DSS arrests 45 Boko Haram suspects in Lagos …foils plot to bomb Ikoyi estate

 

The Department of State Services has arrested 45 suspected Boko Haram members in connection with a foiled attack on Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos in September. The DSS also charged the suspects to a Lagos State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Isolo on Friday and the court ordered the remand of the 45 suspects in Kirikiri prisons in the state. 

The DSS, which obtained the remand order on the suspects, told the court that they were arrested in connection with a foiled attack on Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos in September. The DSS said the suspects were arrested following intelligence report on their alleged plan to attack the estate, which is in a high brow area in the state. 

The security operatives told the court that the suspects had volunteered confessional statements, adding that arms were recovered from them. The DSS urged the court to remand the suspects in prison pending further investigations. The magistrate, who asked that his name should not be disclosed for security reasons, granted the prayers that the suspects be remanded in prison.

According to the charge filed before the court, the names of the suspects include Abuyi Sheriff, Babagana Ali, Abass Ibrahim, Abubaka Grema, Kabiri Ibrahim, Mustaph Mohammed, Usman Mohammed, Modu Amsami, Isa Agafi, Adamu Jebili and Saja Kamba.

Also among them were: Abba Sagoma, Mallam Buchu, Abdul-Kareem Abba, Babagana Koloye, Usman Buka, Adamu Mohammed, Lawal Mohammed, Tela Abana, Mustapha Mohammed, Isa Agafi, Belo Modu, Kachala Babagana, Modu Abu and Alhaji Modu Mustapha.

An affidavit presented in court disclosed how a team of the DSS cordoned off the area, intercepted the suspects and carried out the arrests. However, the DSS could not be reached as it had yet to announce a new spokesperson. 

Recently, the DSS disclosed that it had arrested some suspected terrorists in various places in and around Lagos including Kara, Isheri Berger area; Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Alimosho area; Ijora Badia, Apapa area; and Ebute-Meta in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area.

Earlier in the year, two suspected members of Boko Haram were also arrested in the metropolis. The suspects were apprehended during an operation carried out by men and officers of the Operation Mesa, a joint security outfit comprising members of the armed forces and those of the DSS.

The raid had taken place at the Ijora 7-Up area of Lagos, after a tip-off on the activities of a terror network coordinated by Iranians in the city. The suspects, a Chadian, identified as Aminu, and a Northerner, whose identity could not be ascertained, were arrested after soldiers ransacked a building in the area. 

Aminu was said to have concealed some devices suspected to be explosives in boxes, which were stacked in the ceiling of the house. Also recovered alongside the suspected explosives were two AK47 rifles. The National Security Adviser had also recently issued a security alert on the likelihood of Boko Haram attacking Lagos seaports following concerns expressed by the United States Embassy on the level of insecurity at the country’s seaports. 

The Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Enforcement and Intelligence, Mr. Dan Ugo, had on behalf of the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), signed the alert. Following the security alert, it was learned that the Nigeria Customs Service had begun the restriction of persons into its various commands and formations in Lagos. 

The development had also brought about an increase in the level of security checks at all access points into the ports. The leadership of the Port Facility Security Officer Forum had also warned its members to increase surveillance on their facilities and reduce the number of people into their premises. 

Thousands of lives had been lost to series of attacks by the dreaded terrorist group, especially in the North Eastern part of the country. The group, which had pledged allegiance to ISIS also claimed several lives in multiple explosions on Friday.

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Onosode buried in Ughelli amid eulogies

The body of renowned industrialist, Gamaliel Onosode, was on Friday laid to rest at his home town in Akiugbo-Ughelli in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The interment was preceded by a lying in state at the Government College, Ughelli.

The body was later conveyed in a convoy to First Baptist Church, Ughelli, for the funeral service.

Present at the event were eminent Nigerians, including the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; a former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who paid glowing tributes to the late elder statesman.

Family members of the late management expert, who spoke during the funeral, said the deceased would be greatly missed. One of his siblings, Deacon Andrew Onosode, who tearfully sang one of the late deceased’s favourite hymns, said he was satisfied that his departed brother lived “with eternity in view.” 

He noted that the urge to live a good life led the deceased to pioneer the growth of the Baptist Church both in his hometown and other places where he had lived. Also, the deceased’s first son, Ese, described his late father as a man who was very articulate in his thoughts. 

In his tribute, Governor Okowa described him as a role model, who marched through the business world “like a colossus” and a quintessential board master. He noted that the late elder statesman was an example of a good servant-leader, a legacy he said would be hard to match. 

“The best tribute we can give to him today is to carry on the good virtues that he has left,” Okowa said.

Anyaoku described the deceased as a patriotic Nigerian.

“An iroko of the corporate world has fallen. My entire family joins me in mourning Gamaliel. We join his children in mourning this virtuous man,” Anyaoku said.

Earlier in his sermon titled, “Responsibility: The purpose of opportunity,” the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Revd. Samuel Ayokunle, said the late Onosode lived a life of high sense of responsibility. Ayokunle, therefore, urged political and business leaders to use their positions for the general good of society.

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Don’t waste your time competing with us, P-Square tells other artistes

 

For the naysayers out there who believe that there is a sharp division in the P-Square family, this is for you.

The talented brothers re-united on the set of the hottest reality show in the country at the moment, Glo Dance With Peter, where Paul served as a guest judge.

No sooner had Paul sat on the Judges’ corner, than he said, ‘I’m proud of this dude (Peter). When he brought up this idea of Dance With Peter, I doubted initially, but he stuck to his guns, and look at where we are now.’

On what is responsible for their success over the years, Paul said, ‘God made it possible. There’s also this thing about P-Square; we take our career serious. It started as fun, but it became business, and later, it became about the fans. Yes, we’re super stars, but you’re not a super star without super fans. We don’t have any competition; we only compete with ourselves. If you’re competing with P-Square, you’re wasting your time.’

It should be recalled that Peter had also recently stated that the next phase for the brothers would be ‘Sing With Paul.’

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EFCC traces Maina’s N2.8bn pension loot to bank

 

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested two top managers of a commercial bank for assisting the former Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Abdulrasheed Maina, to launder stolen pension funds. Maina is on the run after the EFCC filed charges against him for stealing billions of pension funds through a phony biometric exercise alongside former Head of Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye.

Sources at the EFCC disclosed that the two bankers, Danjuma Zubairu, group head, private banking and Abubarkar Gwambe, an account officer, in the Abuja Central Business District business unit of the bank, were arrested on Thursday following fresh evidence that they are managing proxy accounts for the fugitive.

The accounts, which have over time witnessed massive inflow of slush funds include two corporate and three individual accounts. The first individual account opened in the name of Abdullahi Faizer, had a turnover of N1.5billion while the other operated in the name of Nafisatu Aliyu recorded a turnover of over N100,000.

The corporate accounts of Cluster Logistics had a turnover of N500million and $400,000 USD. Drew Investment and Construction and Kongolo Dynamics Cleaning Limited recorded turnovers of N54million and N509million respectively. All five accounts have different opening packages. Four of the accounts were allegedly opened by one Khalid Aliyu, a relation of Maina, who was an employee of the bank.

The said Khalil is currently at large. But investigation established that Abdulrasheed Maina is the one operating the accounts. Competent sources in the anti-graft agency disclosed that this nexus was established through detailed analysis of telephone text messages and email communication between Maina and the bank officials.

The bulk of the monies, it was gathered, had been moved through some Bureau de Change operators,who convert them into dollars and then transfer to Maina in his hideout, believed to be United Arab Emirates.

The EFCC has been on the trail of Maina for a number of years.

Before the agency filed charges against him in absentia, it arrested the woman, who served as secretary to Maina during his reign as the chairman of the controversial PRTT, during which billions of pension funds reportedly disappeared from the treasury.

Ann Igwe, who was a confidant of Maina, was grilled by the agency and she allegedly made useful confessions on how the biometric contract allegedly awarded to streamline pension administration under Maina actually became a conduit for stealing pension fund.

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Wetness from my vagina dries into tiny crumbs, smells funny

Aunty Julie, 

When I have sex, afterward it’s like the wet stuff from my vagina gathers or dries into tiny crumbs and smells funny. I don’t know what is the cause . My guy doesn’t say anything but it happens every time. It’s so weird and embarrassing. I figure it’s not dirt but it looks so strange.

Tina, Lagos

Dear Tina

I think what you’re describing is pretty normal. Vaginal secretions when they dry out can go a bit crumby, and may have a stronger smell after sex from the semen. If your vagina and vulva feel healthy, that is not sore or itchy, and the smell isn’t unpleasant, then it’s nothing to worry about. Vaginal discharge can change for different reasons – time of the month, use of different types of contraceptive, level of sexual arousal, use of different types of lubricant during sex.

Some infections can cause a vaginal discharge and it’s important at your age to get a check up from time to time. If you feel that the secretions are irritating your skin, or smell fishy, it may be an abnormal bacterial growth which can get treated. If you’re noticing the secretions getting lumpy during sex, it may be because your vagina is getting a bit dry and using a water based lubricant will help.

By Aunty Julie

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Water down your cancer risk with watermelon

 

Watermelon is a “wonder fruit” and the perfect example of food that can help you stay hydrated. The juice is full of good electrolytes, not only great on a hot day, but also helps to quench the inflammation that contributes to conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, and even cancer.

Watermelon contains mostly water but the refreshing fruit is loaded with goodness. Each juicy bite is loaded with powerful nutrients. Like other fruits and vegetables, watermelons may be helpful in reducing the risk of cancer through their antioxidant properties.

Most of the most important antioxidants in nature, such as vitamin C (which boosts the immune system), vitamin A (which maintains eye health), and vitamin B6 (which augments brain function), are found in watermelon.

Two important anticancer agents, carotenoid and lycopene are are present in high quantities in watermelons. As a matter of fact, watermelon has the highest concentration of lycopene of any known fresh fruit or vegetable.

Lycopene is a phytonutrient, which is a naturally occurring compound in fruits and vegetables that reacts with the human body to trigger healthy reactions. It is also the red pigment that gives watermelons, tomatoes, red grapefruits and guavas their colour. Scientists have taken notice of watermelon’s high lycopene levels.

Lycopene has been widely studied in humans and found to be protective against prostate, lung, colorectal, endometrial, and breast cancers. Lycopene has also been shown to help prevent heart disease. It has also been linked with heart health, bone health and prostate cancer prevention. It’s also a powerful antioxidant thought to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Watermelon’s high levels of lycopene are very effective at protecting cells from damage and may help lower risk of heart disease. The lycopene in watermelon makes it an anti-inflammatory fruit. Lycopene is an inhibitor for various inflammatory processes and also works as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals.

To really maximize your lycopene intake, let your watermelon fully ripen. The redder your watermelon gets, the higher the concentration of lycopene becomes. Beta-carotene and phenolic antioxidant content also increase as the watermelon ripens. Nevertheless, all parts of the watermelon are good. There are a lot of nutrients throughout, including the white flesh nearest the rind.

Watermelons are rich in electrolytes (sodium and potassium), nourishing the body by not only replacing the electrolytes lost through sweat, but also by hydrating cells and maintaining the water balance. And because of the higher water content and lower calorie content than many other fruits, watermelon delivers more nutrients per calorie – an outstanding health benefit.

Try this great tip today. Cut a medium or large watermelon into small pieces and remove the seeds. Take about two cups of the diced watermelon and put into the blender. Add strawberries and some yogurt or milk and a little honey. If you want it a bit thicker, add a couple of bananas or avocado for added taste. Blend and enjoy!

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I regret joining Boko Haram, cries suspect in Police net

 

With the recent arrest of five suspected members of the deadly Boko Haram sect, terrorizing the metropolis of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, the police seem to have been on the verge of dismantling the deadly cell which has coordinated most of the bombings around the metropolis.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the newly established Special Intelligence Response Team, SIRT, an elite unit of the Nigeria Police Force, designed by the Inspector General Police, Solomon Arase, to combat terrorism , armed robbery, kidnapping and various violent, launched a massive onslaught on the Abuja cell, leading to the arrest of five suspected members of the cell, while several IEDS, laptop and IED materials were recovered.

Investigations by Saturday Vanguard indicated that, the arrest of these suspects and the subsequent recoveries and of IEDs and it materials, have since thrown members of the cell, who are mainly natives of Igbira in Okene area of Kogi State, into disarray. We gathered that the development, which is currently, not just flushing out members of the cell from Abuja, has also sent sympathizers of the sect into panic.

Security sources, who spoke Saturday Vanguard in Okene, Kogi State, on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorize to speak on the matter, disclosed that several member of the cell, based in Abuja are returning in their droves to Okene, adding that some of the suspects were arrested, while others have been forced to escape and relocate to neighboring states.

However, sources at the Force Headquarters Abuja, disclosed that the operation to effectively dismantle the Boko Haram, from Okene Kogi State, operating in Abuja, became imperative after the multiple bomb attacks on Kuje police Station and Nyaya areas of Abuja.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the exhibits and intelligence gathered from the scene of the explosion, were transferred to the highly trained operatives SIRT deployed by the IGP to apprehend the culprit. It was gathered that, the operatives from SIRT, trailed two of the suspects, identified as Abdulazeez Muhazab and Ishiaka Salihu, to a house in Karmajiri, behind Military Area, Cemetery, off Airport Road, Abuja, recovering several explosives, detonators, chemicals in both liquid and powder form used for making bombs and several other ready made bombs. The suspects also, mentioned one Haulaki in military custody and one Hamza, as their leaders in Abuja.

Saturday Vanguard further gathered that Haulaki, who is also known as, Abdulwaheed Nasiru, was handed over to the police and during interrogations, he confessed and disclosed the addresses of three houses within Abuja and Suleija Niger State, where they produced and store explosives. The operatives and on the strength of this confession, proceeded to Gauaraka area in Suleja, Niger State, Iddo Village off Airport road, Abuja and at Dan Asato area of Suleja, where five ready made IEDS, Chemicals used for bomb making, detonator, HP laptop, two books on several chemicals and engineering materials, An Ipad, loaded with IED, plate number of a car, scale, digital multimeter and a knife were recovered. It was gathered that the Haulaki, also led the operatives to Galadima area where tangible information were gathered.

When Saturday Vanguard, interviewed, Haulaki, he confessed that he was a native of Okene, Kogi State.

“I am married and my wife is currently pregnant. I had just primary education which I did not finish. I am an Igbira man and my people are mainly Muslims. I came to Abuja seven years ago to learn auto mechanic at Games Village and I graduated four years after, before establishing my own workshop at Galadimawa Roundabout.

“In 2013, I joined the Boko Haram, there is the mosque along the road before Total Fillings Station, in Aiyoke area of Okene, Kogi State. Though I rented an apartment very close to the mosque and one of the sons of the landlord of that house, who is my friend, Abubakar, who was killed during operation visited that mosque and he introduced me to the Imam and the owner of the mosque, Mustapha who is currently in the custody of security agents.

“Mustapha was the one who indoctrinated me into the Boko Haram sect. He urged me through his teachings which were mainly on Fridays after the Jumat prayers, Saturdays and Sundays to be faithful to God and do his wishes and I should also oppose those going against the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.

“Mustapha usually urged us to support the cause of Jihad in the North Eastern part of the country in any way we can and when we cannot donate ourselves or money to the cause, we should at least pray for those waging the war. In some of his teachings, he told us that western education was a sin and working for the government was also a sin. He then asked those who have gone through secondary and university education to destroy their certificate.

“A lot of people, who were graduates from the secondary and university in that mosque, destroyed their certificates. That singular gesture endeared me to the sect. Aside Abubakar, I met some other young men, like , Usman , Abduljalal, Abu Hamza, Bilal and Haron.

“These men were highly devoted to the course and they told me that they usually rob unbelievers and use the money to support the course. Abu Hamza is our leader and also one of the bomb manufacturer. He was the one who led us to rob two banks in Owo, Ondo State and Okene in Kogi State, and it is through that means that he raised money for bomb materials and others.

“He was the one who also thought Usman how to make the bombs. I am a very good driver and my duty is to drive vehicles to various destinations. I usually don’t ask if there is bomb in those vehicles or not all I do is to follow instruction.

“A few months ago, some security agents came from Kaduna and arrested Abu Hamza and took him away. Few days to the Sallah, Usman was also arrested in Abuja and I got instructions from very senior members of our sect to move all the ready made bombs and the materials out of Usman’s house in Suleja and I moved them to my brother’s house who is also a member of our sect at Iddo area of Abuja.

“I also gave, two Ak-47 rifles and some bombs to a senior member, Abu Husssien who took them to Okene, Kogi State. Few days before the last sallah some vigilante men arrested and handed me over to the military intelligence who detained and later handed me over to the police special team. I regret joining the Boko Haram Sect,” he lamented.

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Katy Perry and Selena Gomez makeup artist, Jake Bailey commits suicide

According to TMZ, the celebrity makeup artist who made a name for himself working with Katy Perry, Selena Gomez and Mariah Carey … died after an apparent suicide in L.A. Police said Jake Bailey‘s assistant found him this morning in his home in Los Angeles and called the cops. He may have killed himself with carbon monoxide.

The 37-year-old was most famous for his work with Katy Perry. An autopsy will be completed by the L.A. County Coroner’s Office.

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SIM registration: MTN cuts off 5.1 million subscribers

 

More than five million MTN subscribers in Nigeria were on Thursday disconnected from the network after the review of their registration documents, thereby cutting the company’s full-year forecast for subscriber numbers.

The spokesperson for the MTN Group, Nik Kershaw, said, “MTN, which operates in more than 20 countries across the Middle East and Africa, had 5.1 million subscribers cut off in Nigeria, its biggest market, at the end following checks on personal documents.

“The company is also facing ongoing regulatory restrictions related to its market-leading position in Africa’s most populous country.”

Kershaw, however, said that about 3.4 million of the subscribers might have been reconnected, following steps to correct the irregularities in their registration documents. The development, our correspondent learnt, was the fallout of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s sanction in August on telecommunications firms over improper Subscriber Identification Module registration. 

The firms were asked to pay N120.4m in fines for failing to fully comply with the directive of the commission to deactivate pre-registered and defective SIM cards. While MTN, which has over 62 million subscribers on its network, was asked to pay N102.2m; Globacom was slammed with N7.4m; Etisalat, N7m; and Airtel, N3.8m. 

However, the MTN Group spokesperson said in a statement that the company would add 14.8 million net subscribers this year, compared with a previous forecast of 16.75 million.

“The carrier’s customer base grew 0.9 per cent to 233 million in the three months through September compared with the previous quarter,” Kershaw said.

He added that MTN shares gained 2.4 per cent to 186.45 rand as of 3:31 pm in Johannesburg, on Thursday, valuing the company at R345bn ($25.2bn). Meanwhile, stockbrokers said the MTN stock in South Africa was down 16 per cent this year, compared with a 14 per cent gain for Vodacom Group Limited, its cross-town competitor. 

However, a money manager at Cape Town, South Africa, Steve Minnar, said on the MTN website that while the loss of Nigerian customers was a short-term setback, “it does point to a tough regulatory environment.”

“They have been struggling with the regulator for many years in the Nigerian environment,” he added.

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Grandmum rescued from collapsed building dies

 

Alhaja Mistura Ahmodu, the 82-year-old woman, who was rescued from a three-storey building that collapsed on Swamp Street, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, is dead. Ahmodu’s granddaughter, Shukura Ishola, told PUNCH Metro on Thursday that the octogenarian, who hailed from Ilorin, Kwara State, passed on around 5pm on Wednesday at the Lagos Island General Hospital, alleging that medical personnel at the hospital did not attend to her promptly. 

Ahmodu had been placed on oxygen and rushed to the hospital after she was rescued from the rubble on the fateful day around 2pm – five hours after the building collapsed. Our correspondent had reported that prior to the incident, the building had posed a threat for years. It was also reported that five other residents trapped in the collapse, were rescued and rushed to hospitals in the area.

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Three of them with minor injuries were treated and discharged a few hours later. But Ahmodu, who broke her thigh, was not so lucky. Shukura, her granddaughter, alleged that the woman was left unattended to for a few hours. She said, “The doctors in that hospital did not take care of her on time. We were told to buy some drugs and they abandoned her. My brother and I went to get the drugs. When we came back with the drugs around 3.30pm, grandma was still alive.”

However, Shukura’s father, Alhaji Tajudeen Ishola, said the workers were hospitable. He said, “She spoke with us around 4pm. She said she was thirsty and a doctor told us to buy a bottle of drink, which she drank. We were preparing an X-ray on her thigh when everything changed. She died at about 5pm. She was well taken care of at the hospital. She was 82.” 

The daughter of the deceased, Alhaja Fatimat Ishola, who was in the bathroom when the building collapsed, said, “We lived on the first floor. I was in the bathroom while Mama (Ahmodu) was in her room when the building collapsed. It was God that saved me.”

A resident and businessman, Saidi Balogun, lamented that some miscreants cashed in on the incident to steal.

He said, “It is surprising that some people use a situation like this to steal. Out of the 40 wrist watches I kept at home, I was able to recover only six. The N480,000 I kept in my cupboard has been stolen.”

Some emergency officials told PUNCH Metro that rescue mission had ended. The General Manager, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Fouad Oki, on Thursday, said about 15 houses had been sealed in the community. 

“So far, we have sealed over 15 houses. We want to know the structural integrity of these buildings. If the material laboratory result shows that the buildings are okay, we will reopen them. But if it states otherwise, we will direct the owners of the structures to pull them down.”

Lagos developers set up committee

The Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State (AREDOLS) says none of it members was involved in incidences of building collapse in the state. Chairman of the association, Mr. Nureni Akinsanya, said the three-storey structure that collapsed on the Lagos Island was not built by his members. 

Akinsanya said, “The property was not built by a developer. The area where the incident occurred has drainage problem. The renovation works carried out by its owner were without professionals’ input.” He said in order to prevent a recurrence, the association had set up a nine-man committee to collaborate with the Lagos State government to rid the metropolis of distressed buildings. 

He also called on the state government to commence integrity test on all adjoining property in the locality where the collapse occurred. He assured that the association was ready to cooperate with the government to ensure that his members comply with all regulations concerning physical development planning in Lagos.

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Corpse goes missing from mortuary on burial day

 

Everything was set for the burial of 55-year-old Mrs. Ayoka Buhari, who had died after a brief illness, in the Mowe area of Ogun State. The wake had held, the burial ground had been prepared as friends and bereaved family members gathered for her interment in the family compound on Thursday. 

But as the family approached the management of the TOS Funerals, which manages a morgue in the Gbagada General Hospital, for the corpse around 8am, the body could not be found. PUNCH Metro learnt that the corpse had been mistakenly swapped for another. 

A relative, Folorunsho Adeoluwa, expressed sadness over the incident, threatening legal action against the owners of the morgue. Adeoluwa said the mother of four had died on Wednesday, October 14, and was taken to the morgue.

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He said, “The family was asked to come for the corpse at 8.30am today (Thursday), but when we got there, we discovered that they were not ready for us. Later, they said the woman’s husband must show up before they release her corpse.

“Her daughter, however, insisted on seeing the corpse. They brought out a corpse and she raised the alarm that it was not her mother.”

Our correspondent was told that after much enquiries, a worker in the morgue, identified as Femi, explained that there was a problem of mistaken identity. He was said to have told the family that the corpse was wrongly tagged and given to another man, who lost his wife. 

PUNCH Metro gathered that the deceased’s husband and a few family members rushed down to Matori, Mushin, to meet the man who was suspected to have taken the corpse. It was learnt that on getting to the place, the family discovered that the corpse had been buried. 

“The man said he had buried his wife and he could not exhume her body unless the family showed him the picture of the corpse they have in the mortuary.

“We all rushed back to the morgue and took a picture of the corpse that the hospital wanted to give us. The woman’s husband has not returned from the place,” Adeoluwa added.

PUNCH Metro was told around 4pm that the first family had identified the photo of the corpse as theirs, but it had not been established if the buried one was that of Mrs. Buhari.

A relative, Deborah Ogunfowora, berated morgue managers for being “careless.”

She added that the family had paid all the money for the one week the deceased stayed in the facility.

She said, “They don’t know their jobs. They are just making excuses. They said the two corpses were brought in at the same time and the mistake happened when they were tagging them.

“Right now I have been getting calls from those at home to know what is going on and I can’t pick their calls. Everybody is apprehensive.”

The spokesperson for the morgue, identified simply as Olumide, said the corpse had been found and the family was going for the burial around 7pm.

“There was just a mix up, which has been sorted out. I am with the family; they are driving ahead of me. We are on our way to bury the corpse. The matter has been resolved,” he said.

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Nyanya bombings: Suspect pleads guilty to possessing IEDs

 

One of the suspected bombers of Nyanya and Kuje, both satellite towns in Abuja, on October 2, 2015, Abdulwaheed Nasiru, told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that he was guilty of being in possession of 12 Improvised Explosive Devices and other materials used for making bombs.

Nasiru, 23, was the youngest among the five persons arraigned before Justice Abdulkadir Abdul-Kafarati on five counts arising from the multiple bombings, which left scores dead and many others with varying degrees of injuries.The fourth count which Nasiru pleaded guilty to had to do with being in possession of 12 IEDs and materials used for manufacturing them. 

The rest of the accused persons – Abdulazeez Muhazab (26), Ishiaka Salihu (25), Mohammed Jimoh (33) and Abdullahi Nasiru (34), however, pleaded not guilty to all the five counts preferred against them. The accused persons were arraigned for allegedly conspiring among themselves to carry out the bombings of Kuje town and Jikoyi park in Nyanya on October 2, resulting in “the death of scores of innocent citizens and many others who sustained varying degrees of injuries as well as destroying properties “contrary to sections 17 and 2(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013.” 

The prosecution alleged in the fifth count that between August and October 2015, Jimoh and Salihu were aiding Abdulazeez Muhazab (first defendant “to store and conceal” the items suspected to be used for manufacturing of IEDs, an act punishable under section 2(g) of the law.

The accused persons, who all hailed from Kogi State, were allegedly arrested with 12 IEDs and other materials used for manufacturing the explosives in Unguwar Ebira, Karamajiji area, behind Military Cemetery, along Airport Road in Abuja, on October 6.

The materials they were allegedly arrested with included 27 pieces of detonators, aluminium powder, hexomine, hydrogen peroxide, sulphur powder, sodium azide plus nitrate, iron II oxide, soldiering wire, sugar, pH litmus paper, sodium carbonate and thermometer.

Others were chlorate, filter paper, strings, potassium chlorate, 12 ready-made IEDs and a full bag of fertilizer. Justice Abdul-Kafarati ordered that the accused persons be moved from the police custody to Kuje prison for remand after their arraignment on Thursday. 

While admitting his guilt of the fourth count during the arraignment proceedings, Nasiru said he was not the owner of the IED items but his friends.

“I’m guilty, but no be me get am, na my friend get am,” he said in pidgin English.

The charges were read and interpreted to him and the fifth accused person, Abdullahi Nasiru, (they are not related) in pidgin English. He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the first three counts of conspiracy and the carrying out of the bombings in the separate locations. 

He remained adamant that he was guilty of the charge of the possession of the IEDs and the other materials when asked if he understood the particular count. Defence lawyer, Mr. Nurein Sulyman, jumped up from his seat and approached the dock to ask him if he truly understood what he pleaded guilty to, but he stuck to his guilty plea. 

Lead prosecuting counsel and the Director, Public Prosecutions of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Diri, said he would still lead evidence to prove the guilt of all the accused persons, including Nasiru, with regard to the count he had confessed to.

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Photos: Nigerians among immigrants arrested in Tripoli

112 immigrants from Nigeria, Morocco, Gambia and Pakistan were arrested in Al-Garaboulli, east of Tripoli as they prepared to journey to Europe. More photos after the cut..

Photo credit: Libya Observer

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Very sad photos: Body of an immigrant child washes ashore

The immigrant baby washed ashore on Al-Garabouilli city, east of Tripoli on Wednesday. October 21. So sad! More photos after the cut...

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In Yola:- NEMA confirms 27 dead, 96 injured in Mosque blast

The NEMA Coordinator in Adamawa, Mallam Sa'ad Bello, said 27 people were confirmed dead and 96 injured from the blast that rocked a Friday Jumaat mosque in Jambutu area of Yola.

Bello told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Friday that the dead and injured have been taken to Federal Medical Centre and Specialist Hospital Yola.

"So far we have recorded 27 death and 96 injured from the mosque blast" Bello said.

Bello called on the public to come and donate blood to save lives.

Also speaking after visiting the hospitals to sympathise with the victims, Gov Bindow Jibrilla, condemned the incident and urged for more vigilance.

"I also want to appeal to the public to troop out and donate blood to the injured", Bello said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the blast at the newly opened mosque occurred few minutes after the mosque was inaugurated by the District Head of Jimeta, Alhaji Muhammed Baba-Paris.

The district head along with other dignitaries including a former Minister, Alhaji Hassan Adamu narrowly escaped the blast as they left the mosque shortly after the inauguration to observe their prayers at their usual jummat mosque in Jimeta area of Yola.

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Two planes collide at Lagos Airport

Two Arik Air planes reportedly brushed each other on Monday, October 19, as they were manoeuvring out of the apron at the General Aviation Terminal, GAT, of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. The wing tips of the planes were damaged and have been grounded.

The spokesman for the airline, Mr. Adebanji Ola, confirmed the accident in a statement.

The statement read:  “Two of our aircraft, Boeing 737-800NG were this afternoon (yesterday) involved in a wing-tip brush at the General Aviation Terminal, GAT, of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

“One of the aircraft, 5N-MJP, was marshalled out of the ramp for a scheduled flight, when its wing brushed that of another aircraft, 5N-MJQ, parked on the ramp.

“There were no incidences as the safety of passengers was not jeopardized. We have grounded the two aircraft and are looking into the incident.”

Similarly, a recent accident had occurred  at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2, MMA2, where two aircraft belonging to FirstNation Airways were involved in a ground collision.

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In Abuja:- 'We're not owing ex-militants' - Amnesty Office

 

The Federal Government has said that all monthly payments to ex-militants under the Presidential Amnesty Programme were up to date. This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Head, Media and Communication, Presidential Amnesty Office, Mr Owei Lakemfa in Abuja on Friday, October 23.

According to the statement, the Federal Government has always paid in full, the monthly stipend of the beneficiaries under the programme through their respective banks. It stated that if there was any under payment or deduction, this should be brought to the notice of the programme for investigation.

On those who seek to be included, "the mandate of the Amnesty Programme is to cater for the 30,000 ex-agitators documented at the Disarmament Stage.

"The Programme has since passed the Demobilisation Period to the on-going Reintegration Phase.

"The Amnesty Office has no powers to either expand the programme or make new intakes. Any such approval will be purely at the discretion of the Federal Government’’, it stated.

For beneficiaries who claimed that their housing allowance or hostel fees had not been paid, it stated that the claims were being verified.

"We reiterate our readiness to receive suggestions and enquiries.

"To facilitate this, the Amnesty Office has opened a 24 – Hour Call Centre where individuals can make enquiries on issues bordering on the programme.

"The numbers are: 0703-5611-612 and 0809-0088-337 and the e-mail is: osapndcallcentre@gmail.com.

"We seek the co-operation and assistance of all to ensure continued peace and sustainable development in the Niger Delta", it stated.

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300 schoolgirls infected by ‘unknown’ disease in Ekiti

There’s been an outbreak of an unknown disease in the Federal Government Girls’ College, Efon Alaaye, in Ekiti State. Not less than 300 pupils of the school have been hospitalised, after falling ill, as a result of the disease.

The unknown disease was first noticed on October 10, when students started vomiting and stooling.
Naturally, it was widely assumed that there was a cholera outbreak in the school.School Principal, Grace Ogunyomi, reported the issue to the state government on Wednesday, October 21.

Punch reports, that the affected students were taken to Efon General Hospital, by the school authorities. Out of the 300 pupils infected by the disease, 31 are reportedly receiving treatment while others have been treated and discharged.

Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, would however, state that only 20 of the infected pupils were still in the hospital.

“We have alerted the water corporation to chlorinate their water. They have about six boreholes and we have got them chlorinated, because we knew as professionals that the water could be a source.

“We are trying to look into their environment, so that we can get where such could have broken out. We want to know how they dump their faeces and how they discharge their sewages.”

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Suicide bomber attacks mosque in Maiduguri, many dead

A mosque in the city of Maiduguri has been attacked by suicide bombers.

The bombing took place in the wee hours of Friday, while faithfuls were observing morning prayers in the old GRA area of Maiduguri.

Several Muslim worshippers are reported dead from the attack in Maiduguri Borno state.

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2 men caught celebrating Maiduguri mosque blast

Two men were reportedly caught hugging each other and celebrating the bomb blast at a Mosque in Maiduguri, Borno.

The suicide bombing, which happened around 5am, on Friday morning has so far, claimed 28 lives.

Umar Sani, a civilian vigilante and local resident Musa Sheriff, both revealed to AFP, details of the blast.
Sani said: “People from various mosques nearby rushed to the scene to assist the victims.

“I was involved in the evacuation. We counted 28 dead bodies apart from the two bombers, who were identifiable by the mutilation of their bodies. Over 20 other people were injured.”

Furthermore, Sani stated that shortly after the bomb went off, two men were seen hugging themselves and celebrating the attack.

He added that they were apprehended and handed to the police.

“The two men were standing from afar, hugging each other like a celebration, chanting Allahu Akbar”(God is greatest). The rescuers apprehended them. They used ropes to tie them and they confirmed that two of their comrades carried out the attacks. They were unrepentant.”

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Jumat bombing: Boko Haram attacks mosque in Damaturu

There’s been a bomb explosion at a mosque in Damaturu, Yola.

Several people have been reported from the bomb attack of Friday afternoon at a mosque in in the Jambutu mosque while worshipers were getting ready for prayers.

While the number of deaths is yet to be ascertained, the injured persons have been taken to a specialist hospital in Yola.

A few hours ago, more than 10 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack in the wee hours of Friday at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State.

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