₦airaland Forum

A new militant group, Ultimate Warriors of Niger Delta, has emerged with a threat to continue to attack oil and gas facilities across the Niger Delta region unless the Nigerian government agreed to award 60 per cent oil blocs to the people of the region.

The new group which spoke for the very first time on Wednesday also demanded that the federal government allow the $16 billion Export Processing Zone otherwise called Delta Gas City project begin operations in earnest.

It, however, gave the government a two-week ultimatum to ensure that their demands were adequately met for a lasting ceasefire in the region.

Spokesperson of Ultimate Warrior, as it chose to be addressed, Sibiri Taiowoh, in a statement obtained by our correspondent, said if the FG truly wants peace in the region, it should award 60 per cent oil bloc to indigenous people from the region as its primary demand for a ceasefire.
http://mediamatters.com.ng/a-new-militant-group-issues-threats-to-fg-demand-60-percent-oil-blocs/

Tragedy struck on Sunday as two postgraduate students of the University of Lagos drowned in the Elegushi Beach during the celebration of their friend’s birthday.

It was learnt that the deceased – Adesola Ogunmefun and Funmi Odusina – graduated from the Covenant University and were on the verge of bagging Master’s Degrees in International Law and Diplomacy from UNILAG.

It was gathered that the deceased and the host were having fun at the beach around 6pm when they were swept into the Atlantic Ocean.

Other visitors to the beach were said to have rescued them, but Ogunmefun died on the spot.

Odusina and the host, identified only as Bolu, were rushed to some private hospitals in the area, but were reportedly rejected. Odusina died on the way to the Lagos Island General Hospital, while Bolu was recuperating in the facility.

A friend of the deceased, Edward Onyemathi, said the deaths could have been avoided if adequate safety gadgets were provided at the beach.
http://mediamatters.com.ng/unilag-students-drown-in-beach-while-celebrating-friends-birthday/

Police Command in Enugu State said persons with tattoo on their bodies would be disqualified in the ongoing nationwide recruitment into the force.
Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday that the measure was part of the rules for the recruitment.
Amaraizu said procedures for the screening had been put in place by the police authorities and those that were shortlisted for the interview had been communicated through their e-mail addresses.

“The present recruitment is for degree holders and will last for three weeks, and after that, the selected ones will proceed for the written interview.

“Over-aged people, tattooed persons, falsified results, statement of results over five years and people with some physical impediments will be disqualified from the exercise,” he said.
http://medianaija.com.ng/nigeria-police-recruitment-applicants-with-tattoo-disqualified/

Amid reports that Presi­dent Mohammadu Buhari has “an ear problem,” the Presidency, yesterday, an­nounced he will spend the next 10 days in London, the United Kingdom, starting today.

Buhari is expected to see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist “for a per­sistent ear infection. This was the recommendation of his personal physician and an ENT specialist in Nigeria,” his Special Ad­viser on Media and Public­ity, Mr. Femi Adesina said yesterday. “Both Nigerian doctors recommended fur­ther evaluation purely as a precaution,” he added.

Adesina, who featured on a live programme Poli­tics Today on Lagos-based Channels Television, fur­ther added that aside the ear infection, the president is hale and hearty.

“Well, the question is; ‘is he (president) okay?” He has always been okay. Noth­ing is wrong with him…” Asked why the president’s deputy had been represent­ing him at state matters recently, Adesina replied it was not unusual.

“Yes, we are in a democra­cy, particularly presidential democracy. The president can always devolve duties to his deputy who is the vice president. That’s what the president has done. But, in terms of his health, the president is fine,” he said.
http://medianaija.com.ng/president-buhari-travels-to-see-doctors-in-abroad/

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Three soldiers and four civilians were among the seven persons killed, Wednesday evening by a militant group suspected to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), when the gang attacked a houseboat between Omadino and Ifiekporo, Warri South Local Government Area, of Delta State.

The attack, it was gathered, recorded the first set of casualties in the renewed hostilities in Delta creeks, raising tension and apprehension in the area.

The three soldiers, it was gathered, were on guard at an oil installations when they were attacked. The four civilians two males and two females were domestic staff contracted to oversee the welfare of the soldiers.

The Commanding Officer (CO) 3 Battalion Effurun Barracks, Major Monday Anzaku, when contacted on his mobile phone promised to call back but has not.
http://mediamatters.com.ng/3-soldiers-4-civilians-killed-by-militants/
However, a military source, who does not want his name in print, confirmed the attack. He said two soldiers and five civilians were killed while several others were injured in the unprovoked attack.

At the Central Hospital, where the corps were deposited midnight Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs. Success Obere, confirmed that military men and civilians were brought to the mogue but could not give the exact figure.
When Daily Sun visited the Hospital, it was confirmed that three soldiers and four civilians were deposited at the mogue.

No report of death has been heard on the side of the militant group. It was gathered that the militants came through Omadino creek to Ifiekporo area were they carried out the attack.

Police have arrested a cleric, Paul Morah, for allegedly defiling over 24 male children between 12 and 16 years at Enyibichiri community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Morah, who hails from Orji River in Enugu State but came to Ebonyi for pastoral mission, claimed to be a reverend with Anglican Church.

It was alleged that he used a diabolical handkerchief to lure some of the children, especially those who tried to resist him. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP George Okafor,
yesterday confirmed the report, but said he would brief journalists when investigation was concluded. He said:

“We are aware of the matter. It has just been transferred from Ikwo Police Division to this place (headquarters). We are still investigating the matter. But latest tomorrow, we will get back to press.”
http://medianaija.com.ng/pastor-abuses-over-24-children-in-ebonyi/

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A 33-year-old herbalist, Seye Olufokunbi has confessed that he defrauded a Lagos banker, identified simply as Lekan of N2.5 million for a magic soap. He said he lied to the banker that the soap, when kept in a box for two days, would produce a lot of money.

The money magic was said to have failed, leading to a petition to the Lagos State Police Command’s Rapid Response Squad in February 2016. The operatives were said to have trailed and arrested the suspect at his base in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

Olufunbi, who spoke with Punch at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday, said he was initially selling herbs to Lekan before the banker told him to perform money ritual for him.
He said, "I have known Lekan for a long time and he is my customer. He was initially patronising me for herbs for his ailment.

"But he later approached me for money ritual, saying the money he was making as a banker was not enough for him. I said I could do it if he could give me N2.5m. He brought the money and I gave him a bar of soap. I told him to keep the soap in a box for two days, after which he should check the box and he would see a lot of money. He did that, but it failed, he then reported me to the police, who arrested me."
http://medianaija.com.ng/herbalist-defrauds-banker-of-n2-5m-over-money-ritual-soap/

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has ordered Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police in Anambra and Delta states to, as a matter of urgency, arrest and disarm members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).
Arase also ordered commissioners of police where members of the group are currently operating and allegedly disturbing the public peace with firearms to arrest and disarm them.
Arase said a situation where police personnel, who have been performing their statutory functions in the most professional and civil manner, are targeted and attacked shows that the group, who are orchestrating the insurrection, have crossed the threshold and tested the common will of the nation.
The police boss, who gave the order in Abuja, equally directed that all those arrested in connection with the killings of police personnel be charged to court and prosecuted for murder.
“The targeted attacks on police personnel, who have been performing their statutory functions in the most professional and civil manner since the latest resurgence disorder, portrays IPOB activists, who are orchestrating the insurrection, as having crossed the threshold in their misguided attempt to test the common will of the nation.”

Arase, in the statement, signed by the force Public Relations Officer, Bisi Kolawole reiterated the determination of the police to eliminating any threat to internal security and assured Nigerians of its commitment to their safety and security.

However, IPOB insisted yesterday that the total number of members killed during the Biafra anniversary, were 53. The group also said those with bullets wounds are 207 and put the figure of those arrested at 403.

The group also alleged that Hausa/Fulani terrorist group attacked its members with the Army, Navy and police who killed and carried dead bodies with their hilux vans.

A statement jointly signed by Emma Powerful, Dr. Clifford Iroanya and Mr. Emma Mmezu condemned “the killing of unarmed members of IPOB at Nkpor near Onitsha and other places.”

Meanwhile, police in Anambra, yesterday, insisted no casualty was recorded on the side of the police and were not aware of other casualties recorded in the state during the Biafra anniversary.
http://mediamatters.com.ng/i-g-orders-arrest-on-members-of-ipob-due-to-killings-on-biafra-day/

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Biafra Day anniversary celebration turned bloody, yesterday, in South-East states as soldiers and policemen clashed with pro-Biafra groups. Victims of the clash in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

In the commercial city of Onitsha, our reporters quoted eye witnesses as saying that about 40 people, including a soldier, were killed, while over 50 were arrested. The incident, according to eye witnesses, started at about 3 a.m. when security forces entered the premises of St. Edmund’s Catholic Church, Nkpor Agu, near Onitsha and allegedly opened fire on the worshippers, accusing them of being Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, members, during which five were killed, while 10 others were injured.

The source further stated at 8 a.m., the security forces, who patrolled all nooks and crannies of Onitsha, Nkpor, Ogidi and environs, allegedly swooped on another batch of suspected IPOB members, where about 20 were allegedly killed and scores injured. At about 11 a.m, the patrol team allegedly killed another 15, thus bringing the total casualty rate to about 40.
http://mediamatters.com.ng/over-40-persons-killed-during-biafra-day-anniversary-celebration-in-onitsha/

THE 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army said it has arrested 10 suspected members of the mili­tant group, Niger Delta Aveng­ers (NDA), as part of efforts to check the spate of renewed attacks on oil and gas installa­tions in the Niger Delta region.

The Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Farouk Ya­haya, who paraded the suspects yesterday, said they were ar­rested at about 1:40am on Sat­urday, in Oporaza community, Warri South-West Local Gov­ernment Area of Delta State.

He explained that there had been several cases of sabotage by suspected militants and van­dals in the State since January 1, 2016, as well as warnings and threats “to shut down all opera­tions” in the sector.

He said several items includ­ing 28 detonator cords (also known as Detonator 33), one pistol, two empty pistol maga­zines, 196 rounds of 7.62 spe­cial ammunition, one round of nine-millimetre ammunition, a live cartridge and five daggers were recovered from the sus­pects.

Others were 15 handheld ra­dio sets, 18 phones, 203 SIM cards, belonging to three major network providers, five swim­suits, two headlamps, a laptop, two ipads and a camera.
http://mediamatters.com.ng/nigerian-army-arrests-10-militants-of-niger-delta-avengers/

British Airways, Monday, denied reports that it was pulling out of Nigeria due to the operating environment. There had been reports quoting Mr Kola Olayinka, Country Manager British Airways, as saying that the “U.K. carrier is struggling to repatriate its share of the $575 million that Nigeria currently owe the airlines from tickets sold in Nigeria.”

A statement from the airline, Sunday, denied the reports and indicated that Nigeria remains a strategic market for the airline and will continue to operate in Nigeria The statement in part reads thus “ Our attention has been called to reports in several newspapers Sunday that British Airways is considering an exit from Nigeria.”

“British Airways has a long history in Nigeria, having begun operations in the country 80 years ago as Imperial Airways.
http://medianaija.com.ng/british-airways-debunked-rumors-pulling-nigeria/

Anambra State Police Command has arrested three police officers over the murder of a driver, Nonso Uchenwoke, at Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government of the state.

The Command has also removed from office the Divisional Police Officer(DPO) and the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of the station.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, who disclosed this in Awka yesterday, said the DPO and the DCO were removed from their duty posts in order to allow free flow of investigation on the matter.

He said three junior officers, including a lady were detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka.
Karma insisted that the police officers must be made to face the full wrath of the law if found guilty.

He said: “We are not going to shield anybody. Anybody who through his conduct violates the law or veer off from his professional training should be prepared to face the law.”
http://medianaija.com.ng/3-policemen-arrested-dpo-removed-over-drivers-murder-in-anambra/

THE Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, vowed, yesterday, that no hoodlum or group of people will overrun the country or illegally occupy any part of it under his watch as the chief police officer.

Arase made this vow while answering questions from lawmakers at a public hearing on the “influx of herdsmen to Benue State and the clashes among Tiv, Agatu communities and Fulani herdsmen” put together by the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs. agatu1 He further explained that the force prioritised the protection of lives and properties of Nigerian communities, adding that “every life lost diminishes humanity as a whole.”

Arase said: “I have taken an oath to effectively police and protect every security space in Nigeria and I will continue to do that within the ambit of the law and to the best of my ability and that of my officers and men.

And I make bold to say that the Nigerian state cannot be overrun by hoodlums; I can assure you.”
http://mediamatters.com.ng/igp-assures-reps-agatu-massacre-will-not-happen-again/

The Police Force Head­quarters in Abuja, have announced the arrest of the masterminds and perpetrators of Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State on April, 25, 2016.

The attack led to the death of several persons and destruction of prop­erty valued at millions of naira

The attackers compris­ing a five-member-gang were arrested by op­eratives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

The suspects were found with one Gionee L88 mo­bile phone with memory card containing video recording of the massacre in the community.

Those arrested are Mohammed Zurai, Ciroma Musa, Sale Adamu, Sulei­man Laute and Haruna Laute, all Fulani.

The police in a state­ment said the suspects were arrested after a cred­ible and technical intel­ligence by the IGP special squad.

The statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Bisi Kolawole, while reiterating the determination to rid the country of crimes and all forms of criminality, also announced the arrest of another three-man-gang who specialiSes in bank robbery and kidnapping.
http://medianaija.com.ng/5-fulani-herdsmen-arrested-in-connection-to-enugu-massacre/

The Nigerian Army yesterday vow to act against criminal elements disturbing Nigeria’s economic prosperity in the Niger Delta and the peace of communities in the South East.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai made the vow in Lagos warning the Niger Delta Avengers and the Herdsmen in the Niger Delta and South East and North Central respectively to toe the line of peace or have the Nigerian Army to confront with.

Buratai who was on tour of formations of 81 Division in Lagos said the military would not reveal its tactics to deal with the herdsmen and “criminal elements” in the Niger Delta, but assured that the force would to seek also the insurgents in the North East to make the area a peaceful area.

General Buratai said the military would continue in its push to also rout the insurgents in the north east and ensure that peace returns in the area.

The Army Chief also addressed troops of force at the Bonny Cantonment warning them to desist from engaging in actions that would make them to be disloyal to the government.

He said: “Remain loyal, disciplined and perform your duties without being prompted and the army will continue to improve on your welfare needs, the requirement are quite enormous but we will work to ensure we achieve this.”

He commended the efforts of soldiers in the north east, explaining that the soldiers fighting the insurgents in the north east are doing Nigeria proud and that the president is happy with them.
http://mediamatters.com.ng/nigerian-army-vows-to-tackle-herdsmen-militants/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said that there was no better time to diversify the Nigerian economy than now.

Buhari said this at the 56th Annual General Meeting and Conference of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in Dutse.

Represented by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, the President said his administration was determined to ensure the long-overdue fundamental restructuring of the Nigerian economy.

He said that Nigeria had depended on oil and gas which accounted for more than 75 per cent of government’s revenue for so long.

The President said that with the current dwindling prices of oil, the needed reform to diversify the country’s economy must be carried out.

Buhari said that with the current challenge, the country must harness its natural resources like agriculture and solid minerals to survive, being a country blessed with arable land, endless swathes of grasslands and forest.

He said that these natural resources produced more yam, cassava, cashew nut, shea nuts and kola nuts than the rest of the world.

Buhari said that Nigeria was equally blessed with solid mineral resources, stressing that not less than 44 mineral resources were available in commercial quantities across the country.

The President said that it was disheartening that every year Nigeria spent more than three billion dollars to import steel despite the fact that the country had enough iron ore.

He said that his government would create environment that would enable private sector to partner the government to implement the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan.
http://mediamatters.com.ng/buhari-says-its-time-to-diversify-nigerian-economy/

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court to deny the bail application of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

In its ruling this morning, the three man panel of the Appeal court led by Justice Abdul Aboki, ruled that the lower court was right in denying Kanu bail considering the nature and the circumstances of his case.

“The lower court has the power to exercise its discretion on the matter and the exercise of such discretion by the trial judge did not amount to denial of fair hearing to the defendants. The issues are resolved against the appellants. Ruling of the trial court is hereby upheld.”the judge said
http://medianaija.com.ng/appeal-court-denies-bail-application-of-nnamdi-kanu/

In what appears to be a major breakthrough in the clearance and rescue operation by the Nigerian military and to also confirm that all is not well within the Boko Haram terrorists camp, the chief bomb maker and a high ranking terrorist, was shot dead on Monday.

The chief bomb maker, apart from his high status in the command structure of the Boko Haram terrorists, was one of their capable hands involved in making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), coming after their chief scientist, called Abu RPG (who has been killed long ago).

Army spokesman, Colonel S.K. Usman, who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja, on Monday, said the chief bomb maker was killed by one of the body guards of the Boko Haram terrorists leader, Abubakar Shekau, as he was about to run away just like several others were doing because of the intensity of Operation Crackdown.

He also said, in a related development, that one Julelebeeb, who was appointed to take over, was now completely blind because his two eyes were shattered by shrapnel, in the process of preparing an IED to consolidate his appointment.
http://medianaija.com.ng/top-boko-haram-bomb-maker-killed-by-leaders-aide/

A teenager, Gift, who was being detained at Juvenile Welfare Home in Benin for allegedly killing a mother and daughter has escaped from detention.

The 15- year-old suspect with others at large, were said to have been arrested for killing a mother and daughter in broad day light.

They reportedly stabbed their victims Itohan Enagbare and her three-year- old daughter, Iwinosa to death.

Gift was said to have escaped from detention on Saturday morning in alleged suspicious circumstance.

Counsel to the Enagbare family, Jefferson Uwoghiren, who raised the alarm over the suspect’s escape described his disappearance as worrisome and in bad taste.

“We are horribly appalled and shocked to learn of the escape from lawful custody of Gift Edosomwan, a suspected killer of Itohan Enagbare and her daughter.

“We demand his immediate re-arrest.

We seek immediate arrest of all those responsible for this embarrassing escape. A serial killer is on the prowl,” Uwoghiren said.
http://medianaija.com.ng/15-year-old-killer-escapes-from-police-detention-in-benin/

After months of respite, Plateau State branch of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has stated that no fewer than 1,600 cattle belonging to its members were recently stolen at gun point in Plateau State.
The association, in a petition to the state governor, Simon Lalong, signed by its state chairman, Muhammad Nuru Abdullahi and secretary, Abdullahi Ardo respectively, pointed out that from January to date 1,653 cows had been stolen, but said due to the efforts of ‘Operation Safe Heaven (OPSH),’ 1,591 were recovered with the whereabouts of 62 cows unknown.
“In February, Berom rustlers had killed a herder and rustled 13 cattle into Kanakon village of Fan district, adding that “the 13 cattle were housed by one Bulus Aboyi, his wife, Esther and brother, Yakubu. This attracted the attention of the community who gathered and started beating and macheting us and the officers of OPSH Sector 7 when we tried to recover the cattle.”
It further stated that seven Berom youths, armed with AK47, rustled 45 cows while they were grazing around Ndig village into Foron, adding that efforts of OPSH led to the discovery of two cows, which were at the time being slaughtered and its meat shared among the Berom.
“As a result of that, an emergency meeting called by the sector 7 commander with the Berom community of Fan and Foron and the pressure mounted on the traditional rulers led to the return of 19 calf out of the 45 to the OPSH Commander.”
When contacted, the Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPA) to Governor Lalong, Samuel Emmanuel Nanle, said government discussed the matter of cattle rustling in its last Security Council meeting on Tuesday with the aim of addressing the situation.
Nanle said “Government will not rest on its oars to ensure that it nips this in the bud, as well as deal decisively with the perpetrator of this act, particularly because they want to return us to the dark age of violence.”

http://tribuneonlineng.com/%E2%80%98over-1600-cattle-stolen-in-plateau%E2%80%99

YENAGOA—There was tension in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, yesterday, following the murder of a senior police officer, identified as Mathew Akpos by gunmen described as “special Police Squad.”

Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, was reportedly murdered by gunmen close to the OMPADEC school field in Amarata suburb of Yenagoa at about 5pm on Monday.

In a related development, unidentified gunmen, yesterday, invaded Rumukwachi community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State and abducted two residents. The yet to be known gunmen who visited the community made away with one Mr. Lucky Amadi and Mr. Rotimi, his neighbour.

It was also gathered that stray bullets from the gunshots fired by those who attacked Akpos allegedly hit an elderly woman on the leg and in the stomach, before she was reportedly rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, where doctors were said to be battling to save her life.

http://medianaija.com.ng/unidentified-gunmen-in-police-uniform-killed-asp-in-bayelsa-kidnaps-two-in-rivers/

DIVERGENT views have continued to trail the recent removal of subsidy on petrol and the subsequent increase in the price of the product from N86.50 to N145.00 per liter by the Federal Government.

While students of tertiary institutions in the South-South and South-East zones said they would join forces with the organized labour in protest against the increase, a youth group, Niger Delta Youths Organisation For Sustainable Development (NDYOSD) said the planned protest would have grave consequences on the masses.

President of NDYOSD, Comrade Dogubo Mologe, chastised organised labour for doing nothing when Nigerians recently bought petrol for over N200.00 per liter at the height of scarcity.
He said he was disappointed when the leadership of organised labour did not mobilise against the selfish independent marketers who were exploiting Nigerians during scarcity, insisting that at N145.00 per liter, Nigeria remains one of the few African countries selling fuel at cheap rates.

But students, under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B, said the increase in pump price by the government was meant to impoverish Nigerians and have vowed to shut down government parastatals if the price was not reverted to N86.50. Coordinator of the zone, comprising tertiary institutions in the South-South and South-East, Pedro Chibuzo, in a statement, added that students will join the
http://medianaija.com.ng/students-youths-protest-over-fuel-price-hike/