₦airaland Forum

The 30 local governments in Osun state have received their full allocation for the month of July but the Adegboyega Oyetola administration is accused of forcing each of the councils to pay the state N5 million.

Sources close to the matter informed SaharaReporters that they were still being urged to credit the state account in order for the state government to pay salaries.

One source accused state officials of saying, "return it back, return it back" referring to the allocation.

“We have started receiving autonomy,” another source told SaharaReporters. “We were made to return so much to the state. We were asked to return N5 million as salary for OYES. That is the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme Cadet.”

“In each of the local governments we don’t have the same number of OYES cadet but we were asked to return N5 million flat (each).”

The source added that each local government was ordered to contribute to the counterpart funding for the implementation of the federal government-backed home-school feeding programme.

“If I am paying, you are supposed to be my responsibility. You are supposed to be answerable to me but those things are directly under the supervision of the state government."

A local government official said workers' salaries for August had yet to be paid as of the time of filing this report.

Jare Adebisi, who heads the ministry in charge of local government operations in the absence of a duly inaugurated cabinet, had in a response to claims that the state habitually paid staff in either the second or third week of the preceding month, told SaharaReporters that salaries were paid on either the first or second week.

Adebisi had also denied that the state owed local government officials, insisting that the state government was paying the salaries of local government workers.

In August, SaharaReporters reported that the state disbursed funds to the statutory account of each local government from the joint account where state and local government monthly allocations are sent to, only three times between February 2018 and June 2019.

http://saharareporters.com/2019/09/17/osun-state-demanded-n150-million-local-governments-each-month-oyes-source

The United States might seem divided over President Donald Trump's policies, but overseas, the American president is loved.

According to the data from the Pew Research Centre, Nigerians' confidence in Trump to do the right thing regarding world affairs was at 59 percent in 2018, higher than some points during the Obama administration.

Also, Nigerians are in top five of those actively following Trump on Twitter, a social media platform constantly used by the president, Monti Datta, associate professor of political science from the University of Richmond, claimed.

“Some of Trump's foreign policies in Nigeria might explain his relative popularity. In February 2017, President Trump approved the sale of jet fighters to the Nigerian government, reversing a policy from the Obama administration.

"This aided the Nigerian government in its campaign against Boko Haram,” Datta said.

The professor also listed South Korea and Israel as countries where Trump’s policies seem to be enjoying the most public support.

“And data from Gallup's Korean headquarters illustrate that favourability toward Trump among South Koreans has more than doubled, from a paltry 9 percent in 2017 to a high of 32 percent in 2018,” he said about South Korea.

“As in the case of Nigeria and South Korea, Trump's popularity in Israel seems to be a reversal of his predecessor.

"Frosty personal relations plagued Obama and Netanyahu, beginning with Obama's first major foreign policy address to the Arab world in Cairo in 2009. This culminated in Netanyahu's visit to Congress in 2015 when he urged Congress to oppose the Iran nuclear agreement.”

http://saharareporters.com/2019/09/17/nigerians-more-likely-vote-trump-%E2%80%94report
lalasticlala mynd44 Dominique fynestboi MissyB3

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi has approved the appointment of two former members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, EBSHA, including ex-deputy speaker, Mrs Dorothy Obasi and one hundred and eighty (180) others as Senior Technical Assistants, STA.

Also appointed are the former ALGON chairman of Ebonyi state, Barr. Igberi Nweme and three brothers of the governor, Maxwell Umahi , Edmond A. Umahi, Ogbonna Agwu Umahi as Executive Assistant and Senior technical Assistant, STA.

Umahi also appointed the brother of the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Nwebonyi Godwin and the former Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agwu as his Executive Assistants, a position which the Governor created newly to further enhance smooth running of his administration and empowerment of the citizens in the state.

In a statement signed by the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Chief Clement Nweke, the Governor also appointed other 179 persons as Executive Assistants, Senior Technical Assistants and Technical Assistants.

The new appointees are to report to the office of the Principal Secretary to the Governor with their Credentials from 16th September, 2019, for their documentation.

The statement said: “His Excellency, Engr. (Chief) David Umahi Nweze Governor of Ebonyi State, has approved the appointment of the under listed persons as Executive Assistants, Senior Technical Assistants and Technical Assistants to the Governor of Ebonyi State.”

https://dailypost.ng/2019/09/15/umahi-appoints-ex-deputy-speaker-brothers-180-others-aides/

The police in Lagos have arrested a 34-year-old man Innocent Ifunayachi for allegedly drugging and raping a teenage daughter of his host.

The suspect was said to be a family friend and had visited the family at their Bariga Lagos residence on September 11.

He was said to have met the 14-year-old victim eating noodles and laced the staple with dried Marijuana when the teenager left her meal to get him a drink.

The teenager was said to have returned to her meal and eaten it not knowing that it has been drugged.

She was said to have lost consciousness afterwards and he allegedly took advantage of her.

Similarly, the Police arrested 24-year-old Dayo Maker for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl and threatening to do same to her younger sister.

Maker, a resident of 26, Oreshegun Street, Elaje Bariga, was said to have conspired with one Kazeem Bello, 26, to rape the victim last November. The victim was said to have gotten pregnant after the incident and was delivered of the baby five weeks ago.

Although the girl never told anyone how she got pregnant following threats from Maker, it was gathered that she opened up to her family when the suspect threatened to rape her younger sister.

According to police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), the suspects were arrested by detectives attached to the Family Support Unit (FSU) Bariga.

He said the 14-year-old victim was taken to the hospital for treatment and forensic examination.

Elkana said efforts were on to arrest Bello, who is currently at large, adding that the suspects in custody would be charged to court.

https://thenationonlineng.net/visiting-family-friend-drugs-rapes-teenager/

A youngman, Nasiru Aliyu Abdussalam, of Shekar Maidaki quarters, Kumbotso local government Area of Kano state, has hanged himself to death over a yet to be identified reason.

Nasiru, 27, was found dead, hanging on the rafter of roof of his room, when his business associates wanted to collect the order of building blocks they placed with him.

There were some media reports alleging that late Nasiru hanged himself because he had been attempting to get married for years but his mother was frustrating his efforts.

The mother of the deceased, Malama Amina Umar Ahmad, told Chronicle that a few days to his demise late Nasiru looked disturbed to the extent that he would be saying “Anyone that died now has gone to rest from the turbulence of this life.”

She said about six years ago, late Nasiru was diagnosed to be suffering from frustration at the Aminu Kano Teaching hospital.

“From then on, he has been taking drugs even though I had to force him at times to take it. He was a gentleman, but whenever the problem returned, you would notice some abnormality with him when you are close to him,” she said.

She said it got to a time that late Nasiru was rejecting his drugs to the extent that she had to grind and put them in his food. Eventually, the mother said she decided to go back to the hospital to convert the medication to injection that it was disguised as ulcer treatment.

Malama Amina traced the history of the late Nasiru’s frustration to about 13 years ago when her husband divorced her and she had to take her children with her, including late Nasiru.

She alleged that Nasiru’s father decided to send him away because the boy had chosen to be with his mother.

“When we came here, there was nobody around, it was farmland, but when I got married to my current husband, he became jealous and asked me to give him his children, which I refused to, as a result of which we had to go to court.

"There were allegations that I stopped Nasiru from getting married and that was the cause of his death. This was unfortunate and gross injustice to me, people are saying this without considering how much I suffered to train him. We were even discussing with his sisters to see how we can assist to get him married. But as you know it is not easy to get married nowadays, as there a lot of things to put in place,” she narrated.

One of the neigbours and a friend of the deceased, Hassan Sulaiman Adam, said they were together with the deceased for about seven years during which he noticed that late Nasiru was disturbed but he would not disclose to anyone as it was his family affairs.

Sulaiman said it was unfair to blame Nasiru’s mother for his death, as insinuated by some people, including a section of the media.

Many sympathizers who spoke to Chronicle expressed shock over the death of late Nasiru, describing him as a gentle person who was least expected to commit suicide.

When contacted, the Kano police spokesman, ASP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the incident, saying the state commissioner of police has directed for a thorough investigation on the circumstance surrounding his death.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/man27-hangs-self-over-frustration-in-kano.html
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oam4j

Two Nigerian soldiers were killed in clashes with Islamic State in West African Province fighters in Yobe State, the terror group claimed through its news agency AMAQ on Saturday.

The jihadist organisation said the attack on the soldiers took place in Boni Yadi on Friday. It said it also seized armoured vehicles.

The Nigerian army authorities are yet to confirm the attacks.

ISWAP has carried out a string of attacks in Nigeria in recent months contrary to the Nigerian government claims that its troops have degraded the insurgent group.

On Thursday the group claimed it killed 10 Nigeria soldiers in an attack in Borno State on Wednesday.

Citing security sources and residents, AFP reported that ISWAP fighters attacked Gajiram on both Wednesday and Thursday, killing three soldiers and a police officer.

The insurgents first attacked the town on Wednesday, forcing troops and police officers to withdraw, according to the residents.

They drove into the town around 4 p.m., “firing indiscriminately,” Gajiram resident Abdu Goni said.

“They burnt down the police station and took away four military vehicles and another one belonging to the police,” Goni said.

ISWAP fighters returned at 1 a.m. on Thursday morning in nine all-terrain trucks fitted with machine guns and engaged troops and police officers in a gun battle, AFP reported.

Goni said the militants “killed three soldiers and a policeman without harming any civilians” when they returned on Thursday, adding that another military pickup truck was seized in the second attack.

The jihadist group known as Boko Haram began its bloody insurgency in northeastern Nigeria in 2009, but it has since spread into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military response.

Boko Haram split into two factions in mid-2016. One, led by long-time leader Abubakar Shekau, is notorious for suicide bombings and indiscriminate killings of civilians.

Shekau pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi in March 2015, but ISIS central only gives formal backing to the other faction, which it calls Islamic State West Africa Province.

The U.S. assesses that Boko Haram and ISWAP have been responsible for more than 35,000 deaths since 2011. More than two million people have been displaced, sparking a dire humanitarian crisis in the region.

https://m.guardian.ng/news/iswap-claims-killing-of-two-nigerian-soldiers/

Women living in communities under Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State are currently locked up in their houses as Oro worshippers imposed 29 hours curfew on them.

The communities involved are Ode Remo Ipara, Isara, Akaka, Ilara Remo, Orile Oko, Iraye and Eposo, all in Remo North.

DAILY POST learnt that women in the affected towns and villages had been warned to remain indoors from 11pm on Friday to 4am on Sunday for the Oro festival.

The announcement made by the Olu-Imale, Oba Oro of Iraye-land, Chief Obafemi Balogun Awolumate, sounded a note of warning that no movement for women within the 29 hours curfew.

Our correspondent learnt that business activities have been paralysed in Remo North since Friday as women and strangers could not go to markets.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/09/07/women-ogun-community-locked-oro-worshippers-begin-ritual/
Mynd44
Lalasticlala

• We’ve not recalled high commissioner, presidency clarifies

The chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday urged the Federal Government and the citizens to take strong measures against telecommunications giant, MTN, and other firms owned by South Africans in Nigeria.

He told reporters at the end of a closed-door meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja that Nigerians should boycott MTN for 30 days as a signal to South African authorities that they are fed up with xenophobic attacks. “Happily, we have indigenous networks like GLO, Airtel and 9mobile,” he said.

“This occasion also offers us an opportunity to reflect on why we should continue to allow DSTV to repatriate millions of dollars to South Africa every year, arising from their activities in Nigeria. We have to review all of those things that give South African companies monopoly such that they make money with very little value addition.

“It will also be an appropriate message to the South African government that until they find satisfactory explanations and pay appropriate compensations to those innocent Nigerians whose property have been looted and those who have been killed, South African Airways should be stopped.

“Their landing right should be stopped. They should not have right to fly to any part of Nigeria until these issues are sorted out. Nigerians need to show that we are not cheap to be molested. The life of every Nigerian matters whether at home or abroad.”

He said further: “We need the government to recognise that Nigerians want more firm action because MTN cannot be carting away all that money; DSTV carting away so much money; Shoprite making so much money from their franchise and Stanbic Bank dealing with corporate Nigerians patronising the oil companies, making fabulous billions of dollars, yet South Africans are wasting away our young men and women who are struggling to manage small businesses.

“This is meant to give the government the support base it needs to proceed with further direct measures. Nigerians are united. We must protect Nigeria’s image and protect its citizens and businesses wherever they are. Any country that attacks our businesses, injury to one is injury all. That must be the philosophy. Nigeria first, and it must be Nigeria first at all times.”

Contrary to speculations, the presidency yesterday clarified that it has not recalled the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Kabiru Balla.

A senior aide to President Muhammadu Buhari explained: “When the minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, spoke yesterday (Wednesday), he made it clear that government may, if necessary, be inviting the Nigerian High Commissioner to brief the administration. It was not a recall. A recall at this time, even if not ruled out, would be a shortsighted move. Not having diplomatic contact is not a good development for now. Our envoy will remain at his post.

“What President Buhari did was to request the foreign minister to speak to his counterpart in South Africa to convey the seriousness of the concerns of the government and people of Nigeria. This, he has already done.

“A recall is an indication of extreme displeasure and disagreement; a sign of how grievously things have deteriorated between any two countries. It is the penultimate step before breaking off of diplomatic relationship. Nigeria does not seek escalation of the ongoing situation. We will work as brothers.”

This was as Onyeama told reporters at the State House yesterday that the Federal Government is not aware South Africa has shut its missions in Nigeria.

Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s foreign affairs minister, had earlier said that her country’s government temporarily closed its embassy.

“This followed the receipt of threats against mission staff as well as the property of South Africa. After extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders as well as a security assessment of threats, the mission and the department took the decision to close the offices,” she said in a statement.

https://m.guardian.ng/news/boycott-south-african-businesses-oshiomhole-urges-nigerians/

Elizabeth, younger sister to the wife of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was kidnapped last week in Asaba, the state capital, has regained her freedom.

A source at the Government House in Asaba, who confirmed the release, told our correspondent that the victim was freed in the early hours of Thursday following the payment of N200m ransom.

It would be recalled that Elizabeth was accosted by a gang of five stern-looking young men along the popular Anwai Road, near Temple Clinic Restaurant Junction, few metres away from the Government House gate and was whisked away in a waiting vehicle.

Confiding in our correspondent, a senior police office in the Delta State Command, who pleaded for anonymity, disclosed that, “The negotiations for the release of the young lady was kept top secret but she was released by 2:00am on Thursday after huge ransom was paid.

https://twitter.com/SaharaReporters/status/1169589872564346881?s=19

Godwin Adama, Nigeria’s consul general to South Africa, says he has no information on the recall of Kabiru Bala, Nigeria’s high commissioner to South Africa.

On Wednesday, Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of foreign affairs, announced that the federal government had recalled Bala over the recent xenophobic attacks.

But speaking on LUNCHTIME Politics, a Channels Television programme, Adama said he believes there is nothing as such.

He said the high commissioner is currently waiting to receive an envoy from Nigeria.

“We don’t have that information on that at all and we know there is a process that information to public servants is rooted,” he said.

“And I believe there is none of that because I was just in touch with the high commissioner a few minutes ago. We are always speaking at very short notices to be able to appraise the situation because we are getting information from the field at every time and we share this information.

“In fact, he is waiting to receive a special envoy that is coming and we are waiting to receive that and there is no information to the contrary.”

He said a number of Nigerian businesses were affected during the attacks, disclosing that a list is being compiled to know the extent of the damage and those affected.

“We have a number of Nigerian businesses that have been affected. I’ve been able to go to these places and there’s this particular street called Jules street and this street is in Jeppestown, a town at the outskirt of Johannesburg,” he said.

“A number of car shops…Nigerians own a lot of cars on that street. A lot were burnt and we are compiling the list. They have turned in information about those that were affected and the compilation is on because my minister has asked that he needs a comprehensive list of that which I believe by today will get to him.”

Asked if the situation is under control, he said: “On the state of things, the atmosphere in South Africa is calm, even though there is general apprehension but most of the Nigerians, we have created a communication centres where they are calling in and asking of the situation and we have been assuring them that there is safety, for now, there haven’t been any real challenges since Tuesday.

“Even today, there was supposed to be an incident in an area but the police mobilised. Since Tuesday, we have not had any and people are moving around, shops are beginning to open even in areas where the development took place.”
https://www.thecable.ng/no-information-on-high-commissioners-recall-nigerias-consul-general-in-sa-contradicts-onyeama

Prosecute and Jail...

The Osun State Police Command, on Wednesday, paraded 10 persons arrested for armed robbery by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and declared that five cars and eight motorcycles were recovered from the suspects.

The suspects include Oyewumi Oyelakin, Yemi Adebayo, Opeyemi Adeyeye and Munirudeen Olawale, who are said to be members of an armed robbery gang, and Sundayudia, the dealer accused of receiving stolen vehicles from them.

Two young women, said to be Oyelakin’s girlfriends, were also paraded.

One Lasisi Isiaka was paraded for motorcycle theft, while Samuel Johnson and Isiaka Fatai were alleged to be receivers of the stolen motorcycles.

Parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Osogbo, the state Police Commissioner, Abiodun Ige, said the four-man robbery gang of Oyelakin, Adebayo, Adeyeye and Olawale specialised in stealing Toyota vehicles, adding that five of such vehicles were recovered from the gang.

The leader of the gang, Oyelakin, an Ifetedo-based electrician, narrated to PUNCH Metro how a dealer he met in prison introduced him to armed robbery.

The 24-year-old Oyelakin explained that the dealer was a fellow inmate at the Ile-Ife Prison, who was jailed for breaking into a boutique and stealing.

According to him, the dealer, during their stay in prison, encouraged him to engage in carjacking anytime he regained his freedom with a promise that he would assist him to use the proceeds to fund an overseas trip.

He stated, “I formed the gang in November 2018. We were arrested after we had successfully carried out eight robberies. The first two vehicles I stole, I gave them to the dealer.

“He told me while still in prison that whenever I regained my freedom, I should engage in carjacking and promised that whatever I made, he would use it to help me fund an overseas trip. But the man didn’t help me and I stopped giving him cars.

“I brought Yemi Adebayo into the gang. Adeyeye was also an inmate of the Ile-Ife Prison. Olawale is a member of the gang. We sell the cars we steal to Sunday Ogbemudia, who is a dealer in Ibadan.

“We specialise in stealing Toyota products and we usually sell a Toyota car that costs N2m for N500,000. The two young women, who were also arrested, are my girlfriends. They did not know that I’m an armed robber. I have carried out robbery operations in Ore, Ondo State; and Gbongan and Iwo in Osun State, before I was arrested in Ibadan.”

The CP stated that the command would not relent in efforts to rid the state of criminals, adding that all the suspects would be arraigned after investigations had been concluded into their respective cases.
https://punchng.com/10-robbery-suspects-nabbed-in-osun-vehicles-recovered/amp/
Lalasticlala
Mynd44
Oam4j

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0CnBp6AiTM

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South African would probably have been more careful when, in March, he took a swipe at foreign nationals “doing business illegally” in his country.

As with most politicians, Ramaphosa made a campaign issue out of what some South Africans were believed to be saying about foreign nationals who come to take their jobs and businesses.

“Everybody just arrives in our townships and rural areas, and set up businesses without licences and payments” began the president while addressing thousands of supporters.

“We are going to bring this to an end, and those who are operating illegally, wherever they come from must now know.”

Of course, there were pockets of violence targeted at foreigners shortly after this statement and, expectedly, Ramaphosa was quick to condemn this ‘in strong terms.’

“It is not acceptable that anyone of us as South Africans can go out and attack people from other countries because they come from other countries,” he returned to say two weeks after.

Too late? Daniel Dunia, secretary-general of Africa Solidarity Network, would explain that those who spoke with him “said they were acting on the instruction of President Cyril Ramaphosa who they say called for a clampdown on foreign-owned businesses and those without correct documentation.”

Indeed, there have been reports of xenophobic attacks over the years in South Africa, the recent attacks, however, seemed to have triggered a reprisal, especially with Nigerians.

Following the recent attacks, President Muhammadu Buhari’s planned trip to South Africa is now uncertain.

https://www.thecable.ng/flashback-how-south-african-president-triggered-a-revolt-against-foreigners-video

Some youths in Uyo on Tuesday invaded the MTN office located along Ikot Ekpene road Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital to retaliate the attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.

It was gathered that the attackers broke into the crowded shop about 2:30 p.m and destroyed glass doors and windows

According to a saleslady who pleaded anonymity, “They ordered people out, destroyed computers, and took away cash and customers’ phones.”

she said nobody was hurt during the attack, adding that they all ran out of the shop through the backdoor for safety on sighting the attackers.

It is not yet clear if the attack was an isolated incident in Uyo as local authorities and the police are yet to speak on the incident as calls put through to the police spokesperson in the state, Odiko MacDon were not responded to as at press time.

However, a politician, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the attack as unfortunate and misdirected

“The attack on the MTN shop in Uyo is most unfortunate and misdirected because neither the building nor the computers belong to the South African people or government, even the people working there are our brothers and sisters,” he said.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/09/03/xenophobic-youths-attack-mtn-office-uyo-destroy-computers/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w-78ahpRKc

Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force (NDPSF), has accused Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, of lying about the demolition of a mosque in the state.

Asari said he and his family worship at the mosque located at Trans-Amadi in Port Harcourt, and that the property was legally acquired.

The governor had denied demolishing the mosque, saying there was no building on the site at the time of the clearance exercise.

“It is most unfortunate that fickle minded persons will claim that a mosque was demolished at this place, when no mosque existed here. The story was concocted by mischief makers to score cheap points,” he said.

But Asari said Wike is lying, and asked why he carried out a demolition exercise on the site if there was no mosque in the location. He also said many Rivers citizens are members of the Trans-Amadi mosque congregation.

”I have been down for eight days which makes it difficult for me to talk on the issues that are trending now; one of the issues is concerning the dastardly act carried out by the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, in demolishing my mosque,” he said.

”I am a member of the congregation of the Trans-Amadi central mosque. That is where I pray with my family. I, alone, have 21 children and I live with 59 other children. They are on holiday. The bulk of them pray. Fortunately, they are in my village, Ogbama with me.

”The debate continues to drag on. Wike claiming there was no mosque; I will say that is a lie. He is lying. And you know, Wike you are lying. if there is no mosque why did you go there? We legally acquired the land for the mosque like other groups there. we acquired it from Dr Sotonye Amadi; a christian group acquired part of that land and they have built their churches, why did you and your brother, Rotimi Amaechi single out our mosque to demolish and to prevent us from building?

”The person who acquired the land for the mosque is an Ijaw man, an Okrika, Ijaw man. This land was acquired legally. Why is this mosque a problem to you?

”Rivers state members are active members of that mosque. What offence have we committed against our motherland that you will dictate to us what religion to follow. There are some of you that are Ogboni members; has Ogboni any relationship with Rivers state? you used our money to build a Christian interdenominational centre.

”There is nothing you can do to stop us from being Muslims. You take our money to sponsor Tambuwal. You say you are the governor of all Rivers people; you should examine yourself. You take on weak opponents, but bow before the enemy.

”We are Rivers Muslims. There is nothing you can do about it. You will look at us and get a heart-attack. In the next three years you will be out of government house.

”And people are praising you because you said Rivers state is a Christian state. It will never be a Christian state. You not even a Christian. I don”t now which of you is a Christian.

”Islam is bigger than you.”

Other Nigerians have protested against the action of the state government. Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano state governor, wrote an open letter on the issue, accusing Wike of attempting to truncate the nation’s democracy.

https://www.thecable.ng/video-wike-lied-he-demolished-my-mosque-says-asari

The forward, Dembele is adamant that he wants to stay at Camp Nou rather than join Rakitic and Todibo as makeweights for the Brazilian.

Barcelona are inching closer to re-signing Neymar after a protracted summer transfer struggle, though they still need to convince Ousmane Dembele to leave for Paris Saint-Germain to push the deal through.

Brazil international Neymar has been subject to a tireless transfer offensive from Camp Nou over the last few months, which has served to strain relations with PSG while also effectively severing the link between the player himself and his current club.

At no point, however, has a move for the man who smashed the transfer world record just two years ago after leaving Barca in a €222 million switch looked a certainty.

PSG have held out for not a penny less than the huge sum that brought Neymar to Parc des Princes, while the Catalans are equally insistent that they cannot meet such an asking price with cash alone.

For that reason, as the weeks have gone by more and more players have entered the prospective deal, with as many as three possibly headed to France in order for Barca to land their top target.

Ivan Rakitic and Jean-Clair Todibo have shown themselves willing to join PSG as makeweights in the deal, leaving just Dembele to sway with time rapidly running out.

As the France forward's agent confided this week, the player signed as Neymar's heir has no intention of departing, despite enduring a rocky relationship with those in charge at Camp Nou amid claims of indiscipline - most recently, by failing to notify the club of an injury picked up in Barca's defeat to Athletic.

"I repeat for the 20th time, Ousmane will stay and succeed at Barcelona," Moussa Sissoko fired to RMC .

"The deal would have been better financially in Paris for Ousmane and for me, his agent, but money is not the most important thing, it is success in his career."

The feeling inside Camp Nou now is that while Neymar's arrival before the transfer window closes is unlikely - a feeling shared by PSG director Leonardo - it is not yet impossible.

There is hope that the Ligue 1 champions will end up bowing to pressure and releasing their superstar with or without Dembele, with Neymar a virtual exile around Parc des Princes having turned up late for pre-season training following the Copa America.

That, however, would not solve the question of what to do with the Frenchman, who would be expendable in the case of Neymar's arrival and needs a new club.

Barca will continue to work on their forward and convince him a fresh start is the best option, as they work around the clock to end this transfer saga once and for all.

https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/neymar-deal-hinges-on-barcelona-persuading-dembele-to-join/1pp3sfjcdlsba11por4j1ksj8t

Ibile77:
How much did he pay for ransom?

If the ordinary girls paid N5.5m, naturally a lawmaker should pay higher.

A Kaduna lawmaker was kidnapped on Friday afternoon but freed hours later after the payment of ransom, family members told PREMIUM TIMES.

The police confirmed the kidnap but were yet to speak on the release of Ibrahim Dabo as at the time of this report.

Mr Dabo represents Zaria constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

He was kidnapped while returning to Kaduna from Zaria after visiting his constituents on Friday afternoon.

He was Kidnapped at Farakwai area, about 35 Kilometres from Kaduna town.

Confirming the kidnap, the Kaduna police spokesperson, Yakubu Sabo, said the police had commenced an investigation to free the lawmaker.

“On 30/08/19 at about 0030hrs, the Command received information through DPO Mararraban Jos that a Toyota Camry with Reg No ZAR 972 TL was found parked without occupants at a point near Farakwai Village along Kad -Zaria Expressway.

“Patrol Teams were immediately dispatched to the area and recovered the vehicle to the station. Upon search, an ID Card bearing Hon Suleiman Ibrahim Dabo a member of Kaduna State House of Assembly Representing Zaria Constituency was found.

“A contact was made and it was confirmed that he was the person involved in the incident.

“Teams of conventional Police, PMF personnel, SARS and Anti Kidnapping Unit of the Command are currently combing the bush for possible rescue of the victim and arresting the criminals,” the police said.

The Release

A family member, Abdullahi Maikano, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES in Kaduna on Friday said Mr Dabo was freed by the kidnappers on Friday evening.

“He was abducted at about 12 noon on Friday on his way to Kaduna. We are all traumatised here,” he said.

Another family source said the kidnappers contacted the family and a huge ransom was paid before they secured the lawmaker’s release.

The abduction of the lawmaker came barely four days after the kidnap of three final year law students of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and three others, on the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

The ABU students have since been reunited with their families after a ransom of N5.5 million was paid.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/349706-kaduna-lawmaker-kidnapped-freed-after-ransom-payment-family.html/amp/

Keylor Navas will join Paris Saint-Germain on Monday in a cash-plus-player deal, reports Marca.

PSG will pay Real Madrid €15 million (£13.6m/$16.5m) for the Costa Rica international, and will allow goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to join the Liga club on a one-year loan.

The deal will be announced Monday as it made sense for both clubs to have their current players on hand in case of emergency for their games this week.

https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/live/transfer-news-and-rumours-live/1ckob3q8ulkt51xx6ssz52olkm

Gunmen on Thursday evening killed five villagers and burned some houses at a village in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Mr Bege Katuka, the Interim Management Committee Chairman of the local government told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kafanchan that the attackers stormed the village at about 4 pm.

“Five persons were killed, while two others are still missing.

“A number of houses, including the new Police Outpost, were vandalised and burnt.

“We have urged the people to remain calm and have confidence in the security agents that have already secured the area, while investigation is ongoing,” he said. NAN reports that the village, where the incident occurred, borders Ryom Local Government Area of Plateau.

Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Yakubu Sabo, who confirmed the incident, said it occurred at Kiri village bordering Plateau.

“One Daniel Monday who initially sustained injury later died while four other corpses were discovered.

“No police station was burnt although a few houses were torched,” he said.

Sabo further disclosed that the Police Area Commander in Kafanchan led a team of policemen to the affected area. “On sighting them, the hoodlums fled to a hill top near Ryom local government in Plateau State.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that they came through Plateau State, but investigation is ongoing,” he said.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gunmen-kill-5-burn-houses-in-kaduna-community.html
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"NO Nou camp return for Neymar


Spanish La liga giants Barcelona have reportedly dropped their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar.

The Brazil international has been strongly linked with a return to Camp Nou during this summer’s transfer window, while Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest.

On Thursday, reports in Italy had claimed that Barca and PSG had come to an agreement over a deal for the South American, although the Catalan giants allegedly insisted that was not the case.

According to Mundo Deportivo, PSG wanted Ousmane Dembele, Ivan Rakitic and Jean-Clair Todibo plus a “significant” cash sum in exchange for Neymar ahead of Monday’s European transfer deadline.


Is it a closed case for Nou camp return?
The report claims that Barca came back with a counter offer which was ultimately rejected, meaning that Ernesto Valverde’s side have now pulled out of the hunt to bring the 27-year-old back to Spain this summer.

The former Santos youngster has scored 51 times in 58 appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s side but is yet to feature in the early stages of this season amid the speculation surrounding his future.

Both Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and PSG counterpart Nasser Al-Khelaifi were in Monaco on Thursday night for the Champions League group-stage draw.

https://thenationonlineng.net/too-high-for-comfort-barcelona-dumps-neymar-pursuit/

Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have smashed a thieving gang allegedly run by only family members.

According to the police, two have been arrested, while one is on the run. Police described them as “family of criminals.”

The suspects are Aderemi Ali and Habbi Ali (brothers) as well as their cousin, Olaseum Ismali. Police said that while Ismali burgled shops, Aderemi specialised in stealing tricycles, which he usually gives to Habbi to sell.

Ismali (31) was alleged to have broken into several shops across major states, within South-West part of the country. Ismali was arrested by operatives of IRT, alongside Aderemi.

Ismali blamed his father, a Muslim cleric, for his criminal activities. According to him, if not that his father married too many wives and couldn’t take care of him and his siblings; he wouldn’t have taken to crime. Ironically, Ismali has three wives and uses proceeds accrued from breaking into shops to take care of his wives and children. He confessed to have also built a house through money made from stealing.

A police source said: “Ismali has burgled several shops in Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Lagos states. The suspect specialised in stealing several bags of rice and sugar. He also has a penchant for stealing generators, electronic appliances and vehicle batteries, among other things.”

It was learnt that Ismali ran into trouble recently after IRT operatives, led by a by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, got information about his activities and kept him under surveillance. He was eventually arrested after police arrested Aderemi.

The police source added: “Ismali would visit a target shop and survey the quantities of goods in the shop. When it’s night time, he would drive close to the shop and wait. He waits until the shop has closed for the day, and when he is sure the shop has no security guards, he strikes, carting away as many goods as his vehicle could carry.

“Ismali is from a family of criminals. IRT operatives used him as bait to catch Aderemi. It may interest you to know that Ismali and Aderemi are cousins. Ismali burgled people’s shops across the South-West, while Habbi, who is yet to be arrested, specialised in stealing tricycles. He hands them over to his elder brother, Aderemi to sell.”

Speaking with journalists, Ismali said: “I dropped out of school when I was in junior secondary school (II) because my mother couldn’t afford to pay my school fees. My father was an Islamic cleric and had too many wives. My mother was left with the sole responsibility of caring for my siblings and I. I went to learn ‘aluminium engineering’ in 2010, but while an apprentice, I impregnated my girlfriend.”

The suspect continued: “There was so much pressure on me. I had to quit my apprenticeship. I went into commercial cycling. My wife finally walked out of the relationship. But I am still paying the child’s school fees. In 2015, I met Olakunle in Epe. I carried him on my motorcycle and we got talking. He told me that he was into stealing from shops. Our first operation together was at Osogbo. We were three that went for that operation. We looted a shop and stole 12 bags of sugar.

“I was given N12,000 as my share. We went for another operation at Ikire, Osun State, where we stole a generator. I was given N5,000 after it was sold. The third operation was at Ibadan; we stole 10 bags of rice. I was given N15,000 after it was sold. I had a fight with Alimi and I returned to Epe, to meet my brothers. They gave me N200,000, which I used to buy a car. I started using the car as a cab. I plied Ibadan to Ibeju-Ode route. After a while, I became greedy and started thinking that the money I was making from the taxi job was poor, so I went back to breaking and entry.”

He recalled that his first operation, after quitting taxi driving, was at Ijebu-Ode. He said that he went with Kehinde Osha. They stole 15 bags of sugar and sold them. He disclosed that he gave Osha N40,000 out of the N150,000.”

He was having a field day, breaking and entering different shops, cutting across different states, when he was arrested and sent to Ikoyi Prison. He stayed in the prison for two months, but was later granted bail. But Ismali returned to his old ways.

He said: “I target less busy areas. Before I strike, I take time to monitor and look for shops that have large quantities of bags of rice and sugar. When I identified a shop, I sleep close to it, to know the level of security around there. If security guards are there and saw me, I lie that I was a traveller, caught by the night and wanted to sleep until daylight to continue my journey. If there are no security guards, I break into the targeted shop and cart away bags of rice or sugar.”

He also explained that most times when he steals tyres, he sells them to Yakubu Kareem, residing in Ibadan.

He said when he burgled a shop in Ijebu-Ode, he stole 25 brand new tyres and 75 batteries, which he sold to Aderemi Ayoade.

https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/08/irt-smashes-thieving-gang-run-by-family-members/
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The young Lionesses were unable to stop their West African rivals from reclaiming the continental crown.

The Nigeria U20 women's team emerged as the champions of the 2019 African Games after they beat Cameroon 3-2 on penalties in Rabat on Thursday.

The teams had played out a barren draw after extra-time before the Falconets won the ensuing penalty kicks at Boubker Aamar Stadium.

In the semi-final on Monday, Christopher Danjuma's side cruised past Algeria 3-0, while Cameroon required extra-time to subdue hosts Morroco 3-1 on the same day.

Both teams had a fair share of dominance throughout the encounter as the West Africans held sway in the first half, while the Central Africans were outrightly better in the second half.

Favourites Nigeria made a bright start as the Monday Gift led attack caused the Cameroonians a lot of trouble but could not find a breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes.

With Gift replaced 10 minutes after the restart, Charles Kamdem's side forced goalkeeper Chaimaka Nnadozie to make breathtaking saves but couldn't get the breakthrough.

With no goal in regulation time, both sides failed to take their chances in extra time too, dragging the tie into a penalty shootout.

The Falconets bounced back from two misses in three attempts thanks to three consecutive saves from young sensation Nnadozie to claim a 3-2 win.

The win means Nigeria have won the African Games for the first time since 2007 in Algiers and their third crown in five attempts.

https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/cameroon-u20w-0-0-nigeria-u20w-2-3-falconets-break-12-year/bdciihl5zxj61srbnu6e0kztu

Presidency has indeed deleted an earlier tweet it published regarding the rescue of the three students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria abducted on Monday.

Bashir Ahmed, Personal Assistant on New Media to President Muhammdu Buhari, had yesterday tweeted that, “The Kaduna State police command has rescued three students of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU Zaria abducted on Monday along Abuja-Kaduna Highway”.

Replying Bashir, Mr Sadiq Ango, a social media user and relative to one of the kidnapped victims quashed his claim, noting that it took the family members forty-eight hours to negotiate the release of the abducted students.

His words, “Lies,” he said in reply to the tweet. “It took us 48 long hours of negotiations with the kidnappers to secure the release of our sister to us, NOT the police. Ransom was paid in full as negotiated with the three families involved”.

In view of that, Bashir went back to his handle, deleted the tweet and apologized to Nigerians.

See tweets below:
Lies… It took us 48 long hours of negotiations with the kidnappers to secure the release of our sister to us, NOT the police. Ransom was paid in full as negotiated with the three families involved.


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/controversy-over-abu-students-freedom-presidency-deletes-tweet-apologises-to-nigerians/

Congrats Bello, on your re-election as Governor.

A relative of one of the Ahmadu Bello University students kidnapped on Abuja-Kaduna road on Tuesday has reacted to the claim by the police that the captives were rescued.

On Wednesday, the Kaduna police command said the three students were released by their abductors after much pressure but did not say a ransom was paid.

“The Command wishes to state that, on the said date, August 26, at about 18:50hrs, armed men in military uniform intercepted some commuters near Masari village along Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, opened fire on the vehicles, in the process kidnapped six persons,” a statement issued by Yakubu Sabo, the command’s public relations officer, read.

“Due to the prompt response of the Police and other security agents to the scene, three people were later released by the hoodlums due to intensive combing within the general area.”

Bashir Ahmad, personal assistant to the president on new media, shared a report quoting the police claim, this elicited a reaction from Sadiq Ango, a Twitter user, who said the police lied and that it took the families 48 hours of negotiations and payment of ransom before the students were released.

https://www.thecable.ng/police-lied-we-paid-ransom-on-three-abu-students