Five soldiers were killed after Boko Haram militants attacked a military base in northeastern Nigeria, military sources reported on Monday.
Members of the Islamic State Group in the West African Province (ISWAP), took the base of Mararrabar Kimba, in Borno State, 135 km from the regional capital, Maiduguri, on Friday. The insurgents seized the weapons before withdrawing, an officer said Saturday.
Three days later, a first assessment shows that at least five people have died and about 30 missing.
“We found five bodies of soldiers who paid the ultimate price in fighting terrorists,” an officer told AFP. “Rescue teams are still looking for about 30 other soldiers who have gone missing since the attack,” he added.
A second officer, who confirmed the death toll of five, added that the army was still hoping that the soldiers who were at large would be found.
“There are high hopes that the missing soldiers will be found – or that they will find their way back,” he hoped: “We don’t think of the worst case scenario.
The Nigerian army has not officially reported on the incident.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has received an application that would enhance intelligence sharing in the tracking of organised crime including money laundering and terrorism-financing.
EFCC Acting Spokesman, Mr Tony Orilade, who made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the application was donated by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol).
Orilade said that the application comprised a database to be supervised by the National Central Bureau (NCB), which was an interface between Interpol and national law enforcement agencies of countries through a i24/7 Gemini Project global communications system.
“Within the commission, the application will be managed by its Information and Communications Technology Department,” he said.
He said that Noha Amer, Interpol’s Project Officer, who led the delegation of the global police to the commission, disclosed that the United States was funding the project in four African countries. They are Nigeria, Niger, Mali and Libya in a move that aims to detect and interdict stolen and illicit funds by organised criminals, mainly in the area of terrorism-financing, as it happened in Libya.
He said Amer explained that the project would see to the training of the commission’s operatives on programmes that included Interpol policing capabilities and standard operations. “The training will commence after the installation of the NCB database,” Orilade said. (NAN)
President Buhari Aide, Bashir Ahmed Replies Nigerian musician skales after calling him an idiot.
SkalesSkales Tweets & ds idiot @BashirAhmaad why ain’t u tweetin bout dis dumb police uhh I grew up in d north like u but u ain’t got no feelings and I wish u everything that’s happening to the average citizen I reallly pray it happens to u or one of ur family relations so u understand how we feel. Bashir Ahmed Replies Part of the price of being a public servant; anyway, I wish my family, your family and family of every Nigerian well. As you prepare to release your new single, all the best! #smile
I am not ordinary. I am extraordinary. I was fashioned and designed by more than random evolution. I was made with intention and thought. Effort met love met art met majesty. Those I love need to know me. Those I don’t love yet need to know me. It’s important for them to touch me, hear me, grow with me, cry with me, laugh with me. My design is not their design. We share a universe outside of us, but we perceive it differently because of the unique universe within each one of us.
I appreciate all calls , messages , DPs and shout outs about my birthday. We shall all be celebrated.
I know you are always there for me. So I am thanking you not only for the wonderful birthday wishes but for all your love and support too!
Ajax closed in on a first Champions League final for 23 years as Donny van de Beek’s early goal beat an injury-hit Tottenham 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday.
Van de Beek’s opener on 15 minutes was just rewarded for the Dutch side’s first-half dominance as Tottenham badly missed the presence of the injured Harry Kane and suspended Son Heung-min.
Tottenham improved after the break despite another injury blow as Jan Vertonghen had to be helped down the tunnel after a sickening head knock, but lacked the inspiration needed to get back on level terms without their two top scorers.
And Ajax could easily have had an even greater lead to take back to the Johan Cruyff Arena for the second leg next week when David Neres hit the post 10 minutes from time.
Ajax had shown they are not fazed on the road despite the tender age of many of their squad by shocking Real Madrid and Juventus away to reach the last four and started confidently.
Spurs were happy to sit deep and wait for their chances to counter-attack, but that gameplan was undone when Hakim Ziyech’s through ball picked out midfielder Van de Beek who took his time to leave Hugo Lloris prone before slotting into the bottom corner.
Lloris kept his side in the game 10 minutes later from another Van de Beek effort as Ajax threatened to run riot.
Fernando Llorente was the hero with the decisive goal as Mauricio Pochettino’s men upset the odds to end Manchester City’s quest for a quadruple of trophies in the quarter-finals.
However, the cumbersome Spaniard struggled to provide the out ball his side needed to relieve the Ajax pressure.
Set-pieces provided Tottenham’s best chance of scoring before the break as Llorente headed wide and Toby Alderweireld over from Kieran Trippier free-kicks.
Spurs miss Kane and Son
On top of Kane and Son, Spurs were shorn of the injured Erik Lamela and Harry Winks and lost another key player when Vertonghen came off worst as he contested a high ball with Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The Belgian was patched up and briefly returned to the field before having to be helped down the tunnel with questions sure to be asked why the Spurs medical staff allowed him to continue.
Despite that latest blow, the hosts reacted well to end the half on top with Vertonghen’s replacement Moussa Sissoko driving a long-range effort wide.
Pochettino’s half-time pep talk had the desired effect as Spurs dug deep into their energy reserves to raise the tempo and intensity of their display after the break.
Yet, the quality needed in the final third to get back on level terms was missing without Kane and Son.
A sweetly struck shot Christian Eriksen shot that was too close to Onana was the best effort they could muster as too often hopeful crosses into the box failed to find a teammate.
Ajax did not make the most of their chances on the break to kill the tie off, but were unfortunate when Neres’s effort back across Lloris left the French captain helpless only for the ball to rebound kindly off the post.
Son will be back for the trip to Amsterdam next Wednesday and Spurs will hope the South Korean can repeat his double away to City in the last eight, but Ajax are in pole position for a final against Barcelona or Liverpool come June 1 in Madrid.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed May 17 to deliver judgement in a suit seeking the removal of 54 members of the National Assembly.
The Legal Defence and Assistant Project (LEDAP) filed the suit against the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and 52 other lawmakers for defecting from their various political parties when there was no division in their parties.
However, the lawmakers through their counsel asked the court to dismiss the suit instituted against them.
They insisted that LEDAP had no locus standi to file the suit against them, adding that the court lacked the jurisdiction to determine their case.
In their preliminary objection against the suit, the lawmakers urged Justice Okon Abang to dismiss the suit in its entirety because it disclosed no cause of action.
They submitted that the case of the plaintiff had no basis in law because it was not a political party, a voter, or a member of the constituencies who elected them.
Apart from being a non-governmental organisation, the lawmakers said the plaintiff did not disclose what it suffered by their defection.
They added that in all the processes filed, the plaintiff never claimed or exhibited any documents to show that it was a political party or representing any political party or a voter and, therefore, failed to disclose what prompted it to embark on the court action.
Counsel to the Senate President, Mr Mahmud Magaji, prayed the court to hold that the plaintiff was a meddlesome interloper, busy body, and a stranger in the affairs that led to the defection of the lawmakers.
On his part, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Jibrin Okutepa, asked the court to discountenance the submission of the lawmakers.
He added that the court has the constitutional powers to invoke Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution to sack the lawmakers on account of being federal lawmakers.
Okutepa alleged that the lawmakers cross-carpeted for selfish reasons other than the alleged division in their party.
He, therefore, urged the court to invoke the law by declaring their seats vacant without fair or favour, stressing that heaven would not fall if the defecting lawmakers were relieved of their offices.
After listening to arguments from both parties, Justice Abang fixed May 17 to deliver judgement in the case.
He also directed the lawyers to make available to the court photocopies of cited authorities through the registrar of the court.
In the originating summon, LEDAP asked the court to order the lawmakers to refund all monies they collected from the Federal Government since their defection.
A human Right activitist and the president of Youth Advocates For Peace Justice And Empowerment Network (YAPJEN), Amb. Timothy C. Nwachukwu has appealed to the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku to extend the school fees Registration deadline.
Youth Advocates For Peace Justice And Empowerment Network (YAPJEN) logoBy Joshua Nicholas The Peoples Advocate as he is generally called made the Passionate appeal when some Students of the great citadel of learning visited him at the faculty of Law Unizik. The Students stated that the Online remitta platform has been down thereby frustrating their efforts to generate the school fees remitta inorder to beat the deadline already set by the University authorities. Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu, a former Unizik SUG Student Orator of the year described the Vice Chancellor as a caring father who have since the inception of his administration proven his unflinching love and passion in making the University of the moment great by creating an enabling environment for Students to succeed in their academic endeavours. In a Statement received by VAM News that the Peoples Advocate reassured the Students that the ever listening and caring Vice Chancellor of the institution who has through uncommon innovation and purposeful leadership has placed Nnamdi Azikiwe University among the Universities to be reckoned with in Nigeria and beyond would not leave any stone unturned in his bid to ensure that the students welfare is prioritised and this includes a hitch free school fees registration. Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu further appealed to the Vice Chancellor who have proven his critics wrong through his pace setting projects to extend the registration deadline to enable a greater number of Zikites to generate the school fees remitta and make their payment. The Former Unizik Student Orator of the year admonished the students to remain focused in their pursuit of excellence while upholding the values which the great University of the moment represents. Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu(De Peoples Advocate)08097311499 President, Youth Advocates For Peace Justice And Empowerment Network Source: Voice Air Media Nigeria
Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Mohammad Abubakar and his daughter have regained their freedom from kidnappers’ grip.
UBEC Chairman Mohammad Abubakar and daughterSources said they was released around 1:00 P.m. after N25 million ransom was allegedly paid to the kidnappers. Police Spokesperson, Kaduna State Command, DSP Yakubu Sabo, was yet to respond to calls and text messages as at the time of filing this report. Alhaji Abubakar’s driver was killed and two other persons injured during the abdution which occurred at about 3:30 p.m in Kurmin Kare village, Kaduna, on Monday. News Express
A former National Association of Osun State Students, National parliamentarian, Hon. Yusuf Olatunji popularly known as Forecast felicitate with Comrade Olatunji Olorunfemi Awoko, as he clocks another year today.
According to his released statement, Comrade Awoko is a leader per excellence and uses the medium to congratulate the people of Ijesa North Federal Constituency for having such a leader.
The former 2 terms parliamentarian, who represented the good people of Ilesa East Local Government in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 hereby wishes him long life and prosperity.
With the induction of newly-elected and returning governors by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) underway in Abuja, journalists who had gone to cover the event were barred from entry into the State House Conference Centre venue.
Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF)Both State House and accredited NGF correspondents, with exception of government-run broadcaster, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), were prevented from entry into the venue. State House correspondents were not even allowed into the work station within the venue, also known as the Old Banquet Hall. Regarding the thrust of the gathering, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, had on Monday warned incoming governors to be prepared for the possibility of another cycle of recession by mid-2020 to third quarter 2021. The NGF chair had reminded participants that it would not be a smooth ride as they head into their new administrations on May 29, if prudent management of resources was not immediately ensured at all tiers of government. According to him, while the crude oil price was over $100 from 2011-15, the price nosedived to less than 75 percent from 2015, leading to a recession. “On our part, we made a lot of achievements in infrastructural development and provision of social services because we enjoyed a relatively high oil price of about $100 to $114 per barrel between 2001 and the middle of 2014. However, by the mid-2014, the price of crude oil, which is sadly the main driving force of government’s expenditure, dropped to $75 per barrel. It, therefore, became very difficult for many states to even pay salaries of their workers,” Yari said. “This scenario is a wake-up call for all of you to come amply prepared to face these kinds of challenges, especially since we are expecting the possibility of another cycle of recession by mid-2020 and which may last up to third quarter of 2021. Your good spirit of stewardship will make you contain the situation should there be one. Also, as members of the National Economic Council, you must work hand in hand to boost the economy in tandem with the global best practices.” The warning, as reported by the press, has since attracted uncomplimentary reactions from Nigerians, especially economic and industrial stakeholders. When pressed to offer reasons why journalists were not allowed access, security officials claimed that the order came from the NGF. But NGF spokesman Abdulrazaq Barkindo promptly dismissed the suggestion, saying that the security officials took the decision on their own accord. He said all efforts to get them to reverse the decision have failed.
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