"We Miss You Colonel Gaddafi," Cry the Troubled Libyans

One Mahommed, a 31 year old Libyan spoke words that largely resonated with the general feeling in his country. He said, “I joined the revolution in the first days and fought against Gaddafi. Before 2011, I hated Gaddafi more than anyone. But now, life is much, much harder, and I have become his biggest fan.” The country has seen a five-fold increase in the cost of food, unpaid salaries for months, the rise of Islamic State terror and worsening electricity black-outs. Nothing improved after Gaddafi and the country sees it now. Mahmoud, another Libyan added his own words of disappointment in the bitter fruits of the revolution, “We have had seven governments since 2011 and what have they achieved?' The only thing we can see is new dustbins because one of the early governments installed these new large bins across Tripoli. We still point to them and laugh, saying it's the only achievement of the revolution.”
The African Exponent

Kerosene explosion kills 2 children in A-Ibom; father in critical condition

AN explosion caused by adulterated kerosene left two children dead, while three other persons, including father of the children, Nsikak Michael, suffered severe burns in Ikono Ibom clan in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
Michael, a father of three and tricycle operator, who also has a poultry farm in Ikot Enyingne Ikono, said he bought the kerosene from a filling station along Idoro Road, while returning from work.
According to him, “on getting home, I decided to light up the lantern in my poultry farm to keep my birds warm. But I needed to add more kerosene to the lamp as the light was going out.

Truck crushes 4 Oyo FGGC students, driver

FOUR students of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Oyo, who were returning from a mid-term break died in an auto crash, yesterday evening, when a gari-laden articulated truck fell on a bus conveying them to school.
The incident, in which the bus driver also died, left five other girls with severe injuries.
An impeccable source, who is a senior staff in the school said the accident occurred at Sabo Market and that the four students died on the spot.
Students and teachers broke down in tears when the names of the affected students were mentioned on the assembly ground, yesterday.

Man survives acid, machete attacks by assassins sent by wife

Ogun State  Police Command, yesterday, paraded a female banker, Oluchi Tochukwu, and two suspected hired assassins over a botched plot to kill her husband, identified as Onyebuchi Tochukwu.
The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, explained that the 32-year-old banker, who is a staff of a new generation bank, allegedly masterminded the failed assassination of her estranged husband by arranging and keeping the weapons used in the attack in the husband’s compound in Ajah.
The couple had been married for three years and had a daughter, before the union crashed.
Iliyasu said the two suspected assassins, 32-year-old Chigozie Smart, and 36-year-old Kingsley Ikechukwu, were intercepted at Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State, while attempting to escape to Onitsha, Anambra State, with the would-be victim’s Range Rover.

FEC meeting in Abuja, yesterday

When you don't believe in what is being said

Fuel finished in my banana leaf private jet ‘flying’ from Benin to UK, says man found in Sapele river

A man, who confessed to newsmen that he was ‘flying’ from Benin Airport, Edo State, to attend a meeting in the United Kingdom, before watching a football match going on simultaneously in the coven, also in the United Kingdom, was, yesterday, discovered at Ajogodo River, Sapele, Delta State.
The self-confessed wizard said: “I was flying in with what is known in the physical realm as ‘Plantain Leaf,’ but it is actually my expensive private jet in the coven realm.
“It crashed me into this bridge, when the fuel in it finished. My members will be here tonight to refuel it for me, so I can continue my journey to the UK.
“I have to be in the UK to watch football, because there is economic recession, unemployment and inflation in Nigeria.”

Truck crushes woman, twin children to death in Ibadan

TWELVE persons, including a mother and her twin children, were feared killed in an accident that occurred, yesterday, at Oja-Oba Market area of the Ibadan South East Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Police put the casualty figure at four, but some eyewitnesses claimed the number of lives lost could not be less than 18.
While the accident left several people injured, several commercial cars and property were crushed by an articulated vehicle.
According to a source, the driver of the truck, which had just off loaded cement, lost control of his vehicle and crushed about 12 persons on the spot.
While the remains of those killed were taken to the morgue at Adeoyo State Hospital, the injured were rushed to the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

I'm a Frustrated Wife: Woman pays assassins N500,000 to kill husband

Mrs Orji and Ikechukwu

A 41-year-old woman, who was arrested by policemen attached to Area ‘J’ Command, Ajah, Lagos State, for allegedly hiring assassins to kill her husband of 14 years over a disagreement which led to their separation, has said she was a frustrated housewife but that she only sent the thugs to beat him.
The suspect, Mrs. Chika Orji, was arrested following a confessional statement by one of the suspected assassins, Bright Ikechukwu, who was arrested while attempting to break into Mr. Orji’s apartment at Jakande Estate, Ajah.
During preliminary investigation, it was discovered that one of those hired for the botched assassination was a carpenter, identified as Ekene, who usually worked for Mr. Orji.

What Reuben Abati saw and heard in Aso Rock

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF ASO VILLA

People tend to be alarmed when the Nigerian Presidency takes certain decisions. They don’t think the decision makes sense. Sometimes, they wonder if something has not gone wrong with the thinking process at that highest level of the country.
I have heard people insist that there is some form of witchcraft at work in the country’s seat of government. I am ordinarily not a superstitious person, but working in the Villa, I eventually became convinced that there must be something supernatural about power and closeness to it. I’ll start with a personal testimony.
I was given an apartment to live in inside the Villa. It was furnished and equipped. But when my son, Michael arrived, one of my brothers came with a pastor who was supposed to stay in the apartment. But the man refused claiming that the Villa was full of evil spirits and that there would soon be a fire accident in the apartment. He complained about too much human sacrifice around the Villa and advised that my family must never sleep overnight inside the Villa.
I thought the man was talking nonsense and he wanted the luxury of a hotel accommodation. But he turned out to be right. The day I hosted family friends in that apartment and they slept overnight, there was indeed a fire accident. The guests escaped and they were so thankful. Not long after, the President’s physician living two compounds away had a fire accident in his home. He and his children could have died. He escaped with bruises.

Vanguard's editorial cartoon.

Fake travel agent dupes UAE visa seekers of N2m

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Lagos State Police Command, have arrested a 28-year-old man, who claimed he was a travel agent and defrauded prospective travellers of N2 million.
The suspect identified as Emu-Larry Chidebere, who hails from Ika North Local Government Area of Delta State, according to the squad, allegedly collected N400,000 for the procurement of the United Arab Emirate’s visa from prospective travellers.
The bubble burst after one of the victims, Abraham Jude, reported him to the squad, following his inability to get the UAE visa from the suspect, months after payment of N400,000.
Explaining how he came in contact with the suspect, a devastated Abraham said: “When I was laid off from my work place in Abuja, I had the intention of moving out of the country to start a new life.
“I met one Mr. Samuel Obed, who told me that his nephew was working with a company in the United Arab Emirates and that he could help me secure that country’s visa.
“We started communicating via telephone and he assured me that he could secure Dubai visa for me at a reasonable price. He requested for N400,000, which I told him I could not afford at that time.
“Later, he called me again to say that his office in Dubai was recruiting and that he had already submitted my name for employment.

WE ARE THE WORLD: If the recording isn't done in one take, Ray Charles and I will drive everyone home— Stevie Wonder

(IT IS NOT CLOSE TO THE ANNIVERSARRY. BUT I RAN INTO THIS PIECE WHILE LOOKING UP Bob Dylan. YOU WILL ENJOY IT.)

Thirty years ago tomorrow, a time came when over 40 musicians heeded a certain call. The call was to come to a studio in L.A. and record a song — a song so epic, so star-studded, so unabashedly schmaltzy it will never be forgotten.

That song, "We Are the World," went on to sell more than 20 million copies and raise over $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa. Though notable and good, its charitable work is not its legacy. "We Are the World" is known for being a wonderful, delightful, ever-entertaining hot mess of celebrities jockeying for attention and the ability to say their voice did the most for Africa.

So, to mark this tremendous anniversary, Vulture will officially decide whose contribution was most important (and whose was the least).

We were well fed—Victims of Epe kidnap

There was wild jubilation at the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, in Eredo Local Council Development Area of Epe, yesterday, following the release of its Principal, his Vice and four students, five days after they were kidnapped by gunmen.
The routine assembly session was at first rowdy as students, who could not hide their joy, discussed how their colleagues were released.
The released captives, among who was a female student, told family members that they were not maltreated while in the kidnappers’ den. The four students stated that they were well fed.
One of the parents, Mr. Oluwafemi Adebisi, said: “My son, Isaac, told me that they were not molested by the kidnappers. He said that their only fear was over the health challenges and crossfire with the police.
He said: “We are not living in Epe, but my wife and I relocated to Epe since the incident occurred. I was contacted at 12 mid night that the victims have been released and I immediately rushed to the school, where I saw my son hale and hearty.

My source of ‘LIFE!’

A cement seller wailing when officials of Environment Sanitation Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, were demolishing illegal structures at Magodo. PHOTOS: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

How 7 officials stole N24bn police pension funds—EFCC WITNESS

Details of how seven people looted N24 billion police pension funds were narrated to an Abuja High Court, yesterday, by a prosecution witness, Mustapha Gadanya.
The witness said that the seven accused persons opened accounts with fictitious names and diverted huge sums of police funds into the accounts.
Those standing trial for the offence are Esai Dangabar, Atiku Kigo, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira, Uzoma Cyril Attang and Christian Madubuke.
Dangabar, a former Director, Police Pension Board, and his co-accused are being prosecuted before Justice Hussein Baba by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

SHANTIES: 2,500 criminal hideouts demolished in Lagos

Operatives of the Lagos State Task Force, yesterday, demolished over 2,500 illegal shanties allegedly used as hideouts by criminals and hoodlums at White Sand, Jakande Estate, along Lekki-Beach Road and the environs, in Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.
Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, Olayinka Egbeyemi, who led the demolition squad, confirmed the number of demolished structures, adding “most of the demolished illegal shanties were criminal hideouts where they freely smoke Indian hemp, carry out rape, robbery, prostitution, among other nefarious activities.”
According to him, the exercise became necessary following series of petitions and complaints from innocent members of the public and residents over the illegal activities of those criminals around Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah.

How Aiye cult leader died in power tussle

Operatives of the Zonal Intervention Squad of the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, have arrested two suspected members of Aiye confraternity, in connection with a crisis that tore the group apart three months ago in Ogun State, during which its leader was hacked to death.
The suspects, according to police, were also involved in the fight between Eiye rival cult group in Otta and Ifo areas of Ogun State, during which over 20 lives were lost.
The suspects, Sheriff Afeeri and Owoseni Wasiu, according to the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, were arrested a fortnight ago, at Agosi area of Ifo, Ogun State, while planning attacks.

Police nab gang leader, informant in Lagos landlords' kidnap

Police have arrested five suspects, including the gang leader and an informant, in connection with the kidnap of three landlords and their trainer in Isheri North Area of Lagos State.
On September 17, gunmen stormed a recreation centre beside Lekki Gardens Estate, Lagos State, which shares a common boundary with Warewa and Wawa creeks in Ogun State, and abducted three landlords identified as Kennedy Ucheagwu, Dr. Omololu Bello, Fidelis Esang and their trainer, Olalere Olawale, while they were jogging.

Igbonla Model College Kidnap: Victim falls ill in abductors’ den

One of the six persons abducted by militants from Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, in Eredo Local Council Development Area of Epe, last Thursday, has fallen ill at the captors den.
It was learned that one of the kidnappers contacted a family member of the sick captive yesterday, informing her of the development.
This is just as payment of ransom, which the kidnappers initially pegged at N5 million was reduced to N3.5 million for each of the captives, yesterday.
Meanwhile, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered the demolition of all illegal structures along waterways and creeks in the state. He gave a one-week ultimatum to those illegally occupying shanties around waterways to vacate their abode.

Kidnappers speak
with victim’s family
A relative of one of those held captive, who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “My sister was contacted again yesterday. After much plea, they told her to go and get N3.5 million.
“The strange caller promised to call again and inform her where she would drop the money. He also informed her that our relative was sick. At that stage, my sister could not speak any more. I collected the phone from her, but when he heard my voice, he cut the line.
“The phone rang after three hours and my sister picked. The stranger warned her never to give the phone to anyone else. He told her that our relative’s temperature was high and that he was also shivering.

4 die as robbers’ car falls off Lagos bridge

Nemesis caught up with five robbery suspects, yesterday, in Lagos, when their get-away car skidded off Eko Bridge by Iddo, while in flight, killing three of the suspects and one innocent bystander, a man who the car fell on.
It was gathered that two of the suspects sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital, while the corpses were deposited at a mortuary.
The incident was said to have occurred during the downpour at 2.15 pm.
General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, who confirmed the incident, said preliminary investigation revealed that the occupants in the car could be robbers as several dangerous weapons were recovered from the car.
According to Tiamiyu, “the agency received a distress call regarding a lone accident at Iddo Bridge at 2.15p.m. yesterday.

EFCC denies FAAN's N750m bribe report

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has denied clearing the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN’s Managing Director, Sale Dunoma, of alleged N3 billion fraud after collecting N750 million bribe.
The commission said in a statement by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, that it felt scandalised by the false report by an online medium.
The portal had alleged that some unnamed EFCC officials collected the bribe and shared it with some top officials of the Ministry of Transport and the Presidency. But the commission said there was nothing like that, saying “the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a report entitled N3b Found in FAAN MD’s Bank Accounts Sparks Discontent Over His Clearance by EFCC and Shabby Running of the Agency.

‘Invisible hands’ attack at Umuahia Hotel: Survivors suffer memory loss

THREE of the survivors of last week’s ‘invisible hands’ attack in a hotel on 44, Uyo Street, Umuahia metropolis, Abia State, have regained consciousness, but cannot recall what happened to them.
Two persons were confirmed killed and four others rushed to hospital, following an attack at the 50-50 Hotel.
Three of the four survivors regained consciousness and the state Police Command said they would help with information of what actually happened.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, who had transferred the matter to the CID, said investigation would reveal what transpired.
The little information pieced together from the survivors indicate that none of them could actually pin-point where their trouble came from.

Madagascar-bound man excretes 270 grammes of cocaine

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 47-year-old man, who attempted to export 270 grammes of cocaine to Madagascar.
The suspect, Odili Onyekwere, was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, during the outward screening of passengers on a Kenyan Airways flight to Ivato International Airport, Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Troops arrest Boko Haram kingpins; kill 5 kidnappers

Nigerian soldiers fighting terrorists in the North-East of the country, yesterday, arrested a Boko Haram kingpin and three women suspected to be logistics personnel and arms suppliers for the group.
The arrest occurred just as five members of a kidnapping gang, who also engage in banditry, were killed by soldiers during a shootout in Bauchi State.

Tall order in Benin, Edo State

25-year-old man butchers cousin in initiation killing

Tragedy struck, weekend, at Odukpani Qua town in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, when a young man, identified as Joseph, killed his cousin, Miss Ekaette Edet, with an axe, an action suspected to be cult-related.
The incident, which took place around 4a.m. on Saturday, came as a shock because there was reportedly no rift between the two.
A relative said that when Joseph came back on Saturday night, he acted a bit strange and they didn’t really understand what was going on with him.
However, a friend who confided in members of the family hinted that he was recently initiated into a cult.

Abandoned day-old baby cries to death in Delta

RESIDENTS of  Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, were, weekend, thrown into confusion following the discovery of the lifeless body of a day old baby in a bush path in the community.
It was gathered that the baby, with a placenta attached to it, was heard crying at night and was found dead in the early hours of Friday, along the Odoro Road area of the community, by passers-by who raised alarm.
A source in the community told newsmen that the baby may have been abandoned by the mother in the late hours of the previous day, adding that the body fell out of a polythene bag placed atop a heap of building blocks.

Keke operator, passengers beat Abia traffic warden to stupor

A warden attached to the Traffic and Indiscipline Management Agency of Abia State, TIMAAS, identified as Chukwuemeka Nwosu, has been admitted at the Seventh Day Adventist, SDA, Hospital, Aba, after he was attacked by a motorist.
Trouble started for Nwosu, when he tried to stop a tricycle operator for driving against traffic to beat the gridlock on the Ogbor Hill Waterside Bridge; the driver refused to stop.

Professional cook lures 8-yr-old girl with rice, rapes her

The police in Lagos State have arrested a 36-year-old man, who says he is a cook, for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl in Ijaye area of the state.
He was alleged to have lured the minor with cooked rice.
During interrogation, the suspect, a father of three identified as Otobong Inyang, blamed the act on his state of drunkenness.
The suspect, who was paraded alongside other suspected criminals at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters, Ikeja, would be charged to court according to the command boss, Mr. Fatai Owoseni.
Inyang, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, lives in the same building with the minor. Four children, including the victim, were said to have entered the suspect’s one room apartment, while he was cooking.

Nigeria