Fresh gists

Nigerian Female Professor Wins $100,000 UNESCO Prize

2013-04-02T13:16:00.000+01:00

A Nigerian female scientist has bagged a prize of $100,000, as one of the winners of the 2013 L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards in Physical Sciences.

Professor Francisca Okeke, the first female Head of Department, University of Nigeria Nsukka bagged the 2013 Laureate award for her significant contributions “to the understanding of daily variations of the ion currents in the upper atmosphere which may further our understanding of climate change.”

UNESCO says Professor Okeke has made the study of the ionosphere her lifetime work. The ionosphere lies between 50km and 1000kms above the earth surface. “A very thick layer of charged particles, the ionosphere produces changes in the magnetic field on earth’s surface that affect the planet in a host of ways. Her research could lead to a better understanding of climate change and help pinpoint sources of dramatic phenomena like tsunamis and earthquakes”, a summary of her research published by UNESCO read.

The awards were announced last year October, but the award ceremony took place at the weekend in Paris. She was the only recipient in that category from Africa and the Arab nations and the third Nigerian Laureate since the UNESCO-L’Oreal partnership was established in 1998. Professor Okeke got a prize of $100,000. Four others also got awards in the Laureate category with each representing Europe, Latin America, North America and the Asia Pacific regions.

UK Scientist Professor Pratibha Gai of York University won the 2013 European Laureate award. She was recognised for “ingeniously modifying her electron microscope so that she was able to observe chemical reactions occurring at surface atoms of catalysts which will help scientists in their development of new medicines or new energy sources.

The second Nigerian award recipient, Dr Eucharia Nwaichi, an environmental bio-chemist from the University of Port Harcourt joined 15 other young scientists in the “International Fellows’’ category. Okeke told the Western Europe Correspondent of NAN that she would continue to encourage women to participate in the development of science and technology in the country.

She noted that cultural challenges were impeding on women’s participation in global innovations, stressing that “even though it is seen as a male dominated field, people like us inspire others’’. Similarly, Nwaichi, who was recognised for her research on “scientific solution to environmental pollution’’, stressed the need for increased motivation to support women in the field.

Amb Mariam Katagum, Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, said candidates who met the criteria were selected by a jury based on their submitted projects. “Two important elements are respecting the deadline and also making their submission through the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, because that gives it authenticity. “For us as delegates, as soon as we knew we had possible candidates from Nigeria, we ensured that due process was followed.

“There is no interference as you can see, an international jury determined the outcome,’’ she said, adding that the recipients had broken the frontiers in the field of science. According to her, they have become role models for girls, for us as a country, we need to encourage more girls to go into science. “We can only do that by providing the environment, access to quality education and making sure that the facilities that will make them interested in science subjects are in place,’’ she stressed. The international jury which selected the 2013 awardees was led by Nobel Prize winner, Mr Ahmed Zewail. [NAN]

Robbers Who Invaded Lagos Airport Arrested

2013-04-02T12:42:00.001+01:00

Men of the Lagos State Police Command have apprehended the robbery gang that raided Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, three weeks ago, killing two policemen and injuring several others in the process.

Reports say the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, who took over investigations on the instance of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar.

Sources say the operatives acted on a tip-off, and arrested the bandits from their respective hideouts within Lagos. The suspects have so far confessed during interrogation on how they planned and carried out the operation, sources say. The suspects according to sources first raided the airport in February 2012, where N700 million was carted away.

A 10-man robbery gang, armed with sophisticated weapons, had on March 13, 2013 invaded the airport at 9am and headed for the Bureau De Change, BDC, operators centre near the car park, firing indiscriminately.

Two policemen were reportedly gunned killed while a member of the gang was also shot dead during a shoot-out between a team of policemen attached to the airport and the robbery gang, a gun duel that disturbed the robbers’ mission. The arrested suspects sources say will be paraded today by the Lagos State Police Command.

Bloody Easter As Gunmen Kill 20 Villagers In Kaduna

2013-04-02T12:33:00.001+01:00

It was a bloody Easter celebration in Ataka village in Kaura Local Government of Kaduna State turned as gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, raided the area in the early hours of Sunday, killing over 20 residents. Several other people who were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries were taken to unknown hospitals in the area.

Chairman of Kaura local government, Kumai L.J Badun attributed the killing to a vengeance mission by the suspected Fulani herdsmen over the poisoning of two cows at Mafang Village. However, the police in the state said they were yet to ascertain the number of those killed.

Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer , DSP Aminu Lawan while confirming the incident, said the Area Commander and military operatives were trying to ascertain the figure of those either killed or injured during the attack. Lawan said, “There was an attack.

Well, people were actually killed but we are still contacting the Area Commander, who right now is accessing other security agencies, most especially the military, to get the exact figure of those who lost their lives. “Our area commander and the zonal commander as well as the military people are already at the place. And they are working hard to get the figure of those either killed or injured. “Let us wait and see if in a short while they will get the figures.

The place is called Ataka, just a little bit far away and it is a border town with Plateau State. The place has a difficult terrain. “The incident , according to what we got, happened in the early hours of yesterday (Sunday), but because of the terrain, the hill and the mountains, definitely, it would be difficult for the operatives to get to the place. But we are still hoping to get to the root of the incident.

“Our men are already there and they have already taken control of the place.” He added that the command had commenced investigation into the incident.

"GATE TO HELL" Discovered In Turkey

2013-04-01T23:50:00.000+01:00

Archaeologists in Italy recently announced that they have found a “gate to hell” amongst ruins in southwestern Turkey.

The site, now called Pamukkale, was found in the ancient Phrygian city of Hierapolis. It is known as ‘Pluto’s Gate.’

It is believed that the cave was celebrated as the portal to the underworld in Greco-Roman mythology and tradition. The opening is described as being filled with lethal mephitic vapours.

“This space is full of a vapour so misty and dense that one can scarcely see the ground,” Greek geographer Strabo (64/63 BC—about 24 AD) wrote in ancient texts. “Any animal that passes inside meets instant death. I threw in sparrows and they immediately breathed their last and fell.”

The finding was announced this month at a conference on Italian archaeology in Istanbul, Turkey. Francesco D’Andria, a professor of classic archaeology at the University of Salento, led the team that found the cave.

“We found the Plutonium by reconstructing the route of a thermal spring,” D’Andria told Discovery News. “Indeed, Pamukkale’ springs, which produce the famous white travertine terraces originate from this cave.”

Upon excavation of the site, archeologists also found Ionic semi-columns that had inscriptions of dedication to the deities of the underworld, Pluto and Kore.

“We could see the cave’s lethal properties during the excavation,” D’Andria continued. “Several birds died as they tried to get close to the arm opening, instantly killed by the carbon dioxide fumes.”

Other researchers agree that this is an astounding discovery.

“This is an exceptional discovery as it confirms and clarifies the information we have from the ancient literary and historic sources,” Alister Filippini, a researcher in Roman history at the Universities of Palermo, Italy, and Cologne, told Discovery News.

D’Andria is not a stranger to rare findings. Two years ago, he claimed to have discovered the tomb of Saint Philip, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ.

D’Andria and his team are currently working on the digital reconstruction of the “gate to hell” site.

White House Releases APRIL FOOL's Message (VIDEO)

2013-04-01T23:25:00.004+01:00

On Twitter this morning, the White House tweeted this message: "At 10:00 a.m. ET, the White House will release a special video message from the President."

In the video (below) posted on WhiteHouse.gov, a small boy dressed in a suit stood at a White House podium as 'Hail to the Chief' played.

“It looks like you were expecting somebody else, but April Fools on all of y’all,” said the boy. “I’m kid president and I hope everyone has an awesome day.”

The boy also gave President Nixon's famous "v for victory" finger gestures, made fart noises as he walked off the podium and got a stuck in a doorway.

Psych Ward Patient Found With 17 Baggies Of Cocaine Between His Butt Cheeks

2013-04-01T23:21:00.000+01:00

A patient at a psych ward in Bronx, New York, was found holding 17 bags of what is believed to be cocaine between his butt cheeks on Thursday night.

The staff first rushed to this patient when he began yelling and screaming. They proceeded to give him a shot in his buttocks to calm him down.

“Two bags of drugs fell down,” a source involved with the incident told New York Daily News. “Then he got a little more aggressive and defensive.”

Closer inspection of the individual revealed 15 more bags that were then taken to the 40th Police Precinct.

“The patient will be facing criminal charges,” the source said. “He’ll be taken to the precinct as soon as he’s discharged from the hospital.”

Sick Pimp Forces 13-Year-Old Runaway To Tattoo His Name On Her Eyelids

2013-04-01T23:17:00.000+01:00

When a 13-year-old prostitute tried to leave her pimp, the Miami man forced her to tattoo his street name on her eyelids.

The teenager now has her torturer’s nickname, Suave, on her right eyelid. On her left eyelid, she was inked with the word House, suggesting that she belonged to him.

Suave, known formally as Roman Thomas III, was arrested last Monday by Miami police. The 26-year-old and a female accomplice, Shanteria Sanders, “compelled and coerced” the young girl into becoming a prostitute, giving her drugs to keep her obedient.

Nicknamed Sparkle, the teen ran away from a turbulent home. She met Thomas on March 12 at the USA Flea Market in Miami. One day later, he saw her again and convinced her to come home with him. He was living at the Miami Shores Motel. It was there that Thomas and Sanders took “provocative” photos of the girl, uploading them to the classifieds section on Backpage.com. Sparkle was advertised as the “new girl,” according to police reports.

Thomas and Sanders then forced the 13-year-old to become a prostitute. They gave her condoms and taught her how to speak with customers. They used drugs to keep Sparkle dependent on them — alcohol, marijuana and “Molly,” a form of MDMA. When johns came to the motel asking for her services, Thomas and Sanders charged them up to $100 per hour and counted the cash after every visit.

Once, when the two realized that some money was missing, they duct-taped the young girl and “threatened to kill her.”

After Sparkle threatened to run away, Thomas and Sanders hauled her back to the Flea Market, where she was tattooed.

“It’s outrageous that this girl would be branded for life at such an early age, on of all places her eyelids,” investigator Lt. Jose Alfonso told the Miami Herald.

Sanders, 23, also bears Thomas’ mark on her body. The word “Suave” is tattooed across her chest.

Thomas was already serving five years of probation when Miami police took him into custody. He spent four years in prison for having sex with a minor. He was released in September with a GPS monitor strapped to his ankle. On March 10, Miami police received a warning from the device that the bracelet had been removed. That was just two days before he met Sparkle.

The young girl’s mother managed to track her down, directing Miami police to her pimp.

Sparkle is now receiving therapy from Project GOLD, a branch of the non-profit Kristi House that helps sexually exploited children deal with the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual repercussions of being abused.

Both Thomas and Sanders face charges of human trafficking, false imprisonment, lewd and lascivious exhibition and delivery of a controlled substance to a child.

Female Student Expelled From Medical School For Wearing Hijab

2013-03-26T20:47:00.001+01:00

An unnamed third-year student from Muslim-populated Dagestan had been expelled from the city’s medical school for wearing a headscarf, a local TV station in Krasnoyarsk city reported.

Russian prosecutors are now looking into the case following the reports.

“After the TV report was broadcast, the Krasnoyarsk district prosecutors launched a probe to check the legitimacy of the expulsion,” local prosecutor’s aid Yelena Pimonenko said.

Krasnoyarsk State Medical University confirmed that one of its students had been expelled for “violating internal regulations”, but declined to specify which rules.

According to the school’s rules issued in February and published on its website, students are forbidden from entering university premises in “items of clothing that stress their religious affiliation”, as well as headwear (except for medical items), beach wear and outer clothing.

The debate over hijabs in Russian schools ignited in October 2012 in the southern region of Stavropol, where a school barred several Muslim girls from attending school wearing headscarves.

The region’s authorities went on to impose a blanket ban on headscarves at local educational facilities.

Last week, a Stavropol court ruled against overturning the ban, which had been appealed by four residents of the region.

My 'Oga At The Top' video is finally here!

2013-03-14T17:32:00.000+01:00

If you haven't seen this video, please watch and cringe. The Lagos State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) Mr Obafaiye Shem can't tell his organisation's web address. And when he eventually gave the web address, he gave the wrong one. Watch...

Craigslist killings: Richard Beasley found guilty

2013-03-13T06:49:00.000+01:00

Richard Beasley

The mastermind of a plot to lure men to their deaths with bogus jobs ads on the Craigslist website has been found guilty of aggravated murder.

Richard Beasley, 53, could now face the death penalty after being found guilty of murdering three men in Ohio.

His teenage accomplice, Brogan Rafferty, was sentenced to life in prison without parole last November.

A man who survived being shot - a key witness at both trials - gave harrowing testimony of fleeing for his life.

As well as aggravated murder - "aggravated" in this case because the murder was planned in advance - Beasley was convicted of aggravated robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder.

The jury will reconvene, reportedly on 20 March, to consider whether to recommend the death penalty for him.

As the verdict was read out, relatives of the victims hugged and wiped away tears while Beasley slumped over, his head in his hands, and his mother sobbed.

During the trial, prosecutors had argued the three murder victims - each single and out-of-work, with few family ties - had been lured with offers of farmhand jobs.

But Ralph Geiger, 56, David Pauley, 51 and Timothy Kern, 47, were shot dead. Beasley had intended to rob his victims and steal their identities, prosecutors said.

"He was the mastermind behind this plot,'' said prosecutor Jonathan Baumoel.

Survivor Scott Davis, 49, told the court he had heard a gun being cocked as he walked in front of Beasley after arriving for the supposed job interview.

He pushed the weapon aside and was shot in the arm, he said.

"I spun around,'' testified Mr Davis. "I was worried about bleeding to death."

Mr Davis gave chilling testimony of running through the woods and hiding for seven hours.

Beasley had argued that it was Mr Davis who pulled the gun.

Rafferty had argued at his trial that he had been powerless to stop the killings, saying he feared for his life and the lives of family members.

But this version of events was rejected by the jury.

source:BBC

Jumia feeds 1,500 destitute and less privileged.

2013-03-13T06:40:00.000+01:00

Nigerians who can conveniently feed themselves on a 3 square meal should be thankful and know that millions of Nigerians cannot even afford 1 meal in a country so blessed with human and natural resources. Jumia has taken the initiative to reach out to the less fortunate Nigerians and lend a helping hand. On the10 March 2013, 500 volunteers that included Jumia staff, Gbemi(Beat FM), Dami(Beat FM), Djinee, Weird MC, Shawlz (Classic FM), Lilian Unachukwu, Jeffery Daniel, Tosin Bucknor, Phyno, Ice Prince, Dammy Krane, Eminic, Joseph Benjamin, Toke Makinwa, Tillaman, Godwin& Sabina(Naija FM),

Ill Bliss, Koch, Shadow d Don and many more celebrities converged in Ebute Metta for ‘Jumia feeds Lagos’, an event put together by Nigeria’s online retailer to hand a new lease of life to the destitute and less privileged in the society.

The day saw volunteers converge early in the day, with all hands on deck as they cooked up a storm for the less privileged. There was also lots of fun, music, games and more on hand to spice up the day. Highlight of the day was the volunteers interacting one on one with the less privileged with an aim to giving them ‘HOPE’ for tomorrow. As part of the joys of the day, Jumia also presented Okobaba Open Field, Ebute Metta venue of the event with a pumping machine to drain their playing field during the rainy season.

According to Afam Anyika, Public Relations manager at Jumia, “It is of great honor to introduce such a CSR initiative. ‘Jumia feeds Lagos’, a project initiated by Jumia Nigeria, Nigeria’s number 1 online retailer, a day for extending benevolence to the less privileged and destitute in the society. Aim for us primarily is to show well-meaning Nigerians and cooperates regardless of your industry there is still a lot we can do to improve society.

Police Foil Bank Robbery In Lagos

2013-03-09T07:14:00.001+01:00

An eight-man robbery gang met its waterloo yesterday as its members were arrested during an attempt to raid a new generation bank in Lagos.The incident occurred at Abule-Egba, an outskirt of Lagos about 2:30pm.

We gathered that the robbers, numbering eight, who were armed with five AK-47 rifles, were dislodged by the combined teams of the operatives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command and officers and men of Area ‘G’ Command headquarters, Ogba, Lagos in an operation led by the commander in-charge, Mr Abdullahi Ishola, an assistant commissioner of police, when they attempted to raid the bank, located in Abule-Egba, following a tip-off.

In the ensuing gun duel, which lasted about an hour, it was learnt that all the eight members of the robbery gang were arrested, while five AK-47 rifles and an un-estimated large number of live ammunition were recovered.

It was said that during the gun battle, human and vehicular movement was halted as every passers-by took cover to prevent being hit by stray bullets.When contacted on phone, spokesperson of the Lagos State police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident, saying that two operational vehicles of the robbers were also recovered.

Source:Leadership

FIFA Writes NFF Over Claims Of 'Lesbain Ban' From Super Falcons

2013-03-08T12:49:00.002+01:00

International Federation of Football Association FIFA has written Nigerian Football Association NFA over claims of banning lesbians from playing national football. Dilichukwu Onyedinma, chair of the Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL), was quoted as making the statement: "Any player associated with it will be disqualified."

While contravening FIFA's anti-discrimination policies, the situation is made more complicated because homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria. Currently, a Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill that specifically outlaws same-sex unions is awaiting a signature from president Goodluck Jonathan to go in to law.

If that occurs, gatherings of homosexuals or any other support for gay clubs, organisations, unions - whether in secret or in public -will be banned, with same-sex couples facing up to 14 years in prison. In a speech at the NWFL's recent annual general assembly, Onyedinma is reported to have said that lesbian players would no longer be eligible for the Nigerian women's national team and would "be sacked" from their club sides.

The Super Falcons have won the Africa Women's Championship eight times, but exited the 2011 Women's World Cup at the group stage and did not qualify for London 2012.

Father K*lls 3 Months Old Baby Through Oral S**x...Gets 2 Life Sentences

2013-03-08T08:18:00.000+01:00

A 28 year old father Steven Deuman Jr has been sentenced to 2 life terms in prison for causing the death of his 3 months old daughter while he was oral raping her. In August 2011, Deuman's infant daughter, Evelynne Deuman, was found dead with a condom in her mouth. Deuman said he had stepped outside to smoke only to return and find their daughter on the floor bleeding from the nose, unconscious and not breathing with the discarded condom in her mouth.

Instead of calling 911 for help, he called the girl’s mother, Natasha Maitland, and told her their baby wasn’t breathing. A call to 911 was not made until after Maitland drove back home from work. Instead of waiting for an ambulance, they attempted to drive to the hospital, but were met by responding paramedics who tried to revive Evelynne before rushing her to the hospital.

But, according to prosecutors, Evelynne had been dead for far too long.

It wasn’t until later that Deuman allegedly whispered to Maitland that he had pulled the used condom out of their daughter’s mouth. Subsequent tests showed the DNA on the outside of the condom belonged to the baby and on the inside belonged to Deuman.

The FBI alleged Deuman killed the girl during a penetration, or attempted penetration of aggravated sexual abuse and an autopsy showed no evidence that the girl fell but determined that she died of asphyxiation.

Nigerian Serial Car Snatcher Faces Trial

2013-03-06T17:29:00.001+01:00

Sunday Fatokun

A man, Sunday Fatokun, 41, alleged by the police in Lagos to be the ring leader of a five-man car snatching gang that operates in Lagos and Oyo states, has been arrested and is now facing trial.

Fatokun who has been on police wanted list since 2009, allegedly confessed to the operatives at the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele road, Lagos Island, southwest Nigeria, that he only receives stolen cars from robbers.

The suspect was arrested after he allegedly conspired with others, now in prison custody, to snatch about 24 exotic cars in Lagos and ferried them to Ogbomoso in Oyo State to sell.

He was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, on a two-count charge of felony to wit, armed robbery.

The police alleged in the charge sheet that the accused had been on the police wanted list over cases of armed robbery and car snatching around Costain, Iganmu and Surulere areas of Lagos state.

The accused allegedly parked all the cars he and his gang snatched in Lagos at David Olatunbosun’s house in Ogbomoso, Oyo State for sale.

The police stormed the place and removed six different brands of vehicles and plate numbers which they displayed for sale while a suspect, Gabriel Olajide, was arrested at the scene and taken to Lagos state for interrogation.

Among the vehicles recovered according to the police was a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number BF 259 KUJ property of Fasasi Rasheed which has since been returned to the owner.

During interrogation, Olajide allegedly confessed that Sunday Fatokun is their leader and that they allegedly snatch cars in Lagos and then take them to Ogbomoso, Oyo State, to sell.

Olajide was charged to court and remanded in prison custody for armed robbery pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP.

Nemesis caught up with Fatokun this year when the Federal (SARS) operatives received information that the suspect has been arrested by the police at the Ondo State Command over another offence.

They went to the police command to arrest him and take him back to Lagos.

During interrogation, Fatokun allegedly confessed that he only receives stolen cars from robbery suspects in Oyo State and that he is not an armed robber. After investigation, he was charged to court for armed robbery.

The offences the prosecutor, Supol C.N. Odii, said, contravened Section 6 (b) 1 (2) (a) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provisions) act.

The plea of the accused was not taken as the court lacks jurisdiction to try the matter.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Aigbokheabo ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the directorate of public prosecution, DDP, on the matter.

She adjourned the matter till 22 March, 2013 for mention.

Source:PMnews

Power Gens Pack Up At MMA Airport

2013-03-06T17:20:00.000+01:00

Power cuts have caused series of near-tragic landings at the Lagos airport, in southwest Nigeria, over the past few days, passengers aboard the lucky planes have said. And the two electricity generators serving the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, have broken down, thus compounding the situation.

On Monday night, as an Emirates Flight EK781 was about to land, a sudden power cut struck, forcing the pilot to divert the plane to Lome, capital of Togo, a neighbouring West .

The Emirates plane, an Airbus A340-500, had arrived from Dubai, United Arab Emirates and had already received clearance for landing from the traffic controllers when the near accident happened at about 7.44 pm, reports said.

The plane, it was learnt, returned to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, several hours later and made a safe landing at about 11p.m.

A few minutes after, passengers said, there was another power outage at Nigeria’s gateway. The incident was almost a repeat of what happened to a Kenyan Airways flight on Saturday night.

The Kenyan Airways had come from Nairobi, Kenya, and had arrived the Lagos airport at about 9p.m. in complete darkness.

“The blackout was total,” said a passenger onboard the plane.

“The experience I had on Saturday was very difficult. The runway light at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos was switched off. The arrival hall was dark and the immigration officials were using torchlight to work. I even wanted to talk with the pilot but it was too dark and I couldn’t see her.”

The passenger, a frequent traveller, pledged anonymity but called on Nigerian authorities to come clean with the truth.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Datti, said that rain storms were to blame.

He also admitted that since the generator house was blown off last year, it had not been fixed and the water penetrated the panels.

As a result, he said, the panels were soaked and could not transmit power to the E-wing of the terminal building.

He said: “The heavy rain storm that occurred in Lagos yesterday, March 4, disrupted power supply to the Murtala Muhammed Airport for about six minutes due to a power surge from the two main PHCN power supply sources to the airport.”

The airport is connected to two main power sources from Ejigbo and Egbin power stations.

Datti said the storm initially knocked off the power supply from Ejigbo which led to a three-minute outage at the airport before FAAN engineers switched over to the alternate power supply source from Egbin. “That supply line was later affected by the storm, leading to another three minute power outage,” he said.

“Our engineers then switched over to the airport’s standby generators, some panels of which were unfortunately soaked with water, due to the heavy flooding that resulted from the heavy rainfall.

“This resulted in a blackout at the ‘E’ wing of the airport, including the avio bridges. It was for this reason that arriving passengers on an international flight were processed through an alternative route at the terminal and in the process, were exposed momentarily to the rain,” he said.

Shekau’s Boko Haram beheads ‘informant’ in new video

2013-03-06T17:15:00.000+01:00

The leader of Nigeria’s Boko Haram denied any ceasefire deal with the government in a video obtained Tuesday in which a man accused of being an informant appears to be beheaded on camera.

Abubakar Shekau also makes no mention of kidnappings in the video, including last month’s abduction of seven members of a French family in neighbouring Cameroon that was blamed on his group.

It was not clear when or where the video was made. The clip has been distributed to Nigerian journalists in the country’s north in recent days through intermediaries.

Sources familiar with Boko Haram say it was handed out in this manner because Nigerian authorities have been blocking the group’s videos from being uploaded to YouTube.

AFP could not verify the authenticity of the video but the man speaking closely resembles a person identified in previous clips as Shekau.

There are two separate parts to the video: one of Shekau speaking and another of the apparent beheading. Shekau cannot be seen in the second part.

The video is in part a response to a man claiming to be a Boko Haram commander who has appeared in public several times in recent months calling for dialogue and declaring a ceasefire.

There has been deep suspicion over whether the man calling for the ceasefire has truly represented Boko Haram.

“We have never made a truce with anybody, and no one represented us in any dialogue,” Shekau, wearing a knee-length green caftan and with an AK-47 dangling from his neck, says in the video, which is about 10 minutes long.

Speaking in the Hausa language common throughout northern Nigeria, he names the man who made the ceasefire claim, Sheikh Muhammed Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, and promises punishment for those who falsely represent the group.

“We have not entered into dialogue with anyone,” he says. “Which kind of dialogue, for God’s sake, when day and night our brothers are being arrested, imprisoned, including women and children?”

Shekau is flanked by six men holding weapons with their faces covered by headscarves, standing outdoors in an unknown location.

After he finishes speaking, the video cuts to another clip that shows a man with his hands and legs bound. A group of men pin him to the ground, while one appears to slit his throat.

They later appear to behead the victim, who is labelled an informant who provided information to the military. Shekau cannot be seen in the clip of the apparent killing and beheading.

Violence linked to Boko Haram’s insurgency in northern and central Nigeria has led to the deaths of some 3,000 people since 2009, including killings by the security forces.

A video that emerged on YouTube on February 25 showed the kidnapped French family as well as their abductors, who claimed to be from Boko Haram, though the video was significantly different from past footage attributed to the group.

Boko Haram had never before claimed responsibility for a kidnapping, though a splinter faction of the group, known as Ansaru, has appeared to focus on abducting foreigners in recent months.

The group is believed to have a number of factions with varying aims.

source:PMnews

Gunmen target Nigerian bank

2013-03-05T23:16:00.000+01:00

Gunmen killed eight people in an attack on a police station and a bank in north-eastern Nigeria, a witness and a security official said on Tuesday, in an area frequently targeted by Islamist militants.

The attackers stormed the town of Gwoza late on Monday, close to the Cameroon border in Borno state, where Islamist sect Boko Haram has killed hundreds in an insurgency.

It was not clear if the gunmen were Boko Haram members or one of several criminal gangs that have flourished amid worsening security in the north.

“The divisional police officer and two other policemen were killed when the station was attacked and the manager of a local bank and four others also lost their lives,” local resident Umar Yahuza told Reuters.

A security official in Gwoza who asked not to be named confirmed eight people had been killed.Western governments fear Boko Haram, or factions of it, have linked up with other groups in the region, including al-Qaeda's North African franchise.

The Nigerian group is seeking to carve out an Islamic state in a country split roughly equally between Christians and Muslims.

Attacks in northern Nigeria are increasingly targeting foreign interests, especially since a French-led operation last month against Islamists in northern Mali. Nigeria has sent hundreds of troops there to join the operation.

A French family of seven were kidnapped last month just over the Cameroon border, close to Gwoza, by a group claiming to be Boko Haram who said it would kill the hostages if authorities did not release Muslim militants held in prison.

On Sunday, the Nigerian military said it killed 20 militants when it repelled an attack a barracks in Borno state.

Gunmen killed a security guard and abducted a Briton, an Italian, a Greek and four Lebanese workers after storming the compound of Lebanese construction firm Setraco in Bauchi state on February 16. - Reuters

26-year-old hides cocaine in sandals, bag (PICTURED)

2013-03-05T13:17:00.000+01:00

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday arrested 26-year-old Igwe Ogbonna for possessing 630 grammes of cocaine hidden inside two pairs of sandals and his luggage.

The discovery was made at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos while Ognonna was attempting to board a Kenyan Airways flight to India.

According to the NDLEA Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar, the suspect wore one pair of the sandals while another pair of sandals containing drug was in his luggage.

Umar said, “The suspect was arrested following the discovery of the drug during a routine search. Officers first found some cocaine inside the pair of sandals Ogbonna wore at the screening area.

“During the search, some quantities of cocaine were equally found in another pair of sandals and inside his luggage. He was found with 630 grammes of cocaine hidden inside two pairs of sandals and in his luggage.

Ogbonna said that he was travelling to India to further his studies.

He said, “I was advised to further my education in India since I had an uncle living there. They gave me only 700 dollars, still I was excited because I have always wanted to further my education.

“I was directed to Lagos from the East after my travel documents had been prepared and the bag and pairs of sandals handed over to me.

“The people who advised me also instructed me to wear one of the sandals, so I felt bad when the drug was detected.”

Chairman of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, said that efforts were being made to arrest other persons connected to the crime.

He said, “The agency is working to identify other suspects who are involved in this criminal act.

“I also wish to state that members of the public should be careful when people offer to sponsor them abroad. Investigation has since commenced and the suspect will soon be charged to court.”

Nigeria: Broadcast Regulator Closes Down Radio Station

2013-03-05T12:53:00.000+01:00

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a decision by Nigeria's media regulatory body to shut down a radio station in connection with a broadcast that questioned the local government's motives in an anti-polio vaccination program.

The federal government-run National Broadcasting Commission issued a statement on February 22, saying it had revoked the license of the private station Wazobia FM in the northern city of Kano, according to news reports. The station has been off the air since. Authorities accused the station of violating a part of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code that prohibits the use of language "likely to encourage or incite crime, or lead to disorder," according to the Nigerian press freedom group Media Rights Agenda. The commission did not include specific examples of the show inciting crime or disorder. Awwalu Salihu, spokesman for the commission, also told CPJ that he would not give any specific examples.

"Nigerian authorities closed Wazobia FM because they did not like its critical coverage, and then they cloaked their decision in highly charged but unsupported allegations of incitement," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. "We call on the National Broadcasting Commission to reverse this censorship order immediately."

The decision stemmed from a February 6 edition of "Sandar Girma," a daily Hausa-language talk show in which Wazobia host Yakubu Musa Fagge accused local officials of corruption and coercive tactics in their handling of a polio immunization campaign, according to a translated transcript done by Agence France-Presse. Fagge said that officials in Kano were refusing to get their own children vaccinated because of their beliefs, but were forcing the "children of commoners" to do so. He suggested the vaccine was harmful and said the officials had opposed the program for years, but had only now begun to force children to receive them because unspecified Western officials had promised them unspecified amounts of money in return.

Authorities in Kano state had boycotted a polio vaccination program between 2003 and 2004, with officials, including then-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and local clerics, calling it a U.S.-led conspiracy to make Muslim women infertile, according to international news reports. Shekarau, who is now a top traditional chief, eventually embraced the practice.

In the February 6 broadcast, Fagge also commented on reports of an altercation from earlier that day. The journalist described a confrontation between immunization workers and a private citizen who was trying to prevent the vaccination of his child. Mubarak Muhamad Sani, a Wazobia reporter who witnessed the dispute, said he was attacked in the confrontation and his equipment seized.

Shortly after the show, the National Broadcasting Commission indefinitely suspended the program, according to Mohammed Suleiman, another Wazobia FM journalist. On February 12, authorities filed charges against Fagge and Sani, including criminal conspiracy, abetment, defamation of character, obstruction of a public officer carrying out his duty, intentional insult, and incitement to violence, according to news reports. Police also said the journalists' comments on the air could have had led unidentified gunmen to kill nine polio workers on February 8, although the government has not produced any evidence to support the statement.

The 11-member commission, established by the military junta of Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda, possesses sweeping control over mandatory licensing and regulation, according to news reports. The commission is not required to hold a public hearing prior to revoking the license of a media outlet. A 2001 study conducted by Article 19 found that the commission's regulatory powers were "broad and vague," its licensing process "arbitrary and susceptible to discriminatory application," and its restrictions on content "excessive and contrary to international standards."

Nigerian Kills 67-Year-Old Australian Lover

2013-03-05T11:16:00.000+01:00

Australian Police have said a great grandmother who was found dead in South Africa was murdered by her online Nigerian scammer she met on a dating site. Australian Federal Police officers are already in Nigeria investigating the woman's death.

The West Australian newspaper reported, Monday, that the body of Jette Jacobs, 67, from Wagin in Australia was found in a Johannesburg guest house on February 9, 2013, more than two months after she reportedly went there to meet a Nigerian, 28-year-old Jesse Orowo Omokoh. Omokoh was the last person to see Ms Jacobs alive and told police he found her body. He has since disappeared.

Australasian police officer, Robert Martin, from the major fraud squad, said police were in contact with Australian Federal Police officers in Nigeria about Ms Jacobs' death and investigations were in the early stages. He said her death appeared suspicious and he confirmed Omokoh was a suspect.

He said Ms Jacobs forwarded Mr Omokoh $80,000 after they met online and sent him a further $20,000 once she arrived in Johannesburg.

"She actually sold her home believing she was going to be starting a new life overseas and it ended in tragedy. This is the first time we have seen this happen," he said.

He said relationship scams had become a "massive problem", costing West Australians between $600,000 and $1 million each month.

The report said Ms Jacobs, a widow who had six children, struck up an online relationship with Omokoh three years ago and travelled to South Africa to meet him in 2010 before he proposed late last year. Over several years she sent $200,000 to Omokoh and another man she met online, known as Isaac.

Despite warnings from family, Ms Jacobs went to South Africa in November to marry Omokoh but he failed to turn up until last month, blaming visa troubles.

Two days after he arrived from Nigeria, Ms Jacobs was found dead, with her jewellery and money missing. It is believed South African police initially thought she had committed suicide, as empty pill packets were found nearby. But the victim's son, who did not want to be identified, said his mother met with foul play.

The son said: "We tried to talk her out of it but no one could convince her it wasn't real and there was nothing there for her. But she kept believing there was and unfortunately we weren't strong enough to stop her going."

Detectives from Australia's Operation Sunbird, a joint operation with consumer protection to investigate online scams sent Ms Jacobs a letter warning she might have been a victim of fraud but it arrived after she had left Australia.

The victim's youngest daughter, who wanted to be known only as Mrs Jackson, told Seven News Omokoh wanted to move to Australia but her mother wanted to settle in Nigeria.

She said: "My mum paid the ultimate price, which no one should have to. We don't want to see this happening to anybody else."

Aliko Dangote Moves Up from 76th to 43rd Richest Man in the World- 2013 Forbes Billionaires

2013-03-05T11:01:00.001+01:00

Nigerian billionaire business mogul, Aliko Dangote has moved up in the latest Forbes world’s richest ranking from the 76th position which he maintained in 2012 to the 43rd position. According to the list which was released on Monday by Forbes, Dangote – President of Dangote Group and Chairman of Globacom, Mike Adenuga were the only Nigerians on the list.

With a net worth of $16.1 Billion as of March 2013, Dangote retained his position as the richest man in Africa. Meanwhile, Adenuga ranked 269 on the list with a net worth of $4.7 Billion. Here’s what Forbes had to say about Dangote: Nigerian Cement tycoon retains his position as Africa’s richest man for the third year in a row.

The past year has been eventful for Dangote. In October, he sold off a controlling stake in his flour milling company to Tiger Brands of South Africa. He pocketed $190 million in cash. In February, his Dangote Sugar Refineries acquired a 95% stake in Nigerian sugar producer Savannah Sugar in a bid to maintain its dominant position in the Nigerian sugar industry. Dangote stepped up his philanthropy in the past year, giving over $100 million to causes ranging from education to health, flood relief, poverty alleviation and the arts.

He also acquired a yacht, which he named after his mother, Amiya. Dangote started building his fortune more than three decades ago when he began trading in commodities like cement, flour and sugar with a loan he received from his maternal uncle.

He delved into full production of these items in the early 2000s and went on to build the Dangote Group, West Africa’s largest publicly-listed conglomerate, which now owns sugar refineries, salt processing facilities and Dangote Cement, the continent’s largest cement producer.

A fitness buff, Dangote jogs everyday. Carlos Slim (Mexico) maintains his position as the world’s richest man with a net worth of $73 Billion followed by Bill Gates (United States) with a net worth of $67 Billion. Amancio Ortega (Spain) takes the third position with a net worth of $57 Billion, Warren Buffet (United States) ranks fourth with $53.5 Billion while Larry Ellison (United States) ranks fifth with $43 Billion.

See Female Preacher Who Preaches With Her B00bs Exposed (PICTURED)

2013-03-05T10:25:00.001+01:00

Well, this sure looks like surprising but we will not be fooled.She is a preacher who sees nothing wrong with exposing her bust while spreading the word. Her sermons aptly named "The Gospel From The SKRIPPER POLE" gets a lot of fans, mostly men.These are definitely the last days

Above is a picture of her while giving one of her recent sermons.

Click here to see the uncensored picture and watch a video of her one of her sermon.

Killers of 15 year old Nigerian boy, Junior Nkwelle, found guilty of manslaughter

2013-03-03T18:14:00.000+01:00

The 14 year old girl who ordered the stabbing of 15 year old Nigerian boy, Junior Nkwelle, for being ‘disrespectful’ was found guilty of manslaughter yesterday March 1, 2013.

Junior and his friends had been playing football near his home when an argument broke out. The teenage girl claimed Junior had insulted her during the argument. She then called her 16 year old boyfriend on the phone to a housing estate in Brixton and ordered him to ‘teach Junior a lesson’. The boyfriend thrust a carving knife once into Junior's chest, killing him. This happened in September 2012.

The teenage girl and her boyfriend were cleared of murder by a jury yesterday, but they are facing long prison terms after being found guilty of manslaughter.

Witnesses said they heard the girl boasting that she had arranged for someone to stab the teenager and she later went home to fetch a kitchen knife.

When her boyfriend arrived on the scene, he was handed the blade and used it to stab Junior once, piercing his heart and lung.

The youngster collapsed yards from his housing estate home in September last year and was pronounced dead an hour later.

Prosecutor Jonathan Turner QC said the argument ‘was stupid and trivial and completely unnecessary’.

‘It was loud enough to be heard by neighbours,’ he added. ‘Words were said, voices were raised and threats were made.

‘She thought that Junior had insulted her or been less than respectful to her. She was very angry and determined that he should be punished – indeed stabbed – to put things right.

‘She called up her boyfriend and was heard to tell Junior that she had arranged for somebody to come and stab him.’

Mr Turner added: ‘He (the defendant) was encouraged and requested by her to come and do this. Indeed, to use an old-fashioned phrase, was set up by her to do this.’

The now 17-year-old killer, from Herne Hill, South London, claimed he was acting as a peacemaker and knifed Junior in self-defence.

Both he and the girl, from Brixton, were given anonymity during the trial. They can't be named because of legal reasons. They will be sentenced on April 5.

Tony Anenih Elected PDP BOT Chairman

2013-02-26T14:06:00.001+01:00

Abuja — THE National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday described the election of former Chairman of Board of Trustees, BoT, Tony Anenih into the office of Chairman of the board as a bold step towards ensuring peace and harmony within the ranks of the Party.

In a statement signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP however expressed confidence that Chief Anenih's antecedents as a mobilizer and consensus builder over the years will contribute to the long term stability of the Party.

Metuh said, "Chief Anenih's tireless participation and critical role in the formation of the PDP places him in good stead to provide wise counsel and direct the influential Board of Trustees to follow the noble ideals of the founders of the Party.

His wealth of experience and acclaimed reputation as a democrat and consensus builder are assets that the Party needs at this critical point in our democratic evolution.

" Chief Anenih's unanimous election by all members of the Board of Trustees has disappointed opposition elements and doomsday prophets who expected the process to result in rancor and acrimony.

"This is yet another signal that the PDP is ever united and ready to overcome all perceived obstacles in our drive to provide focused leadership and service to the people of Nigeria.

"PDP calls all Party members across board to give maximum cooperation to the new chairman of the BOT who has himself pledged to broaden the spread of the umbrella to accommodate all tendencies."