn in the case of the civil war and the enemies known, the war on terror was complicated, because the enemies were faceless and within.

He said in spite of that, the enemies would not be able to achieve their goals, especially because of the prayers of the faithful.

“Whenever I have the opportunity to interface with clergymen and Christians generally, I always thank them for their prayers, because this country is facing challenges that we never expected.

“I always say that apart from those of us from the Eastern region, who witnessed the effects of the civil war, people have not witnessed this kind of insecurity in the country.

“In the North-East, it’s almost like it’s even worse than civil war, because in the civil war, you know if you are here, you know the battle line, either a Biafran or Nigerian. You know where to run to. Right now, you don’t even know where to run to, so, it’s a problem,” he said.

TWENTY suspected members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, were arrested in Enugu on Wednesday after a commercial bus conveying them was intercepted by security operatives.

The bus was reportedly stopped at Obollo Afor in the Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Boko Haram members

ABUJA SHOPPING PLAZA EXPLOSION, 21 DEAD, 17 INJURED

· IGP orders increased security presence and surveillance

Nigerian security agencies have commenced investigation into the bomb blast incident which occurred about 4:00pm, today, 25^th June, 2014, at Emab Shopping Complex along Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja. The security Forces have condoned off the scene of the blast, while the Police Bomb Disposal Squad has commenced post-blast analysis as part of the general investigative process. So far, 21 persons have been confirmed dead while the 17 injured persons are receiving treatment at the following hospitals: Maitama hospital, Gwarimpa hospital, Wuse hospital and Garki hospital and National hospital.

N27.5 Bn fraud: Court Stops Atuche’s Bid to Stall Trial

Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, today stopped further attempts by a former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Mr. Francis Atuche to delay trial in a N27.5Billion suit instituted against him and two other defendants by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
At the resumed trial of the case on Wednesday, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, insisted that the defence team, led by Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, call Atuche or his wife Elizabeth, to the witness box, following their failure to produce a witness who, according to them, was meant to come in from Abuja, but could not make it due to bad weather.

EFCC Arraigns Former Banker for $368,203 Scam

A former banker with one of the old generation banks, Oreoluwa Adesakin, was on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, arraigned before Justice O.M Olagunju of an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on a 15-count charge bordering on stealing by fraudulent conversion, contrary to Section 390 (8) (C) Cap 38 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The accused person who was in charge of Western Union Money Transfer at First Bank Nigeria Plc, allegedly used her office to convert a total sum of $ 368,203.00(Three Hundred and Sixty Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Three United States Dollars) for her personal use. She allegedly perpetrated the fraud, by using her position and office to raise vouchers for payment of money in excess of what was meant for customers of the bank. Investigations showed that, Adesakin used the money to acquire landed properties in Ibadan and to float a company: Empathy Trade and Investment Company, Limited.
One of the charge reads: "that you Oreoluwa Adesakin on or about the 23rd day of October, 2012 at the Bola Ige Market Branch of First Bank, Ibadan, within the Ibadan Judicial Division, whilst being a Cashier at Bola Ige Market Branch of First Bank Plc in charge of Western Union Money Transfer Operations, fraudulently converted the sum of $4,500 (Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) property of First Bank Plc via Western Union Money Transfer payment, Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) 733437 to your personal use"
When the charges were read to the accused person, she pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of her plea, prosecuting counsel, Zainab Ettu asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the accused person in prison custody. But the defense counsel, Samuel Adeniji, informed the court that he had placed an application for bail before it and prayed that the accused person be remanded in EFCC custody. This prayer was opposed by Ettu, who reminded the court that the EFCC did not have an office in Ibadan. "Besides, the proper place of custody after arraignment is the prison", she said.

N24bn Police Pension Scam: EFCC Tenders More Exhibits

The ongoing trial of seven persons accused of complicity in the police pension scam, continued on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 before Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The seven accused persons who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are; Esai Dangabar, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira, Uzoma Cyril Attang and Christian Madubuke.

Church as ritual den: Woman escapes lynching for hiding kidnapped child in travelling bag

A woman was rescued by policemen yesterday at the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, after she was discovered to have hidden a 6-year-old in a travelling, whom she allegedly kidnapped.
The incident, which occurred at the Majidun area of Ikorodu, attracted a lot of attention, with angry mob, attempting to set the Pentecostal church which the woman attends, on fire. Mob which invaded the church, claimed to have sighted human heads and bones.

I sold my blood to buy drugs ─ Pastor

Persons undergoing rehabilitation
| credits: Afeez Hanafi

A zonal pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mr. Victor Edo, said he had to donate his blood in exchange for money to satisfy his urge for heroin, cocaine and some other hard drugs.

Victor said this on Tuesday, during a visit to Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry in the Araga, Epe area of Lagos by officials of the National Drug Enforcement Agency.

The pastor, an alumnus of the CADAM, told our correspondent that his 13-year journey as a drug peddler and addict started in 1985 in Lagos when he started selling drugs.

Abducted schoolgirls in the video

•Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, on the top of a vehicle during a campaign tour of Ikirun community... on Tuesday.
| credits: State Government House

President of the Senate, David Mark | credits: File copy

Gunmen kill 38 in Southern Kaduna, Kano blast survivors recount ordeal

NO fewer than 38 persons were killed on Monday night in two separate attacks in two villages in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

This came as survivors in the bomb blast, which occurred in Kano School of Hygiene, on Monday, recounted their ordeals.

Mr Emmanuel Adamu, the Sanga Local Government Area chairman, told newsmen in Sanga that the attacks were carried out in the villages simultaneously.

Adamu said the gunmen unleashed mayhem on Ankpon village in Nandu district and Kabamu village in Fadan Karshi, all of Numana district.

While describing the incident as unfortunate, he said the victims included women and children.

“Twenty-one people were killed in Fadan Kashi, while 17 were killed in Nandu,” he said.

Adamu condoled with those who lost their loved ones during the attack and urged residents to remain calm.

According to him, security agencies were tracking the attackers while measures had been adopted to forestall recurrence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that seven people were killed when gunmen attacked a police outpost at Fadan Karshi in May.

US plane flying from Nigeria to Gabon disappears

CONFUSION reigned across the country’s aviation sector, on Monday, following reports that a United States (US) jet that departed Kano airport, Nigeria, on its way to Gabon, got missing after leaving Nigeria’s airspace.

The US registered aircraft, with registration number N9784L, has been declared missing by the Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities.

The plane, owned by the United States company, Global Aviation, but based in Douala, Cameroon, was said to have taken off from Kano at 1800 hours (6.00 p.m) local time on Monday, en route Libreville in Gabon, where it was scheduled to arrive at 2300 hours (11.00 p.m) after a stopover in Douala, Cameroon.

The Cameroonian aviation authorities said the plane, which had an American pilot on board, did not make it to Douala.

The authorities said the last contact the plane had with the control tower took place in Mongo, two hours’ flight from Douala, the Cameroonian economic capital.

It was gathered that the plane must have been carrying out aerial mapping of the Cameroonian airspace, which the company that owns the jet is known for before the incident.

Police kill 15-year-old, label him robber, group alleges

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has been called upon to probe the shooting and killing of a 15-yearold boy allegedly by the police, who later labelled him a robber.
The slain teenager was identified as Lovely Omoregie. After he was killed, his five friends, who witnessed his murder, were arrested and also allegedly labelled armed robbers.
The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), made the call after it received the information about the killing in Benin, Edo State, from a law firm to the deceased.
B. A. Iluobe Law Firm, based in Benin, Edo State informed NOPRIN that on June 5, that six young persons were playing card game in front of their house at No. 20, Omoregie Street, off Upper Mission Extension, Ikpoba Hill, Benin when the incident occurred. The players were between the ages of 15 and 24.

Six feared dead as robbers snatch bullion van

Armed robbers snatched a bullion van at Ubulu-Okiti in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday. The robbers also killed six people, including policemen escorting the van. The bullion was conveying money from Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, to the head office of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Asaba, the state capital.
Ubulu-Okiti is an agrarian town on Benin-Asaba Expressway. The axis has been known for violent robbery attacks in the past five years. It was on the same road and town that a Commissioner of Police in the state was attacked while on his way from Benin. In that attack, about eight policemen were killed.

EFCC TASKS STOCK MARKET OPERATORS ON INTEGRITY

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has charged stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market to be transparent and operate by the rules guiding the market.

Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, gave the charge Tuesday at the Joint EFCC-Nigerian Stock Exchange Awareness Programme in Lagos. Lamorde, who spoke through the Commission’s Deputy Director, Public Affairs Osita Nwajah, observed that the Stock Exchange was the life wire of the ordinary Nigerian, who is daily investing in stocks and shares, and who must be assured that his investments are being handled with utmost integrity and transparency.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, Gombe today sentenced one Khalil Ahmed Bappa, 29, who claims to be a GLO Ambassador, to 24 months imprisonment for fraudulently extorting goods and money worth N267, 000 from a female student of Bayero University, Kano, Yusra Ali Babakusa, with assurances of making her a Glo Ambassador.

Khalil who has been standing trial on charges bordering on obtaining by false pretences surprisingly changed his plea midway by pleading guilty to the 2-count charge.

Mother says she is prepared to go to JAIL after school refused her son, 9, permission to attend her weekday wedding ceremony

A mother has declared that she will risk a prison sentence for letting her son miss three days of school to attend her wedding.
Clare Whitelegg is furious that her nine-year-old son’s primary school refused her request for him to take time off lessons to watch her marry her police officer fiancé Andy McLeary.
The school argued that the wedding did not warrant time off because it could not be classed as ‘exceptional circumstances’.

But Miss Whitelegg, 30, who works for the police as a call handler, has pulled her son, Riley Bryant, out of lessons regardless.
She and Mr McLeary, 37, who live in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, are due to marry in her home town of Newquay, Cornwall, later today.

PANDEMONIUM broke out, on Monday, at the School of Hygiene, Kano, when a bomb exploded, claiming no fewer than eight persons and leaving many people, mostly students, injured.

A suspect was, however, arrested at the scene and, according to the state police spokesman, Magaji Majiya, he is currently helping the police in their investigation.

The incident occurred around 2.05 p.m. on Monday, when most of the students were outside their lecture rooms, preparing for another lecture.

A source, who preferred anonymity, said a Fulani woman selling “Nunu” to students in the school, alongside about eight vehicles parked inside the premises, were affected in the incident.

According to a student, Yahaya Suleiman, the bomb might have been planted on the school premises before the arrival of students for lectures on Monday.

Three killed at a birthday party

Three youths were killed while several others were injured when gunmen opened fire on them while celebrating a birthday party at Joenice Bar at Nyango Gel, Bukuru Low-cost Housing area of Jos South Local Government Area in Plateau State.
The incident occurred late Sunday night. It was gathered that an argument had erupted during the party, prompting the owner of the joint to alert members of the Special Task Force (STF), saddled with the responsibility of restoring peace in Jos.

Mr. Ayodele Fayose

Activist bows to death after surviving assassins’ bullet

The death of Olatunde Vincent on May, 17, 2014, shocked Nigerians who had closely been following his activities. Many people knew Vincent as a crusader against crime and injustices, but preferred to be called a human right activist.
He had spoken heatedly against police corruption, torture and arbitrary arrest. The activist would never keep silent in the face of tyranny and persecution of the innocent. Vincent lived in Shomolu area of Lagos State and had always done everything within his power to check activities of suspected fraudsters, otherwise known as, ‘EFCC boys’.
He had also spoken against cultism, through the print and social media. He did not only attack youths who took to crime like ducks to water, but he had also zeroed in on suspected corrupt politicians, who he said: “arm youths in Shomolu communities with guns to carry out their deadly deed.” Due to his inability to keep silent in the face of oppression and corruption, Vincent became the target of unknown assassins.

19-year-old boy steals car during church vigil

A 19-year-old Libyan, Jimoh Ahmed, who specialises in stealing choice cars, is now telling the police some of the secrets of his trade. Ahmed was arrested by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos, after reportedly stole a Honda car parked in a church premises, during a vigil.
The suspect said that his best friend introduced him to robbery when they were still in secondary school. Ahmed, who claimed that his father is a Libyan and mother a Chadian, said he was arrested for removing a car parked in the street.
Once he removed the cars, he tries to locate a buyer. He confessed that he does nothing useful with the money, aside from buying designer clothes and shoes. The suspect said that he was nabbed at Mile 12 area of Lagos State by the owner of the Honda ‘Bulldog’ car, who alerted the police. He said: “I was arrested in possession of Honda Accord car.

Nursing mother accuses policeman of assault

A nursing mother with a monthold- baby has accused a policeman attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Awkuzu, Anambra State, of slapping her after she was arrested along with her husband.
Mrs Ifeyinwa Ihejiagwa said that she heard of her husband’s arrest but before she could get to the shop where her husband sells wine to ascertain what the matter was, the policemen had whisked her husband away to an undisclosed location. She was attempting to find out from neighbours where her husband, Chiagorom Ihejiagwa, 31, had been taken to, when the policemen returned and arrested her.
It was gathered that Ihejiagwa, a businessman who has a wine shop at ‘Triple M Plaza,’ Asaba, Delta State and his wife, Ifeyinwa, a nursing mother of a month-oldbaby were arrested and detained on May 29 by some operatives of SARS, Awkuzu, Anambra State. The Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN), felt Ihejiagwa had been detained for too long and stepped into the matter, insisting that Ihejiagwa’s fundamental human right had been infringed upon.

Officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA have seized over 20 tricycles, popularly called Keke Marwa. Attempts by the tricycle riders led to a clash with LASTMA officials. The clash, which broke out on Saturday at the PWD area of Ikeja, caused disruption in the movement of commuters in the axis.
Many commuters were forced to trek long distances because the tricycle riders decided to withdraw their services. Those heading towards Ikeja, Con-Oil, Police Command, General Hospital, among other places, were forced to trek to their destinations. The riders also accused LASTMA officials of demanding N20,000 from owners of the impounded tricycles.

‘I killed her because she threatened to kill me’

*bribes police N5m, with hectares of land and C-of-O

Alhaji Olatunji Azeez, 64, who buried a 68-year-old female retired customs officer and her 10-year-old adopted daughter alive at the Ajuwo area of Ogun State and cemented the pit because he could not pay the N10 million he owed, yesterday (today) confessed that he had to kill the woman, identified as Mrs. Angela Kerry and her daughter, Obralulum Kerry because the woman had earlier threatened to kill him.

Singing like a bird at the Lagos State Police Command, Azeez said: “I killed her because she first threatened to kill me. I knew that if I didn’t kill her. She would kill me first! I didn’t want to kill her daughter, but she caused the death of her daughter. When I planned to kill her, I told her not to bring her daughter along, but she refused. She said she goes everywhere with her daughter. If I didn’t her daughter, what would I do with the girl?”

Azeez, an herbalist, who confessed that he decided to kill Kerry, added that the woman was becoming hostile because of the money he owed her and was even threatening to kill him.

Gunmen free abducted sisters in Abuja

The abducted sisters

STOP PRESS: Bomb explodes at viewing centre in Damaturu

AN explosion, on Tuesday evening, hit a viewing centre in Damaturu, Yobe State. As of the time of going to press, the casualty figure could not be ascertained.

The explosion was said to have occurred after the kick-off of the Brazil versus Mexico match in the ongoing World Cup.

Those injured, Nigerian Tribune learnt, have been taken to the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu.

TRIBUNE

Boko Haram kingpin among 486 Abia suspects –Military

A terror kingpin in the list of wanted terrorists of security forces in Nigeria has been arrested, the Defence Headquarters has revealed.

The terror kingpin, according to a statement issued by the Director, Defence Information, Major General, Chris Olukolade, in Abuja, was detected in the ongoing screening of the 486 suspects nabbed while travelling in over 33 Hiace Hummer buses at night, on Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, on Sunday.

“So far, other security agencies, including the para-military, have joined the screening exercise to ascertain the status of the remaining suspects.

Prostitute stabs soldier to death

A commercial sex worker yesterday murdered a soldier attached to the Joint Military Task Force, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, for refusing to pay after going to bed with her. The prostitute, referred to as ‘Bini Girl’, reportedly stabbed the soldier (name withheld) twice in the stomach.

Iyare

Frank

Okon

Detectives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command, have arrested a security guard, who organized with a gang and robbed his former boss of N12 million.

The suspect, identified as Mr. Ijare Ojo, 26, was formerly a security guard to his boss who resides at the Dolfin Estate, Ikoyi. Angry Ojo, who used to be paid N18, 000 per month, said he robbed the man for firing him because, “of a cleaner the man was dating.”

On the fateful day of the attack, Ojo with his members had laid in wait for his boss to return, after tying up the security guard who was on duty that night.

Nigeria/Iran Match: Man attacks fan with machete for poking fun at Eagles

Football fans at the Ilasan area of Lagos State scampered for safety after a man armed with machete attacked another for making fun of the Super Eagles, after the Monday match draw between Nigeria and Iran.

The incident was said to have occurred at a viewing centre.

Many people in the area where the incident happened believed that the man wielding the machete wanted to cut off the head of his victim, but only succeeded in inflicting injury on him.

Two policemen, staff held in connection with bank robbery

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command has arrested two policemen in connection with Mainstreet bank, Alaba International Market, robbery.

The robbery incident was said to have occurred on June, 11, 2014, and Corporal Nathaniel, who was among those escorting the money in the bank’s bullion van, was killed as robbers on motorbike attacked. They snatched bags of money belonging Mainstreet bank.

Mobile officer arrested for stealing 15 motorbikes

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a mobile police officer for allegedly stealing 15 motorbikes.

The officer, identified as corporal Sherif Sanni, was said to have been de-mobbed about eight months ago in Yola, Mopol 14, and was supposed to report to his next posting in Lagos State Command, but never reported.

But rather than report to his new station, he had retained his mobile uniform and had allegedly started using it to rob and dispossessed unsuspecting commercial bike riders of their motorbikes.

EKITI GUBER POLL:Police firm up preparations, deploy hi-tech security equipment

· IGP Warns politicians to play by the Rules

The Inspector-General of Police IGP MD Abubakar, has ordered immediate deployment of hi-tech security equipment, including surveillance helicopters, armoured personnel carriers, patrol vans and other law enforcement gadgets to Ekiti State in view of the June 21, 2014.

The deployment comes as a reinforcement of other security measures already put in place by the Police, especially the deployment to strategic locations of the personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Bomb Disposal Unit, Mounted Troops and the Police Air-wing designed to effectively boost the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring an atmosphere of peace, orderliness, safety and security of persons, votes and all sensitive election materials during the June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday June 16, 2014, arraigned Clifford Nduka Nwachukwu and Jethrow Nigeria Limited before Justice Kudirat Jose of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on one- count charge bordering on stealing.

Nwachukwu's problems began, sometime in January 2013, when Jethrow Limited, a company owned by him , was awarded a contract to refurbish, rehabilitate and re-install six (6) Steel Skirt Navigational Marking Buoys at Calabar Port, for a total sum of N27million( Twenty-Seven Million Naira only), by Abhal Ventures Limited through Alhaji Abu Mohammed.

Army Hands over Six Suspected Oil Thieves to EFCC

The Nigerian Army on Friday June 13, 2014 handed over six suspected oil thieves and three vessels to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The suspects; Benard Omoaiwua, Tony Okundia, Osahenrumwen Osaguona, Osaro Arasomwan, Aaron Idahosa Terry, and Blessed Goodluck were arrested by officers of the Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army at the Abaji Military check point, Abuja with three trucks, each loaded with thirty three thousand litres (33,000) of suspected crude oil.

EFCC Arraigns 8 Suspected Fraudsters for Illegal Dealing in Petroleum Products

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, June 16, 2014 arraigned Adedamola Ogungbayibi, Olaniran Olabode, Suraju Gasali, Moses Emmanuel, Wilson Bonsi, Padoun Kayode Jacob, Okparaodi Omaka Uche and Onyeogo Happy, before Justice Saliu Seidu of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a 5-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum product.

When the charges were read to them, they all pleaded not guilty.

25 traders killed in local market attack in Nigeria

At least 25 traders have been killed in an attack at a local market in Nigeria's restive state of Borno, sources said here Monday.

The place is 30 km away from the scene of the abduction of more than 200 school girls in April.

The attack, blamed on the Boko Haram sect, occurred Sunday at Daku village of Askir Uba local government area of the northern state, Xinhua reported.

"More people may have been killed. No one can say precisely how many traders lost their lives. We all had to scamper for safety. Obviously, the attackers were Boko Haram members," said Musa Tijani, a trader who spoke in local Hausa language.

…Secures Conviction of Two Indians for Oil Theft

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared wanted one Amzat Mohmood for his alleged involvement in petroleum subsidy scam. Mohmood a German citizen of Pakistani-extraction is an international petroleum trader, whose company, Nimex Petroleum Limited is involved in a case for which ASB Investment, Aro Samuel Bamidele and Abiodun Kayode Bankole are already standing trial before a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.

Briefing journalists at the Commission office, Wilson Uwujaren, head, Media and Publicity, stated that Nimex Petroleum Limited is the company that allegedly sold and shipped 38,010,413 litres of Premium Motor Spirit to the defendants – ASB Investment, Aro Samuel Bamidele and Abiodun Kayode Bankole - for which they allegedly received N1,341,471,735.67 as subsidy for products that were never supplied.

NDLEA agents killed attempting to arrest hemp dealer

It was a black Sunday for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as three officers were killed in a mob attack while on official assignment in Owode, Ogun State.

NDLEA spokesman, Ofoyeju Mitchell said that the incident occurred during the arrest of a notorious cannabis dealer, Azeez Babatunde.

Three officers Bolaji Owolodun, Rabiu Usman Kazaure and Ishaku Joshua were confirmed dead following the attack.

Rounded up to be killed: ISIS militants seize dozens of Iraqi soldiers before driving them to the desert to be shot

Islamist militants in Iraq have boasted of slaughtering dozens of Iraqi soldiers captured in the fighting which has consumed the country in recent days.

Pictures posted on a militant website appear to show masked fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) forcing captives to lie down in a shallow ditch.

Further photos appear to show the bodies of the men soaked in blood after being shot.

Isis militants with captured Iraqi soldiers wearing plain clothes after taking over a base in Tikrit, Iraq

The captives are herded by the armed men. Iraq's military spokesman, Lt. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, confirmed the photos' authenticity today and said he was aware of cases of mass murder of captured soldiers

The soldiers seconds before they are killed. UN human rights chief Navi Pillay warned of 'murder of all kinds' in Iraq

The soldiers are executed where they lie in a shallow ditch

Most of the soldiers who appear in the pictures are in civilian clothes. Some are shown wearing military uniforms underneath, indicating they may have hastily disguised themselves as civilians to try to escape.

World Cup: Angry youths vandalise power distribution company in Port Harcourt

Some angry youths, on Sunday, attacked staff members and destroyed properties of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) in protest over alleged inability of the company to provide steady electricity supply to watch the World Cup tournament which began in Brazil on Thursday.

The angry youth, who stormed the headquarters of the distribution company, blocked the ever busy Moscow Road, causing heavy vehicular traffic.

The police had a hectic moment intervening to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

One of the protesters, who did not want his name mentioned, said some residential areas had been denied electricity supply for days, adding that the protest was initially peaceful but later turned violent on the discovery that the company was under lock and key.

“When we got to the headquarters of PHED, we discovered that it was under lock and key and this infuriated us, leading to protesters vandalising cars that were packed outside the premises.

“We have been denied the opportunity to watch the ongoing World Cup matches in Brazil, because some people are not doing their job despite regular payment of our electricity bills,” he said.

The protester said the situation was made worse because he could not watch live matches of the tournament due to alleged fuel scarcity to operate his generator set.

It was gathered that the company’s business units at Borokiri, Diobu, Trans-Amadi, Rumuola and Rumuodomaya were also attacked by youths, leading to the communities being thrown into darkness.

A PHED staff, who also pleaded anonymity, said the company partially suspended its operations after the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) evicted its workers from their offices.

He said NLC officials picketed the PHED headquarters on Tuesday to protest alleged refusal of the company to pay-off retrenched union workers.

“NLC officials forcefully ejected members of staff of PHED from their office, which is the reason why power supply had to be shut down in some parts of the metropolis.

“When NLC demanded we leave our offices, we pleaded that they allow us continue our work while they continue negotiation with PHED management, but they refused,” he said.

The PHED said the shutdown of electricity supply was not intentional, but rather a precautionary step taken by the management to save its facilities and installations.

According to him, if PHED workers were denied access to man their posts and manage electricity installations, it would definitely affect electricity distribution.

He claimed the company unduly sacked its workers and union leaders, and also failed to pay retrenched workers their check-off dues, severance packages, among other entitlements.

PUNCH

Monday, June 30, 2014

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Friday, June 27, 2014

Thursday, June 26, 2014

TWENTY suspected members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, were arrested in Enugu on Wednesday after a commercial bus conveying them was intercepted by security operatives. The bus was reportedly stopped at Obollo Afor in the Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Monday, June 23, 2014

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Monday, June 16, 2014

TWENTY suspected members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, were arrested in Enugu on Wednesday after a commercial bus conveying them was intercepted by security operatives.

The bus was reportedly stopped at Obollo Afor in the Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.