The Defence Headquarters has insisted that Abubakar Shekau was killed in a battle between the insurgents and troops in Konduga last September. The DHq made this known in response to a video reportedly released by the Boko Haram, showing their leader, Abubakar Shekau. “From immediate observation and what some online news outlets claimed to have seen, the video did not indicate when it was shot neither did it show any proof of life or currency such as screen time or date,” the DHq said in a statement. According to the statement, no reference to anything that has happened since the…
Author: Wale Adebayo
About 7,000 policemen will be on ground in Kwara State to ensure the people of the state enjoy a peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebration. The state Police command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi said this on Thursday in an interview. According to him, all operational sections, including Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), the intelligence Unit will be activated. Dogs will also be deployed to sniff around for any dangerous object. Areas prone to violence across the state will also be seriously manned. Okasanmi however urged residents to be vigilant during the festival and report any suspicious movement. He promised the people of…
If any of them would fall while performing on stage it would have to be the outspoken and more vibrant Peter Okoye. The eccentric P-Square were on stage to thrill their fans and crowd at Beat 99.9 FM’s Triple 9 Concert yesterday, Wednesday, October 1, 2014 while Peter Okoye fell off the stage and had to be helped back up by his twin brother, Paul Okoye. This happened just a weeks after they released their 6th studio album titled ‘Double trouble’ and a tour of some African cities billed to continue in a matter of days. Peter, who had to…
Nasir El-Rufai wants to become the next governor of Kaduna State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Former Minister of the Federal Capacity Territory (FCT) made his intention to contest on Thursday in Kaduna, when he visited the party secretariat. “I came along with my colleagues to formally inform the state branch of the APC of my intention to contest for the governorship of Kaduna State,” el-Rufai said. He said it was very important to inform party officials before making any formal declaration. The former minister congratulated the APC leadership for its efforts at ensuring the…
A former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, has said for the Peoples Democratic Party to win the 2015 governorship election in the state, no candidate should be imposed on the party. Ekpenyong, who is the Director-General of Restoration 2015 campaign organisation, which is working towards the emergence of Mr. Benjamin Okoko as the PDP flag bearer, said imposition of candidate on any political party by certain individuals to serve their interests had often back fired. Speaking in Ikono on Thursday, the ex-deputy governor stated that every political party had equal chances in any electoral contest, noting…
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, has lost his 7 year old daughter, Yewande Semiat Bankole, to sickle cell disease. She died in a London hospital yesterday October 1st. A statement released by the Bankole family on Thursday, confirmed the demise of the former speaker’s demise. It read: “With gratitude to Almighty Allah and with heavy hearts we announce the demise of our daughter, Yewande Semiat Bankole, aged 7yrs at a London hospital. Yewande is the grand-daughter of Chief Alani Suara Bankole and the daughter of Rt Hon. Dimeji Sabur Bankole. “Yewande was born with HbSS…
In continuation of his campaigns towards the October 11 governorship by-election, Adamawa State Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, has promised to create 1000 jobs within two months if elected. Fintiri, who made the promise when his campaign train berthed at Maiha, assured his teeming supporters that he would create the jobs for teeming youths in the state. He also promised to complete all abandoned General Hospital projects in the state including that of Maiha, which has deprived the people of having access to medical services. According to him, as a member of the state Assembly, he was aware that lawmakers had…
The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Gbenga Ashafa, on Wednesday declared his ambition to return to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly for a second term come 2015. It was initially speculated that Sen. Ashafa would be gunning for the Alausa House, Ikeja, after posters depicting him as a governorship aspirant had flooded his constituency and some areas in Lagos. However, in a statement by his Head of Media, Constituency office, Mr. Babatunde Adegunju, Ashafa declared that he would prefer to return to the Senate. The statement read in part, “In a bid to give a clear direction…
CHARLES AIRHIAVBERE A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and national coordinator of Goodluck to Goodluck (G2G) 2015 project, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (retd), has warned that it will be a disaster for the country if President Goodluck Jonathan is not re-elected for a second term. Airhiavbere, who contested the 2012 Edo governorship election against Governor Adams Oshiomhole under the platform of PDP and also an aspirant for the 2016 governorship race in the state, lamented that the president’s achievements are sometimes being over shadowed due to politics, asserting that the Jonathan is receiving the backing of…
Less than two weeks after the military authorities confirmed that the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau’s impostor had died in battle against troops in Konduga, Borno State, the supposedly dead man has come out to claim that he is very much alive. In spite of compelling evidence, corroboration by Australian negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis and even claims by the Cameroonian military that its troops, not Nigerian security forces, had killed one of the world’s most wanted terrorists, Shekau (or his look-alike), has released a new video through the regular channels, showing his face to the world and vocally debunking the…
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have recovered 13.33 kilogrammes of substances that tested for cocaine from two suspected smugglers. The suspects – Marvin Daniel and Victor Akubuo – were said to have hidden the illegal substances inside capacitors and perfume bottles before eagle-eyed officials of NDLEA at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, intercepted them. While Daniel concealed 7.58 kilogrammes of the drugs in the capacitors, his accomplice, Akubuo, concealed his, weighing 5.75kg, inside perfume bottles. The illicit drugs, which was learnt has a street value of N119m, was intercepted during the screening of passengers en route…
The Federal Road Safety Commission in Ota, Ogun State, said it would use the radar gun device to detect speeding by motorists during the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah festival. The Ota Unit Command of FRSC, Mr Sunday Omafu, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday that the device would curtail the excesses of drivers and reduce road crashes. “The motorists should desist from excessive speeding during the Sallah festival because they would be caught by the device”, Omafu said. He said that the command would be on alert to carry out necessary rescue and enforcement during the period. Omafu said that…
As the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls abducted from their dormitory on the night of April 14th, 2014 spend 170 days in the hands of the Boko Haram sect today, the BringBackOurGirls advocacy group, has launched a passionate appeal to the federal government and the international community not to forget the girls. According to the group, while government must act decisively and urgently in taking every measure possible to rescue the girls, it must also put in place all the necessary mechanisms, structures, systems and procedures of reintegration, rehabilitation and resettlement to effectively handle the challenges that months of trauma would…
A former managing director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs. Oluremi Oyo, is dead. The news of her death was confirmed by her husband, Vincent Oyo, on Thursday morning. However, the cause of her death has not been disclosed. It would be recalled that Mrs. Oyo served as the Senior Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo – the first woman to be appointed to such a position. Details later…
At least 35 residents of Gwoza in Borno State, where Boko Haram has declared an Islamic caliphate, have been kidnapped by the insurgents as they fled the crisis-torn area. It was learnt that the captives, among whom were a woman and her twins, were kidnapped behind the Gwoza hills on Tuesday where they sought refuge after being displaced from their homes. Executive Chairman of Stefanos Foundation, Mr. Mark Lipdo, quoting sources from the residents, said that three of those kidnapped have died in the hands of their abductors. Lipdo said that one Mrs. Maryamu Emmanuel (mother of the newly delivered…
President Goodluck Jonathan honours famous Nollywood film maker and actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde with the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) award. Here you can see more photos. Ekeinde who firstly doubted about going to the event – eventually decided to do it after listening “to the voice of wisdom”. She explains her accepting the National Honours being awarded by the president. Omotola had said that she had mixed feelings. And now, she’s very appreciative. The 2014 National Honours Awards ceremony held last Monday at the International Conference Center in Abuja ahead of Nigeria’s 54th Independence anniversary. A total of…
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described as false, claims by President Goodluck Jonathan that his administration had reduced poverty by 50 per cent and created millions of jobs. President Jonathan on Saturday while speaking at the South-South Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) political rally in Benin City, tagged ‘Unity Mega Rally’, said the country had reduced its poverty rate by 50 per cent under his watch. In its reaction to the claim yesterday, the Lagos APC also advised Mr. Jonathan to stop taking Nigerians for a ride by claiming that electricity had improved drastically. The…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun on Wednesday said it had displayed notice of the 2015 general elections in line with its timetable and schedule. A statement signed by Adenike Tadese, the Chief Public Affairs Officer of the commission, said the notice had been displayed at the headquarters and local government offices across the state. The statement said it was in “pursuant to INEC timetable for 2015 general elections and in accordance with provisions of Section 30 (1) & (2) of Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). “Notice of 2015 general elections should be published not later than 90 days before the…
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been arrested by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism in Ogun State for pipeline vandalism. According to the suspect, his action was aimed at raising money for his political campaign towards 2015 general elections. Officer in charge of the task force, Friday Ibadin, who identified the 59-year-old suspect as Wahab Junaid, said he was arrested at Ifote village in Obafemi/ Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. “I am an active member of All Progressives Congress and the slot for the House of Representative was zoned…
Outbreak of diseases have led to the death of about 70 persons in the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp situated in Bali, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State. Cholera reportedly killed 48, while measles killed 13 and nine died of other ailments. The camp where victims of attacks by Fulani herdsmen on Tiv communities were accommodated was set up in March and has provided shelter for more than 2,000 people. About 126,000 people have been reportedly displaced by the crises where 1,000 houses in more than 60 villages and farm settlements were destroyed. Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Mr.…