Wednesday 24 October 2012
Nollywood Actress, Florence Onuma Adds A Year
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Kidnappers Demand N50m Ransom To Free Housewife
Gunmen who kidnapped a housewife, Mrs. Ime Abasi in Calabar, Cross River State, southsouth Nigeria, have contacted her husband, Mr. Emmanuel Pius, demanding a N50 million ransom before they can free her.
Gunmen kidnapped Mrs. Ime Abasi on Monday at about 10pm in her home at Ikot-Ansa.
Her husband, Emmanuel Pius, a civil servant resident in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, northcentral Nigeria, said this morning that he called his wife’s phone at about 10pm on Monday and the phone was switched off. He said he made several attempts throughout the night, but the line did not go through. When the line went through about 10 o’clock this morning, his wife told him she had been kidnapped by some gunmen.
Thereafter, he said, one of her captors seized the phone from her to harass him that he should not call the number again until he was ready to negotiate because she was in their custody.
The Police Commissioner in Cross River State, Osita Ezechukwu, claims the police were not yet aware of the kidnap. Her husband later informed that his wife’s captors have demanded N50 million as ransom, which he said he could not afford.
Passengers Escape Death As Boko Haram Attacks Arik Aircraft (Update)
Arik To Explain ‘Incident’ On Abuja Bound Plane
The management of Arik Airways has countered reports of a bomb scare on its flight from Maiduguri to Abuja this afternoon.
The airline told aviation correspondents that it was preparing a statement to address the report.
In the same vein, Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah tweeted on her handle that “The alleged breaking news about a bomb scare on an Arik flight is absolutely false.
Passengers Escape Death As Boko Haram Attacks Arik Aircraft
"There is no iota of truth to this rumour whatsoever. The flyon public should please go about their normal business as airport/airspace is safe. Thank you.”
There was a wave of unconfirmed reports earlier today (Tuesday) that an unarmed man believed to have boarded the flight was detained at the Abuja airport by security operatives following an incident....
More details soon...
What Your Sex Dreams Mean (Part 1)
Aside from giving you a chance to score with your fantasy-man, your sizzling visions give a fascinating peek into your psyche.
Here's a peek into what your sex dreams mean...
Getting Passionate With a Wacky Partner
A dream where you’re scorching the sheets with your boss or best buddy? Yikes. Although you may assume this scandalous vision means you harbor hot-and-heavy feelings, the actual implications are generally PG. “You probably admire a quality that person possesses and want to develop it within yourself,” explains Patricia Garfield, PhD, author of Creative Dreaming. Maybe you crave the head honcho’s success or wish you had your friend’s confidence.
Sex With a Celeb
On lucky nights, a celebrity might make a guest appearance. While celeb sex dreams could just be mental candy your brain has cooked up for fun, there’s probably more to it. “To singles, it’s a reminder that amazing prospects are out there, and it also clues you in to the kind of man you want,” says Garfield. If you’re already one half of a twosome, it may point to a yearning for a trait your guy lacks or—if you’re blissfully content—affirm you’ve scored with a star-quality man.
No Place to Get Busy
You’re on a hunt for a place to have sex with your man, but problems arise that make hooking up impossible. “This suggests a loss of intimacy between you and him,” explains Gillian Holloway, PhD, author of Erotic Dreams. “Women tend to have this dream before or after a breakup.” Although you’ve struggled to make it work, something-like mismatched goals-has prevented it. However, if you and your man are happily coupled, the dream may indicate that there’s an obstacle you’re trying to overcome-maybe it’s a long-distance issue or even just that you’re unsure what the future holds.
Having Sex in Public
Right in the middle of a XXX romp, you suddenly realize you’re onstage or in a roomful of people...with all eyes on you. “If the crowd makes you self-conscious, you could be worried that people are gossiping about your relationship,” says Holloway. Think about it: Are you afraid your pals don't like him? Did you start dating while he was still with someone else? On the other hand, should being in the spotlight feel deliciously naughty, it means you have a hankering to flaunt your sizzling sex life to the world.
Cheating on Your Man
It's pretty unsettling to imagine getting busy behind your guy's back. "You usually dream of sleeping with someone else soon after taking a major relationship step, like getting engaged," says Holloway. "Any uneasiness about making such a huge life change can manifest in your dreams." It doesn't mean you have regrets; you're just experiencing normal concerns, like that you're missing out on other potential mates or you'll one day discover he's not right for you.
Your Man Cheats on You
On the flip side: "If your man's the unfaithful one, ask yourself if you're resenting him for some reason," suggests Holloway. "This dream can expose feelings of emotional abandonment, like maybe he's working a lot or you're more serious about your bond than he is."
DPR Shuts 20 Stations For Selling Petrol Above N97
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said it has shut down 20 petrol stations in Ikorodu axis of Lagos State for selling petrol above recommended price of N97 per litre.
The development had resulted in long queues in many petrol stations selling the product at the normal price.
In a telephone chat with the Nigeria Tribune on Monday, Lagos Controller of DPR, Mr Gbenga Koku, said “I can confirm to you that we shut 20 petrol stations today in Ikorodu axis of Lagos State and they are going to remain shut for not less than one week until they pay the necessary penalty for non-compliance.
“Our mandate is to ensure consumers get fuel at right quantity, right quality and right price. But we cannot be everywhere at the same time.
“Today, we concentrated on Ikorodu and we will continue to shut them if they refuse to comply. We do not mind if no station is selling again, because this is disturbing.”
On long queues in some petrol stations, he said “maybe the shutting of some petrol stations led to pressure on those selling at the appropriate price of N97 per litre.”
What Women Really Think About Men With Small Penis Syndrome
Small penis syndrome is a psychological condition in which a man thinks his manhood is too small, even though he's really on par with the rest of mankind.
s my penis size normal? That age-old question was addressed by British researchers in a recent study published in BJU International. Their findings, in a nutshell (or two): 63 percent of men complained of having inferior hardware, but none of them was smaller than normal!
What is the average penis size? Measuring erect, between 5.5 and 6.2 inches long and 4.7 to 5.1 inches around and don’t even think about measuring at your desk.
Does penis size matter to women? If you're still worried, consider that 85 percent of women reported they were happy with their partner’s size.
Okay, British researchers are one thing. But what do real women think about penis size and what do they think think is the ideal penis size?
We asked two of our favorite women, Nicole Beland, former "Girl Next Door," and Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., the Men's Health "Sex Professor" to for their take on penis size.
"Yes, we care about the size of a man's penis," Beland says. "But when it comes to sexual satisfaction, it's pretty far down on our list of priorities."
Do women like big penises? Not necessarily. Large penises don't equal an instant orgasm. In fact, penis sizes that skew large can deter women's orgasms. Herbenick says. "Women find it difficult to orgasm, and oral sex and hand stimulation are often more effective, as are vibrators," she says. "It's not personal—it's just how some women's bodies work."
The biggest problem with large penises, the women say, is that they're often attached to even bigger dicks.
"There's nothing worse than a guy who thinks he has a HUGE penis and is therefore God's gift to the ladies," Beland says. "That kind of guy thinks that getting an erection is pretty much all the effort he has to put into sex. The chances that the women he sleeps with are having orgasms? Slim to none."
Ian Kerner, Ph.D., sexologist and author of She Comes First, says we should worry more about her pleasure than our size.
"Usually when women complain about a small penis, it's also that they're not having orgasms," Kerner says. "If they’re orgasming, it'll matter a hell of a lot less what size your penis is."
For the truly tiny or even those paranoid normal guys, Kerner recommends "pressing instead of thrusting in missionary position, or trying woman-on-top," both of which maximize clitoral stimulation.
Beland suggests these positions: "Place her legs on your shoulders during missionary position, enter her from behind when she's on all fours, or, when she's on top, put a pillow under your butt to raise up your pelvis."
VIDEO: Burna Boy Falls Off Stage While Performing With Dammy Krane At The Headies 2012
There were a lot of highlights at the 2012 edition of The Headies held at the Expo hall of the Eko Hotels and Suits last Saturday but one that has got everyone talking is centered around act Burna Boy who fell off the stage as he was about perform.
Going back to a bank you just ripped off to claim you'd been shortchanged isn't likely to end well. That's what police say led to an arrest Monday in upstate New York. Syracuse police say 28-year-old Arthur Bundrage, of East Syracuse, went into a bank at about 9 a.m. and demanded $20,000. Authorities say a teller initially refused, but relented and gave him some money, even though he never showed a weapon or made a threat. Investigators say Bundrage left but returned when he found he hadn't been given $20,000. Officers say they found him at the bank's locked front door, trying to get back in. Bundrage is in jail awaiting arraignment Tuesday on a charge of fourth-degree grand larceny. Police say he doesn't yet have a lawyer.
Man Robs Bank, Returns To Complain Of Incomplete Money
"My Ex-Husband Never Beat Me"- Nollywood Actress, Kate Henshaw
Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw has finally spoken on her failed marriage in an interview below.
Grow Up’, GT Da Guitarman Tells Olisa Adibua
Former Storm Records artiste GT Da Guitarman is mad at his former boss, Beat FM OAP, Olisa Adibua, for allegedly refusing to play his songs at the station.
GT quit Storm Records in June 2011, after he complained he wasn’t receiving the desired attention and claiming the label had delayed the release of his debut album for years.
The album was finally released, but he parted ways with the label shortly after, a move which caused some controversy, as Storm claimed he was still under contract.
GT, who shared his views via social network Twitter, said: “As ma radio presenter former boss no wan gree play my song for station wey no be him papa own..Grow up boss”, another reads: “My outlook on life is soo different now mehn..if u r God I can kiss ur a*s..if u r not, na kick to ur a*s o..”
Although he didn’t mention any names, the description clearly points to Olisa, who is also the Programs Director at Beat FM.
Going by GT’s last comment, he appears ready to go physical with his former boss.
Interestingly Adibua has also fallen out with Storm, following a bitter disagreement with CEO Obi Asika
Monday 22 October 2012
Arteta Urges Arsenal To Be Patient In Attack
Dana Wins Best Domestic Carrier For 2011 Award
IN what families of the June 3 Dana Airline plane crash victims may find offensive, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the weekend named the airline as the best domestic carrier for 2011.
According to FAAN’s Regional General Manager, Mr. Chris Bature, while the airline was chosen for its good customer relations and prompt payment of dues, Lufthansa Airlines was also selected as the best international carrier for the same period.
The Dana plane crash killed the entire 153 passengers and crew members on board, in addition to other victims in the residential area where the doomed plane slammed into.
Various buildings were also destroyed. The Federal Government promptly seized its license, but restored it 93 days after the crash, provoking outrage across the country.
Speaking at the occasion, Bature stated that the airline was selected because of its outstanding performance. His words: “Mode of selection includes passenger capacity, frequency of the landing and take-off, their response to payment of bills. Among the domestic carriers, they were the best. They had the best volume, they were punctual in their operations.”
Reacting to a question on the timing of the award, Bature explained that the award would have taken place earlier in the year. He also observed that the reward came after the operator’s license had been restored. “In all fairness, they did their best and we need to recognise that and encourage them to get back to their feet,” he added.
Dana’s Station Manager at the Abuja airport, Mr. Kayode Adeniran, stated that the airline’s commitment to best customer service and timely departure earned it the award. He said: “We have this policy in our company that we must not delay passengers and we introduced another type of system. If your flight is delayed by 40 minutes, we give refreshments to all passengers that already had their boarding passes. So people were so impressed by our service.”
However, he lamented over the loss of lives occasioned by the crash, stressing that the operator visited and commiserated with the families of the deceased.
To prevent a recurrence, the station manager revealed that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has embarked on an investigation to ascertain when the airline would be allowed to commence operations.
He said the airline has commenced demonstration flights as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). He also said that the operation would run until NCAA certifies the carrier fit to resume full operations.
Topmost Controversial Nigerian Stars On Parade
In a very competitive razzmatazz industry in Nigeria, the saying that ‘survival is for the fittest’ comes to play among the ‘jungle’ inhabitants.
This may have brought about some stakeholders in the game to device controversies as a tactics in staying up in the game.
The Nigerian showbiz world has seen many ‘actors’ come on stage just once and gone into oblivion. Some have remained on top not because they keep bringing out new things like songs for the musicians and movies for the actors, but have remained in the news because of one negative story written about them or the other.
Charly Boy is one name that comes to mind in the industry in the scenario just described above while Cossy Orjiakor comes to mind in the motion pictures world.
In this write up, we are taking a look at some of the most controversial Nigerian celebrities in the game.
Tonto Dikeh
Another controversial celebrity is Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh. Since her emergence into the make-believe world in 2006 after her participation in The Next Movie Star competition where she was a runner-up, Tonto has remained in the news. While at the completion, she was like a young lady that would never like to be in the news for the wrong reasons. But that has faded away. If she is not attacking a colleague today, she is using censored words on her fans tomorrow. In her own case, she is doing well in her acting career. The only thing those controversies may have done to her would be sponsorship deals not coming her way as expected. Also is the fact that she doesn’t get to win awards as one would have expected with her popularity.
Her recent try of music, according to her, was to create controversies, which she rightly achieved
Charly Boy
Doing this kind of story without Charly Boy’s name in it clearly shows some brown envelopes must have exchanged hands to exclude him from the list. Or better still, maybe he may have been blacklisted by the media house doing such story. Area Fada, as he is fondly called, has successfully stayed in the news regularly by creating controversial issues for himself. His different media stunts have turned out to have yielded results. His present name change to Linda’ has become another source of news story for the media to feast on. One thing about Charly Boy is that he can create a storm from a tea cup. Charly Boy has successfully replaced his absence from the music scene with self generated controversial issues.
Niger governor blasts Babangida, Abdulsalami
The self-styled chief servant and governor of Niger state, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, on Saturday poured venom on former President Ibrahim Babangida and former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, for not doing enough for the state when they held sway as heads of state.
Speaking at a Town Hall meeting Saturday as part of the National Good Governance Tour led by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, at the Lego Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, Mr. Aliyu said in spite of the state having the longest stretch of Federal roads in the country, past Nigerian leaders refused to do anything about the deteriorating condition of the roads until recently when President Goodluck Jonathan awarded contract for the dualisation of the Suleija-Minna highway.
Obviously referring to Messrs Babangida and Abdulsalami, both former Generals in the Nigerian Army, Mr. Aliyu provided an Hausa parable saying, “Ana zaton wuta a makera sai gashi a masaka” literally meaning contrary to expectation, it is PresidentJonathan that is delivering governance dividends to the people of the state, and not its indigenes.
The two former leaders are indigenes of Niger, and reside in Minna, the state capital.
Governor Aliyu also sent a direct message to the two former leaders that he would not allow himself to be teleguided but would remain accountable only to the people who elected him.
“Nobody will frighten me into doing his bidding; it is the people who have voted us that we will listen to, and I am happy that majority of the people are happy with us,” he said.
Speaking further, Governor Aliyu said, “When we were elected, we said we will not share money to some few people, …we needed to change and we needed to perform and do things that people will see”.
He also responded to threats of impeachment hanging on his neck following a petition written against him by opposition parties in the state, saying he knew those behind the moves, adding that no one can remove him but God, vowing to run his critics out of
Niger state.
“They think they can run us down, but we are not only going to run them down, but run them out of Niger state, because they have no concern for the local people,” he also said.
The governor said he plans to fulfill his promise of building a five-star hotel in Minna, the state capital, before 2015 and a new shopping complex at the site of the old market at Minna city centre in 18 months.
Also speaking at the event, Information Minister, Labaran Maku, said the Federal government has concluded the dredging of
River Niger from Warri down to Baro, adding that work has reached 70 per cent on the Baro port which will ensure water transportation for both human and cargo.
Mr. Maku also revealed that the Federal Government had, through the Ministry of Transport, concluded the reconstruction of rail track bridges that were damaged between Zungeru and Akare, which had cut off train transportation between the North and
South of the country.
The minister revealed that the good governance tour team had a successful train ride from Zungeru to Akare across all the new bridges.
SSS invites Senator linked to Boko Haram
The State Security Service (SSS) on Sunday invited Senator Ahmed Khalifa Zanna from Borno State in connection with the arrest of a suspected Boko Haram Commander, Shuaib Mohammed Bama.
The Joint Task Force, JTF, had on Thursday announced the arrest of Mr. Bama in Maiduguri, the Borno capital, describing him as “a high profile Boko Haram Commander who has been on the list of wanted terrorists operating between Bama and Maiduguri.”
The security agency later linked him to “a serving senator’s house along Damboa Road, GRA Maiduguri.”
A source within the SSS said yesterday the senator to which Mr. Bama was linked has now been invited for questioning.
“Our investigation is proceeding well, and we have invited Senator Zanna to come and make certain clarification regarding his relationship with the suspect,” the source said.
But shortly after we learnt of his invitation, Senator Zanna spoke in Abuja, saying there is a high level plot to frame him. He confirmed that he had been invited by the SSS.
“Since my house was searched and the JTF made the announcement, I have not been contacted by security agencies. But it was only this morning (Sunday), I saw a text that the SSS DG will want to see me on Monday. I will honour the invitation.”
“What I am suspecting is that they want to frame me up.”
He denied any link to the extreme Boko Haram sect, saying although the suspect is his nephew, he was not arrested in his apartment.
He said the suspect was arrested in a house belonging to a former Governor of Borno State, Senator Modu Ali Sheriff.
He accused the JTF of arson and extra-judicial killings, saying the agency had burnt 300 houses in less than two months and had murdered 500 inocent people.
Mr. Zanna confirmed that the Boko Haram suspect is his “sister’s son”, who he had long kept at arms length.
“He beats up my children; he abuses my friends. He came to my house, so I sent him away. That was about a year ago. And for whatever reason I don’t know, he came to my house last week and I said he should leave the house,” Mr Zanna said of Mr. Bama’s behavior.
“Sometime ago, he even threatened to kill his mother. So, the mother was not even feeling comfortable living with him. And he narrated that to me. That is why I also do not want him to be near me.
“I don’t know him to be a Boko Haram member. Never, never, I do not know him to be a member of Boko Haram.”
The senator said the JTF had been scheming to frame him following his consistent criticism of their modus operandi, with soldiers committing horrendous human rights abuses in the name of hunting Boko Haram insurgents.
He narrated the events of October 18, when he said his Maiduguri was raided, “On Thursday, they went to my house. I was in
Warri at that time; I went for an oversight function. My wife called me; she said the army people were at our gate. Actually, they went with four armoured vehicles and about 40 of them came to my house.
“They searched all the rooms and when they went to the children’s room, they broke all their cabinets and searched everywhere.
When they could not found anything, then they assembled all the boys in my building, took them out and put them under the scorching sun. Actually, before doing that, they beat them up. We had to take them to hospital later.
“Under this traumatized condition, they asked them whether they know one Shuaib Bama. They said, of course, they know when they see him.
“One of them was asked to go and show them where he is living. As they were going, when they were about to reach the house, they stopped. In fact, they blindfolded the boy. And one of the officers asked one of the personnel to come down so that they should follow him to the house without the boy telling them where the house is.
“So, as they started going, the other officer sitting down asked him: ‘If you know the house, then why should we pick this boy?’ And after some arguments, they went to the house and arrested the boy.”
He continued, “Contrary to the claim of the JTF, the boy was arrested on Rabi Street, off Damboa Road. And the, the house belongs to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Before, the house belonged to one Abba Mala, a Cameroonian. And later, he sold it to late Tijjani Banki and Sheriff bought from Tijjani Banki.
“I reacted because they said they arrested the boy in the house of a serving Senator along Damboa Road and I am the one living along Damboa Road.
“I really do not understand why they did all these. I am confused. If they want to frame me up, they have failed in that one because they did not get that boy in my house. I have nothing to do with it. Let them go and ask the person where the boy was staying. So, they should not have mentioned my house.”
“This story emanating from the JTF is actually as a result of an interview which I carried out(granted) in BBC last week – asking for their withdrawal from the state because they are not working according to the rules of engagement.
“I noticed that they are just killing innocent people, killing them unnecessarily, harassing their families, extorting money. All these have been going on and I became so concerned. Particularly, the killing and burning of houses became the order of the day.
“At least, 300 houses were burnt within the last one and a half months. And it will not be an exaggeration for me to say that up to 500 people have been killed by the bullets of the JTF.
“I called for their withdrawal because even Boko Haram cannot do more than that. If they have come to protect us, they are not supposed to eliminate our young ones. Most of the people affected are young ones.
“According to the information I got yesterday, they have started even killing old men. Somebody who was about 70 years old was killed. He was sitting down, listening to a radio and a JTF man came and he said: ‘Baba come’. They just took him to a certain distance and shot him. This is the type of things happening. So, my people are helpless. This warranted me to react.”
Happy Birthday Arsène Wenger!!!
Saturday 20 October 2012
Jim Iyke’s allegedly in shock after his 11-year-old son surfaces
According to Stella Dimoko Korkus of Encomium Magazine – Jim Iyke himself just found out that he has a son who is his mirror image and he is in shock because he found out a few days ago and does not know how to handle the situation. The star actor is yet to meet his son but they have spoken once on the phone.
For some this might be a shock, for some others its been a long time coming!
Well you can take this info to the bank…Jim iyke has an 11yr old son who has just been unveiled,the little bloke is named Mario Ikechukwu and lives in the Uk.
According to the info Jim just found out he has a son who is his mirror image and he is in shock because he found out a few days ago and does not know how to handle the situation.he is yet to meet his son but they have spoken once on the phone.
The controversial actor met and fell in love with Chantelle Nkechi Benson an Abia state University undergraduate (now a Uk based Barrister) Many years ago,one thing led to another and she found out she was four months pregnant whilst on pills.
She left Nigeria with Jim’s new born baby without his knowledge and kept him secret for 11 years but the lid was blown off Chantelle’s secret when a concerned cousin called Jim and told him about his son…The cousin gave Jim Chantelle’s Number and the shocked actor called to find out the truth.
Little Mario is described to be as headstrong as his father and is unhappy about having a celeb father he has not met before.
As you read this Jim iyke is sober and in great shock.
We hope father and son bond very well.
Ooops by the way,Chantelle is a drop dead beauty and is financially stable.
I have contacted her and she said to me ”Please Stella, Jim has been very nice and trying to bond with his son.i really don’t know how you got this info but I don’t want my son out there”
Chantelle told me the story of what happened and why little Mario was kept a secret.
INEC To Announce Ondo Governorship Election Results On Social Networks like Facebook,Twitter, Others
Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday said it would announce all results of the October 20, 2012 Ondo State governorship election on Twitter, Facebook and other channels.
Boko Haram: Hike in Sallah Ram Prices
In Sharia State Of Kano, Prostitutes Say “Our Services Save Other Women From Rape”
FLOOD: NGO Rescues 12,300 Trapped Flood Victims In Delta State
15 Persons Held Over Illegal Voting
ATLEAST 15 persons were held Friday in Akure, Ondo State capital over illegal voting ahead of today’s governorship election.
They were caught stuffing ballot boxes with thumb-printed ballotpapers.
A BOMB EXPERT CHECKING A VEHICLE ON FRIDAY AT INEC OFFICE, AKURE, AHEAD OF SATURDAY’S GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION IN ONDO STATE ON FRIDAY (19/10/12).
Sources said yesterday that the suspects were caught in the residence of an Afenifere chieftain who recently endorsed one of the gubernatorial candidates in today’s election.
The Police got wind of the illegal voting and stormed the residence of the Afenifere chief and arrested the suspects.
It was discovered that the retrieved voting materials were the leftover of those that were used in the 2011 elections.
The intention of the suspects, it was learnt, was to swap the fake ballot boxes with the original ones on the way to the counting centres.
The suspects are allegedly being detained in police custody.
Saturday Vanguard also gathered that a similar illegal voting exercise is taking place in many other places in the state.
Detainee Beaten To Death In Benue Police Cell
2015: Sanusi Faults Rotational Presidency
Chinese National, 19 Others Killed, Church Burnt In Maiduguri, Potiskum
Updated: 30 feared dead as bus plunges into river in Ogun
The Road Safety officials say they are hampered by lack of equipment and cannot Ascertain casualty figure.
About 30 passengers of a commercial bus were on Friday feared dead, by drowning, when their vehicle swerved off a dual carriage bridge and plunged into a river at J4, Ogbere-Ijebu stretch of the Sagamu – Ore expressway.
Many of the victims are believed to have been swept by the river tide after the vehicle plunged into the river. Three people are said to have survived the accident, including a pregnant woman who was reportedly hung on a tree branch in the river.
The Unit Commander, Ijebu – Ode Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Seidu Osilama, said his officials arrived at the scene of the accident few minutes after it occurred.
He said they were able to rescue the three survivors because they fell off the bus and landed on tree. The Road Safety boss added further that rescue efforts would require crane and divers to ascertain the location of the bus and the passengers inside the water.
Mr. Osilama, who addressed journalists in Ogun, said he could not ascertain the exact number of passengers in the bus, or the casualty figure, as the victims are still in the water.
The bus is believed to be a 33-passenger capacity bus.
‘Blasphemous’ Comment On Prophet Muhammad Published In New Nigerian Newspaper
An article considered to contain ‘blasphemous’ comments about Prophet Muhammad (SWT) allegedly appeared in the New Nigerian newspaper in Kaduna on Tuesday.
The article, which is said to have first appeared online, found its way into the 47 year-old newspaper, which was established by late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello only days before his death to protect Northern interests.
A senior security official in Abuja who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, said that the article appeared to have been picked up by the paper for their hard copy version without proper vetting.
The source said that independent investigators have arrived Kaduna, headquarters of the New Nigerian to establish the circumstances that led to the publication of the article.
“Yes our investigators were dispatched from Abuja to Kaduna to independently investigate the issue, and they are on their way back to Abuja and will brief the NSA of the findings,” he said. It is very dangerous and we don’t know what will follow, you remember the THISDAY saga and so on, our fear is [that] it can be manipulated to achieve clandestine interests like it has always been.”
He said our reporter that the comments were first noticed by some readers in Abuja who immediately drew the attention of the security agencies to it.
This development, which is causing tongue-wagging among the Muslim elite in the North, is coming barely a month after several protests that greeted a film also considered offensive by the Muslim world. Many Nigerian Muslims turned out in thousands to demonstrate against the movie.
A banker in Kaduna confirmed that armed police men have been stationed at the headquarters of the New Nigerian on Ahmadu Bello Way. A police officer also told our reporter that top editors of the paper who are Muslims were interrogated by police and asked to write statements about how the piece came to appear in their newspaper.
In order to manage the crisis the Sultan of Sokoto and several Islamic clerics have waded into the issue to calm the situation in the restive region.
Obasanjo And Ahmadu Ali Created Boko Haram, Insecurity - Owie
High-Profile Boko Haram Member Arrested At Senator’s Home
Nigerian authorities said Friday they had arrested an alleged high-profile member of Islamist extremist group Boko Haram at the home of a senator in the violence-torn Nigerian city of Maiduguri.
The statement from a military task force in Maiduguri did not name the senator and provided few other details. There have been allegations of links between elements of Boko Haram and local politicians in the past.
“A high-profile Boko Haram commander, one Shuaibu Mohammed Bama, who has been on the list of wanted terrorists was arrested by task force troops in a serving senator’s house,” the statement said of the arrest on Thursday.
“He is in the custody of the (task force) and assisting in the investigation and has since made startling revelations.”
In November 2011, Nigerian secret police said they had arrested an alleged Boko Haram spokesman with ties to a member of parliament. The alleged links, however, appeared to involve local politics in Nigeria’s northeast.
Nigerian authorities frequently exaggerate their efforts in arresting or cracking down on Boko Haram, which has carried out scores of bombings and shootings.
Friday 19 October 2012
Flavour Set to Open Night Club in Enugu
New Video: JJC - African Skank
Watch Kate Henshaw dance Etighi. The video also features Ali Baba, Weird MC, Goldie, Denrele and Kaffy. Great video...
British engineers produce amazing 'petrol from air' technology
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Truck Driver's Death Sparks Riot In China
Chinese authorities have arrested 20 people in the southwestern city of Luzhou after rioters, angered by the death of a truck driver who clashed with police, set cars on fire, state media reported.
The unrest, which took place Wednesday evening, also set off speculation on social media about whether the local government's version of events was accurate. That line of questioning was quelled when Chinese authorities prevented users from searching for terms related to the riot.
According to the official account published in the state-run newspaper China Daily on Friday, police approached the driver, Gan Junyuan, asking him to move his truck, which he had left in a no-parking zone while delivering fish to a market.
"Instead of leaving, however, Gan swore at, and scuffled with, the police," China Daily reported, attributing the version of events to Zhang Wenjun, secretary-general and spokesman of the Luzhou government. "During the scuffle, Gan suddenly announced he felt unwell, and shouted that his medicine was in the truck's cab."
When the police officers were unable to locate the medicine, onlookers stepped in and found it, helping Gan to take it, according to Zhang. But his condition deteriorated and medics were unable to save him.
By that time, a crowd of around 1,000 people had gathered around the scene, China Daily reported. Some of them became upset and attacked the police officers and their cars, it said. Five cars were set alight, two of which were burned completely.
It took until around 4 a.m. for authorities to deal with the unrest and for the crowd to dissipate, the newspaper reported. It cited a local doctor, named Jie Si, as saying that the angry onlookers thought the police were at fault for what happened to Gan.
"People believe Gan agreed to leave after the police asked him to do so, and the truck scraped a policeman when he was backing up," Jie said, according to the newspaper. "In the ensuing scuffle, the policeman punched his neck. After he fell, the policemen thought he was pretending to be ill and left without calling an ambulance."
The conflicting accounts fueled doubts on social media about whether police were telling the truth. "Only the victim and the police were clear of what truly happened," a user posted on weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, under the pseudonym Donglinanshan Farmer. "Now, only the police can talk. Who can guarantee that they're not lying?"
Discussion of the events became harder after authorities banned searches for terms like "Luzhou riot" and "Luzhou truck driver." The local government didn't respond to calls seeking comment on Friday.
Islamists Destroy Tombs In Timbuktu
Al Qaeda-linked rebels in northern Mali destroyed historic and religious landmarks in Timbuktu on Thursday, claiming the relics are idolatrous, residents told CNN.
Three four-wheel-drive trucks carrying at least 30 armed fighters arrived Thursday morning at three mausolea - all U.N. World Heritage sites - in the southern Timbuktu neighborhood of Kabara, two residents told CNN by phone.
"They started destroying the first mausoleum's wooden door with their axes," said Ibrahim Ag Mohamed, a guide. "Then they went inside and burned the cloth covering the grave before destroying the building with picks and axes."
The mausolea, one of which held the remains of a religious leader and the founder of the neighborhood, were destroyed within an hour, Ag Mohamed said.
"The local Islamists were reinforced by between 30-40 men carrying Kalashnikovs and axes," said Sankoum Sissoko, another resident. "They started destroying the mausolea and didn't finish until they had turned the tomb into rubble," he said.
Area residents, too afraid to try to stop the destruction, simply watched, he said. "After the attack, the Islamists told the people that worshiping saints is not right, according to their form of Islam, and the destruction was necessary," he continued.
Thursday's attack was at least the fourth this year on Timbukto's historic tombs, said Osmane Halle, the former mayor of Timbuktu. International outrage has been growing over the destruction of the West African nation's shrines.
The United States and a number of other nations have condemned previous attacks on Mali's historic tombs. Chaos has rocked the country since March, when a military ruler overthrew the democratically elected president, shaking what had been one of West Africa's most stable democracies.
The coup leader stepped down in May and transferred power to a civilian transitional government, but uncertainty looms. Ethnic Tuareg rebels and other Islamist militants have taken advantage of the uncertainty to seize control of the northern portion of the country, including Timbuktu.
Ansar Dine, an al Qaeda-linked group claiming control of the city, is blamed for the attacks on historical landmarks. The picturesque city, considered an important destination for Islamic scholars, features a number of ancient and prominent burial sites.
Islamist militants regard such shrines as idolatrous and thus prohibited by their religion. They have targeted Sufi shrines, which they say they are sacrilegious. Sufism is a mystical dimension of Islam considered offbeat by Islamic hardliners, who frown upon it. The Sufis, who took Islam to much of sub-Saharan Africa, dance, pray and preach using drama and humor.
"If the Islamists continue in this way, there will be nothing left of Timbuktu's sacred heritage that made it famous all over the world," Halle said. "I ask the international community to help Mali find a solution to the country's problem, no matter if it's a military intervention or negotiations, this has to end."
Last week, the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution that gave regional leaders until November 19 to provide plans for an international military intervention that would oust rebels from northern Mali.
The resolution, which passed by a unanimous vote, calls for retaking the region from al-Qaeda-linked rebels. In a similar attack in 2001, the Taliban destroyed ancient Buddhist relics in Afghanistan.
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