CANCER: Diezani asks Nigerians for prayers

FAMILY of the former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke is asking Nigerians to pray for her as she fights cancer and British allegations of corruption.
A statement from Alison-Madueke's lawyer denies she was arrested and says she was "merely invited" to answer questions by Britain's National Crime Agency last week.
The agency confirmed only that it briefly arrested five unidentified people in a bribery and money-laundering investigation.
Nigerian newspapers reported Alison-Madueke had been arrested and released on bail.
Nigeria's former Central Bank governor has alleged $20 billion in oil sales went missing in two years under Alison-Madueke's watch.
Lawyer Oscar M. Onwudiwe said Friday the family asks for Nigerians' prayers as the ex-minister undergoes surgery next week after months of chemotherapy and hopes to emerge strong enough to confront the allegations.

Culled from AP

TANZANIA ELECTION: Jonathan to lead Commonwealth Obsevers

THE Commonwealth of Nations has named former President Goodluck Jonathan to lead a 33-nation observer mission to the Sunday, October 25, 2015 General Election in Tanzania.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Yahya Simba, who disclosed this in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian capital, said that the mission will comprise observers from Africa, Asia, the America, Europe and the Pacific.
Simba maintained that while Jonathan will lead the Commonwealth observer team, former Mozambican President, Armando Guebuza will lead the observer team of the African Union, AU.
“Tanzania is pleased to note that the Post-2015 Development Agenda, inter alia, has taken on board the unfinished business of the MDGs, focusing on trans-formative change, and endeavouring to eradicate poverty in all its forms by 2030,” he stated.
On his part, the UN Resident Coordinator for Tanzania, Alvaro Rodriguez said: “Men and women in Tanzania look forward to peaceful and credible general elections and their voices to be heard on October 25, the date of the elections.
“They view the future with optimism and continue to rely extensively on community radios, local administration, the media fraternity and civil society organisations for information on political events and changes facing the nation.”
“Tanzanians are more aware than ever before about the MDGs and the upcoming transition to the SDGs, while the details of the goals are the targets may be unclear, they know there is a concerted attempt to assists in ending child stunting, ending discrimination and enhancing the overall quality of social services.
“The 70 years’ anniversary of the United Nations is a call for a reflection on lessons learnt over the decades and focus on how to eradicate extreme poverty in Tanzania and the world at large,” Rodriguez stated.

Tribunal upholds Gbajabiamila's election

THE National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Ikeja, has upheld the electoral victory of Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now the Majority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives.
The election petition was filed by Mr. Tony Ashikode, the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the Surulere Federal Constituency.
Ashikode and the PDP alleged that the election in Surulere Local Government was marred by irregularities, specifically citing falsification of ballot boxes and of election results.
The petitioners also alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, which was the third respondent in the suit, rigged the election in favour of Mr. Gbajabiamila.
In his ruling, the chairman of the Tribunal, Justice C U Anwuka dismissed the petition.  He said there was no link or evidence to substantiate the allegations contained in Mr. Ashikode's petition, and also faulted the point that Ashikode's evidence in chief was not present at the point of results collation.

Buhari pledges to rescue Chibok girls

President Muhammadu Buhari promised at the United Nations on Monday to rescue the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram fighters in 2014 and to defeat the Islamist militia.
"One of our major aims is to rescue the Chibok girls alive and unharmed," he said to applause during his first address to the General Assembly since taking office earlier this year.
Boko Haram fighters stormed a school in the remote northeastern Nigerian town of Chibok on April 14, 2014, seizing 276 girls who were preparing for end-of-year exams in an abduction that shocked the world.
Fifty-seven escaped, but nothing has been heard of the 219 others since May last year, when about 100 of them appeared in a Boko Haram video, dressed in Muslim attire and reciting the Koran.
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has since said they all converted to Islam and been "married off."
Buhari, who has promised to stamp out the group's bloody six-year insurgency, told the General Assembly that his government had put in place "a bold and robust strategy to defeat Boko Haram."
Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin had established a "joint task force to confront, degrade and defeat" the militia, Buhari said.
"We have driven them away from many of their strongholds, killed or captured many of their operatives or commanders and freed several hundreds of hostages," he said.

Police corporal killed my wife, shot me because of 2K bribe – Keke operator

Godwin Ekpo, the tricycle operator whose wife was shot dead by a police officer, Corporal Aremu in Lagos, has been discharged from the hospital, after undergoing surgery in his jaw.
DAILY POST recalls that Aremu, a corporal attached to the Isheri Oshun Police Division, had on 17 September, 2015, killed Ekpo’s wife identified as Comfort Idongesit, in the Ijegun area of Lagos following his refusal to give the killer cop a stipend of N2, 000.
Meanwhile, the killer cop and members of his team had since been arrested on the order of the Commissioner of Police, with the Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Officer queried.
The 28-year-old killer cop was arraigned before an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court on 18 September, 2015 on a two- count charge of murder and causing grievous bodily harm.
Subsequently, the court Magistrate, Afolashade Botoku, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody for the next 30 days, and adjourned the matter till 19 October, 2015.
.Husband of the deceased, who was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, has reportedly been operated upon following the bullet that hit him in the jaw and right arm.
The Akwa-Ibom state indigene, who is yet to come to terms with the reality of his wife’s demise, described the incident as the worst tragedy that had befallen him, Vanguard reports.
“I don’t know what I did to the policeman to have warranted such calamity. I have never had any issue with the police all my life. I was returning from church that fateful night in the company of my wife and four children; Mary, 12; Blessing, 9; Abraham, 7; and 11-month-old Elijah. On reaching Obalagbe, along Ijegun road, some policemen stopped me. One of them came and demanded for N2,000. I told him the passengers were my family members and that I was returning from church. My wife who was with this baby (pointing to 11 months old Elijah), came down and was even explaining to the policeman. But he refused to listen. Before we knew it, he fired a shot which hit my wife on the head. She died right on the spot. The bullet pierced through her head, hit me in the jaw and right arm. That was all I could remember until I found my self in the hospital.
“Oh! The wife of my youth is gone. She was a friend, a sister, a wife and a mother to me. Where do I begin from? How do I take care of these children alone, especially Elijah?” the father of four sobbed.
“Although the Police tried their best in paying for the treatment but that cannot bring back my Comfort Idongesit. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police visited me in the hospital, where I was told that my children’s education would be taken care of. But they have not started school. We are still waiting for the next move.
“My life has been shattered by that singular incident of September 16, 2015,” he added and went further to appeal to the Federal Government, the governors of Lagos and Akwa-Ibom states and well-meaning Nigerians, to come to his aid.

Man, 27, remanded for biting off police officer’s ear

AN Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday remanded one Ibrahim Ayelangbe in prison custody for biting off a police officer’s ear.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Magistrate, Mrs Oluwadamilola Olanipekun, gave the order following the guilty plea of the accused when the charge was read to him.
Ayelangbe, 27, whose address is not known, is facing three charges bordering on unlawful entry and grievous assault.
The prosecutor, Insp Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the accused viciously assaulted Cpl. Ebere Nwogidi on July 10 at 3:00am.
He said the accused was caught trying to gain entrance into No. 21, Temple Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, when he was accosted.
“Ayelangbe was caught while trying to jump a fence into a private residence at Ikoyi.
“The accused attempted to escape from Cpl. Omede Isaiah and one Ebere Nwogidi led to a scuffle.
“Ayelangbe then bit off the left ear of Nwogidi,” Emuerhi said.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 172, 243 and 306 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
NAN reports that Section 172 provides three years imprisonment for anyone found guilty.
Olanipekun adjourned the case till October 2 for hearing and verdict.

Man remanded in prison for defiling daughter

EMEKA Oguzie, a 40-year-old businessman was on Monday remanded in prison custody by a Lagos Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ikeja for allegedly defiling his 7-year-old daughter.
Oguzie who resides at Suite 37, Ojokoro Housing Estate, Meiran in Lagos is standing trial on a two-count charge of defilement and causing breach of peace.
While testifying before the court, the prosecutor, Sgt. Jimah Iseghede said the offence was committed on September 6 at his residence.
Iseghede told the court that the culprit allegedly fingered his daughter in her private part but was caught by his elder son, who reported the case to her mother.
“The victim said that her father had been doing that for some time now,” Iseghede said.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Sections 135 and 166(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
When the charges were read, the 40-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison while the case was adjourned till September 29 for ruling on bail application.

Sultan declares Sep. 24 Eid-el-Kabir Day

THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar 111, Monday declared Tuesday, September 15 as the first day of Zulhijja,1436 AH while the eid-el-kabir will hold on September 24, 2015.
This was contained in a statement signed by Sa'idu Maccido on behalf of the Chairman, Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Junaid, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Sokoto.
 "Consequently, the Eid-el-Kabir is to be celebrated in Nigeria on Thursday, September 24, 2015, which is equivalent to 10th Zulhijja, 1436 AH,":the statement said.
The statement said the committee in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting committee did not receive any reports from various moon sighting committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new Moon of Zulhijja, 1436 AH, on Sunday, 13th September 2015, which was the 29th day of Zulki'ida 1436 AH.

School building collapses kills 4 in Jos

A one story, mud-brick school building collapsed, killing four students and injuring 24 in Jos, an official said Monday.
Rescuers used shovels and bare hands to retrieve the bodies and survivors after the collapse Sunday evening of the Abu Naima Islamic School. The local coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mohammed Abdullsalam, provided the numbers of dead and injured to journalists.

Ambode appoints Igbokwe, others as heads of Lagos Agencies

GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday appointed new heads of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Authority (LASIMRA), and the Water Regulatory Board.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Tunji Bello, Secretary to the State Government, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The statement stated that the governor approved the appointments of Mr Fouad Alade-Oki as the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, the agency saddled with the responsibility of safety regulations and enforcement in the State.
It said that Mr Funso Ologunde had been appointed as the Chairman of LASIMRA, while Mr Jide Odekunle had been appointed as the new General Manager of LASIMRA.
The statement also said that Mr Joe Igbokwe, who until now was the General Manager of LASIMRA, was also appointed as the Chairman of Wharf Landing Fee Collecting Authority.
According to the statement, Mr Ahmed Abdullahi has also been appointed as the Acting Executive Secretary of the Water Regulatory Board.
It said that the appointees were to resume duty with immediate effect.

Ambode signs, okays release of 2,500 C of O

LAGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, on Tuesday signed and approved the release of 2,500 Certificates of Occupancy to property owners across the state from Wednesday, September 9, 2015.
Executive Secretary in the Lands Bureau, Mr Olukayode Ogunnubi, who disclosed this to journalists, said the development was in line with Governor Ambode’s effort to clear the backlog of C of O that was carried over from the previous administration.
He said, “A clear distinction must be made that this present government wants Lagosians to maximise the economic benefits derivable from ownership of properties as evidenced by obtaining their legal titles.
“That’s what we are trying to achieve and that’s the reason why the Governor decided to clear all the back log, everything. Now we do not have pending C of O on our table.
Ogunnubi said the advantage of the recent development would enable owners to leverage on the C of O as collateral to obtain loans from financial institutions for business activities.
“This will also contribute to the growth of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and ultimately the development of the economy of the state,” he added.
He explained that the intended to ensure that the process of applying and getting the copy of the C of O was not only less cumbersome but treated within the stipulated time.
The executive secretary stated, “So once we have any new applicant for C of O, the Governor’s mandate is to ensure that he signs it within the 90 days tenure. Once you make your payment, we start the processing. Let me also report that we are going on the Electronic C of O fully. All the ones he signed are also E-C of O.
“In a nutshell, the idea is to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and this is what the Governor intends to achieve in line with his commitment to make life simple and easy for the people.
“This is a standard milestone as the last time such was witnessed was during the era of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.”
Ogunnubi stressed that the list of the 2,500 C of Os signed by Ambode would be published in national dailies as from Wednesday.

We’ve limited B’Haram activities to Sambisa – Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Nigerian military has limited the activities of the once dreaded Boko Haram sect to the Sambisa Forest.
The President stated this at a joint press conference in Ghana with President John Dramani Mahama during his one-day official visit to the country.
“The first thing I did after I came into office was to reorganize the military and clear orders were given to them in terms of retraining, re-equipping and redeployment of troops.
“In the northeast, the military is gaining ground and Boko Haram has been limited to the Sambisa forest.
“Internally Displaced Persons are gradually moving back home and they are being reintegrated into their respective communities,”
In spite of President Buhari’s reassuring words, a spike in violence by Boko Haram militants in northeast Nigeria has forced almost 800,000 people to flee their homes since June, and stretched humanitarian efforts to breaking point according to a Reuters report.
“This is a massive regional humanitarian crisis, with some of the highest human cost in the world,” Red Cross spokeswoman Aurélie Lachant told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
“Civilians continue to be victims of the conflict… aid is still not reaching hundreds of thousands of people.”

The Today

Civil servants corrupt, lazy, says President

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria’s civil service has a reputation for inefficiency, low productivity and corruption.
Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, stated this on Monday in Abuja at the inauguration of capacity building programmes, tagged “Structured Mandatory Assessment-based Training Programme and Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme”, for public servants.
The President said that Nigeria’s civil service was declining due to its inability to articulate a vision and develop the required capacity to implement such vision.
Buhari said, “Many, who mourn the decline of the civil service today from its days as ‘primus inter pares’ in the Commonwealth to one which has earned a reputation for inefficiency, low productivity, corruption and insensitivity to the needs of the public, fall into the error of thinking that the problem is a poverty of ideas and capacity on the part of the civil service; whereas, it is the inability to clearly articulate a vision, ensure that the service develops the required capacity to articulate and implement the various components of the vision.
“The citizen, regardless of station in life, must be respected by the governing authorities and treated with dignity.
“Flowing from these is the imperative that our society must be governed by the rule of law, administered by a trustworthy, fearless, impartial and efficient judiciary”.
He described the federal civil servants as the foot soldiers in Nigeria’s march to a great destiny, saying he believed the federal civil service would not fail Nigerians.
“An army cannot afford indiscipline, inefficiency or lack of focus, especially because the hopes and aspirations of a whole society rest on your shoulders,” the President said to the civil servants.
Buhari said the civil servants must see themselves as servants and facilitators of commerce and entrepreneurship and that they must design policies and remove obstacles to doing business in Nigeria.
Buhari said the civil service should provide answers to questions such as “What are the strategic and financial planning initiatives important in a strong private sector led, free market economy but with a robust social protection system for the poor majority?
“What are the crucial communications to make to the people in a season requiring sacrifice and perseverance on account of falling revenues or for that matter communicate the position that our anti-corruption, zero tolerance stand, is not merely a moral or ethical stand but a developmental construct that recognises that corruption if not apprehended will destroy all institutions, the economy and eventually our society?”

Jonathan’s ex-aides, ex-govs lose diplomatic passports

THE Nigerian Immigrations Services has formally withdrawn diplomatic passports held by former ministers and special advisers in the immediate past government of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, among others.
Others whose passports were withdrawn are former governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives, commissioners, heads of parastatals and retired civil servants.
A statement by MK Abeshi, comptroller general of Immigrations, stated:  “Further to the directive on the withdrawal of diplomatic and official passports held by unauthorised persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service hereby directs all affected persons to comply forthwith. These persons include, among others, former state governors, senators, members of House of Representatives, members of state Houses of Assembly, ministers, commissioners, special advisers/special assistants, chairmen/deputy chairmen of local governments areas, all retired heads of parastatals and retired public servants.”
The immigrations services stated that the diplomatic passports of people in the category listed had been revoked, while advising that they “return them to the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters, Sauka Abuja with immediate effect.”
It warned that failure to comply with this directive “will amount to an offence under the Immigration Act 2015,” stating, “such unauthorised possession will be impounded at our control posts on arrival or departure.”

SA police arrest Nigerian drug dealer

A Nigerian man has been arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs, North West police said on Sunday.
“In a bid to rid Klerksdorp and the vicinity of drugs, the police have nabbed a 32-year-old Nigerian national for (allegedly) dealing in drugs on Friday… in Dawkinsville, Klerksdorp,” SA Police Service spokesman Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said in a statement .
The man was arrested after intelligence-led information was received that he was suspected of dealing in drugs, he said.
A follow-up was made and raw cocaine and “particles (of) rock drugs” with an estimated street value of R72 000 were allegedly found inside the garage at the suspect’s home.
Some R21 000 in cash was also seized. The man was expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of dealing in drugs, Mokgwabone said.

SA police arrest Nigerian drug dealer

A Nigerian man has been arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs, North West police said on Sunday.
“In a bid to rid Klerksdorp and the vicinity of drugs, the police have nabbed a 32-year-old Nigerian national for (allegedly) dealing in drugs on Friday… in Dawkinsville, Klerksdorp,” SA Police Service spokesman Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said in a statement .
The man was arrested after intelligence-led information was received that he was suspected of dealing in drugs, he said.
A follow-up was made and raw cocaine and “particles (of) rock drugs” with an estimated street value of R72 000 were allegedly found inside the garage at the suspect’s home.
Some R21 000 in cash was also seized. The man was expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of dealing in drugs, Mokgwabone said.

SA police arrest Nigerian drug dealer

A Nigerian man has been arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs, North West police said on Sunday.
“In a bid to rid Klerksdorp and the vicinity of drugs, the police have nabbed a 32-year-old Nigerian national for (allegedly) dealing in drugs on Friday… in Dawkinsville, Klerksdorp,” SA Police Service spokesman Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said in a statement .
The man was arrested after intelligence-led information was received that he was suspected of dealing in drugs, he said.
A follow-up was made and raw cocaine and “particles (of) rock drugs” with an estimated street value of R72 000 were allegedly found inside the garage at the suspect’s home.
Some R21 000 in cash was also seized. The man was expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of dealing in drugs, Mokgwabone said.

President Buhari to visit Ghana

THE President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, will on Monday pay a one-day working visit to Ghana.
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama will welcome his West African neighbour at the Golden Jubilee Lounge.
Buhari and Mahama are expected to cement the long standing relationship between Ghana and Nigeria as well as discuss security issues.
It is, however, unclear if the petition to Buhari by the opposition New Patriotic Party on the need for a new voters’ register ahead of the 2016 elections will come up during the ex-military ruler’s visit.
Buhari, a former Nigerian army general who first won power three decades ago in a military coup, snatched a historic presidential election victory over rival Goodluck Jonathan in March.
He becomes the first opposition leader to beat an incumbent president.

Arik Air: NDLEA monitors airport cleaners, controllers, others

FOLLOWING the recent interception of cocaine trafficked by an Arik Airline worker, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has decided to extend its searchlight on cleaners, air traffic controllers and other workers believed to have enjoyed special treatment at the nation’s international airport.
The NDLEA said with the latest discovery that hard drugs could be smuggled by airline and airport workers through items like food, it had become necessary for every worker to be screened like passengers and visitors to the airports.
Officials of the United Kingdom Border Force had arrested an Arik Air crew member, Chika Egwu Udensi, at the London Heathrow Airport, shortly after an Arik Air flight W3101, which departed from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, touched down in the UK.
The NDLEA put the street value of the 20kg drug found with the suspect at £350,000 (N105m).
The agency also said it had obtained closed-circuit television footage of how another Arik Air worker, Ikechukwu Chibuzor Oliver, who works as a catering loader, smuggled three bags of cocaine among food supplies for flight W3101.
The Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, who spoke to our correspondent on Friday, explained that the agency was usually the last line of fence in airport security system.
He stated that the agency had resolved to put all workers across all departments in the airports under its watch to ensure that “there is no repeat of this ugly incident.”
Ofoyeju added, “We have extended our focus to more areas: The catering department, which we have just uncovered now; the maintenance department – those that are in charge of maintenance; the cleaners – there are cleaners that clean sensitive areas of the airport like the tarmac and the ramps.
“Another area we are looking at is those that are in charge of ticketing; they are also part of the airport community. Also, those that handle the luggage; once the luggage is checked in, they go through the conveyor belt to the basement, where the loaders will transport them to the aircraft. All these areas will be given 100 per cent attention. Even the air traffic control personnel will be on our list.
“We are also looking at increasing our surveillance of those that own restaurants within the premises. It will also include the car park and the drivers. All these make the big picture for the airport community.”


The Punch

Nigerian syndicate smuggling methamphetamine into Indonesia

CITIZENS of Nigeria have allegedly gained control of a major drug syndicate that circulates methamphetamine in Indonesia, National Narcotics Agency (BNN) said.
 "Starting from June till August 2015, BNN has uncovered at least 14 cases with 23 suspects, namely five foreigners and 18 Indonesian citizens," the Head of BNN Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Slamet Pribadi, stated in a press release on Saturday.
 Pribadi said all cases of drug smuggling had the same modus operandi, and were mainly shipped from Guangzho, China and hidden in a wide variety of goods, such as machine tools, massagers, womens bags, motorcycle engines, printer cartridges or an engine generator set.
 "The entire network is controlled by a syndicate in Nigeria, which uses women as couriers from Indonesia," said Pribadi.
 From all the cases reported during the June to August 2015 period, BNN has seized up to 103,816.4 grams of methamphetamine till date.
 Disclosing the details of the 14 cases during which the quintal of methamphetamine was recovered, Pribadi said the drug haul was a result of the collaboration between various drug enforcement agencies.
 "The big cases were cracked as a result of the cooperation among BNN, the Director General of Customs and Excise, the Director General of Immigration, the cargo company, law enforcement agencies for narcotics in China, and the National Narcotics Control Commission of the Peoples Republic of China (NNCC)," Pribadi added.
Source ANTARA News

Details of our assets, by Buhari, Osinbajo

NIGERIANS got last night a rare view of  the wealth of their leaders – President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The assets are as declared before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on assumption of office on May 29.
The opening of the content of the declaration form with the CCB to the public is a fulfillment of the electoral promise made by the then All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates while contesting for the offices.
The President said he would within 100 days in office make public his assets after they might have been verified by the CCB.
It will be 100 days tomorrow since the inauguration of the new government.
A statement released by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said:
 ”Documents submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) show that the retired General has indeed been living an austere and Spartan lifestyle, contrary to what many might expect of a former Head of State of Nigeria and one who has held a number of top government positions, such as governor, Minister of petroleum and the head of the Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PTDF).
“The documents submitted to the CCB, which officials say are still being vetted and will soon be made public, show that prior to being sworn in on May 29, President Buhari had less than N30 million to his name. He also had only one bank account, with the Union Bank. President Buhari had no foreign account, no factory and no enterprises.
“He also had no registered company and no oil wells.
“The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) who had been a successful lawyer before his foray into politics declared a bank balance of about N94 million and 900,000 United States Dollars in his bank accounts.
“President Buhari declared however that he had shares in Berger Paints, Union Bank and Skye Bank.
“This is entirely unlike what one might expect from a former head of state of a country like Nigeria.
“The documents also revealed that President Buhari had a total of five homes, and two mud houses in Daura. He had two homes in Kaduna, one each in Kano, Daura and in Abuja. One of the mud houses in Daura was inherited from his late older sister, another from his late father. He borrowed money from the old Barclays Bank to build two of his homes.
“President Buhari also has two undeveloped plots of land, one in Kano and the other in Port Harcourt. He is still trying to trace the location of the Port Harcourt land.
“In addition to the homes in Daura, he has farms, an orchard and a ranch. The total number of his holdings in the farm include: 270 head of cattle, 25 sheep, five horses, a variety of birds and a number of economic trees.
“The documents also showed that the retired General uses a number of cars, two of which he bought from his savings and the others supplied to him by the federal government in his capacity as former Head of State. The rest were donated to him by well-wishers after his jeep was damaged in a Boko Haram bomb attack on his convoy in July 2014.
“As revealed by the same forms, highlights of the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s asset declaration include; his four-bedroom residence at Victoria Garden City, Lagos and a thtree-bedroom flat at 2 Mosley Road, Ikoyi. The Vice President also has a two-bedroom flat at the popular Redemption Camp along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and a two-bedroom mortgaged property in Bedford, England. Aside from these, the Vice President has no other landed properties on the form.
“Apart from his law firm, known as SimmonsCooper, the Vice-President also declared shareholding in six private companies based in Lagos, including Octogenerium Ltd., Windsor Grant Ltd., Tarapolsa, Vistorion Ltd., Aviva Ltd. and MTN Nigeria.
“According to details shown on the form, the Vice-President has about ninety four million naira, nine hundred thousand US dollars and nineteen thousand pounds in Nigerian Banks with the foreign currencies kept in local domiciliary accounts. His personal vehicles are one Infinity 4-Wheel Drive SUV, one Mercedes Benz and a Prado Jeep.
“As soon as the CCB is through with the process, the documents will be released to the Nigerian public and people can see for themselves.”
The Fifth Schedule (part 1) of the Constitution (Code of Conduct for Public Officers) Sub section 11. (1), says:  Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every public officer shall within three months after the coming into force of this Code of Conduct or immediately after taking office and thereafter –
(a) at the end of every four years; and
(b) at the end of his term of office, submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all his properties, assets, and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of eighteen years.”
While it is not mandatory for the assests declared to be made public, the president and vice president have chosen to make their declaration public in line with transparency and accountability.
Before now, only the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua among other leaders had publicly declared his assets.

Read more: http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/news/430155-details-of-our-assets-by-buhari-osinbajo.html#ixzz3klBWZaiw

Nigerian Army pardon, reinstates 3,032 convicted soldiers

Army spokesman

PRESSED by the need to ensure the urgent conquest of the Boko Haram insurgents, the Nigerian Army has pardoned and reinstated 3,032 out of 5000 soldiers, convicted of various disciplinary offences through series of General Court-Martial (GCM) set up by the immediate past Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah (rtd).
The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman announced the reinstatement Thursday during a press conference to inform members of the public of the activities of the Nigerian Army within the period under review.
Usman recalled that the Nigerian Army some time ago instituted a committee to review the recent disciplinary cases in the service especially of those soldiers in the defunct Operation Zaman Lafiya with a view to ensuring discipline, regimentation and justice in the system.
He said: "The Committee has concluded its sitting last week and has made certain recommendations that led to the reinstatement of 3,032 soldiers into the Nigerian Army out of 5,000 cases that were reviewed.
"The reinstated soldiers have shown their total readiness to be re-launched into theatre to combat insurgency and have now commenced a re-training exercise at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora, Niger State. This training is to re-orient the affected soldiers and prepare them for this closing stage of the operational aspect of the counter insurgency operations with more weapons and new leadership."
President Muhammadu Buhari had given the Nigerian military a marching order, mid August, to ensure that the Boko Haram terrorists are crushed in three months.
The DAPR however, clarified "that not all the dismissed soldiers were granted pardon and recalled", adding that "those with criminal cases for instance, have their sentences upheld".
Speaking further, Usman said that the Nigerian Army and the military in general are working towards meeting the presidential directive during the decoration ceremony of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs with their new badges of rank on August 13, 2015, to end the activities of Boko Haram terrorists in the North Eastern part of our country in 3 months.
”It is in that regard”, he said, “that we are working round the clock to meet up with the deadline in total synergy and cooperation with other services and security agencies.
"We would like to reassure the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and indeed the good people of our great nation that we would definitely meet up with the three-month deadline and do the nation proud.
"It is also in line with keeping faith with the public that we are working with a renewed resolve to always keep you updated of our operations as well as other activities of the Nigerian Army.  Therefore, the essence of this conference is in line with our determination to carry the people along in all our activities," he assured.
The Army Spokesman also used the opportunity to affirm the critical role played by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the latest offensive that has seen the recapture of the strategic town of Gamboru-Ngala and as well as dislodging of the terrorists from their various enclaves.
Usman listed some of the crucial assistance from the Air Force including surveillance, intelligence, transportation of logistics and close air support during combat operations.
"It is on record that we have a very close cooperation and coordination of military offensive against the terrorists between the NAF and the Nigerian Army. Officers and airmen of the NAF in the North East have conducted themselves creditably and professionally to the admiration of the Nigerian Army.
"The bombardment of identified Boko Haram terrorists’ locations, close air support, air surveillance and interdiction by the NAF have enhanced our operational efficiency and success," he said.
"The NAF were equally involved in the supplies of essential items, casualty evacuation, equipment and weaponry delivery in Operation Lafiya Dole.  One will recall with gratitude how the Nigerian Air Force helped in the extrication and lifting of our T72 tank when it was bogged down by Improvise Explosive Devices at Logomari, Borno State.
"They have provided water and airlift of other logistics to the war front in addition to their primary role of air reconnaissance and air support.  The collaboration with the NAF is also a force multiplier as troops are confident that they would receive quick medical attention in case any soldier needed such evacuation," he added.
But in his reaction to the re-instatement, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) who had been the defence counsel of some of the convicted soldiers, noted that the pardon and reinstatement is the just and right thing to do given the fact that some of the soldiers were merely asking for weapons to fight.
In a statement he released last night, Falana maintained that,  “The immediate past military authorities put several soldiers on trial for demanding for equipment to fight the war on terror. 70 of the soldiers were convicted and sentenced to death while scores were jailed by courts - martial. As the demand of the soldiers was legitimate the military hierarchy could not justify the spurious sentences. To avoid further embarrassment thousands of other soldiers who were indicted for the same "offence" were summarily dismissed from the army.
“Convinced of the illegality of the treatment meted out to the soldiers we approached the federal high court and the national Industrial Court for redress.
It is gratifying to note that the Buhari Administration and the Chief of Army Staff have decided to reinstate 3,032 among the dismissed soldiers.
Falana then called on the Federal Government to “extend the same commendable gesture to several officers and soldiers who are currently standing trial. The trial should be terminated while the courts-martial are dissolved forthwith.
“In the same vein, the cases of those who have been convicted ought to be reviewed with a view to pardoning them in the interest of justice and fairplay. More so, that the immediate past chief of defence staff, Air Marshal Alex Barde has admitted that the armed forces led by him lacked the equipment to prosecute the war on terror.
In a related development, Usman informed that President Buhari has approved the award of Nigerian Army Medal (NAM) to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin and the COAS, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
Similarly, he said,  the new Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), Brig-Gen. ASH Sa’ad has been honoured with the Republic of Mali Award of Mali Knight of National Order for his exceptional conduct while he served as Nigerian Military Attache in that country.
Also, he said,  Lagos State Government is also honouring some officers and soldiers of 19 Battalion for their role that led to the bursting of a notorious robbery gang that terrorized the state.
Usman however, noted that the Nigerian Army is  aware of the misunderstanding between those he described "some misguided soldiers" and the general public.  He stressed that the Army is striving hard to improve their relationship with public, adding that they "would not tolerate any act of indiscipline or misconduct from our troops".
Therefore, he said, I want to assure the public that in line with our procedures, we are taking appropriate measures to prevent such happenings and sanction all those involved.

Super Eagles jet off to Tanzania

COACH Sunday Oliseh, his assistants and Eagles 23-man squad flew out of Abuja on Thursday for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania aboard an Arik Air plane for Saturday’s AFCON 2017 qualifier against the Taifa Stars.
The plane, it was gathered was delayed for about an hour, finally took off at around 4.20pm Nigerian time.
Several Eagles stars were seen taking pictures and selfies as they checked into the aircraft.

Nigerian national arrested for human trafficking

A 30-year-old Nigerian national has been arrested in Johannesburg for human trafficking following the escape of a victim in May this year‚ the South African Police Service (SAPS) said on Thursday.
Two women allegedly lured the victim to a house “under the pretence that they were going to meet one of the ladies' boyfriend. Upon arrival the victim was drugged and forced to wear a miniskirt and was used as a sex slave.
“The Hawks are still hot on the heels of the two ladies who are believed to be the ones used by the main suspect to recruit women to be used as prostitutes.
“The suspect will appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Friday.”

I won’t stop stomach infrastructure – Fayose

EKITI State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said he would not stop his novel ‘stomach infrastructure’project because of tough economic and social challenges facing the people.
He spoke in Ikere Ekiti during the distribution of items such as rice, milk, groundnut oil, beverages and maggi to the people.
Fayose, according to a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti said only healthy people could contribute to the development of their societies.
“We are all witnessing what is going on across the world. People are moving to places they think has greener pasture even at the risk of their lives. People from Eastern Europe are struggling to get to the West. Here in Ekiti, our concern is the welfare of the citizens.
“When we banish hunger, assist in the provision of good health care services, then we can talk of roads and other social infrastructure. A hungry man may not value a road that is tarred because his major concern first will be to have food to eat.
“We are not allowing paucity of funds to deter us. When we started last year, mockers felt the programme would fizzle out or die, but it has not and will not. We have held it thrice in Ado-Ekiti and now Ikere-Ekiti and it will go round the state,” he said.
Fayose said his administration would continue to touch the lives of the people in many positive ways, despite its lean resources.
The governor had last December started the programme with the distribution of essential items and cash to people.

Culled from Punch

LASTMA plans to arrest traffic offenders at home

OFFICIALS of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority have been directed to adopt the system of booking traffic offenders rather than impounding their vehicles.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu, handed down this order to the officials while briefing top echelon of LASTMA on government’s new policy thrust in the transportation sector.
Specifically, the permanent secretary hinted that plans were being concluded to arrest traffic offenders, who flouted the fines imposed on them, at home.
Whenu assured Lagos residents that a more effective traffic management and documentation procedure was being put in place, where traffic offenders were booked and given a grace period for payment and defaulters apprehended at home through the information on the motor vehicle database.
He said while government appreciated the invaluable contribution of the traffic managers to the current traffic situation in the state, more emphasis should be placed on flawless flow of traffic.
“That is the minimum we owe the people of the state,”he said.
Whenu added that LASTMA should synergise with other security agencies to ensure that the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012 was enforced.
In a statement by the Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Sina Thorpe, the PS directed the officials to consider alternatives traffic management methods rather than physical apprehension and arrest.
“Since LASTMA officials are a reflection of the state government, they should ensure that their activities add value to the government’s covenant with Lagos residents to make life easier for them,” he said.
He however implored Lagos residents to reciprocate the government’s humanness by obeying all traffic laws and regulations.
Whenu also called on all motorists, whose vehicles had been impounded by LASTMA in the past, to visit the appropriate LASTMA depot for claim of their vehicles after proper documentation, assuring them of a more flexible process for prompt service delivery.

Nwaofor jailed in Uk for duping pensioners out of £5m life savings

A conman funded a playboy lifestyle by cheating pensioners out of their life savings.
Godwin Nwaofor, 36, kept a 'suckers list' of potential victims to send bogus letters saying they had won the Australian Lottery.
The Nigerian national received around £1million from the scam and blew the money on luxury cars, gold jewellery and expensive champagne at top nightclubs in London.
Nwaofor was a ‘willing and enthusiastic lieutenant’ to the mastermind of the con, another Nigerian, Frank Onyechonam, who was nicknamed ‘Fizzy’ for his love of vintage champagne.
Onyeachonam was jailed eight years last year, after he was exposed as the chief player in the scam.
He drove a Maserati and fired bubbly corks across exclusive private members clubs as he lived a life of fantastic luxury on his victim’s life savings.
The scam started with a bogus letter to a vulnerable pensioner telling them they had won the Australian Lottery.

The letters were sent by a ‘lottery agent’ targeting mainly American pensioners informing them they had won a life-changing prize and requesting a modest sum to release the funds.
Believing they had won, victims were hooked into paying fees to release their ‘winnings’ through an agent who would demand ‘activation fees’ to release their cash.
In some cases, dupes set up businesses in an attempt to receive their winnings and became unwitting money mules laundering cash from other victims.
Nwaofor, a father of two, regularly switched addresses to avoid being caught.
One victim, a 76-year-old woman, who believed she had won $1.85m, tried to track down Nwaofor after the FBI told her she had fallen victim to a scam.

She flew to the UK and went to the address she had for Nwaofor, but found that he had already moved on to another address.
Judge Richard Hone QC said the evidence in the case, at Central Criminal Court, against Nwaofor was ‘overwhelming’ and showed him to be a proven liar.
‘You have a tendency to be dishonest in your dealings with landlords, agencies, the police, HMRC, and car hire firms’, he said.
‘You also moved addresses regularly to ensure your whereabouts remained a mystery.’
Police identified 406 victims from two notebooks found at Onyeachonam’s Canary Wharf penthouse when he was arrested.
They seized Louis Vuitton shoes, Gucci handbags, a collection of expensive watches and dozens of designer shoes, as well as 5,000 pictures of Onyeachonam flaunting his wealth at exclusive upmarket venues including the Guvnor Bar in Docklands, east London.

One picture shows him showering a friend with champagne, in others he poses with scantily clad blondes or waves wads of £50 notes.
There was also evidence of extensive communication with Lagos resident Ese Orogun, nicknamed the ‘chairman’, who is thought to be the global mastermind of the fraud.
He lives in a private gated community, is a ‘celebrity’ in the Nigerian capital and drives multiple supercars, including a Maserati and a Porsche.
Detectives fear the scale of the fraud could even mushroom to £30million if all the details discovered in notebooks and emails can be traced to victims.
Nwaofor moved to the UK in January 2006 from Nigeria and soon married a German citizen.
He has two children with her, aged six and six-months-old. 
He broke down in tears as he was jailed for seven years this morning, but the judge said he did not believe the remorse was genuine.
‘Just as a crocodile sheds its tears while devouring its prey, so the copious weeping in court is not hypocritical remorse but tears of frustration that in spite of your careful concealment, you have been well and truly rumbled’, the judge told him.
‘This Australian lottery scam has brought penury and debt to your victims who were ruthlessly milked of their hard earned savings.’
The judge said although ten victims were traced by prosecutors as having fallen for Nwaofor’s scam, but that was probably the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

‘Vast sums of cash you used to fund a luxury lifestyle, with top of the range hire cars, large watches, gold jewellery, expensive nightclubs’, said the judge.
‘It shows you made the best part of £1m yourself.’
Nwaofor, of Camberell Green, south London, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud, converting criminal property, and acquisition of criminal property.
He will serve half his sentence in prison and the remaining part on licence and will also now face confiscation proceeds.
Onyeachonam, of Canning Town, east London, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud between January 2005 and December 2012.

Culled from www.dailymail.co.uk

DSS dismisses Marilyn Ogar

THE Department of State Services (DSS) has sacked its former
spokesperson, Ms Marilyn Ogar, New Telegraph is reporting.
According to the national daily, the secret service former
spokesperson’s fate may not be unconnected with her role in the last administration and the run-up to the 2015 election.
Ogar had been accused of alleged partisanship in the build-up to the general elections.
Severally, she addressed press conferences, which seemingly gave her away as the “defacto” spokesperson of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A source told the newspaper that the development was largely
responsible for her demotion from the rank of Assistant Director.
She was also said to have been pushed out following the weighty allegation that she was awarded multimillion naira contract to lift kerosene.

Air Force jets destroys Boko Haram's solar panels

 THE Nigerian Air Force said Wednesday that it has struck and
destroyed solar panels believed to have been used by Boko Haram for electricity in Sambisa forest.
Dele Alonge, air force spokesperson, said an ongoing air assault against terrorists hit electricity-generating panels within the forest.
He said the attack was carried out during the recent take-
over of Gamboru-Ngala by government troops.
Gamboru-Ngala, a major market community in Borno State, was
liberated from Boko Haram insurgents by troops of the Nigerian military on Tuesday.
“The most recent success was the attack on BHT [Boko Haram
Terrorists] targets in Ngoshe and Pulka by the Alpha Jets
providing Close Air Support to own ground forces,” Mr. Alonge
said.

Ambode mourns billionaire, Fernandez

 

LAGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed sadness over the death of one of Nigeria’s prominent business mogul and diplomat, Chief Oladeinde Fernandez.
He passed on at the age of 79 on Tuesday in Brussels, Belgium, following an undisclosed illness.
Ambode, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, on Wednesday, described the deceased as a bureaucrat and experienced diplomat, who gave his all to the service of the African continent during his life time.
The governor also paid glowing tribute to the business tycoon, whom he said offered himself for service to ensure the unity of the nation, adding that he would remain a true hero of the country.
He said the leadership role of the late Fernandez, who saw himself foremost as an African, serving as representative for Mozambique, as well as the Central African Republic at the United Nations, should be an inspiration to all.
“Among other virtues, Chief Fernandez dedicated himself to the service of the African nation and will be remembered for his contribution to promote peace, harmony and above all equity. He has surely left his footprints on the sands of time,” he said.
Ambode added that it was quite remarkable that the late Fernandez had the privilege of being among the few diplomats that played a prominent role in promoting peace in Africa and had taken ambassadorial positions in many African countries.
“I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, the good people of Lagos State and Nigerians on this painful loss,” he stated.
He prayed that Almighty God grant the soul of the departed peaceful repose and for the family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

IG orders security for Tribunals, INEC offices

INSPECTOR-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has directed police commissioners to provide adequate security at the Independent National Electoral Commission offices and also at election tribunal sittings nationwide.
Arase said this when he visited the INEC headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja, where he met with the commission's Acting Chairperson, Mrs. Amina Zakari.
The IG said the visit was aimed at cementing the existing relationship between the police and INEC in ensuring the actualization of the commission's mandate, according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Bisi Kolawole.
The statement said  Zakari expressed INEC's readiness to work with the police in ensuring the success of the forthcoming elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States

Oliseh: Enyeama out of Dar es Salam tie

COACH Sunday Oliseh has confirmed that Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama will not part of his players that will battle Tanzania in Dar es Salam this weekend.
According to him, the Lille Metropole shot-stopper did ask to be withdrawn.
The former international told sports reporters at a media parley in Abuja on Wednesday, that “Enyeama personally asked to be withdrawn from the Super Eagles team for Tanzania.”

Enyeama pull-out of Tanzania/Nigeria AFCON tie

SUPER Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama has pulled out of this Saturday's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.
NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot gathered from Supersport.com after sources in the Super Eagles' camp revealed that the 33-year-old Lille OSC shot-stopper has asked to be excused from the trip to Dar es Salaam due to personal issues bordering on his family.
"Vincent was expected to arrive in the Abuja camp of the Super Eagles yesterday (Tuesday) but from what I have learned he has called in to ask for permission to be excluded from the game against Tanzania due to family reasons.
"So the team will now travel with the two goalkeepers currently in camp unless the coach decides to make a late call-up which I doubt will happen," said one of the supersport.com sources.
The task of goalkeeping against Tanzania's Taifa Stars now falls on the one of Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme or Ikechukwu Ezenwa of Sunshine Stars.
Ikeme and Ezenwa are said to have impressed the Nigerian national team selectors, who are yet to make a decision on who gets the nod in the absence of Enyeama before the team fly out to Dar es Salaam on Thursday.
"Carl Ikeme and Ezenwa have been so good during the camping so far and the coaches have not said any word about who might likely take up the starting place in goal in the absence of Enyeama. So it is very open not only for the goalkeeping position but also for the outfield players as well," another team source informed.

NDLEA apprehends five Nigerians with cocaine worth N57m

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested a 5-man drug trafficking syndicate, consisting of a 28-year-old Enugu State indigene, Nonso Akubueze, and four others, for trafficking 11.5 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at N57 million from Brazil into Nigeria.
HotNiajaNews.blogspot.com gathered from DAILY POST that the group was arrested at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The four other co-conspirators who hail from Anambra State, were identified as Obidike Onodyer, Emma Ifoh, Simon Omoluonye and Friday Onyeabor.
On interrogation, one of the arrested men, Simon Omoluonye, who was caught with both white and crack cocaine in tins weighing 7.8kg, said he was to be paid N1 m for trafficking the banned substance.
He said, “I planned to use the money to further my education and start up a business.”
40-year-old Obidike confessed that he was paid N200, 000 for the 11 wraps of cocaine he swallowed.
Nonso, who alleged he was a graduate of Economics from one of the Nigerian universities, was found with 1.1kg of cocaine hidden in his luggage.
He said, “I graduated in 2009 and have no job yet. I left Nigeria in search of job opportunities and greener pastures but my expectations were ruined when I got to Brazil.
“My condition of living in Brazil was worse than when I was in Nigeria. It was my friend who gave me the bag containing the drug.
“Drug trafficking was my last option to free myself from the harsh condition of living in Brazil,” Nonso stated. “But unfortunately,” he continued, “I could only swallow 11 wraps so I was paid N200, 000.”
Nonso reportedly had 1.1kg by the side of his luggage while Onodyer ingested 11 wraps of cocaine weighing 0.5 grammes.
Friday was found with 74 wraps weighing 1.3kg and Emma was caught with 34 wraps weighing 0.7 grammes.
The NDLEA commander at the MMIA, Mr. Hamza Umar, reacting to their arrest, said different methods were adopted in concealing the drugs and the confiscated drugs included white and crack cocaine concealed in tins, among others.

Nigeria army recaptures town from Boko Haram

NIGERIAN army troops have recaptured a key town from the Boko Haram Takfiri militant group in the country’s crisis-stricken northeastern state of Borno, military sources say, APA reports quoting Press TV
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, a Nigerian military spokesman said in a statement that the troops retook control of the strategic town of Gamboru Ngala on the border with neighboring Cameroon on Tuesday.
"The Nigerian army has retaken the economic and strategic town of Gamboru Ngala, Borno State, from the Boko Haram terrorist group today," the statement read. 
The military official also noted that the "triumphant" soldiers are now busy clearing and mopping up patrols in the border town. 
On the night of 5-6 May 2014, Boko Haram militants attacked Gamboru Ngala and killed hundreds of people after surrounding and spraying the area with automatic gunfire. Local residents and witnesses said that at least 300 people had been killed in the 12-hour attack.
In August last year, Boko Haram attacked an army barracks in Gamboru Ngala and then captured the entire town.

AFCON 2017 QUALIFIERS: Oliseh cuts Glo League star to six

.Keeps names to chest

SUNDAY Oliseh has confirmed that six Glo Premier League stars will be joining the invited foreign based players for the final phase of his preparations for next months AFCON qualifiers between Tanzania and Nigeria in Dar es Salam.
A delighted Oliseh who has been drilling the local based players for the past three weeks, made this known via his twitter account @SundayOOliseh on Friday after he tweeted: "6 Local players make it to join the Final batch on Monday as we proceed to our final week before facing Tanzania."
Meanwhile, the former Eagles skipper, failed to name the six lucky stars that would be given the Europe based players a run for their shirt.

BOKO HARAM: Switzerland donates 8 million USD to Nigeria

Switzerland has donated eight million U.S. dollars to assist victims of Boko Haram’s insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast region, a Swiss envoy in Nigeria said Wednesday.
The goodwill was also extended to Nigeria’s neighboring countries around the Lake Chad, Daniel Cavegn, charge d’affaires at the Swiss embassy in Nigeria said during a visit to the northeastern state of Borno, theater of Boko Haram’s insurgency.
“We have done a lot to increase the humanitarian aid to the northeast states ravaged by Boko Haram, though this may not be enough,” the envoy said, adding Switzerland was looking forward to do more in assisting people internally displaced by Boko Haram attacks.
Apart from the financial aid granted Nigeria to support the internally displaced persons, the Swiss government is currently trying to establish the root cause of Boko Haram’s insurgency and have deep knowledge of the security challenge, the official said.

Fire guts Saraki’s house

AN early morning fire has gutted the house of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
The fire occurred on Friday morning at the Abuja residence of Saraki in the Maitama area of Abuja.
Saraki is still living in his personal house as the President of the Senate.
The incident was confirmed by Saraki on his Twitter handle.
He said he was already in the office when the fire outbreak occurred.
Saraki said the fire was quickly contained.
He tweeted: “Thanks for your concern.
“Happened while I was in the office. It was immediately contained.

LASG reiterates zero tolerance for loud noise

THE Lagos State Government says the use of loud public address systems by worship centres and motor parks among others, constitute noise pollution and will never be tolerated in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Oluwatoyin Onisarotu, said this on Thursday while reminding Lagosians that the monthly environmental sanitation would be held on Saturday.
Onisarotu said the continuous use of loud public address system in the state was a defiant act to government’s plan for a progressive Lagos.
He said, “The government will no longer tolerate the use of loud public address system by worship centres and motor parks among others. It will be recalled that the state had banned such use. Worship centres can only use microphones within their worship buildings.
“Lagosians should support and key into Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision of a progressive Lagos.”
Speaking on the sanitation, the permanent secretary said the vision of a cleaner and healthier environment in the state would continue with the Ambode’s administration, adding that the exercise would hold between 7am and 10am with attendant restriction of human and vehicular movements.
He urged the residents to use the period to clean their drains and clear other environmental nuisances in their neighbourhood.
“The period is not meant for football playing or any social gathering, rather it is meant for active environmental sanitation.
“The state is presently enjoying the August break period of less rainfall. Lagosians should take advantage of this break to further clear their drains for free flow of water whenever it rains heavily,” he added.
Onisarotu urged the people of the state to stop dumping waste into drainage channels to save lives and property.
He warned transport operators to comply with the restriction order on human and vehicular movement, saying any vehicle caught violating the order would be impounded, while passengers in such vehicles would be prosecuted.

The Punch