Taiye & Kehinde Balogun Arrested For Robbery, Burglary

According to Punch: The Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Lagos has arrested a set of identical twins for robbing a factory belonging to Reckitt Benckiser, producers of Dettol. Police authorities told PUNCH Metro that the duo, Taiye and Kehinde Balogun, were welders and were hired by a robbery gang to break into the firm’s warehouse in May last year.

The robbery gang, it was learnt, robbed the company of soap noodles and chemicals worth N17m. It was learnt that after the robbery, SARS detectives launched an investigation into the case and the prime suspects were arrested in February. The suspects were said to have implicated the twins who were subsequently arrested.

Yinka Ayefele’s Ibadan House Gutted By Fire

Popular Nigeria Gospel Singer Yinka Ayefele's mansion worth millions of Naira around Felele area of Ibadan, Oyo, was gutted by fire in the wee hours of the morning. The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained, and all efforts to put off the fire has been made. However, the gospel artiste has assured his fans that he is in a very safe condition.

Iyabo Ojo Shares Make-Up Free PHOTOS

What do you think? See more photos below!

Baby number 2 for Naeto C

 

Naeto C and his wife Nicole Chikwe are reportedly expecting their second child.

NET reports that a family source said, "They are really excited. It is something you can't hide."
Naeto C and Nicole married in July 2012 and their first child (a boy) was born in March 2013.
The rapper recently announced that he will be releasing a new album this year but doesn't have a title yet.

2face addresses cheating rumours

2face Idibia has reportedly finally tackled the infidelity rumours.

According to reports, the muso did so when he was a guest at the second season premiere of The Juice on Ndani TV.
Speaking to the show's host, Toolz, 2face allegedly denied rumours that he's expecting a child with another woman.
NET says 2face said, "The whole world will know the truth. There's nothing hidden under the sun.
"I think it's unfair. If I was single…I don't care but I'm married now and it's unfair for someone to just wake up and say stuff like that and try to paint a picture of me on that level," said 2face.

Abuja bomb blast: PDP accuses APC of culpability

The Peoples Democratic Party on Monday accused the opposition All Progressives Party of culpability in the bomb blast which killed over 70 people in Nyanya, Abuja, on Monday.

While condemning the act which it described as barbaric, monstrous and extremely wicked, the PDP said the attacks were politically motivated.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said this in a statement, in Abuja.

The statement partly read, “The PDP weeps. We are indeed grief-stricken. Our hearts go out to the bereaved, especially those who have been orphaned and widowed and those now deprived of their bread winners by this evil act. We share in their pain, their anguish and their loss and pray that those behind their grief must not escape justice.”

Metuh said the attacks could not be justified under any guise adding that it was the handiwork of an opposition desperate to undermine and discredit the present administration and make the nation ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan.

B’Haram crisis temporary, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan,  who cancelled his planned trip to Ibadan, Oyo State, visited the scene of the explosion amidst tight security.

Jonathan was initially billed to attend the centenary birthday service of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Odulana Odugade.

He  arrived the scene at 12.20am with the President of the Senate, David Mark, and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’Azu.

Security chiefs, led by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who arrived ahead, briefed the President  and showed him the spot, where the bomb was detonated.

While speaking with journalists, Jonathan described the attacks by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, as temporary.

He said his administration and security agencies would continue to work hard to get over it.

The President commended security agents for what he called their prompt response to   the blast.

He said, “You can see that I am here with the Senate President  and the Chairman of  the PDP,  ministers, Chief of Defence Staff   and service chiefs, and all other very senior government functionaries.

“Let us collectively express our condolences to the families of those who suffered directly  as a result of the incident.

Sorrow, tears as Abuja blast kills 89

(1) Mother of a victim (2) Some of the burnt buses (3) President Goodluck Jonathan at the Asokoro General Hospital, Abuja...on Monday.
| credits: Sam Adeko and State House

A bomb attack by suspected Boko Haram members on a crowded motor park in Nyanya on Monday threw the Federal Capital Territory    into confusion.

Although security agencies put the number of the dead and the injured at 71 and 124 respectively, independent findings by our correspondents showed that at least 89 people, including three bombers died.

Two hundred and fifty seven others sustained various degrees of injury.

It was gathered that five luxury buses in the park were fully loaded when the blast occurred.

The park which is located in the heart of Nyanya, a satellite settlement bordering the FCT and Nasarawa State, is always crowded with commuters mostly civil servants and private sector workers jostling to board Abuja Mass Transit vehicles, known as El Rufai buses, because they cost less.

The explosion shattered windscreens of vehicles on the busy Nyanya highway and resulted in multiple accidents as drivers lost control of their vehicles in a bid to escape from the area.

Gunmen abduct 200 girls from school

At least 200 girls have reportedly been abducted from a school in Chibok.

Reuters reports that gunmen arrived at the schoolon Monday evening and ordered the girls living in the school's hostels to board trucks.
The attackers are suspected to be Boko Haram members.
The attack follows another suspected Boko Haram attack at a bus station in Abuja.
It has not yet been decided whether the state of emergency imposed on northern parts of the country to battle to Boko Haram insurgency will be extended.

Senate Passes Bill To STOP Discrimination Against HIV/AIDS Infected Persons.

The Senate on Thursday, passed the bill for an act to end all forms of discrimination against Persons Living with Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The passage of the HIV and AIDS Anti-Discrimination Bill, 2014, followed a clause by clause consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Health by a Committee of the Whole.

If the bill becomes law, it is expected to reduce the HIV burden through the prevention of discrimination and stigmatisation on the basis of real or perceived HIV status. It is expected to encourage voluntary testing and counselling, access to treatment, improved health outcomes and reduction of risky sex behaviour.

Photo of the Day

The picture was snapped on the set of 'Last Party' ... 17 years ago. The movie also stars Bimbo Akintola, Saint Obi and Ibinabo Fiberesima.

'HIV made me feel ugly and battered but no more' - Rolake Odetoyinbo

Before the interview - MEET Morolake Odetoyinbo, Executive Director and Founder of PATA

'Rolake studied Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, specialising in radio, film and TV production. She is an activist, advocate, writer, trainer, public speaker, and television and radio producer. She has at least fifteen years of experience in fighting for rights of the marginalised and the vulnerable.

A graduate of the African American HIV University in Los Angeles, she is an openly positive lady with a broad understanding of public health. She works on issues of HIV/AIDS, disabilities, sexual, reproductive and women's health.

She is a member of the Strategic and Technical Committee for WHO HIV Department, the Board Chairperson for the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), Chair of the Global Fund's implementing Bloc and past Board Member, Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. She was recently honoured as one of the top 100 women globally delivering on women and girls. She holds multiple awards in Nigeria, Africa and globally.

2015: Stay away from N’Delta, APC tells Jonathan

THE All Progressives Congress has asked President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to stay away from the Niger Delta region ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The APC stated that the President and the PDP had no moral right to campaign for re-election in the Niger Delta due to their alleged neglect of the region.

Rivers State Interim Chairman of the party, Dr. Ikanya Davies, said in a statement on Thursday that the President should avoid campaigning in the oil-rich region since his kinsmen had rejected him for disappointing them.

The statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the state APC chairman, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, recalled that the former Bayelsa Governor, Mr. Timipreye Sylva, had declared that the majority of Bayelsa people were not happy with Jonathan and wanted a change.

According to the statement, “Even though they lack shame, President Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party should for once respect themselves and stay away from the Niger Delta since even his kinsmen in Bayelsa State have rejected him for disappointing them.

Abuja jailbreak: SSS detains engineer for posting pictures

A Thirty-two-year-old engineer, Isiaka Yusuf, is reportedly being held by the State Security Service for posting pictures of the March 30 jailbreak by some detainees suspected to be members of the Boko Haram on Twitter.

Investigations by iPUNCH on Thursday showed that Isiaka — an employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company attached to the Aso Villa substation — was picked up from his office by SSS operatives on March 30, a few hours after the incident.

The Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was allegedly busy at work while the security breach lasted.

He had posted six live pictures on his Twitter page, showing how SSS officials and soldiers battled to regain control of the secret service’s headquarters, located behind the Villa, from the detainees.

Further checks by iPUNCH on his Twitter page revealed that Isiaka’s last known public communication on the social network was the pictures and the accompanying tweets he posted in connection with the jailbreak on March 30.

Drama as Reps pass 2014 budget

The House of Representatives passed the 2014 budget on Thursday, increasing the total by N53bn.

President Goodluck Jonathan proposed a total of N4.642tn as estimates for this year, but like the Senate,  the House okayed N4.695tn.

Findings showed that both chambers earlier agreed on the figures during deliberations between their committees on appropriation and finance.

Just like the Senate did on Wednesday, the House passed N408,687,801,891 as statutory transfers;  N712,000,000,000  for  debt servicing; N2,454,887,566,702 as recurrent expenditure;   and N1,119,614,631,407 as capital expenditure,  thus  bringing the aggregate to N4,695,190,000,000.

However, there was some drama preceding the clause by clause consideration of the budget by the House members.

Nigeria move up in FIFA rankings

The Super Eagles are now 45th in the latest FIFA rankings released by the world football body on Thursday. The team moved up two places despite losing six points in the log.

The rankings placed Nigeria as Africa’s sixth best just above Tunisia which dropped five places to 49th in the world courtesy of their 44 points loss.

Ahead of Nigeria in the Africa sub-group are Cote d’Ivoire (21st), Egypt (24th), Algeria (25th), Ghana (38th) and Cape Verde (42nd).

See Actress Toyin Aimakhu's Beautiful Sister (PHOTO)

The Woman in The Picture is Popular Actress Toyin Aimakhu's Elder Sister!

Toke Makinwa Becomes The New Face Of Maggi Chicken (PHOTOS).

Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa-Ayida who was named one of the faces of Lipton Tea in 2013 and had a short gig with Chicken Republic, was unveiled in the presence of select stakeholders and the press in Lagos, as the Maggi Chicken brand ambassador, today Wednesday 9th April 2014. According to Nestle PR reps, Toke will front a campaign for Maggi for a duration of 3 months.

James Ibori may not return a dime of the money he stole as governor

According to new reports, former Delta State governor James Ibori may not return a dime of the money he stole as governor for eight years. Find the report from UK Daily Mail below...

A former Wickes cashier who became a Nigerian state governor and defrauded £157m of public funds to live a lavish lifestyle may not have to pay a single penny back.

James Ibori, 51, is said to have personally pocketed £50million of cash stolen from the west African nation’s oil-rich Delta State during his eight-year tenure.

The former £5,000-a-year Wickes cashier blew millions on luxury homes, a £12.6million private jet, fees at some of the UK’s most expensive boarding schools for his children, first-class travel and exclusive hotels.

Chris Attoh and Damilola Adegbite expecting their first child

Actors and co-stars Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh are expecting their first child as Dami is said to be pregnant. She's even already showing. The couple have since postponed their wedding, which was initially scheduled for this weekend April 12th. They are planning to wed after Dami gives birth.. or they will just have a quiet wedding when no one is looking...:-). Congrats to them.

Source: Lindaikeji

Nuella Is My Missing Rib--Tchidi Chikere Confesses

On Saturday, March 29, 2014, Nollywood director, Tchidi Chikere and his actress lover, Nuella Njubigbo tied the knot traditionally amidst controversies. Before the wedding, it was alleged that Neulla snatched the handsome man from his estranged wife, Sophia, who is also an actress.

In an interview with Encomium magazine, Tchidi described his new wife as his missing rib and also disclosed that members of his family have accepted Nuella as his wife.

"I have the support of my family, who have fully accepted Nuella. Having concluded all the traditional rites, she is now with me in Mbaise. My people have given her wrappers and taken her to the farm. We are very happy. This looks more like my first marriage. In fact, Nuella is my missing rib," Tchidi said.

NIGERIAFILMS

Actress Chika Ike: I Can Only Marry A Man That Will Make Me Happy

Nollywood actress Chika Ike, has revealed that she is set to marry again once the ideal man walks up to her.

According to the brand Ambassador of energy drink, ‘Bullet,’ who was once married to Tony Eberiri in 2006 before they officially got divorced in 2013, said that she was once a victim of domestic violence when she married and almost lost her life in the process.

“I don’t want to talk about the divorce because it is already in the past and I have since moved on. I am still open to marriage and I might give it a second shot because I believe in love. For now, I am most concerned with my own happiness”.

Dino Melaye's Ex-Wife Files Fresh Divorce Suit

Tokunbo Melaye, the estranged wife of onetime member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dino Melaye, has according to CityPeople magazine, filed a fresh divorce suit few weeks after she withdrew the original suit.

This time, Tokunbo is asking the court to share everything the former Honourable member has into 2, including his exotic and expensive cars. In addition to the cars, she also listed all Dino’s properties in
Abuja, and Lokoja, asking the court to share the properties in 2 equal parts.

Aircraft with 57 passengers makes air return

A passenger aircraft belonging to Overland Airways, which left Ibadan for Abuja on Monday, had to abandon the journey around Minna, Niger State and make a detour to Lagos for emergency landing, after its windshield was broken.

The plane, which left Ibadan around 8am, had on board a former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Lanre Ogundipe, an officer in the Accountant-General of the Federation’s office, Mr. Demola Akinlabi, and 55 others.

Ogundipe, who spoke to our correspondent from Abuja on the incident, said the aircraft was in good condition before the windshield broke, adding that a major tragedy was miraculously averted.

“We started well but midway around Minna in Niger State, the pilot made a detour to Lagos, which was strange. We later got to know that the windshield broke and the flight could not continue for long,” he said.

Ogundipe added that the passangers had to be evacuated and put in another aircraft, which arrived Abuja in the afternoon.

Fayose: Aggrieved PDP leaders give Jonathan ultimatum

Some aggrieved leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State have given President Goodluck Jonathan a five-day ultimatum to intervene in the crisis rocking the party over the emergence of former Governor Ayo Fayose and Senator Gbenga Aluko as the  governorship candidates of the party.

One of the leaders of the PDP in the state, Chief Feyisayo Fajuyi, who led other party leaders to a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Monday, called on the President to declare null and void the primary election which produced Fayose.

Fajuyi said that the process which led to the primary election of March 22 was fraught with irregularities saying based on this, the election should be annulled.

Other leaders who attended the press conference were: Chief Bankole Fayori (Irepodun/Ifelodun), Oluwalana Ayobami (youth president), Chief Ajayi (Ise/Orun),  Mrs.  Foluke Adetunji (Ekiti West), Mr.  Akinola Adams (Ijero-Ekiti) and Biodun Ajibadeola (Ikole-Ekiti).

$510bn Gross Domestic Product: Investors not attracted by size of economy –World Bank

That Nigeria now has the largest economy in Africa after rebasing its Gross Domestic Product will not necessarily pull foreign investment into the country, the World Bank has said.

Experts from the World Bank said    that policies and profitability were more critical factors in determining the destination of Foreign Direct Investments.

They spoke during the release of Africa’s Pulse – an analysis of issues shaping Africa’s economic future through video conference in Washington, United States on Monday.

The conference which had participation of journalists from 12 countries in Africa was moderated from Washington. It was addressed by the Chief Economist, World Bank, Africa Region, Mr. Francisco Ferreira, and the Lead Economist, World Bank, Africa Region, Punam Chuhan-Pole.

After rebasing the economy, the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics put the nation’s GDP at $510bn ahead of South Africa’s $370bn.

But the experts said the standard of living of individuals in a country was also a critical factor in determining what is happening in the country and not the state of its GDP alone.

Apo killings: NHRC indicts Army, DSS

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, yesterday, said its investigations revealed that eight persons that were killed by a joint team of the Nigerian Army and operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, at an uncompleted building situated at the Apo District of the Federal Capital Territory on September 20, 2013, were not members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect as was alleged by security agencies.
In a report it released yesterday, the commission, which had earlier conducted a public hearing on the matter, said there was no shred of evidence to show that the deceased victims belonged to the dreaded Jama’atu ahlus sunnah lid da’awati wal jihad, also known as Boko Haram.

Compensation

Consequently, the commission ordered the Federal Government to pay N10 million compensation to each of the families of the eight deceased persons as well as pay N5 million to each of the 11 injured survivors.
More so, the NHRC directed the Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, to ensure that evidence of payment of the compensation was lodged with the registry of the commission within 30 days from yesterday.

Ibadan Horror: Forensic experts exhume bodies, collect victims’ property

FORENSIC pathologists, yesterday, began exhuming bodies of some victims of the Soka kidnappers’ den in Ibadan for forensic analysis.
The experts were drawn from the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and Nigeria Police from Abuja. This came just as the police dismissed rumours that some victims were still trapped underground.
According to Superintendent of Police Olabisi Ilobanafor, the Public Relations Officer of Oyo State Command, “how can a human being survive underground for more than three weeks without food or drink? Where will they get power to charge the phone people have been saying someone was calling with?
“It is a mere rumour and figment of their imagination. People should not carry rumours that will have psychological effects on families of missing people.

Atiku Abubakar's Son Dubai Wedding - Pics.

former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, (r) introducing the parents of his son's wife Mrs Margarita, (1st r) and Mr Nadim Saleby to Chief Bisi Akande, Interim National Chairman of APC at the wedding reception of Atiku's son, Abubakar A. Abubakar and his bride Mariana Nadim in Dubai over the weekend.

The groom Abubakar Atiku Abubakar and his mother Hajiya Ladi Atiku Abubakar 

World leaders must identify terror sponsors —Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday said world leaders have the collective responsibility of identifying sponsors and supporters of terror groups, such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and other groups operating in the Sahel region.

He said such people should be held responsible for their actions aimed at destabilising Africa.

Jonathan made his position known in his remarks on peace and security at the opening of the on-going Fourth European Union-Africa Summit holding in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.

The summit brought together the Heads of State and Government of the EU and the African continent together with the EU and AU institutions.

The EU was represented at the summit, which has “Investing in people, prosperity and peace” as its theme, by the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso.

While thanking the EU and other development partners for their assistance in addressing the menace of the terror groups, Jonathan insisted that a terror attack on one nation was an attack on everybody.

1,200MW may be lost to uncompleted power projects

The current poor supply of electricity in the country may be further compounded with the loss of 1,200 megawatts this year if the contractor handling three key National Integrated Power Projects fails to meet the stipulated completion target of the third quarter of the year, the Presidential Task Force on Power has said.

Although the PTFP had given marching orders to the contractor, Rockson Engineering Limited, it explained that unless the projects were inaugurated and put into commercial use, the target of 6,000MW electricity generation by December this year might not be realised.

The Chairman, PTFP, Mr. Beks Dagogo-Jack, had on Tuesday held a meeting with the contractor executing critical generation and transmission projects located in the eastern axis of the national gas grid for the NIPP.

Dagogo-Jack said the meeting focused on three power generation projects located at Alaoji in Abia State, Omoku in Rivers State, and Gbarain in Bayelsa State.

Six missing, 22 rescued from Lagos boat disaster

At least six passengers on board a boat were feared dead after it capsized in a lagoon in the Majidun area off Ikorodu in Lagos State on Wednesday evening.

However, 22 others, who also fell of the boat were rescued by local divers.

The development occurred barely two weeks after 13 people died at the 4th Avenue, 42 Road, Festac Town, Festac, Lagos State.

According to an anonymous source, the boat was filled with working class people who were headed home after the day’s job.

“I was told that a boat with about 28 passengers fell off a boat on Wednesday evening. Some of the victims were said to have been dressed formally and were returning after the day’s work,” he said.

Although details remained sketchy as of press time, rescue officials said members of the community confirmed the incident.

Beware, Ebola virus is dangerous

Just in case you missed the newsflash this week, the deadly Ebola virus, for the first time, has found its way into West Africa, a region that Nigeria is part of.

The outbreak, which began in Guinea’s south eastern forest region last month, is causing widespread panic as death toll rises and the outbreak continues to spread,

According to media reports, more than 125 cases have been documented across three countries — Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone; and as of the last count, about 82 persons have lost their lives to this tropical virus.

What Ebola is

The World Health Organisation describes the Ebola Virus Disease as a viral haemorrhagic fever and one of the most virulent viral diseases known to humankind.

Ebola is regarded in the medical world as the deadliest virus on earth, not only because it has no known cure, but also because it is one of the world’s lethal infections: it could kill within hours or few days of symptoms, whether an infected person gets treatment or not.

The viral disease, whose initial symptoms can include sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain and sore throat, can later progress to vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, internal and external bleeding. As scary as it is, the virus does not respond to any vaccine.

Tambuwal foils PDP caucus plot against defected Reps

A quick intervention by the leadership of the House of Representatives on Wednesday doused tension between the Peoples Democratic Party members and their counterparts in the All Progressives Congress.

Findings showed that the PDP Caucus was bent on enforcing the “relevant aspects” of Monday’s judgment by an Abuja Federal High Court, which declared the defection of some  PDP lawmakers  in the  House to the APC as unconstitutional.

The court had also barred the lawmakers from effecting a change in the leadership of the House.

Among others, the court ruled that the defected lawmakers should no longer participate in the activities of the House, including contributing to motions on the floor.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who delivered the judgment, had also advised the affected lawmakers to resign honourably from the House.

Although the lawmakers had already appealed the judgment, The PUNCH learnt that the PDP caucus was bent on restraining  them  from attending sittings.

Fayemi accuses Jonathan of influencing Fayose’s victory

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of foisting a former Governor Ayo Fayose on the Peoples Democratic Party as its governorship candidate with the aim of using him to unleash violence on the state ahead of the June 21 governorship poll.

The governor, who spoke in a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson of his campaign organisation, Mr. Dimeji Daniels, said that the opposition party wanted to prepare the ground for rigging through violence.

Fayemi said that the President would be held responsible for any act of violence by his party’s governorship candidate.

The governor, however, warned Fayose against violating the law saying he would face the wrath of the people if he caused violence in the state.

Diezani jet scandal: Reps to hire aviation expert

The House of Representatives gave indications on Sunday that it would engage the services of an aviation expert to assist in the investigation into the alleged N10bn expenditure on a private jet by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The chartered aircraft is said to be maintained on a bill of 500,000 Euros or N3.120m monthly for Alison-Madueke’s personal use.

A member from Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Adejare, who brought the issue before the House on Thursday last week, had stated that N3.120bn had been spent on the maintenance of the jet in the last two years.

The matter was referred to the House Committee on Public Accounts for investigation.

Investigations on Sunday showed that an aviation consultant would be hired to assist the committee in carrying out the assignment.

We are not mad – Victims of Ibadan horror

Some of the victims rescued from the kidnappers’ den at the Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State, are gradually regaining fitness and mental ability.

Although they have yet to give the accounts of activities in the forest, they  could remember events leading to their sudden disappearance from their normal life.

One of them, Nafiu Shittu, told our correspondent at the Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, that he was a native pile medicine seller with customers in the business districts of Gate and Iwo Road.

Speaking in an almost inaudible whisper and intermittently pausing for breath, he explained that he was at work when he was kidnapped and taken to the forest.

He said, “I am a native of Ibadan, living in the Foko area of the city. I sold pile medicine to people. I was doing the business on the day I was kidnapped about four months ago.

“After going round the area where I had customers, I felt tired and decided to rest in the Gate area. Suddenly, a bus stopped by my side and two men came out and forced me into the back seat of the vehicle. That was all I could remember.

PDP can’t win with Fayose, aspirants tell party

Thirteen aggrieved governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State have said that the party should forget about winning the state if the leadership of the party ratifies former Governor, Ayo Fayose, as its candidate in the governorship election of June 21.

Senator Gbenga Aluko, who spoke through the Director-General of his campaign organisation, Mr. Tunji Olatunde, said this in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday.

Another aggrieved aspirant, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, also said the same thing in a statement made available to our  correspondent in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The 13 aggrieved aspirants had dragged the party to court over Fayose and boycotted the primary election, which  Fayose eventually won.

The DG of the Aluko  Campaign Organisation ruled out the possibility of his principal defecting to another political party. He also said that Aluko had held discussion with the other 12 aggrieved aspirants and they all  agreed that they would not move away from the PDP.

Ibadan horror: Victim recounts ordeal in forest

One of the victims that were rescued by the police at Soka forest, Ibadan, Oyo State, which is believed to be a ritual killers’ den, said she was kidnapped in September 2013.

The victim, whose name is being withheld for security purpose, is currently recuperating with seven other victims in Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan.

No fewer than 20 decomposing bodies were discovered in the forest on Saturday, while about 23 others were rescued alive.

They were taken to different hospitals in the city, with eight of them – four men and four women – in Adeoyo Hospital.

The woman, who was still weak from her experience, told PUNCH Metro that she knew she left her home in September and since then could not remember anything until Saturday when she was rescued.

She said, “I remember that I left my home in Okebola and was going to Challenge. I entered a taxi and that is the only thing I can remember until police rescued us yesterday (Saturday).”

Immigration tragedy: Moro may appear before Senate Tuesday

THERE were indications on Sunday that the Senate Committee on Interior had invited the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service’s, Mr. David Parradang, to appear before it on Tuesday (tomorrow) over the NIS tragic recruitment two Saturdays ago.

An aide to the Senate President, who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said that though there were pressures on his principal from some elders in his state to save Moro, he maintained that Mark would not interfere in the probe process.

He said Mark would subject the report of the committee to an extensive debate by the senators before demanding for votes from members to show his neutrality in the entire process.

“It is a known fact that the Interior Minister is from the same state with the Senate President but that does not mean he would not perform his legislative duties to Nigerians,” the source said.

No fewer than 19 job seekers lost their lives during stampedes that occurred in the various centres for the NIS recruitment across the country.

Biafra threat: Imo beefs up security

Following alleged  threat by a faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), known as Biafra Zionist Federation(BZF), to storm other South-East States to hoist its flag  in their Government Houses, the Imo State Government has beefed up security around the  Government House, Owerri.
In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on media, Sam Onwuemeodo, the government urged the people of the state not to panic as their lives and properties would be protected. The government, it said, has also moved to nip the threat in the bud.

NIS recruitment: Applicants Drag FG, Abba Moro to court

The controversy over the deadly recruitment test conducted by the Nigeria Immigration Service has metarmorphosed into a legal action brought against the Federal Government by the applicants who participated in the exercise.
Specifically, four persons acting  for themselves and onbehalf of all those applicants to recruitment exercise which claimed 18 lives yesterday dragged the Federal Government, Minister of Interior and four others before a Federal High court seeking an order declaring that the conduct or the execution of the Recruitment Exercise illegal, unwarranted, in violation of the Applicants’ fundamental rights to life.
The suit was brought under Sections 33,34,  and 44 of the 1999 Constitition (amended) and the equivalent articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right Act.
Also joined as respondents  in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,  Ministry of Interior, Nigerian Immigration Service and its  Comptroller General, David Shikfu Parradang.
The applicants, Charles Ugwuonye, Friday Danlami, Chinedu Onwuka and Samson Ojo through their counsel, Emeka Ugwuonye  had among other things want the court to declare the recruitment exercise illegal and restrain the NIS from spending the money realized from the recruitment exercise.

Automatic Employment: Desperate Job Seekers Besiege National Hospital Abuja Feigning Injuries From NIS Recruitment

 
Following yesterday’s announcement by the Federal Government that families of applicants, who died in last Saturday’s Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, recruitment exercise nationwide, have been offered three slots each, while those that sustained injuries would be automatically absorbed into the service, countless jobseekers have turned the National Hospital, Abuja, into a Mecca of sorts in their desperate attempt to be counted among the injured.
It was learnt that early Thursday, those, who hospital sources described as “wounded racket”, visited the center displaying various degrees of injuries they sustained during the stampede at the National Stadium, Abuja at the weekend, demanding to be put on the hospital’s list of wounded applicants.
However, they were not among the estimated 40 injured applicants rushed to the National Hospital for treatment on the wake of the stampede that left no fewer than 19 applicants dead nationwide.

Jonathan admits treating terrorism with kid gloves

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday admitted that his administration had hitherto been treating terrorists in the country with kid glove.

Terrorists, especially members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, have hold sway in the North-East zone in the past three years, killing thousands of citizens in attacks on villages, military and polie facilities, worship houses and drinking joints.

The President said his government had now decided to be more forceful in its approach because of its desire to stamp out terror groups from the country.

He spoke in Windhoek, Namibia, during a bilateral talk with President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

“Initially, we handle it (terrorism) with kid glove, but now we have decided to be a little more forceful because we must thrash out these terror groups. We must not allow it to continue to slow down economic growth in that part of the country,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan told his Namibian counterpart that a terror attack on any part of the world is an attack on everyone, saying terrorism has become a global phenomenon though the intensity might vary from one country to the other.

Robbers invade church, steal phones, N2m

No fewer than 15 armed robbers invaded the Christ Apostolic Church in Alagbado, Lagos State, stealing about 40 phones and money estimated at N2m.

The robbers, who operated for about 20 minutes, were said to have also attempted raping some of the church members before they left the church premises.

It was learnt that the men came around 2am penultimate Friday while the over 450 congregation was engrossed in a prayer session.

A member of the church, who craved anonymity, said some of the members had observed a strange man making phone calls while the vigil was on.

He said, “The vigil actually started around 12 midnight. Some of us observed a man who came in around 1.30am. He was seated in the women’s section. About four persons tried persuading him to change seat, including the pastor, but he refused. So they left him.

“I observed him going out several times to make phone calls. At about 2am, I overheard him saying, ‘start coming, they are praying’. Few minutes later, I heard a gunshot.”

Moro, NIS boss fought over immigration recruitment – Investigation

Facts have emerged that a cold war between the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro and the Comptroller General of the Nigerian  Immigration Service, Mr. David Parradang, played a major role in the  NIS  recruitment  that resulted in the death of 20 job applicants on Saturday.

It was learnt on Wednesday in Abuja that both Moro and Parradang had been on each other’s throat over who should conduct the exercise.

Investigations revealed that while the minister insisted that it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior to handle the recruitment as the presiding ministry, the comptroller general  was of the view that the service should be allowed to handle the recruitment.

A source, who spoke to one of our correspondents on ‘the drama’ that preceded the immigration jobs tragedy, said the Immigration boss had argued that  those to be given jobs would work with the NIS as such the service could  not be left out.

PDP owes me, says Atiku

A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said his former political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, owes him a debt of gratitude.

Abubakar, however, said he  did not owe the ruling party anything.

It will be recalled that the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, had recently said that Abubakar owed the party a debt of gratitude for providing him a political platform that helped him to emerge as the former Vice President.

But the former Vice President said in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, that contrary to the claim by the leadership of the PDP, it was indeed his former party that owed him a debt of thanks.

The former Vice President, who resigned his membership of the PDP in February to join the All Progressives Congress, noted that the insinuation being peddled by Metuh that he was ungrateful to the PDP was a distortion of history.

Confab: Bakare says he won’t receive allowance

Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said that he will not partake of the N12m to be paid to each delegate to the three-month National Conference to be inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday (today).

Bakare, representing Ogun State at the conference, said he made the decision not to collect the money to be paid to delegates by the Federal Government in order to dispel any speculation that his motivation for accepting to take part in the conference was material.

Each of the 492 delegates to the National Conference would be paid N4m per month for the three month duration and this has been the subject of controversy with some Nigerians condemning the amount to be spent.

Announcing to his church members that he had accepted to be a delegate to the conference, Bakare told the congregation that he would be giving them weekly report as the conference progressed.

He said, “A friend of mine called me this (Sunday) morning that he heard on the radio that ‘Pastor Bakare had accepted to go, that his own fee is N12m’. Pastor Bakare will not take a kobo in the National Conference.