₦airaland Forum

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has expressed concern over the increasing value of narcotics in Lagos State.

Mr Giade said the agency has recorded a sharp increase in the street value of cocaine in Lagos from about N3.5 million three months ago to the current price of about N7 million per kilogramme, adding that the end is yet to be seen in the fight against illicit drug in the world.

The anti-drug boss made the assertion while receiving a team of media executives and editors led by Yele Akinrolabu, Executive Director (Operations) of National Mirror newspapers at the agency's headquarters in Lagos.

According to Mr Giade, the agency has successfully intercepted about 1,000 kilogrammes of cocaine at both the Tin Can Island Port and Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos in less than a year.

"This includes the 450.400 kg of cocaine imported by a Taiwanese and Chinese drug barons who were arrested and convicted in Lagos as well as the daily seizures of drugs recorded at the Lagos airport."

He attributed the rise in the price of cocaine to the market forces of demand and supply.

"Economic forces of demand and supply come into play in determining the street value of drugs particularly as we approach the end of the year," Mr Giade said.

"An end to the trade in narcotics is not in the offing. Drug addicts around the world must first quit drug addiction and it is only when there are no more markets that those producing narcotics can be forced out of the lucrative criminal trade."

He noted that the agency would continue to study the pattern of drug trafficking and adopt strategies to address the problem.

"It is pertinent to note that drug barons have been in existence before the establishment of the NDLEA. On our part, we shall not relent in monitoring drug trends and taking proactive control measures in tackling the drug problem in the country," Mr Giade stated.

The NDLEA boss also called for support from governments, organisations and individuals in the area of anti-drug enlightenment.

According to Mr Giade, the support of the public is needed in the fight against drug trafficking, querying, "How can you justify a situation where an adult will smuggle narcotics to countries where the penalty for drug trafficking is death?

"The death penalty caution is clearly stated on the visas, still they get involved. It is sad because there are Nigerians awaiting execution on account of drug trafficking in other countries. This is why we need an aggressive enlightenment because there are others who are prepared to undertake such suicidal missions."

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Fulani herdsmen were on the rampage again yesterday, as another family of eight was massacred in Heipang, near Jos, the Plateau State capital. This time, Mr. Chollom Gyang, his wife, Hannatu and six children, including a four-month old baby fell victims.

Just a week ago, eight members of a family were murdered by Fulani herdsmen. The Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government area, Mr. Emmanuel Dachollom, had reported the incident to the Federal Government. He said that the attackers came from Mahangar, a Fulani community. According to him, if the federal authorities had acted on his alarm, the latest incident would have been averted.

Our correspondent, who visited the house of the late Mr. Gyang, observed that some of the victims had deep machete cuts all over their bodies while others suffered gunshot injuries. Mr. Dachollom said: “We have made appeals to the Federal Government; we have told them that the people in the area (Mahangar) have lots of sophisticated weapons, but government has refused to do anything about it.

“I personally complained to a Federal Government delegation that came to investigate the killing last month, of eight members of another family, but our concerns and fears have been ignored.” He said that the military Special Task Force (STF) recently searched a house in Mahangar and recovered sophisticated weapons, but that they did not have the will to search the whole community. Dachollom warned that unless the weapons in the area were mopped up, they would continue to constitute threats to the communities.

“Now, our people have been pushed to the wall. We have been appealing to them to be calm and not take the laws into their hands. We do not know for how long we can wait for government to protect us.
“If our youths go on the rampage, nobody should blame us; we have asked them to constitute themselves into vigilance groups to defend themselves against aggressors,” he said.

Mr. Gyang Fulani, a member representing the area in the House of Assembly, said that the people could no longer trust government to protect them as it had failed them with the constant attacks. He regretted that the security personnel had not been able to fish out the attackers as no single arrest had been made, accusing the STF of lacking the will to stop the Jos crisis.“We said few years ago that terrorists were in the country but government didn’t take us serious.

Now, it is glaring from the security challenges all over the country.
“The terrorists in Plateau are easy to fight because they are known, but government is complacent about confronting these fundamentalists. It is a ticking time bomb that will soon explode,’’ Fulani said.
He challenged the people of his constituency to now rise up to the security threats and defend themselves against the aggressors at all cost.

“We will never calm the youths again; we will allow them rise up to protect their communities and their land from these unprovoked attacks.“We now know who the aggressors are. When police advised Izala sect leader, Sani Jingir, not to go to Rukuba Road for the Sallah prayer, he refused and had now put the whole Jos into crisis,’’ he stated.

Mr. Francis Jamang, National President, Berom Youth Movement, said the situation had reached a stage where they might be forced to take the laws into their hands if their attackers were not brought to book.
“The Berom people have now been pushed to the wall; no one should blame us for whatever action we take,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state government has condemned the new wave of killings and tasked the communities to be at alert so as to defend themselves against aggressors. The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Abraham Yiljap, told newsmen that government was sad that violence had continued in spite of efforts to restore peace.“No matter the number of military and police personnel, they are not enough to protect everyone. So, government is calling on community and religious leaders and politicians to enlighten their people to help themselves.

“Arrangements should be made to protect the people; let people take measures to safeguard lives and property in every community,” he said. Yiljap, however, tasked the various community and ethnic groups to adopt dialogue, saying that dialogue still remained the best solution to the lingering crisis. Police Commissioner Emmanuel Ayeni, could not be reached for comments while the command’s spokesman, Apev Jacob, could not comment on the development.

Capt. Charles Ekeocha, the STF’s spokesman, in his reaction to the attacks, said that the STF had no business with the area. He explained that the task force withdrew its men after the communities in the area said they did not want them. He said: “The security of that area is not the concern of the STF; they have said that we are responsible for the attacks.“In fact, officials from the Army headquarters came and investigated the claims of the communities and we are still awaiting the outcome of their findings.

“They have always accused our men of the attacks, so, I do not know who could have attacked them now that our men have been withdrawn.’’ Reminded that the STF is in charge of security in the entire Plateau, Ekeocha agreed, but quickly added that soldiers were not in charge of that specific area as they had been accused of masterminding the attacks over time.

“There was even a time they claimed to have picked military ID cards at the scene of such attacks. So, we are out of their area. I suggest you contact the police security team, Operation Rainbow,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, angered by rampant shooting of its men, STF had mandated soldiers to shoot on sight, any one carrying or using arms on others.

“The STF is now mandated to use all the necessary force within its powers on anybody carrying and using arms or dangerous weapons on another person,” its spokesman said. Capt Ekeocha, in a statement in Jos on Sunday, warned the youths against “testing the might of the soldiers,” saying that whoever did that would be doing so at his or her peril. Ekeocha disclosed that three soldiers, shot by the youths, were lying critically ill in the hospital and regretted that they were gunned down by people they were supposed to protect.
According to him, “everywhere in the state is infested with weapons, with sporadic shots heard both day and night.

“The sporadic shooting by the Muslim and Christian youths, is also targeted at the soldiers,” he regretted, and advised politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders and parents to counsel their wards.
“The soldiers are no more prepared to turn the other cheek,” he warned. Ekeocha, however, urged the people of the state to go about their normal activities as the STF and other security agencies were prepared to protect them.

The relative peace in the state suffered a severe blow on Monday, when youth groups clashed along Rukuba Road during the Eid-el Fitr prayers by the Izala Islamic sect. Several lives and property were lost during the fracas with many more injured while vehicles and shops were also burnt down.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/sept/05/national-05-09-2011-001.html

Wickedness

Right now, his fervent prayer is for God to intervene in his present predicament and rescue him from what he claims he knows nothing about.
Mr. Boseye Friday, an indigene of Bomadi in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, is being held by the police for alleged involvement in the gruesome murder of a 45-year-old woman, Mrs. Trustere College.
Boseye, a father of six, had, however, admitted responsibility for beheading the victim on Saturday, July 30 in a bush in Bomadi town. He later made a volte-face, saying he actually knew nothing about the incident.

In the morning of that fateful Saturday, the victim was said to have gone to a farm settlement to fetch firewood. She never came out alive; she was beheaded by some unknown person in yet unclear circumstances. The news of the sad incident was received with rude shock by residents of the area, plunging them into deep mourning. The murderer didn’t just kill the lady; Mrs. College’s head was also severed from her neck.

But the suspected assailant did not do a neat job. He made a few mistakes, leaving some signs that eventually led to Boseye’s arrest. It was gathered that in the process of overpowering the victim, the suspected murderer sustained some facial injuries.
It was further learnt that he quickly boarded a commercial motorcycle, otherwise known as an okada to the General Hospital in Bomadi for treatment to avoid being trailed. But the medical personnel on duty on the said day suspected foul play and denied him treatment.

Luck ran out on him as the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), working on pieces of information from the motorcycle operator who took the suspect to the hospital as well as the medical staff at the hospital, arrested Boseye Friday. The search and subsequent arrest of the suspect followed the alarm raised by the deceased’s husband, Mr. Bredan College. The headless body of the deceased was later deposited at the mortuary while the search for the head continued.

Twelve days later, the head of the deceased was recovered. It was wrapped in a black polythene bag and hidden under a tree in a bush near the deceased’s farmland. The suspect led a team of security operatives to recover the severed head after he had admitted committing the crime. As at the time of the recovery, scavengers and the elements had already started feasting on it, making it difficult for proper recognition.
But the suspect has turned around to say that he did not kill the victim. He said he was forced, under duress, to admit committing the crime. He also said he was very hungry at the time of his admission of the crime and was advised to agree so that he could be given some food to eat.

The suspect narrated how he came to know where the victim’s head was concealed. “I went into the bush that very day to pick fruits and on my way I saw blood on the ground. And when I looked forward, I saw some persons afar wearing black clothes with their faces covered. Close to where I saw the blood, I also saw the head of the victim wrapped in a polythene bag. I was very afraid and so, I ran home.”

According to the suspect, the land on which the woman was killed was his property, having inherited it from his father. He added that the whole episode was a set-up by some people who want him dead in order to claim the land which he said has oil deposit.

“I lied that I killed the woman under pressure. I did not know anything about the death of the victim and the whole thing is a set-up by some persons in Bomadi who want me dead so that they can claim my land,” the suspect said. Boseye said he did not report the matter to the police when he discovered that somebody was murdered in his land for fear of being arrested, admitting that he led security operatives to the place where the head of the victim was recovered.

“I am innocent. But as it is now, only God can set me free,” he said as he cried for God’s intervention.
But his cry for divine intervention might have come rather too late as the police insist that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded. Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, Charles Muka, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) described the suspect’s recent narration as an afterthought, maintaining that nobody forced Boseye to make any confessional statement.

Muka insisted that the new story of the suspect was false and deliberately told in a bid to elicit public sympathy. He said the story should be disregarded. The police spokesman said after Boseye had made his confession, which was recorded, the suspect later took security agents to the scene where the victim’s head was kept.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/sept/02/national-02-09-2011-005.html

Members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday took to the streets in the commercial city of Onitsha jubilating over the release of their leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.

Speaking to journalists, the Regional Director, Onitsha Region, Chief Arinze Igbani, said they decided to make it known that the clampdown on their members by security agents had not dampened their struggle.

He said after the release of their leader from Enugu prison, the movement decided to tell the whole world that MASSOB was still committed to the struggle for the emancipation of Ndi Igbo through the realization of Biafran state. Chief Igbani, who was among those earlier arrested by security agents in Onitsha and sentenced to prison, said they still believed in non-violent struggle and urged the entire people of the South-east to support them.

“We are not afraid because our struggle is a genuine one and for that reason, no amount of intimidation and brutality from the Nigerian government can dampen the zeal and vision for the actualization of the state of Biafra.

“MASSOB is thanking the entire good people of Ndi Igbo for standing beside us, during the last attack by Nigerian security agencies, it showed that the majority of our people have now understood that we are agitating for just mission,” he said.

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A fatal auto crash, which occurred along the Benin–Lagos Expressway on Wednesday, has claimed the lives of 11 persons, while four others sustained injuries. The accident, which reportedly occurred after 3:00p.m involved an 18-seater commercial bus and a trailer.

The bus said to be returning from Lagos to the Eastern part of the country, reportedly had a head on collision with the trailer which was travelling in the opposite direction.

Eyewitness account attributed the crash to over speeding by the driver of the bus who veered off his lane and collided with the trailer.
At the time of filing this report, the dead and the injured passengers had been taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for medical attention.

Co-ordinator –General of Save Accident Victims Association of Nigeria (SAVAN), Dr. Edwin Ehikhamenor who confirmed the incident, deplored the high rate of deaths arising from roadcrashes in the country and called on relevant authorities to take steps to stem the carnage.
It would be recalled that 34 persons reportedly lost their lives in accident which occurred along Akure – Owo Road on Monday.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/sept/02/national-02-09-2011-004.html

Gunmen went on the rampage on Wednesday night in Port Harcourt, abducting three women in various locations.
One of the victims identified as Mrs. Nkechi Ogbonna is the wife of a pastor in a local branch of a popular Pentecostal church.
She was said to have been forcibly whisked away from her Agip housing estate residence at about 8.30pm.

Checks by Daily Sun revealed that, one of the other two women whose identity was yet to be ascertained as at press time, was abducted about the same time along Eleparanwo Road on the outskirts of the city.
Sources stated that, the woman was at the front of her home when some armed men struck and drove away with her to an unknown destination.
Few hours later, in the wee hours of Thursday, one Mrs. Cecilia Ike was abducted at Okehi by an armed gang.

None of the families of the victims had been contacted as at press time and no group had claimed responsibility for any of the incidents.
When contacted, Police spokesman in the state, Mr. Benjamin Ugwuegbulam confirmed the incidents and assured that investigations had started.
The abductions occurred few days after the State Police Command smashed a gang of suspected kidnappers in Port Harcourt.

The suspects were arrested by detectives as they were allegedly trying to collect over N6 million ransom from the families of their victims.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/sept/02/national-02-09-2011-003.html

Generals don’t just jump into a war. They take their time to plan for it, so said former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar as he refused to respond to recent grave allegations made against him by Major Hamza al-Mustapha over the death of Chief MKO Abiola and the subsequent looting of the federal treasury.

Abdulsalami, who said he would soon open up in response to the claims of the former CSO of late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha said: “The whole issue about generals is that when generals are preparing for battles, they make programmes and make plans. And when my plan is on, you’ll hear about it.”

Former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has given indication that he would soon tackle Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the erstwhile chief security officer to the late General Sani Abacha over grave allegations he made against him on the death of Chief MKO Abiola.
He made the declaration just as former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida blamed the press “for pitting me against my boss (General Obasanjo).”

The duo spoke at the residence of the acting governor of Niger State, Ahmed Musa Ibeto where they had gone to pay sallah homage.
Abubakar, while fielding questions from journalists, however, said “soon,” he intended to personally respond to the allegations against him by the former CSO.
“We have a system. I am not yet ready to talk about the issue of Al-Mustapha’s allegations against me now. The time will come. You people should wait for it, you will hear at the right time.”

When accused of making a political statement, Abubakar said no. “I am not making a political statement. The whole issue about Generals is that when Generals are preparing for battles, they make programmes and make plans and when my plan is on you will hear it but for now, I will not tell you my plans.”
Pressed further, the former leader refused to respond to further questions on the Al-Mustapha issue, saying, “we are here to pay our respects to the Acting Governor, Musa Ibeto and through him, to wish the people of Niger State and Nigerians goodwill and that, may the peace of Ramadan be with us. Also to say to this nation that it is high time we lived in peace with all these bombings.

“These unrests in some parts of the country will not take us anywhere. We should realise that the good Lord who knows what He is doing brought this country together and whether we like it or not, we are going to live with each other. Even if this country is divided into 10,000 places, they are still each other’s neighbours and we must interact with each other, so why don’t we all stay in peace to know how we can live with each other and respect each other.”

On calls for the renegotiation of the continued existence of Nigeria, Abubakar said, “the calls for the re-negotiation of the continued existence of the country by some well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians show that everybody is concerned about the way things are going in this country. So, it is a good thing, let us sit down and see how we can still forge ahead as one country. You know, in nation-building we go through thick and thin and you will reach a time when you understand that the ultimate is to sit down and talk and be one nation.

“However, you people as journalists and professionals should know that you have a role to play in nation-building because whatever you write, whatever you dish to the public, people will take it as the gospel truth. So, please when you write, when you speak, please make sure that you teach, you preach unity. The government has its responsibilities, the citizens have their responsibilities and I think the earlier everybody understands this fact, I think the country will be better for all of us.”

Babangida on his part said the media had made him to lose some of his friends shortly after his 70th birthday “by pitting me against my former boss (Obasanjo),” just as he accused the press of being responsible for overheating the nation’s polity.

In a veiled reaction to the backlash he received over comments credited to him during the pre-70th birthday press briefing he had in his Minna Uphill residence, Babangida said reports from the conference did not only cost him some of his friends but described it as an overheat on him, saying, “that was not what I meant.”
Shortly after the visit, Abdulsalami had advised the media to be mindful of their reportage, urging them to avoid reports that could overheat the nation’s polity but when told that the politicians’ comments and actions might be responsible for the overheat on the polity, Babangida interjected, “no, no you people are the ones overheating the polity; even recently you (journalists) overheated me.”

Referring to the heat that was generated following reports that Babangida berated the eight-year administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing it as unimaginative and wasteful, the former military president said he never meant it the way it was reported. Babangida noted that Obasanjo was his boss and remained so, adding that the report had cost him a lot, as he was misquoted. “That was not what I meant. This (report) has made me to lose some of my friends. No thanks to you journalists.”

On rumor that he planned to remarry, Babangida yesterday made a u-turn. Dropping the idea of walking down the aisle with another woman almost two years after he lost Maryam, his wife, he said, “at 70, you are talking of wedding bells? Forget it,” he said.

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Ousted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi yesterday urged his supporters to engulf the country in flames.

Gaddafi, in a message aired by an Arabic television station, said his loyalists should continue the battle whether they hear his voice or not.

The broadcast of the audio tape coincided with the claim by a top military commander of the National Transitional Council (NTC) that the ousted leader is believed to be in the desert town of Bani Walid about 150 km southeast of Tripoli.

Abdel Majid Mlegta, coordinator of the Tripoli military operations room, told Reuters on Thursday “someone we trust” had said Gaddafi had gone to Bani Walid with a son, Saif al-Islam, and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senoussi three days after the capital fell to rebel forces last week.

“They wanted to set up an operations room there and conduct aggressive operations against us. We have talked to notables from Bani Walid to arrest him and hand him over. They haven’t responded. We are assessing our position.”

The commander said Ali al-Ahwal, Gaddafi’s coordinator for tribes, was also in Bani Walid, a bastion of the powerful Warfalla tribe, Libya’s biggest.

“In four days we will come with up a solution. We are capable of ending the crisis but military action is out of the question right now.

“We cannot attack this tribe because many of our brigades in Benghazi and Zintan are from Bani Walid. The sons of Bani Walid hold the key to the solution.”

NTC fighters said earlier this week that they were 30 km from Bani Walid.

The NTC has given pro-Gaddafi forces in the coastal city of Sirte, the deposed leader’s hometown, until Saturday to surrender or face attack.

Muammar Gaddafi called Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to negotiate a passage into his country but the latter refused to take his call, a local newspaper reported on Thursday.

Algeria announced on Monday that Gaddafi’s wife, two of his sons and his daughter had crossed into its territory, prompting Libya’s ruling interim council to demand that they be handed back to face trial.

Quoting a source close to the Algerian presidency, Algeria’s El Watan newspaper said Gaddafi was believed to be on the Libyan-Algerian border town of Ghadamis.

His location remains unknown more than a week after Tripoli fell to his foes.

A top military commander of Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) said on Thursday he was believed to be in the desert town of Bani Walid about 150km southeast of Tripoli.

“Gaddafi tried to reach President Bouteflika by phone but he refused to take the call.

“A presidential adviser excused him saying he was absent and busy with events in Algeria,” El Watan quoted the source as saying in a report on its website.

It was not clear when the call was made.

“It is not the first time that Gaddafi and some of his aides have tried to get in touch with the president for potential negotiations.

“However, the Algerian position is clear and neutral and we refuse to get involved in Libya’s internal affairs,” it quoted the source as saying.

No one was immediately available for comment from the Algerian government.

Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci said on Thursday Algeria would not give refuge to Gaddafi himself, although it had allowed Gaddafi’s wife and three of his children to enter the country.

The NTC has denounced the move as an act of aggression.

El Watan quoted the source as saying the NTC had been told about Gaddafi family members crossing into Algeria.

Algeria is the only one of Libya’s North African neighbours yet to recognise the NTC, whose fighters have taken control of the capital Tripoli and much of the rest of the country, ending Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule.

Medelci said Algeria would recognise Libya’s new leaders when they establish a representative government.

Algerian officials say they are concerned Islamist militants have infiltrated the NTC and that al Qaeda’s North African wing will exploit the chaos in Libya to acquire weapons and explosives.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/18145-gaddafi-hiding-in-bani-walid-says-ntc-commander.html

The Federal Government has tightened security at its borders with Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin Republic to prevent the infiltration of Muammar Gaddafi’s forces.

The government was not forced to recognise the Transitional National Council (TNC) in Libya by NATO, the US and the UK, a source said yesterday.

As at press time last night, 34 African countries had recognised the Libyan Transitional National Council, underscoring the fact that beleaguered Gaddafi has lost out in the African Union (AU). Gaddafi ruled the country with an iron fist. Its regime would have been 42 years old yesterday.

A top government official, who spoke in confidence with some reporters, including The Nation’s in Abuja, said the government considered the security implications before recognising the TNC.

The official said: “I think there is no cause for alarm over the security of this country, following our recognition of the TNC as the authentic government in Libya.

“But our security agencies have been placed on the alert in our borders with Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin Republic to prevent the infiltration of forces loyal to Gaddafi.

“We took this step because we have realised that some of the problems we have are exported problems. We won’t allow those anti-democratic forces in Libya to enter our country.

“We won’t allow any spillover of those elements against change in Libya from coming into Nigeria.”

Security was tightened at the National Assembly yesterday.

The official also insisted that the ties with the TNC in Libya would bring more security advantage to Nigeria than the case under Gaddafi.

He added: “If we are still on the fence, we would have exposed our country to more security dangers from the TNC in Libya that will soon take over the government in that country.

“By the end of September when the TNC finally takes over Libya, the era of democracy, rule of law and fundamental human rights will set in. Therefore, Libya will no longer be a training ground for insurrection and insurgents as the case during the tenure of Gaddafi.”

On the recognition of the TNC by the Federal Government – a decision many thought was influenced by external forces - the official said: “This decision was not imposed on us by the US, NATO or any foreign power.

“When the die was cast, Nigeria had to provide leadership to save the situation in Libya. So far, Nigeria’s stand has been vindicated because not less than 34 AU members have recognised the TNC in Libya.

“Even Russia, which was hitherto an ally of Gaddafi, has teamed up with many countries. Russia was part of the 60 nations that met in France to hold a session as Friends of Libya Group.

“Nigeria did not attend the session in France to prove that its position on Libya was not tele-guided by any foreign country at all.”

The cabinet official gave details of how the Federal Government came to accept the TNC in Libya.

He added: “Contrary to insinuations, we did not take a hasty decision at all. Right from the outset, we realised that the Libyan crisis was a very delicate one and we had handled it that way for so long. We just kept quiet.

“Later, we had many sessions debating Libya, even at the Nigeria Institute for International Affairs (NIIA). It was when the AU’s roadmap, designed by its Ad hoc Committee, led by President Jacob Zuma, failed that we opted for an alternative that will lead Africa to take a decision on Libya.

“Our decision on TNC was guided by two things. These are: National interest and the feeling we had for the people of Libya who have been suffering.

“Nigeria’s foreign policy is tailored towards the promotion of democracy, freedom, good governance and human rights. These are the priorities of the TNC; we have no choice than to back the group - in line with our national interest.

“By the time we accepted the TNC, the rebels had arrived in Tripoli and the exit of Gaddafi was obvious. Why must we continue to back a wrong horse?

“Immediately we backed the TNC, over 34 African countries announced recognition for the group.”

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/18148-nigeria-tightens-security-against-gaddafi%E2%80%99s-men.html

Singer Marc Anthony on Thursday denied rumors that secret affairs with other women broke apart his marriage to "American Idol" superstar Jennifer Lopez earlier this year.

In his first interview since the July announcement of the demise of their seven-year marriage that brought them twins, Anthony, the top-selling salsa artist of all time, told ABC's "Nightline" news program that their split was amicable.

"It wasn't some sensationalistic happening," he said, denying infidelity played any part. "It was a realization on both our parts, you know, It wasn't shocking, These things happen."

On whether he wanted the divorce, he said: "It was a decision that we made jointly."

Last week, speculation sparked in the media of a love affair between him and actress Jada Pinkett Smith, the wife of A-list movie star Will Smith. Anthony co-stars on Pinkett Smith's TV show, "Hawthorne."

But Anthony, 42, called such speculation on celebrities "almost like a sport."

"I will always love Jennifer, she knows that and my kids know that," he said, calling Lopez a "wonderful" woman, mother and friend.

The marriage was the third for Lopez, 42, and produced twins Emme and Max in 2008. The two were married months after Lopez's engagement to actor Ben Affleck ended, and days after Anthony's divorce from former Miss Puerto Rico Dayanara Torres was finalized.

Lopez' music career has been enhanced by Anthony's popularity within the Latin music market. The couple performed together in a 2007 tour called "Juntos en Concierto." They also worked on each other's albums and starred opposite each other in 2006 film "El Cantante."

This year, she became a judge on No. 1-rated television show "American Idol," and her single "On The Floor" has been a top 10 hit in several countries.

"It is sad, because you think about the impact about all those people that believed in you," Anthony told ABC. "But there is still life to live together through Max and Emme."

Since the split announcement Lopez, 41, has graced magazine covers and been spotted in various media and gossip pages while Anthony has stayed silent.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5740670-146/marc_anthony_denies_affair_rumors_over.csp

Roger Federer and Serena Williams both swept into the third round of the U.S. Open on Thursday with the same sort of ruthless performances that have made them the king and queen of tennis.

The former world number ones showed no mercy against their opponents as they sent an ominous warning to their rivals about their grand intentions for the championship.

Federer, already a five-time champion at Flushing Meadows, demolished Israel's Dudi Sela 6-3 6-2 6-2 in just 77 minutes on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Swiss master was untroubled by his rival and offered a blunt assessment of the contest.

"When it's like that, obviously it's tough for the opponent," Federer said. "But I just think I was superior today."

Williams, also playing on the centre court, was just as ruthless. She thrashed Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands 6-0 6-1 in less than an hour, racing around like the court like a teenager instead of a 29-year-old on the comeback trail.

"One way to get faster is you can pretend there's a check for a million dollars there tax free, and just go run it down," she explained.

Williams spent almost as long in her news conference talking about her sister Venus's health problems than she did on court, but said she had not allowed herself to be distracted by it.

"It really wasn't that difficult, to be honest. I mean, she wants me to do the best, she wouldn't want me to suffer," Serena said.

"If anything, it should motivate me more."

Venus pulled out of the Open on Wednesday after revealing she was suffering from Sjogren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes fatigue and joint pain.

She has ruled out any thoughts of retirement and vowed to continue playing and Serena said she had no doubts she would make it back.

"I know she's a fighter and she's really strong. She's great. She's really happy now that she knows what it is after all this time," Serena said.

"If anything, it's going to help her now to treat it and go forward."

Federer was also quizzed about Venus and the 30-year-old said he too expected her to return to the court.

"I can only wish her the best. She's been a great player, a great champion," Federer said.

"Hopefully she'll stay around for the women's game for a long time."

There were no major surprises on Thursday although three seeded players are no longer around.

Michael Llodra of France was beaten and Czech Radek Stepanek retired with an injury, while on the women's side Estonia's Kaia Kanepi fell.

The two world number ones, Novak Djokovic and Caroline Wozniacki, were due to play in the evening session.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5740650-146/smooth_sailing_for_federer_and_serena.csp

When I remember Gadhafi, I remember the story of Pharaoh of Egypt.

Sincerely, i dont know why this song was banned. I have not really listened to it. Who knows, maybe its the vedio.

The victory of Libyan rebels in Tripoli was put on hold yesterday after the son of Moammar Gadhafi announced a “No Surrender” position. Thus, he dismissed an earlier report that he had offered to surrender.
The rebel commander in Tripoli had said al-Saadi called him to negotiate the terms of his own surrender.

The commander, Abdel Hakim Belhaj, spoke to The Associated Press yesterday. Belhaj said al-Saadi first called him on Tuesday and asked whether his safety could be guaranteed. Belhaj said he told al-Saadi he would not be harmed but he would be treated according to the law. Belhaj said al-Saadi called back again early yesterday, but he missed the call.

But hours after Belhaj was reported, CNN quoted al-Saadi as saying he had no plan to surrender. Meanwhile, rebels battled loyalists in sporadic clashes yesterday on the road between the towns of Zliten and Bani Walid, where the insurgents believe Gadhafi could be hiding.

Two mortars fired by pro-Gadhafi forces targeted a checkpoint near Dafniyah, 15 kilometres (nine miles) west of Zliten, causing no casualties, rebel sources said. Sporadic explosions and heavy weapons were heard near Zliten, an AFP correspondent said.

“The coastal road (leading to Tripoli) is secure. There are still Gadhafi forces on the desert road” from Zliten south to Bani Walid, said Omar Swihli, a rebel commander. “Inshallah (God willing), we will eliminate them.”
In another development, Libyans yesterday wept over the graves of those killed in their six-month war against Gadhafi, then celebrated their newfound freedom with morning prayers and joyous chants in the capital’s main square bittersweet rituals marking the start of a major Muslim holiday.

Alongside the celebrations, the hunt for Gadhafi and his family continued. Gadhafi’s wife and three of his children fled to Algeria earlier this week, while the longtime dictator and several of his sons are still at large.
Rebels have insisted that Gadhafi and his family will be tried in Libya, but human rights activists and lawyers urged the rebels yesterday to turn the former dictator over to the International Criminal Court.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/sept/01/national-01-09-2011-005.html

Nigeria’s Dream Team V Coach, Austin Eguavoen, has charged Samson Siasia to put in place a virile plan B in case the injury worries among his wards get out of hand.
Eagles are up against the Barea of Madagascar in the 2012 Nations Cup group B qualifier on Sunday at the 22, 000 seats Stade Mahama Sina in Antananarivo.

Five key members of the team have been sidelined, owing to injury, the latest being Yusuf Ayila, who picked an injury in Tuesday’s evening training at the National Stadium, Abuja and has been ruled out of competitive game for, at least, six weeks.

Apparently scared that more players will pick injury as the clock ticks to the crucial encounter, Eguaveon tasked his former teammate to put in place solid contingency plans that will take care of such emergency.
“There is a need to put an emergency plan in place, or what I call ‘plan B’ to take care of any unexpected injuries or situations that may arise even at the eleventh hour.
“The scenario is almost a playback of the event that preceded the cancelled Nigeria, Ghana international friendly in London.

“Thank God the match was called off, the result would have been damaging.
“But the Nations Cup qualifier will hold on Sunday, it is a must win game, nobody will want to take excuses hence the need to put down adequate alternate plan to make room for players, who will, for one reason or another, fail to show up for the match,” he told SuperSport.com.

Eagles were scheduled to leave for Madagascar yesterday afternoon aboard a chartered Air Nigeria flight. Nigeria is separated from Guinea by three points and the West Africans will entertain third placed Ethiopia in Conakry this weekend.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/sports/2011/sept/01/sports-01-09-2011-001.html

Rubbish

Wetin be all these na?

Time will tell.

The guy wan buy all the players wey dey Europe.

So what is happening?

With Madagascar national team sacked, including their coach and bringing in their under 23 with a new coach, I think we shd be able to pull through.

Rubbish.

I will be in the fore front.Lol

I don't understand how they manage to escape.

Algeria

adanny01:
Coming in to Jos this morning, i was warned to stay clear of Rukuba rd as a fracas is developing. Just minutes ago a call was recieved by a director i went to meet, to tell his colleagues, friends and family to avoid Ahmadu Bello Way. I can see people packing and locking offices and leaving.
Please those around town should intimate us on happenings. I am in ITF Hq

Not again.

I heard our leader is a caretaker and that the only two words he knows are 'Amnesty and commiserate. Maybe its true.

@velo, cow wey no get tail,