Armed Bandits Killed Young Soldier In A Forest - Zamfara

Fallen Soldier

Suleiman Maihakuri

Few days ago, reports had it that suspected bandits killed an unspecified number of soldiers at a forest in Doburu, Zumi local government area of Zamfara State.

One of the the slain soldiers has been identified as Suleiman Maihakuri from Keffi in Nasarawa state.

An online news portal, The Cable, quoted a military source as disclosing this on Saturday, saying many of his colleagues sustained injuries in the incident. He said some of the injured persons were receiving treatment at Zumi General Hospital.

The source said the officer who led troops into the forest was captured by bandits.

"We ran into an ambush in the forest today. The bandits opened fire on us and we responded but they surrounded us from different directions," he said. "They had bombs and sophisticated weapons."

Nigeria News - EFCC Secures Order To Seize Cash ($2.8m)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured an interim order to seize the $2.8 million which its operatives recently intercepted at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

EFCC - Ibrahim Magu

The anti-graft agency has also retrieved documents on foreign transactions from the Enugu branch of Union Bank.

Neither the bank nor the Bankers Warehouse has approached the EFCC to lay formal claim to the cash. Bankers Warehouse only allegedly wrote to an unnamed Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the cash.

News reporters gathered that the EFCC secured the interim forfeiture order from a Federal High Court in Enugu on Friday.

The commission filed the forfeiture application following the submission of an interim investigation report which indicated that there might be more to the movement of the cash.

The EFCC said: "A vacation judge granted the interim forfeiture order following an application by our counsel, Anasoh Onyedikachi. The forfeiture will subsist till the conclusion of investigation into the $2.8 million.

"The court also ordered the publication of the forfeiture in a national newspaper in line with Section 17 of the EFCC Act."

The court granted the prayers of the anti-graft agency in line with Section 7, 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.

Detectives from EFCC have also gone ahead to retrieve foreign exchange transaction records from the Union Bank in connection with the $2.8 million.

A top source told us: "More clues are emerging daily making our detectives to be eager to get to the root of how the amount $2.8 million was being transferred in transit. Both the bank and Bankers Warehouse have not made any claim to the EFCC admitting ownership of the cash.

"There was a story in the public domain that a complaint was made to an unnamed Deputy Governor of CBN when the governor is not on leave.

"When Union Bank officials refused to come to EFCC to make a formal claim, our operatives had to go to a branch of the bank in Enugu to ask for their foreign exchange transaction records.

"Our detectives are seeking answers to the following questions: Where was the cash sourced? Who authorized the movement? Where was it moving to?

"We isolated these questions because we remember the case of $118m used for poll bribery in 2015 which was kept in a bank without records. Our detectives are of the opinion that there is more to the movement of the cash."

When contacted, the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade said: "We are already in court, we have secured interim forfeiture order and we are waiting for whoever or institution laying claim to the said money to come forward with proof.

"But as part of our ongoing discreet investigation, our operatives have secured the relevant foreign exchange transaction documents / records from the bank where the $2.8 million originated."

Nigeria News - Hundreds Flee Attack From Islamist In Northeast Nigeria To Seek Refuge In Maiduguri

Some seen prayer, while others fleeing

Maiduguri, Nigeria - Hundreds of people in northeast Nigeria who fled a town targeted by militants linked with Islamic State have sought refuge in capital of Borno State, reporters said on Saturday.

An uptick in attacks by Islamist and the resulting upheaval in the region comes in the run up to an election in which President Muhammadu Buhari will seek a second term. Security has become a campaign issue following a series of attacks.

A faction of Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA), which split from the insurgency in 2016 claimed responsibility for an attack on a military base in Baga, a town in eastern Borno state, which the Nigerian army said took place on Wednesday evening.

The fight to control Baga, a strategic town as it borders Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, forced hundreds to seek safety in Maiduguri and gathering at a bus terminus on the outskirts of the city.

"In Baga, we are in Boko Haram hands because yesterday they were going around with their machine guns and motor vehicles," Baga resident Abdul Kami said on Saturday, describing the attack on the town.

Residents on Friday said at least 10 people were killed in the attack on Baga.

Burnt Divisional HQ in Baga

The Boko Haram insurgence, which Buhari vowed to end when he took office in 2015, aims to create an Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. It has forced about 2.7 million people to flee their homes since 2009 and killed around 30,000.

The military and insurgents also clashed in Monguno, a town in the adjacent local government authority to Baga. But Islamic State, in a statement issued through its news agency Amaq, said its fighters "killed and injured dozens, took four apostates as captives, burned many barracks, and seized weapons and ammunition".

Critics of Buhari have pointed to attacks in the last few weeks to criticize the former general's security record. In particular, they highlighted the attack on an army base in Metele, Borno state in which about 100 soldiers were killed.

Attacks by Boko Haram in the run-up to the last election in 2015 weakened then president Goodluck Jonathan and helped Buhari to defeat him at the polls.

Nigeria News - Police Intensify Manhunt For Dino Melaye

Senator Dino Melaye

A detachment of the Nigeria Police on Sunday continued to lay siege on the residence of the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, in Abuja.

On Sunday, a team of policemen intensified the search for the lawmaker with a reinforcement of security within and around his residence along no.11 Sangha Street Maitama, Abuja.

Residents around the street said that the team of policemen arrived early on Sunday and that at least nine patrol vehicles were seen around the residence.

It was learnt that the police had sealed off all the entry and exit routes to the house.

The team of policemen did not entertain questions from newsmen and it was discovered that the men of the Police Force also occupied the entrance of an uncompleted building directly behind Melaye's house near Chadian Embassy on Mississippi Street.

The Police raid on Melaye's residence commenced on Friday with men of the force laying siege to the lawmaker's residence in a bid to arrest him.

The development is coming on the heels of a statement by Human Rights Lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who said on Sunday that the raid showcases Nigeria on the throes of anarchy.

Ozekhome, SAN, statement read: "On Friday, the 28th of December, 2018, a team of plain -clothed policemen, stormed Senator Dino Melaye's house at No. 11 Sangha Street, Maitama, Abuja, and barricaded the entire street before eventually forcefully gaining entry into his compound. The said plain-clothed policemen proceeded to beat up Melaye's security whom they immediately handcuffed. They also arrested the cook and other domestic staff in Senator Dino's residence.

"His relatives approached the head of the said security to find out why they were treating Dino, a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in such high-handed and disdainful manner. The head of the rampaging police while declining any specific answer, told Dino's relatives that they came from the Commissioner of Police FCT, on whose instructions, they were acting. Dino Melaye's brothers demanded to see the warrant of arrest if they had any, but the police refused to show any such warrant. The Police also declined to disclose the reason why they are laying siege on the house of a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"The Nigeria Police led by the Commissioner of Police FCT, proceeded to do the unthinkable; they disconnected electricity supply to the premises of Senator Dino Melaye, thereby putting his life and health in grave danger. They have also disconnected water supply to his home thus denying him access to water, a concomitant to the basic constitutional right guaranteed by section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered. Senator Dino Melaye has been without water and food, for the past 72 hours and counting as the said policemen , have blocked the gate, denying family members and his friend's access to him. Senator Dino Melaye is a known asthmatic person and has been denied access to his medications and personal physicians for the past 72 hours and counting.

"The police are now firing several gunshots within Senator Dino Melaye's compound and have now started shooting canisters of tear gas through the windows of his house.

"It would be recalled that Senator Dino Melaye, had on the 24th of December 2018, cried out to the world, that he had received credible information that there was a grand plan by the police, sponsored by Yahaya Bello, the Governor of Kogi State, to arrest him and inject him with lethal substances to terminate his life. It would also be recalled that Senator Dino Melaye, who has since parted ways with his earlier party, the ruling APC, has been quite vociferous in the condemnation of the poor performance of the Federal Government and his state government under Yahaya Bello. Consequent upon this, he has received fusillades of politically motivated attacks on his life and political career by his traducers using the instrumentality of the Nigeria Police and their operatives.

"Members of the public would also recall how Senator Dino Melaye had personally narrated his ordeal on Thursday, the 19th day of July, 2018, that whilst he was returning to his hometown, around Iya junction, Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA, Kogi State, in a convoy of over twenty vehicles, after the commissioning of his constituency projects, in Kogi West Senatorial District, he was attacked by armed Policemen and his vehicle shot at sporadically by the armed policemen who attacked him.

"Our Chambers had written a petition to the IGP, intimating him of the premeditated violent attack on Melaye. Till date, we have not received any response to the said petition.

"Senator Melaye had also informed our Chambers, that recently, on the 12th of October 2018, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, sent armed policemen who invaded his country home in Kogi State, looking for him. He believes the invasion was targeted as assassinating him, over his political views.

"It was only when the villagers raised the alarm that the said armed policemen, fled. Senator Dino Melaye then petitioned The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and copied the said petition to several International Organizations. And again, no response was received in respect of this petition till date.

"Senator Melaye informed us, that his party, the People's Democratic Party, had scheduled its party campaign in Kogi State, for the 5th of January, 2019.

Senator Dino Melaye who is also contesting for the Senatorial slot of the Kogi West, Senatorial District, is scheduled to be one of the keynote speakers on that day. Senator Dino Melaye verily believes that the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who has always seen him as a palpable political threat, is doing everything possible, including the use of the publicly financed Nigerian Police apparatchik, to harass, intimidate, silence, possibly kill him, thereby ultimately frustrating his senatorial ambition.

"Senator Dino Melaye recalls how the said Kogi State, Governor, in his desperate attempts to undo him politically, had stage-managed his botched recall from the Senate, which process failed ignominiously even while he was chained to a hospital bed by the same Nigeria Police. The Nigeria Police had since April 2018, withdrawn Senator Dino Melaye's police security attached to him. The Nigerian Police had refused all requests, to restore Dino Melaye's security, despite several letters written to them, including letters from the Senate President and the Clerk of the National Assembly.

"The same Nigerian Police, have refused to release Senator Dino Melaye's International Passports, which is in their custody, notwithstanding a clear order of the court directing them to release the same forthwith. Our Chambers had written several letters to the Inspector General of Police, urging it, to obey the subsisting court order, but the IGP, had consistently flouted the said court order. Till date, Dino's passports are illegally and wrongfully detained by the same police, notwithstanding the subsisting court order, and several letters from our chambers urging them to release same.

Senator Dino Melaye was charged in different hierarchies of the Nigerian court, within five months, over six times, over trumped-up charges. Some of these frivolous charges have either been withdrawn by the police, or struck out by the court.

"It is highly condemn-able that the recent attacks on Senator Melaye's life appear obviously state-sponsored by his political enemies using the instrumentality of willing police, to prevent him from campaigning and thus frustrate his political ambition of returning to the Senate.

"The entire conduct of the Nigeria Police Force thus far leaves much to be desired. It is compromised, despicable, selective, arbitrary and amounts to a brazen abuse of office and repression of a Nigerian citizen, Senator Dino Melaye, whose fundamental rights, they have serially trampled upon. The life of Senator Dino Melaye is now in grave danger.

"The last time we checked, Nigeria is supposed to be operating a constitutional democracy, and not fascism or under a police state. This is no time for a "golden silence" by Mr. President, who is the ultimate supervisor of the Nigerian Police Force under sections 214 and 215 of the 1999 Constitution.

This is a humble SoS sir. Kindly treat sir, with promptitude and the urgency of now."

Nigeria News - CDS, Service Chiefs Meet As Boko Haram War Escalates In Northeast

The Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonishakin has met with the Chiefs of Army, Air-force and Naval staff at the Headquarters of the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole Maiduguri in continuation of the routine operational visit.

Meeting of CDS and Service Chiefs

At the meeting, General Olonishakin commended Operation Lafiya Dole troops for their gallant defeat of rampaging insurgents in Baga and it's environs.

Last week a similar meeting held at the Headquarters of the Air Task-force in Maiduguri.

Since the previous meeting, attacks had occurred spontaneously in various part of the Northeast some of which include Kareto, Katarko, Baga, Monguno, and Barma among others.

Only the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole and principal officers attended the high-level strategic meeting where operations were reviewed vis-a-vis recent happenings.

About Relocation of Baga Residents

The Army has said it will coordinate a relocation operation for residents of Baga following in view of the ongoing military operations in the area.

According to a statement by Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, the relocation operation is to be out in conjunction with the Borno state government.

The army said it has been observed that some "unscrupulous" individuals with likely sinister motives within and outside Borno State are trying to create panic and unnecessary humanitarian problems for undisclosed reasons.

"It has come to our attention that these people are plotting to instigate the inhabitants of Bama, Dikwa and Monguno communities to abandon their communities and relocate to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps for undisclosed reasons," the Army said.

The army urged inhabitants of the three Borno towns and the general public to discountenance all calls and remain calm.

Malaysia - Woman Jumps To Her Death At Sunway Pyramid Shopping Complex

The woman in her 30s, is said to have climbed over the first floor railing and dived off, landing at the foot of an escalator on the Lower Ground level 2, that's to say she fell from three story high in the Mall at about 11:20am that the incident took place.

Subang Jaya - A woman jumped to her death from the first floor of the Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, this morning.

The woman, in her 30s, is said to have climbed over the first floor railing and dived off, landing at the foot of an escalator on the Lower Ground level 2, that's to say she fell from three story high in the Mall at about 11:20am that the incident took place.

According to the shopping mall's management, the woman survived the fall but suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the Sunway Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

woman in stretcher

A video clip of the moments following the woman's apparent suicide attempt which has gone viral on social media, shows the woman on an ambulance stretcher, being attended to by Emergency Rescue Service (EMRS) personnel. Puddles of the woman's blood can be seen near the escalator, as several shoppers look with shock.

One eye witness, who declined to be identified, said the woman had been at the mall with female friend, who was later seen weeping next to the prostrate body of woman.

GRAPHIC VIDEO: VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Ekiti Nigeria - 37yrs Old Councillor, Deji Akeredolu Shot Dead By Suspected Assassins

Late Deji Akeredolu

Gunmen have shot dead 37-year old Councillor representing Ado Ward 9 at Ado Local Government Council, Deji Akeredolu. Akeredolu was on his way home at the Onala area of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Friday night when the incident occurred.

Akeredolu and his wife were said to have alighted from a motorbike at the junction to their house at about 10pm when the gunmen struck and fired shots at him from the back.

The victim was among the elected local government officials suspended by Ekiti State House of Assembly a fortnight ago. He was also said to be a personal assistant to the People Democratic Party deputy governorship candidate in the July 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, Deji Ogunsakin.

His traumatized wife, who shouted for help was said to have fainted shortly after.

Deceased Burial

Although she was revived, she is still said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state capital , as she fainted again on Saturday when her husband was being buried.

A source at Onala said on Sunday that the assailants, who were waiting at the junction in a Camry car, opened fire on the Unsuspecting victim who was reportedly shot at twice.

The source narrated: "After the gunshots, the first thing we noticed was that the Camry car that had been parked at the junction sped off recklessly. Next was the shout for help by the victim's wife. "We rushed to the scene and found the councilor in a pool of his own blood. We rushed him to the hospital where he was confirmed dead."  

The victim's father, 72 years old retiree, Jacob Akeredolu, who said policemen from Okeila Division in Ado Ekiti brought the corpse of his second son to his house at the Bojuri area of the state capital on Friday night, said the slain son had been buried on Saturday.

The father, who described the slain son as breadwinner of the extended family, said this: "Deji was an easy going, kindhearted and loving son. I don't know why this should happen."

The PDP deputy governorship candidate, Ogunsakin, who spoke with journalists over the phone, said the killing of the aide was a sad development, as he describe the security situation in the state at present.

He narrated: "The crime rate in the state is very alarming. Within a week, no fewer that four different killings of innocent people by bandits have occurred. The state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, should ensure the situation is tackled. "I am also calling on the Commissioner of Police, Bello Ahmed, to address the situation, as Ekiti is no longer safe for the residents," Ogunsakin stated.

When contacted over the phone on Sunday, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, said he has not been briefed on the issue.

Nigeria Army Begins Python Dance Nationwide, Starting From January

Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai - Chief of Army Staff

The Nigerian Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who stated this at a flag-off ceremony in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, said the military exercise would last from January 1,2019 to February 28, which effectively covered the period of the 2019 general elections.

The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement of Exercise Egwu Eke III, otherwise known as Python Dance, in all parts of the country in preparation against security challenges anticipated before, during and after the 2019 General Elections.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who stated this at a flag-off ceremony in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, said the military exercise would last from January 1, 2019 to February 28, which effectively covered the period of the 2019 elections.

The army chief said the exercise was necessary to tackle the "challenges coupled with other security threats across the country such as terrorism, militancy, kidnapping and banditry."

Buratai said apart from the identified threats, the military was set to combat criminal groups and elements planning violence before, during and after the 2019 General Elections.

The COAS, who was represented by the Head of Army Training and Operations, Maj. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, said, "Egwu Eke, which is an Igbo phrase meaning 'Python Dance,' was first introduced in the South-East with Egwu Eke I and II exercises executed successfully in year 2016 and 2017, respectively.

He said, "It yielded positive results in checkmating the security challenges being witnessed in the South-East region then.

"Exercise Egwu Eke III is significant because for the first time it will be conducted simultaneously across the country. It is also a reassurance of the resolve of the Nigerian Army and indeed the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria as well as other security agencies to ensure that law and order are maintained as we approach the forthcoming 2019 General Elections."

The army had the Python Dance I exercise in 2016 and the Python Dance II in 2017 which covered only the South-East and some parts of the South-South geo-political zones to tackle the incidence of kidnapping, armed robbery and violence reported in the areas.

The exercise had been greeted with widespread criticisms in the South-East, with insinuations the the army exercise was targeted at members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra.

The army chief said on Friday in Borno that the Python Dance would be conducted in the six geo-political zones of the country, adding that as the general elections approached, an upsurge in stockpiling of arms had been observed by the military.

Buratai added, "As the build-up to the 2019 general elections gathers momentum, an upsurge of security challenges such as stockpiling of arms by criminal groups, formation of ethnic militias and violence inducted by political activities has been observed.

These challenges coupled with other security threats across the country such as terrorism, militancy, kidnapping and banditry portend that dissident groups and criminal elements could cash in on the situation to perpetrate large-scale violence before, during and after the 2019 general elections."

Breaking News - Nigeria's First Executive President, Shehu Shagari Is Dead

Shehu Shagari - Nigeria's 1st Executive President

Bello Shagari, his grandson, confirmed that he died at the National Hospital Abuja, on Friday.

"I regret to announce the death of my grandfather, H.E Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died right now after brief illness at the National hospital Abuja," he tweeted.

The deceased was president in the second republic, from 1979 to 1983, before he was overthrown in a coup by Muhammadu Buhari. Shagari would have been 94 years on February 25, 2019.

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the governor of Sokoto state, also took to Twitter to announce the death of the former president who hailed from the state.

A twitter user described him as the only Nigerian president who never stole public funds, and one who died peacefully on Nigerian soil, an indirect shot at the preference for foreign medical treatment by the Nigerian political elite.

Bashir Yusuf, politician and public affairs commentator, said Shagari was the closest thing to a "perfect gentleman".

Health Guide - Good News For Diabetes

A woman 65 years of age was diabetic for the last 20 plus years and she was taking insulin twice a day.

She used the enclosed homemade medicine for a fortnight and now she is absolutely free of diabetes and taking all her food as normal including sweets.

The doctors have advised her to stop insulin and any other blood sugar controlling drugs.

"Dr. Tony Almeida (Bombay Kidney Specialist Expert) made the extensive experiments with perseverance and patience and discovered a successful treatment for diabetes. Nowadays a lot of people, old men and women in particular suffer a lot due to Diabetes.

INGREDIENTS

1. Wheat - 100gm
2. Barley - 100gm
3. Black Seeds (Kalunji) - 100gm

METHOD OF PREPARATION

Put all the above ingredients in 5 cups of water. Boil it for about 10 minutes and put off the fire. Allow it to cool down by itself, when it has become cold, filter out the seeds and preserve water in in a glass jug or bottle.

HOW TO USE IT

Take one small cup of this water everyday early morning when your stomach is empty, continue this for 7 days. The following week repeat the same but on alternate days, with these 2 weeks of treatment you will wonder to see that you have become normal and can eat normal food without problem.

NOTE:
Since these are all natural ingredients, taking them is not harmful. So, those who may be skeptical about this treatment may still try it without any harm, as you will find out the result for yourself.

Get Rid Of Criminal Elements From Kwara Before 2019 Polls - Lai Mohammed To IGP

Alhaji Lai Mohammed - Minister of Information and Culture

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and challenged Nigeria Police to redouble efforts to rid Kwara State of all criminal elements before 2019 general elections.

Speaking at the official commissioning of multi-million naira mobile police barracks in Offa, solely built within six months by the Offa community and donated to the Nigeria Police, on Thursday, the minister lamented that cultism, armed robbery, hooliganism, and all forms of criminality, in recent times had become hallmark of the state.

Alhaji Mohammed, who described his statement as a call to duty, charged the IGP to ensure that Kwara State, once again is safe for all to live in.

"What we are doing today is a strong message for the police and it is very apt considering what happened in Offa April 5th this year. We all remember the sadness the massacre of 33 innocent lives by hoodlums. And what Offa people have done is to ensure that never again will this be repeated in the town.

"I want to use this opportunity to call on the police in Kwara State and with what Offa people have done today in giving you the necessary support is to rid not just Offa but the entire Kwara state, of robbers and all undesirables.

"This is a call to duty by the police in the state to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the state is safe for all. It is unfortunate that the state in recent times, has become notorious for criminality.

"Kwara State in recent time has made headlines for wrong reasons. It is either because of armed robberies, killings or acts of cultism. This is why I believe that the police have a big responsibility to rid this community and Kwara State of all criminals. Because without security not only won't there be peace, there will be no development.

"No investor will come into a community which is controlled by thugs, hoodlums and cultists and those who witnessed what happened a few days ago in IIorin, the state capital, would agree with me that cultists, hoodlums, hooligans and brigands are still very much active in the state.

"So my appeal to the police especially the run-up to the 2019 general elections, is that they must redouble their efforts. You must ensure that every citizens of this state is free to cast his vote and his vote will not only be counted, but his vote would count. And the only way you can assure this is by ensuring that you get rid of all criminal elements before the 2019 general elections.

"We are not asking you to do this just because of the elections, we are asking you to do this for all times, because it is very unfortunate today that cultism, thuggery and all sorts of criminality have now become the hallmarks of Kwara. This is not the Kwara me and you dreamed of an it is not the Kwara that we intend to restore. I call on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that Kwara is once again safe for all of us to stay."

Poor State Of Health Facilities Leading To Wife Death In Nigeria

A Nigerian man has lamented over the passing of his beloved wife who was sick and taken to the Hospital where she was admitted.

The man by name High Chief Kehinde Kalejaye, he narrated the sad story as stated, "On the 11th of December 2018, his wife was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital at about around 11:30, they met doctor Oladudoyin and his personnel, he was told by the doctor to go and purchase some medicines, drips water and some injection for them to place on her treatment."

"He further explains that at about 2:30 one of the nurse said the wife must be admitted, but unfortunately there were no available beds, the man told them to provide ambulance and some staff to drive the patient (his wife) to the hospital where he is being directed to, but the response was that they do not have any ambulance or personnel to carry her to the referred hospital, the man tried talking them to provide hospital vehicle since it's very late in the early hours of the morning around 2am, with the present state of security in the country."

Chief Kehinde narrated that upon the little argument, the next thing the hospital did was to remove the oxygen and drips that is being administered to his wife. The lady was taken to a smaller hospital where eventually they also said there were no beds to admit her, the long and short of this sad story is that the lady passed away due to poor medical facilities in the country.

Chief Kehinde has called on all well meaning Nigeria to take this up, while calling on the Human Right Lawyer Falana (SAN) to look into this issue and take it up, as LASUTH referring them to smaller hospital Federal Medical Centre.

He lamented that if the hospital could have administered the medicines he bought to his wife, she wouldn't have died instead of them saying there is no bed which led to the passing away of his wife Mrs. Omolara Kalejaye, May her soul rest in peace.

3 Chinese Factory Workers Burnt Bodies Found in Nigeria

Chinese Officials

Police in Nigeria are investigating the murder of three Chinese people whose burnt bodies were found in Lagos over a week ago.

According to the official radio station of Zhejiang province, the three Chinese victims were employees at a furniture factory in Nigeria's largest city owned by a businessman from Ruian city and they were killed "in a cruel manner" on December 15.

The three people went missing after dinner and their bodies were found the next day, the factory owner, surname He, to the station.

Two of the victims, surname Zhang and Hong, came from Zhejiang province while the third, named Sun, was from Shandong.

The Chinese consulate general said on Saturday that the circumstances of the case were "complicated" without providing further elaboration.

"It took (local police) hours to find them, their bodies were badly burned. The way they were treated was extremely cruel," the factory owner told the radio station.

Chinese diplomats have urge local authorities to step up the investigation, said the consulate general's statement.

China has close political and trade ties with Nigeria, with roughly one-third of its foreign direct investment coming from China in 2016.

According to Chinese ambassador to Nigeria Zhou Pingjian, there are about 40,000 to 50,000 Chinese people in the African country, mostly Chinese workers and businessmen as well as people of Chinese decent.

Nigeria News - Only Two People Can Save Nigerians From APC Buhari In 2019, Says Okupe

Dr. Doyin Okupe

A former aide to Nigeria's former President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, has revealed those who can save Nigeria from the All Progressive Congress (APC), led Federal Government.


The medical doctor turned politician claimed that only God and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), can save Nigeria from what he termed "perilous times" brought upon the nation by the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government.

Appearing on a television, yesterday, the former presidential aide also urged Nigerians, particularly the unemployed, to salvage the situation by voting for a President who will be in charge and be fully aware of the happenings around him.

He stated that the APC led government had brought indecency into Nigeria and continuously peddled lies.

Okupe maintained that the Buhari administration had not created 12 million jobs as claimed.

He said, "Is that what we want to vote for, a government that you don't know who will run the administration?

"A country of 200 million people with so many youths? We are in dangerous and perilous times, and only God and PDP will save this country in 2019.

"His wife came out on television and said the president is not in charge. Mrs. Buhari said two men are the people running the country."

Africa News - World's 3rd Largest Power Plants Are Being Built In Egypt

Egypt - Siemens Plant

Cairo - 2018 The Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy announced that the world's three largest power plants in the Upper Egypt governorate of Beni Suef, the new capital city, and Al-Burlus will be inaugurated next June.

The construction of the power plants came as part of the German conglomerate company Siemen's $9.4 billion memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build three cycle gas-fired plants in Egypt, each capable of producing 4,800 megawatts of electricity and housing eight units a piece.

Mahmoud el-Naqib, vice president of Egypt's Electricity Holding Company, revealed that construction has begun on three steam turbines, accompanying the three stations that are already completed.

Naqib also added that 4,800 megawatts of power was produced from Siemens power plants in a record time, adding that another 1,200 megawatts of power will be added to the National Grid for Electricity by the end of March from the three Siemens stations.

"The three units, which are of a 14,400 megawatt electric capacity, are currently under trail operations to ensure that they are safe and free of any technical faults."

He also added, "The three stations are expected to provide 45 million citizens with the necessary power. It will also save the domestic budget about $1.3 billion per year as the result of subsequent reduction of fuel usage."

During her visit to Egypt February, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, alongside President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, inaugurated the first phase of the Siemens power plants.

Nigeria News - Anambra State Governor Acquires Helicopters, Drones To Fight Criminals

Willie Obiano - Governor Anambra State

The Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has commenced aerial battle against criminals in the state to ensure peace in the area. 

A statement by the commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, asked the people of the state not to panic about the heavy presence of helicopters and other security operations in the state.

Here is the statement issued, "The Anambra State Government is increasing its air surveillance during the Christmas and New Year period.

"Helicopters to patrol all parts of the state are being deployed. The helicopters will sometimes fly at low altitudes. This is to enable the pilots and other security agents flying with them to have bird's eye view of the security situation in every place.

"They will monitor the movement of individuals and even cattle. They will also monitor vehicular traffic. They will provide reports constantly to appropriate agencies for prompt action."

It added, "The state government, therefore, urges the people of Anambra State and individuals and groups passing through the state not to panic or be afraid. The monitoring presence of helicopters is for their benefits.

"The helicopters are the latest in a series of far reaching measures which the Willie Obiano administration has adopted to make the Christmas and New Year celebrations most rewarding for our people as they travel in their millions from all parts of the world to their homeland, often accompanied by friends and well wishers."

Adinuba also said that the government had started the installation of Closed Circuit Television Cameras in the three leading cities in the state.

He said, "The installation will be in conjunction with the Boston Innovation Centre in Massachusetts, United States.

Dozens Of African Migrants Found Dead On Mediterranean Sea

Africans inside the sea

According to New York reports, "No fewer than 25 people are believed to have died or are missing, including a pregnant woman, when a group of migrant boats got stranded at the sea and was rescued off the Spanish coast on Thursday.

Briefing reporters in Geneva on Friday, Spokesperson for the UN High Commission Refugees (UNHCR), Elizabeth Throssell, said that colleagues in the field had reported that bodies had been found on two of the boats.

"You can imagine how traumatizing that was for the people who were rescued," Throssell stated.

According to reports, the migrants had sailed from North Africa.

On one of the six vessels found adrift in the Straits of Gibraltar, in the western Mediterranean Sea, 33 people had been rescued, but 12 had died and a further 12 were missing, UNHCR said.

On another of the boats, the UN refugee agency said 57 people had been on board, including one that had already died by the time of the rescue.

"There was a massive sea-well that threw them into the water", Throssell said, adding that among the survivors was a mother and her two year old child who was evacuated by helicopter, after she was found to be suffering from hypothermia.

She added that many of the survivors were being held at detention centers at the Port of Almeria in Spain.

"Our implementing partner is there to provide the people with information and support and to help any potential protection and other needs and of course to promote access to the asylum process for those who may need it," she said.

Delivering the latest overall statistics on the deadly Mediterranean migration route, UN migration agency (IOM) spokesperson, Joel Millman, said that as of December 19, 113,000 migrants had entered Europe by sea so far in 2018.

According to him, the figure is the lowest recorded in five years.

Recently, however, he said the death rate for migrants attempting to reach Spain, had tragically begun to tick upwards, with 769 fatalities registered on the western Mediterranean migration route.

"That's only slightly more than half of all on the Central Mediterranean route from North Africa to Italy, but what's remarkable is how rapidly that number had increased over the last three months," he said.

Millman said it was likely that there would be "more incidents like this" in the next 10 days.

Nigeria News - EFCC Intercepts Over 1 Billion Naira At Enugu Airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives in Enugu intercepted $2.8m (N1.02bn) at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State, Nigeria on Friday.

The money was found on Ighoh Augustine and Ezekwe Emmanuel, both are suspected to be money launderers. The suspects were identified as workers of Bankers Warehouse.

The EFCC said they were caught with consignments of two suitcases containing $1.4m each, totaling $2.8m, at the departure lounge of the airport while about to board an Arik Air flight to Lagos.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they had been in the business of conveying cash for some banks for over six years and were in the process of doing same for another bank located at New Market, Onitsha Anambra State.

The suspects were said to have also confessed that they had so far carried out such assignments four times this year alone.

Tony Orilade, acting spokesman of the commission, said they were arrested based on intelligence report gathered. He also added that they would be charged to court soon.

Last month, the commission arrested one Abbas Lakis, a Lebanese with foreign currencies valued at N940m, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Lakis was said to about leaving the country as at the time he was nabbed.

The Dangote's Mohammed Sani Marries Sara Fouad Saeed In Malaysia

The Newly Wedded Couple

Few days / week ago, we reported about the joining together between one of the brother of Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote, Mohammed Sani Dangote and the daughter of a wealthy Malaysian, Sara Fouad Saeed.

The ceremony was attended by many invited guest from both continents. Here are some of the wedding dinner photos of the newly wedded couples at Mandarin Oriental Hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


Dangote's younger brother, Sani Dangote and his wife Aisha Sani Dangote are excited as their son, Mohammed Sani Dangote gets married to Sara Fouad Saeed, beautiful daughter of Malaysian billionaire, Fouad Hayel Saeed and wife, Thoraya Shaibani.

Guests at the grandiose ceremony includes former Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Amolo Odinga, Edo State Governor, Obaseki. Chief Olusegun Osoba, Sanusi Daggash, Femi Otedola, Mrs. Odinga and many VVIP's.

L-R Edo State Governor - Obaseki

Aliko & Younger Brother Sani Dangote

Ex-Kenya PM-Raila Odinga

Ghana News - The Chinese Galamsey Queen Has Been Deported

News Elites Newspaper gathered some information that galamsey queen, Aisha Huang has been deported from Ghana in West Africa.

Aisha Huang - Chinese Galamsey

Aisha Huang was deported around 2pm Wednesday, via an Ethiopian Airways flight after the government said she had been living in Ghana with forged travel documents.

Her deportation means the state discontinued the trial against the Chinese who had been charged with undertaking small-scale mining operations, contrary to Section 99 (1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703). 

She is also charged with providing mine support services without valid registration with the Minerals Commission, contrary to Section 59 and 99 (2) of the Minerals and Mining Act.

And also charged with illegal employment of foreign nationals (in breach of section 24 of the Immigration Act and regulation 18 of the Immigration Regulations).

Aisha Huang was arrested in May 2017 by officials of the Ghana Immigration Service in a raid on her illegal activities at Bopotenten in the Ashanti region.

She has since been standing trial at the Accra High Court along with four Chinese accomplices, namely: Gao Jin Cheng - 45, Lu Qi Jun - 39, Habin Gao - 26 and Zang Pan 23.

The woman is believed to be highly connected to top security officers and continued mining after she was released on bail, a member of the Inter-Ministerial Task-force has complained.

Our reporter said, the 'galamsey queen' has police officers and Ghanaian collaborators protecting her illegal activities.

The woman is said to be keen on bribing officials, offering sex and had compiled videos and audio tapes of various sex escapades Chinese women have had with some influential Ghanaian leaders and security chiefs.

According to reporters, the Chinese galamsey queen uses these videos to blackmail these powerful Ghanaian politicians and security personnel into submission whilst she hopped from one galamsey mine to another.

Aisha is described by residents as abrasive in her approach to mining, seizing farms and razing them to mining and also taking over other people's mining concessions. Her deportation and discontinued of her trial preserve the belief that the Chinese woman is untouchable.

PICTURE - Green Africa Commits Up To 100 Boeing 737 Max 8s

Boeing

Nigerian start-up carrier Green Africa Airways has committed to acquiring up to 100 Boeing 737 Max 8 jets.

Valued $11.7 billion at list prices, the tentative deal for 50 aircraft plus 50 options has the potential to be the biggest purchase by an African carrier, says Boeing. It will be finalized at a later date.

Based in Lagos, Green Africa recently received its air transport license and is in the process of obtaining an air operator's certificate. It plans to operate within Nigeria, and has intentions to build a pan-Africa network.

"This landmark deal takes us much closer to our long-held dream of building a world-class airline that will unlock a new realm of positive possibilities for millions of customers. Broadly speaking, this deal is a bold symbol of the dynamism, resilience and soaring entrepreneurial drive of the next generation of Nigerians and Africans," says Green Africa's founder and chief executive Babawande Afolabi.

In June, the airline completed its series-A round of financing with Kuramo Capital, a pan-African independent investment management group based in New York.

Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that there are five 737 Max 8s in service with African carriers, four with Ethiopian Airlines and one with Mauritania Airlines.

Malaysia News - Stop Asking Me For Contracts, Teo Says Am Not Mrs. Kleptocrat

Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching

Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching said she will not entertain those who contact her seeking support letters or contracts. 

She said: "Stop emailing me to ask for contracts. Because I can't. Please stop asking letter of support from me. Because I won't issue any.

"We hate Jho Low. And I do not have any intention to become Mrs. Kleptocrat.

"You voted for Pakatan Harapan because you wanted a clean government, didn't you? she posted on her Facebook today.

The post attached photos of an email and a letter, asking Teo for her support on a project.  The letter sought the deputy minister's support for the company's bid to supply food to boarding schools in Kelantan.

The Harapan government is publicly against closed tenders and under-table dealings. At a coalition fundraiser on December 9, Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad said donors, including those who spent hundred of thousands to buy portraits of leaders, will not be getting any special treatment.

"To those who contributed tonight or bought the tables, I want to apologize as there will be no special treatment for you.

"If you want to get something from the government, the way is to compete through open tender process. If the offer you make is good, you might win (the contract)," Dr. Mahathir had said.

Previously Romli Ishak, the political secretary of Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was accused of writing a support letter for a caterer.

Romli, however, denied that the document, printed using the Deputy Prime Minister's Office letterhead, was a support letter, but said it was merely a "referral" for a party member who bid for the contract.

USA - US Defense Secretary Mattis Quits In Disagreement With Trump

R-L US President Trump & Ex-Defense Secretary Mattis

Washington - US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned on Thursday, a day after President Donald Trump shocked the US establishment by pulling out of Syria.

In a letter to Trump, Mattis suggested his view, which favors traditional alliances and standing up to 'malign actors,' stands at odds with the president's.

"Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position," Mattis stated.

Moments before the Pentagon released Mattis's letter, Trump tweeted that his defense secretary would be retiring "with distinction, at the end of February."

"During Jim's tenure, tremendous progress has been made, especially with respect to the purchase of new fighting equipment," President Trump stated.

"General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations. I greatly thank Jim for his service."

Mattis's departure is not a total surprise for Washington observers. Time and again, especially of late, Trump has followed his gut and ignored Mattis's advice.

Trump's decision to pull the 2,000 or so US troops out of Syria was a stunning rebuke to Mattis, who had warned that an early withdrawal from Syria would be a "strategic blunder."

The men have previously clashed on numerous other issues, including the Iran nuclear deal, which Trump pulled out of in May while Mattis defended parts of it.

The Pentagon chief was also against the creation of a separate new branch of the US military called Space Force, but Trump ordered it anyway.

Meanwhile, the biggest deployment Mattis has ordered so far was one to the US border with Mexico, a mission that only has loose military utility and one that critics have assailed as a political stunt.

Nigeria News - AAC Sowore Sues NEDG/BON, Asks Court To Stop Presidential Debate

The suit, filed by Barrister Inibehe Effiong, the AAC Legal Adviser, asked the court to prevent the debate from going ahead without AAC. It also asked the court to compel the NEDG/BON to explain why the party was excluded from the debate.

Barristers

The African Action Congress (AAC) has filed a lawsuit against the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON) over the exclusion of its presidential debate.

A statement by Dr. Malcolm Fabiyi, Director General of the TakeItBack Movement and Sowore 2019 Campaign, noted that the lawsuit was filed Wednesday.

The lawsuit, filed by Barrister Inibehe Effiong, the AAC Legal Adviser, asked the court to prevent the debate from going ahead without AAC. It also asked the court to compel the NEDG/BON to explain why the party was excluded from the debate.

Speaking on why the party instituted a case against NEDG and BON, Fabiyi said: "The Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG), in association with the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria and Channels TV, has been resolute in it discrimination against Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate for the African Action Congress. Despite being one of the top three parties in the polls and surveys, the NEDG fraudulently excluded the AAC and selected other parties for the debate. The NEDG has cited multiple excuses for its discriminatory refusal to include the AAC. None of those excuses hold water.

Interview with Barr. Effiong

"The nation is aware by now that the AAC party and the Take It Back Movement will not take any form of injustice, discrimination or oppression lightly. We do not accept it when meted out to innocent Nigerians as we have shown in various protest, and we certainly will not accept it against ourselves or our efforts.

"This lawsuit should not only help to ensure that the right of all Nigerians to have an authentic, unfiltered debate about the Nigeria's future is assured, it would also serve notice to all those who hide behind legitimate institutions and organizations to perpetuate the oppression and the drowning out of legitimate voices from national discourse, that their days of impunity are over."

"We hope that the Nigerian judicial system will show itself to be strong, virile and independent as this case makes it way through the courts. We simply believes that Nigeria must progress."

Malaysia News - Goldman Sachs Faces Criminal Charges In Malaysia

Malaysia has filed criminal charges against Goldman Sachs and two ex-bankers over the multi-billion dollar looting of state fund, 1MDB. The US bank denies the accusation, claiming it was deceived by the previous Malaysian government.

The subsidiaries of the Wall Street banking giant and its former key employees, ex-chairman of Goldman's South East Asia, Tim Leissner, and ex-managing director, Roger Ng, are accused of giving false statements when helping to arrange bonds for 1MDB, Malaysia's Attorney General Tommy Thomas announced on Monday.

Malaysia says the accused wanted to misappropriate $2.7 billion from $6.5 billion in bonds, issued by 1MDB and underwritten by Goldman Sachs, in three separate offerings between 2012 and 2013.

Malaysia also filed charges against former employee of 1MDB Jasmine Loo Ai Swan and local financial Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, who maintains his innocence. The prosecution believes the duo conspired with Leissner and Ng to bribe officials in order to procure the selection, involvement and participation of Goldman Sachs in these bond issuance's.

Now Kuala Lumpur is seeking to take back the misappropriated $2.7 billion from Goldman Sachs as well as $600 million in fees received by the bank. The prosecution is demanding fines and up to 10 years behind bars for each of the accused. The fines may amount to at least 1 million ringgit ($240,000), according to the charge sheets seen.

Billions of dollars from the Malaysian fund were reportedly used to buy everything from Beverly hills mansions, yachts and private jet to artworks among other things in a fraud that allegedly involved former Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak.

As Malaysia brought the charges, the bank hit back, claiming that it was the victim of deceptive Malaysian officials. The long-running scandal has already rocked the bank's shares this year, which dropped more than 30 percent.

"Certain members of the former Malaysian government and 1MDB lied to Goldman Sachs, outside counsel and other about the use of proceeds from these transactions," Goldman said in a statement cited by media. It added that the charges have no effect on its "ability to conduct our current business globally."

Analysts warn that the scandal is just the tip of the iceberg of the bank's "criminal" deeds. Despite being investigated in several countries, including in the US, no matter the crimes, Goldman chiefs will never go to jail as they are too close to both sides of the US political aisle, Jack Rasmus, professor of political economy at St. Mary's College told the media. He also warned that the bank is driving the world to the next financial crisis.

"They just haven't been caught in the other places," Rasmus said in an interview. "We're on the verge of another financial crisis that will make the last one pale in comparison and Goldman Sachs and businesses like them are at the center of the cause of this."

USA News - US Passes Anti-Lynching Bill, Over A Century After It Was Needed

The US Senate has passed a bill to make lynching a federal crime, in a bipartisan gesture of tolerance and governmental virtue signaling that ultimately has no real effect on existing federal hate-crime laws.

While Congress has made over 200 attempts to pass anti-lynching laws since 1882, when it was a serious risk to the lives of black Americans, this bill which passed unanimously represents the first time lynching has been legally classified as a federal crime.

The Justice for Victims of Lynching Act 2018 adds a "lynching" section to existing federal civil rights legislation, explicitly stating that murder by two or more people, motivated by race or religion, can result in a life sentence.

Given that such homicides can already be prosecuted as hate crimes, which can carry a life sentence as it stands, the bill serves little purpose except as a legislative photo-op, particularly considering that two of the senators who brought it to the floor, Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) are believed to be planning 2020 presidential runs.

While lynching was once a serious problem, upwards of 4,700 people, most of them black, were lynched between 1882 and 1968, according to the NAACP, and over 99 percent of the perpetrators escaped punishment, its not exactly a popular pastime for even the most repugnant of hate groups anymore.

"Lynchings were needless and horrendous acts of violence that were motivated by racism," said Harris. "And we must acknowledge that fact, lest we repeat it." Harris has come under fire from members of her own party for locking up huge numbers of black Californians as the state's chief prosecutor and arguing that early prisoner release programs would harm California's ability to fight wildfires using prison labor.

A lynching bill may seem anachronistic, but its defenders cite FBI statistics claiming hate crimes are up for a third consecutive year, with nearly three out of five motivated by race and ethnicity. This category includes acts from minor vandalism up to murder and thus doesn't necessarily reflect a resurgence in lynching, but there's no real downside to passing such a law.

Ironically, the presiding officer during the bill's passage was Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, who narrowly won re-election last month after she told a supporter at a campaign event that she'd sit in the front row if he invited her to a "public hanging."

The Senate formally apologized to lynching victims and their descendants in 2005 for its failure to pass anti-lynching legislation when it was needed. In Montgomery, Alabama, a memorial for lynching victims opened in April.

Nigeria News - Togolese Caught Attempting To Obtain Nigerian Passport

Report: Two Togolese nationals have been arrested by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Osogbo the Osun State Command while attempting to obtain Nigerian passports.

The Togolese, namely: Ametchonwoun Alexandre Adodo and Awoudya Yao Francis, were arrested on the premises of the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) when they appeared for photographic capturing.

The suspects, allegedly entered Nigeria without passports and wanted to travel to Kenya to secure jobs with Nigerian passports.

It was also gathered that Ametchonwoun and Awoudya applied for Nigerian passport as Alexandre Adebayo and Francis Adebayo, respectively. The suspects said they paid N65,000 to one Saheed Ajibola, who was assisting them to obtain the passports.

The Controller, NIS Osun State Command, Mr. Adebowale Idowu, said the suspects used fake local government identification documents from Badagry in Lagos State.

Mr. Idowu further stated that Ajibola, who was assisting the suspects to get the passports and had forged for them local government identification documents for them, has also being arrested.

While answering questions from reporters, the Togolese suspects said they came to Nigeria without any documents. They also inform reporters that they were introduced to Ajibola, who promised to procure the passports to enable them travel to Kenya.

Ajibola, however, said he did not know that the suspects were not Nigerians, he said that he obtained local government identification documents for the two men in order to assist them.

The Osun State Nigeria Immigration Service boss stated that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is concluded.