20 women abducted by Suspected Boko - Haram members near Chibok!

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram have reportedly abducted about 20 women near Chibok. 

The women, according to Bloomberg, a United States-based news agency, and The Guardian of London, were taken after the gunmen attacked a nomadic settlement known as Garkin Fulani at the weekend.

Bloomberg and The Guardian of London both quoted a member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Alhaji Tar, as having said the women were herded into vehicles at gunpoint and driven off to an unknown location.

“We got the information that they went there and took away the women at the time none of the males were there,”   Tar said in the reports by the two news sources on Monday.

“The three young men they met there could not help the women, as they (gunmen) also ordered the three of them to enter the Toyota Hilux vans and took all of them away,” Tar added.

The news channels   also reported that   three young men who tried to stop the abduction of the women were also taken away.

When contacted by one of our correspondents, the Borno State Police   Commissioner, Lawan Tanko,   denied that the incident took place.

He said, “I believe there is no truth in the attack as I just spoke to my divisional police officer in Chibok. He should have informed me of the abduction if there was any.”

Also, the Chairman of Chibok Local Government Area, Baana Lawan, said, “When I saw the report on online new sources, I despatched some   vigilance group members and hunters to the scene. They came back and told me that the place was never attacked and that no one was abducted.”

Telephone calls by one of our   correspondents in Abuja to   the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, were not picked by him. He also did not respond to a text message sent to him.

Before then, Olukolade had said Special Forces killed 50   Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday.

Olukolade,   in an electronic mail on Monday, said the insurgents were ambushed by troops at   Bilta following intelligence reports that they were going to attack some communities in Borno and Adamawa states.

He added that four soldiers who received gunshot wounds in the encounter were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The DHQ spokesman stated that the troops also seized   “30 rifles, 36 hand grenades, seven machine guns, 11 rocket propelled grenade tubes, 3500 rounds of ammunition, six smoke grenade canisters,   locally-fabricated guns and four vehicles used by the terrorists in the foiled attack.”

He said, “Troops conducting anti-terrorist campaign in the North-East have successfully averted attempted massive raid on villages in Borno and Adamawa states during the weekend.

“The terrorists who were on their way to attack selected communities were ambushed by troops at   Bilta, Borno State on receiving intelligence report of the terrorists’ intention.

“The attack was launched on the terrorists as they filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at about 10pm on Saturday.

“Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce encounter that ensued. The four soldiers who were wounded in the operation are currently receiving medical treatment in the military medical facility.”

Meanwhile, the people of Attagara, Aganjara and Agapalwa   in Borno State   have buried over 100 bodies almost a week after   Boko Haram attacks.

Local leaders, Lawan Abba Kaka and John Gulla, told The Guardian of London on Monday, that many more victims of the last Tuesday and Wednesday attacks had yet to be found.

Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the senate, gave the breakdown of burials as 42 in Attagara; 24 in Aganjara and 20 in Agapalwa.

“From what those who fled told us, there are more corpses in nearby bushes and the mountain side,” he told reporters after a meeting in Maiduguri.

“Many people that fled the communities are also trapped on the hills, as they are without food or water,” Ndume added.

The United Nations has however expressed fears that half of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls might return home pregnant.

It raised the alarm during a luncheon in New York as part of the preparation for the June 10 global summit in London on sexual violence in conflict last Friday.

The UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab   Bangura, said, “My worry is that half of those girls don’t come back home pregnant.’’

She urged the international community to prepare the minds of the pupils’ families for their return and make available psychological and other support for the girls.

She said before the kidnap of the Chibok girls drew global attention, more than 2,000 girls had   been abducted worldwide.

The UN representative was meeting with editors and the British ambassador to the United States   in preparation for a first-time global summit on sexual violence in conflict which will hold in London between Tuesday( today) and Friday.

William Hague, the UK Foreign Secretary and Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, are co-chairing the   summit.

How to rescue the Chibok schoolgirls and provide them with needed support are expected to be an intense discussion at the summit.

Sanusi receives licence to rule as new Emir of Kano!

News reaching our desk reveals that the license to rule has been handed over to the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Lamido Sanusi, further cementing his selection as the new Emir of Kano State.

According to Channels news, Mr Sanusi, who was chosen by the kingmakers on Sunday to succeed the late Ado Bayero, received his certificate on Monday from the Kano state Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Sanusi took over the throne amid tight security with soldiers manning major roads in Kano city and visitors restricted from the Government House.

Sanusi’s selection on Sunday was greeted with protest by persons believed to be supporters of the son of the late Emir, Lamido Ado Bayero, who social media reports had named as the selected Emir.

The supporters of Lamido Ado Bayero had started jubilation before the governor announced the selection of Sanusi as the next Emir, bringing their celebration to an abrupt end.

At the ceremony, kingmakers paid obeisance to the new Emir of Kano before the certificate was handed over to him.

“By the powers conferred on my by the constitution and acting on the recommendations of the kingmakers hand over the certificate of his appointment as Emir of Kano. Your appointment into the important position of Emir of Kano was guided by our collective consideration of your ability credibility and capability to lead our people,” Governor Kwankwaso said.

It will be recalled that Sanusi was suspended as the governor of the apex bank few months to the end of his tenure on allegations of financial recklessness. He has since denied the allegations  and had file a suit challenging his suspension.

How Christ Embassy choir member impregnated by pastor died after child birth!

The family of a young woman who was allegedly impregnated by a Christ Embassy pastor has insisted that he must perform all the necessary marriage rites for her despite her death.

28-year-old Vivian Ndukwu, pictured alongside her new born, a choir member in the church, was said to have gotten pregnant for one of the Pastors simply identified simply as Hillary.

According to information received, Vivian hid the pregnancy from her family by telling them she was going to Abuja but she allegedly went to Agbara in Ogun where she eventually had a baby girl.

It was gathered that she developed complications a few days after giving birth and unfortunately lost her life. 

The story so far:

It was said that in order to avoid scandals, the couple decided to keep the relationship a secret. The secret romance reportedly continued until Vivian became pregnant. When it became obvious that they could no longer keep the pregnancy a secret, Vivian was said to have agreed with Hillary that she should relocate to Agbara town in Ogun State to stay with a woman who had an orphanage. 

Vivian allegedly told her parents that she was going to Abuja. But she stayed at the orphanage until she was delivered of a baby girl on May 3, 2014. Unfortunately, eight days after the delivery of the baby, Vivian was taken to a hospital after she complained of fever and headache, where she eventually died, while her remain was taken to the Badagry General Hospital morgue.

The owner of the orphanage, Mrs. Grace Kato, however, claimed that Vivian never stayed at her place.

Her story:  “Vivian called me three days after the birth of her baby. She said she wanted me to help her with the hospital bills, that she was stranded in the hospital. Out of compassion, I went to the hospital to help.”

She admitted that she took Vivian home after delivery to rest at her place for two days before returning to her parents.

She added that Vivian, however, ended up staying at her place for five days before she died. 

“I brought her to my house to rest for a day or two before taking her to her parents. In the process, I had to travel for my uncle’s burial. That was why she stayed that long because she was waiting for me to return. I came back on Saturday night, May 10, and the next day, she complained of a slight headache and we took her to another hospital nearby. That was where she died.” She said.

On their side, the hospital where Vivian was said to have died, claimed that she was rushed to the hospital unstable and restless.

According to a doctor in the hospital, the people on duty stabilised her condition and referred her to a general hospital.

The source, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “She was brought in on May 11, at about 1.20pm, unstable and restless. The story was that her complaint started that morning. Her blood pressure was also high. Being that we were not in possession of her past medical records, we acted based on clinical situation and referred her to a general hospital.

“The people that brought her left and so there was no one to take her to where she had been referred to hours after stabilising her condition. Several calls to the number they gave us were replied with one story or the other. At some point, the lady started gasping, and eventually died. It was not until the following day that they came to pick up her remains.”

Deceased father reacts:
The father of the deceased, Emmanuel Ndukwu, said over the telephone that the orphanage founder had agreed with her late daughter to take custody of the child after delivery without the consent of the family.

He said he and his wife knew nothing about the pregnancy, adding that his daughter left his house and told the family that she was going to Abuja.

He said, “After telling us that she was going to Abuja, we did not hear from her until her death. But we later learnt that Grace (orphanage owner) and her husband had organised a naming ceremony for the new baby without informing us.

Emmanuel said he was not aware of the relationship between the pastor and his daughter until the sad incident.

“My family and the pastor’s family have met and we agreed that Hillary will perform all the marriage rites for my late daughter according to the tradition of our people. We are doing this because a child is involved. The pastor did not deny his responsibility, so the normal thing must be done.” He said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed Vivian’s death and added that the matter was still under investigation.

"The matter is under investigation at the Homicide Section of the SCID. The police is not aware of any negotiation between the two families.” Braide said.

Source: Punch newspapars

What a sad story.....

Edo Assembly Suspend Four Lawmakers !

News reveled that the Edo State House of Assembly has suspended four lawmakers on allegations of gross misconduct.

According to Channels news, three of them were those who defected from the APC to the PDP and the fourth suspended lawmaker is the Deputy Speaker of the House who is a member of the APC.

It was gathered that the House had resumed from its recess on Monday morning and under matters of urgent public importance, raised a motion for the suspension of the lawmakers.

The Majority Leader of the House, Philip Shaibu, said that the lawmakers were suspended for trying to induce with 50million Naira each to impeach Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the Speaker Uyi Igbe.

He maintained that the House acted according to its rules.

Simultaneously, over a thousand APC youths were protesting outside the gates of the Edo State House of Assembly, calling for the resignation of the lawmakers who defected, alleging that they collected between 35 and 50 million Naira each to defect.

The Speaker received them after the business of the day. They were also received by Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Government House.

Responding to the allegations, the lawmakers debunked all the allegations.

However, the Edo State Police Commissioner has urged politicians to conduct themselves peacefully in the course of their activities.

APC condemns Ado Ekiti violence!

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the violence unleashed on peaceful members of the party at Ado Ekiti on Sunday by the police, apparently acting out a script written by the Presidency
and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to foment trouble in the South-west ahead of the 2015 general elections.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party put the blame for the violence squarely on the shoulders of the Presidency and the PDP, wondering why the police, who are paid by taxpayers to maintain law
and order, would turn their weapons on the same defenceless citizens they are paid to protect.

It said but for the action of the police, led by the head of Mopol in Ekiti, Gabriel Selekere, the peaceful procession by the APC members in Ekiti would not have degenerated into violence, during which a
harmless citizen was apparently shot dead by the police.

''Our members were carrying brooms, not weapons, and were singing and dancing as they marched through the streets in the best tradition of
political rallies. Their procession was peaceful and carnival-like until the police unleashed teargas and live bullets on them without
provocation, killing one person and injuring many. Even the Governor of the state was not spared by these trigger-happy policemen. This is unacceptable in any civilized society and must be condemned by all Nigerians,'' APC said.

The party, however, said it was not surprised at the ferocity of the attack by armed policemen on the peaceful members of the APC, as it fits perfectly into the desperation of President Goodluck Jonathan and his party to capture Ekiti State at all cost as a leeway to entering
the South-west ahead of 2015.

''The President who said his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian has apparently forgotten he ever made such a comment.

Otherwise, how does he explain the bloodied body of a peaceful protester who was apparently shot dead by policemen acting out a
script? How does he explain that the blood-thirsty policemen, who behaved more like hooligans, were led by an officer (Selekere) who has consistently been hostile to the State Governor?

''Is it by coincidence that the killer policemen were led by no other than Selekere, who once unilaterally transferred all mobile policemen attached to the Governor simply because he could not compromise them
to set up the Governor, until he was overruled by the IG?

''Is it also a mere coincidence that a new Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Momoh, whom they believed to be pliable and willing to do
their hatchet job, has been posted from Minna to Akure ahead of the Ekiti elections, to replace Brig.-Gen. A.B. Dikko who refused to be compromised and allow the PDP to rig the recent bye-election in Ondo State?

''The Presidency and the PDP should know that Ekiti people will not allow a blood-thirsty and compromised Mopol Commander, a Brigade
Commander or even the Presidency to pick their governor for them on
June 21st. They will defend their votes to the hilt, whether or not the FG floods the state with security personnel in an attempt to intimidate and harass the people,'' it said.

APC said the orchestration of violence in Ekiti on Sunday, a day after President Jonathan hinted that he had deliberately stifled development in the state by saying he would develop the state once the PDP is
voted into office, has shown that the Presidency and the PDP have no qualms about plunging the country into chaos just to realize their
ambition of capturing the state and the region.

''It is for this reason that we appeal to all the good people of Ekiti State in particular and all Nigerians in general to be vigilant in the days ahead. Whatever happens in Ekiti before, during and after the
forthcoming election will be a barometer for measuring the desperation or otherwise of the Presidency/PDP ahead of the August election in Osun State and the general elections in 2015.

''On our part, we will closely monitor and expose all the shenanigans of the Presidency and the PDP to set Ekiti ablaze, destabilize the South-west and indeed plunge the entire country into crisis just because of an unbridled desperation for power. We urge our members in Ekiti to remain peaceful despite the provocation from the PDP and its cohorts,'' the party said.

By Alhaji Lai Mohammed

Ex-CBN boss Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is the new Emir of Kano!

Kano State Government recently announced that former Central bank boss  Sanusi Lamidu Sanusi is the new Emir of Kano state. 

He succeeds Alhaji Ado Bayero who died on Friday after spending 51 years on the throne.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, who made the announcement at Kano Government House today, Sunday, disclosed that the government chose his name out of three names forwarded by Kano Kingmakers.

“Under state customary, the king makers comprising the Madaki, Sarkin Bai, Makaman and Sarkin Dawaki Maituta had sat down and forwarded three names to the government to choose the one that will succeed the Late Emir Ado Abdullahi Bayero.

“Out of these three names the government has approved Sanusi Lamidu Sanusi, the Dan Majen Kano and former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as the new emir of Kano,” the SSG concluded.

Dora Akunyili Dies at 59!

Information reaching our news desk revealed that former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and ex minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili, is dead.




According to a family source, Dr. Akunyili died in an India Hospital where she has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. She was aged 59.

May her soul R.I.P