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

Ogun-Cleric-Stuck-in-Shrine Saga:Idol worshippers beat me with charms—PASTOR

The pastor who allegedly got stuck in a shrine in Ketu community, Ayetoro, in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Prince Wale Fagbire, has denied being struck by idols while destroying their shrines.
Pastor Fagbire, who presides over Christ Apostolic Church, Ona-Iye, Ayetoro, said he was instructed not to utter a word after he destroyed the shrines.
The embattled pastor spoke at a briefing organised by Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ogun State chapter, yesterday, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Pastor Fagbire had told his congregation that he had been directed by God to destroy all the shrines in Ketu community.
However, while carrying out the mission, he allegedly got stuck, looking like a statue. This prompted the people in the area to raise alarm.

‘I raped my 15-yr-old daughter under influence of forces beyond me’

A 49-year-old man, yesterday, gave a graphic description of how he had been sleeping with his 15-year-old daughter in their Oko-Oba home in Abule-Egba area of Lagos State.
The suspect, Tony Ehumadu, who hails from Mbaise area of Imo State, was caught in the act by his wife, a Customs officer.
Ehumadu, a businessman, was arrested after one of his brothers-in-law reported the case to the police.
He admitted to have slept with his Junior Secondary School 1 daughter twice, adding that the first instance was under the influence of alcohol.

#EdoDecides and the need for circumspection

Results on Social Media should be disregarded as only INEC or its designated officials can do so.

This notice has been tweeted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
As much as I am happy that the social media revolution is good for curbing rigging in our brand of politics, I also believe in circumspection.
Let us do everything with caution. Edo is my home. As we decide, let us also be careful not to spark violence. That is where everybody loses: in violence.
#EdoDecides

I threw him over for his brother

My husband and I have been living together for about four years and have been married for three years. We have a daughter we both adore.
But when I fell in love with him, I was going out with his younger brother. It was a relaxed relationship and we never discussed marriage until his brother came along. I know we hurt him badly when we got married, but he always told me he wanted me back and that he’d always love me.
Unfortunately, there have been days when I’ve felt that leaving him was a terrible mistake. He was a wonderful man and treated me like I was special.
About a year ago, my husband and I had one of our steamy rows and I ended up having sex with his brother. It was mind-blowing. We’ve since been sleeping together, but my ex is now seeing another woman and I’m feeling jealous.
I still care deeply for him, but going back to him would hurt too many people. We’ve stopped sleeping together because this new girl is always in his flat! I feel so empty, especially knowing I can’t really have him.

Female friends won’t leave me alone

I find it easy to interact with women and have a lot of female friends. Unfortunately, they all keep falling for me.
I don’t think I’m anything special and I don’t think I lead them on, but they think I want more than friendship. I then don’t know what to say because I don’t want to hurt them.
In the past, I’ve even slept with a few, simply because I don’t know what else to do. But then they want a proper relationship and it ends horribly.
I don’t want to stop being friends with women, so how can I stop the friendship being misconstrued?

My new man is older and shorter

I am in my early 30s with an adorable son and ended a relationship with his father last year. I’m now with another man, who loves me for what I am, unlike the father of my son. My new man is loving and helps me through financial and emotional stress.
The problem is he is almost 18 years older and considerably shorter than me. My friends talk about this and people stare at us when we go out in public. I also don’t love him as much as I loved my previous lover. In spite of the fact that he’s perfect, I love him in a brotherly way.
The father of my son was arrogant and cruel, yet I still think about him. The love I once knew with him stops me from giving my new lover the love he deserves. I care a lot about this man and I don’t want to lose him.

Can you reach orgasm the first time?

I am in my late teens and a student. I have just had sex for the first time with my boyfriend. I enjoyed it a lot and I’m sure I had an orgasm.
But my boyfriend says I must be mistaken, because women never have orgasms the first time they have sex. He says they have to learn to have it. Is he right?

Brangelina: Jennifer Aniston's memes floods Twitter

It is the shock split that has sent social media into a meltdown.
And although some seem genuinely upset by the news of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's impending divorce, others have delighted in sharing Jennifer Aniston memes.
The actress, who was dumped by Brad in 2005 in favour of Angelina, can be seen in various states of glee in the clips and memes flooding Twitter.
In one picture, Jennifer delivers a withering put-down from hit TV show Friends, saying: 'And that, my friend, is what they call closure.'
Dailymail online 

Abduction of Lagos 4: Controversy as one victim escapes from kidnappers

Yesterday, news went round Channels Avenue in Isheri area of Lagos, scene of weekend’s abduction of four residents of Lekki Gardens, that one of the abducted victims had escaped from the kidnappers’ den.
The man (names withheld) was said to have been sighted in the early hours of yesterday, as he was being driven home in a relative’s car.
There were, however, different accounts as to how he returned home. A version of the account had it that he sneaked from the kidnappers’ den while they were asleep and paddled himself home, from where he contacted a relative who came to pick him from the waterside.
He was said to have arrived at 4a.m.

Defendant excretes in courtroom

A defendant, Avekpon Bernard, 18, who is standing trial for conduct likely to cause breach of the peace, alongside 22 others, before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, yesterday, excreted in the dock, while the Court Registrar was reading the charge to the defendants.
The defendant had told the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, that he was pressed and wanted to use the toilet just before the court started sitting, but he refused, saying he cannot leave the other defendants.
Bernard, who was sweating profusely and obviously could not hold on any more, excreted inside the court, fouling the courtroom. Asked what was happening, the defendant said he had excreted, so he was taken outside the court.

‘Why we withdrew our children from private schools’

AS school children resume from the long vacation, Vanguard investigations revealed that parents have commenced withdrawing their children from private schools to public ones, attributing their action to the harsh economic situation in the country.
Parents and school owners, who spoke to Vanguard yesterday, lamented the bad economic situation, with proprietors stating that since resumption their schools have been witnessing a low turnout of returning pupils.
Mrs Gladys Adewumi, whose three children were in Living Joy Nursery and Primary School, Ikorodu, said she withdrew two of her children from the private school to a public school when it was apparent her husband could not cope financially.
Adewumi said: “I operate a beauty salon and my husband is a plumber and we have three children in a private school. For about a year now, my husband has not been able to live up to his financial responsibility to the family, which led to over N100,000 indebtedness to the school.
“To reduce the financial burden, we agreed to remove two of our children from the private school to a government school at Elepe.
“The challenge I may encounter now is the distance between our residence and the school, which is about five miles.”

BRANGELINA OVER: Angelina Jolie files for divorce from Brad Pitt and requests sole custody of the couple's six children

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as Mr and Mrs Smith
in the movie of same name, where they met in 2004

Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt.

TMZ reports that the actress filed papers on Monday citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split and asking for physical custody of the couple's six children. 

A source close to the couple said Jolie, 41, made the decision to file because of the way 'Brad was parenting the children,' adding that 'she was extremely upset with his methods.'

That same source claims Jolie became 'fed up' with Pitt's consumption of 'weed and possibly alcohol' mixed with his 'anger problem.'

The pair began dating in 2004 and were married in August 2014.

Dailymail online 

BLOODY BENUE ROBBERY: Leader of Sengev gang killed, 3 arrested

The suspecst and their car

Less than 72 hours after an eight months old baby, her sibling, mother and 10 others were killed in a bloody robbery attack in Sengev near Gbishe, Katsina/Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, operatives of the state’s Joint Security Task Force have killed two members of the robbery gang, including its leader, Atondo Bya.
Three others, suspected to be members of the gang, were also arrested by the Task Force for questioning, while a Honda car with number plates GBG315AA was recovered from the gang.

Police rescue Rivers 7 from kidnappers

The freed kidnap victims and police spokesman

Police in Rivers State, yesterday, announced the rescue of the last batch of 14 Nestoil workers kidnapped 17 days ago around Omoku, headquarters of Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Omoni Nnamdi, said the last batch rescued is made of seven men.
The other seven had, at separate times, escaped from the kidnappers’ hideout.
Nnamdi said: “The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr Francis Odesanya, in keeping with his pledge to fight all manners of crime and criminality in the state, which pledge is already yielding result, has again smashed the gang of kidnappers responsible for the abduction of 14 oil workers on September 2.”

Abduction of Lagos 4: Kidnappers demand N1.2bn ransom

THE kidnappers of four residents of Lekki Gardens in Isheri, a border community between Lagos and Ogun states, weekend, demanded N1.2 billion ransom for their release.
They made contacts with family members of the victims, suspected to be held hostage in the creeks, yesterday.
The victims, Mr. Kennedy Ucheagwu, Dr. Omololu, Bello and Mr. Esang, said to be landlords at Oshorun Heritage Estate, had gone for an aerobic section, Saturday, when eight masked gunmen in military camouflage intercepted them, shooting sporadically.
While others managed to escape, same could not be said for the victims, as they were whisked away in boats through the waterways.
One of the relatives of the abducted men, who spoke on condition of anonymity yesterday, said: “I got a call very early yesterday, where the unknown caller informed that he was one of the kidnappers that took our people away on Saturday.
“He warned that in our interest and for the safety of the victims, we should not contact the police or try to play smart.
“He said anything of such would lead to the death of our people. He did not allow me to speak with my person, as he claimed that he was sleeping.
“He said that we should get N1.2 billion before they would be released. He also told me to meet with relatives of the other people. He called back about four hours later to find out if the money was ready.
“He also asked if I had my own N300 million for the release my relation. I begged him to accept N200,000, as that was the only money we could afford, except he wants us to go and start borrowing or sell our property.
“But the line went dead at that point. Where do we get that kind of money at this time? My worry is that my relative is hypertensive.”

Family friend masterminded robbery attack on Super Eagles player, Onazi’s father

The suspects

the SUV

Knife

Phone

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the robbers who attacked Mr. Wilson Onazi, father of Super Eagles’ player, Paul Onazi, at his Jos, Plateau State, home, Monday, carting away his Toyota Highlander SUV and other valuables.
Members of the five-man robbery gang were arrested while at the verge of selling off the SUV at a hotel in Imoda, Ajagbandi area of Lagos, by Anti-Crime Policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer in Charge of Ajagbandi Division, Mr. Musa Alimi.
Four men, pretending to be postmen, stormed Onazi’s building on 57A, Government Reserved Area, GRA, Utan, Jos, where they handed him a fake letter.
Thereafter, they collected his phone, a bag containing his personal effects and zoomed off in the SUV.
During preliminary investigation, the alleged mastermind of the robbery attack was discovered to be a family friend of the Onazis. He was identified as Kingsley David, a graduate of Psychology from the University of Jos.
Two other suspects were also graduates of different higher institutions, while the rest were businessmen in Plateau and Lagos states.

Jilted mother of 3 abandons day-old baby, blames action on hardship

A 31-year-old mother of three, Ifunanya Eme, has been arrested for concealing her day-old baby inside a sack and abandoning the baby girl at a dump site in Ajagbandi area of Lagos.
Eme, who hails from Oji River in Enugu State, blamed her action on her inability to take care of the baby.
The suspect, who was paraded at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters, yesterday, said that she delivered the baby girl unaided, inside a toilet at one of her relatives’ place at Montana Street, Ajagbandi, at 3a.m., Tuesday.
Thereafter, she wrapped the baby and the placenta inside a bag and sneaked out of the building to a dump site, where she abandoned the baby.
She left her three children with her sister in Enugu, after she was separated from her husband, before relocating to Lagos.
While in Ajah area of Lagos, where she was squatting with a friend, she went into a relationship with a man, identified simply as John, which resulted in the pregnancy.
Trouble started after her lover absconded, when she informed him about the pregnancy.

Soldier's stray bullet sends man into coma

Doctors at Igando General Hospital in Lagos are battling to save the life of a middle-aged man, who was hit by a stray bullet from soldiers in an OP MESA van, yesterday at Ijegun, Lagos.
The bullet from the soldiers drafted to Ijedodo community to checkmate activities of militants, hit the victim on his left hand.
As at 8p.m. yesterday, the victim, identified as Ifeanyi Mmezi, an indigene of Imo State, was still lying unconscious at the hospital.
An eyewitness, Iya Modina, said: “The incident happened around 1p.m. at Ijegun Bus Stop. The soldiers were in their van driving through stop when they started shooting into the air.
“A man, who was alighting from a commercial bus at the bus stop, was hit. People ran in different directions. The soldiers just drove past.
“A man picked the victim’s phone and called some contacts on it. When his relatives arrived, he was already taken to the hospital.”
However, when spokesperson for 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Major Gbadamosi, said he was not aware of such an incident, adding that he had contacted the unit’s head at Ijedodo, who also confirmed that nothing of such happened.

Man ties stone to 3-yr-old step-brother, drowns him

AN Abakaliki Magistrate’s Court, Ebonyi State, yesterday, remanded one Ogobuchi Ogonna, 25, for drowning his step-brother, Wisdom Amagu, aged three.
Ogobuchi allegedly tied a stone to his stepbrother’s waist and threw him into a stream.
The incident occurred at Ndiebor Nchoko, Igbeagu community in Izzi Local Government Area of the state.
Ogonna was arraigned on a count charge of unlawful cause of death.

7 fleeing Arepo vandals, kidnappers arrested in Edo

Seven suspected criminals, who took part in kidnappings, armed robberies and pipeline vandalism in Ikorodu, Arepo and Ibafo areas of Lagos and Ogun states, have been arrested by the police.
It was gathered that the suspects, who fled their camps when security operatives launched offensives against their activities, were apprehended in Edo State, where they had gone to regroup.

Drunk lawmaker’s driver kills two, injures nine in Ogun

The  driver of a Nissan Serena SUV, marked 25 OGHA, allegedly the official car of a member of Ogun State House of Assembly, has killed two persons and injured nine others.
It occurred at 11: 35a.m., at the notorious Onipepeiye village in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state, yesterday morning along the Abeokuta-Siun-Sagamu Expressway.
It was gathered that the accident involved a Toyota Picnic passenger SUV, marked LAGOS KSF 957 BB and the Nissan Serena SUV, marked 25 OGHA.

I don't feel guilt having sex with boyfriend's friends

I’ve been in a serious relationship for close to a year now, but my problem is that I can’t stop cheating. I’ve always been a flirt and my boyfriend thinks I mean no harm by it.
Recently, I’ve been doing more than flirting.
A few weeks ago, I even allowed myself to be seduced by one of my boyfriend’s  mates! I know it makes me look slutty, but I felt no qualms whatsoever— he’s just one of the few men I’ve cheated with since I started going out with this guy.
I don’t understand why I’m being unfaithful to my boyfriend as I love him a lot.
I just believe that since I feel no guilt, there is no reason to stop.
How can I stop? I don’t want to lose my boyfriend who is the best thing that has happened to me.

My husband says his lovers don't mean anything to him

I am 28 and my husband is three years older. We’ve been married for four years and have two lovely children. He has always cheated on me, even before we got married. Every time he has told me that these women mean nothing to him and that he loves only me, so I learnt to forgive him.
As far as I know, he’s been quiet now for about four months.
I love my husband a lot and I don’t want to lose him, but I can’t get images of him with other women out of my head. I’ve tried to talk to him but he just gets angry and tells me to stop nagging.
I’m scared that if I don’t put all this behind me and start to trust him, our marriage might suffer.
I don’t think I can cope if he leaves. I’m scared of being on my own in spite of the fact that I have a good job and I don’t want to meet another man only to go through the whole heart-ache all over again.

Nigeria spends N596bn on fuel imports in six months

Nigeria, in spite of the declining economic fortunes, spent N595.5 billion on the importation of fuel in the first six months of 2016, rising by N34.3 billion from the amount spent in the last six months of 2015.
According to data obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the country spent N276.226 billion on petrol import in the first quarter of 2016, while N319.28 billion was spent in the second.
The NBS report showed that the amount spent on fuel importation appreciated by 6.1 percent, compared with N561.2 billion spent in the second half of 2015.
However, the report pointed out that the amount spent on fuel import in the first half of 2016 was 12.18 percent lower, which is N82.63 billion less than the N678.13 billion spent on fuel imports in the first half of 2015.

Man kills wife’s lover, disappears

POLICE in Delta State are on the trail of a man, Ochuko Ajekpemevor, who stabbed one Robinson Ituke to death at Ugborikoko, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, Saturday, for allegedly sleeping with his wife, Rose.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, Celestina Kalu, in a statement yesterday, confirmed that “one Clement Ituke of 8, Udoko Street, Ugborikoko, reported that at 4p.m., one Ochuko Ajekpemevor and his wife, Rose, came into his house and her husband, Ochuko, brought out a knife and stabbed his son on the chest and ran away.
“The victim was immediately rushed to Inland Hospital Ugborikoko, where he gave up the ghost. Meanwhile, detectives visited the scene, photographs were taken and the corpse deposited at Warri Central Hospital’s morgue for autopsy, while effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect.”

Pastor dupes 499 women N3.5m

Policemen attached to the Pen Cinema Division of Lagos State Police Command have arraigned a 46-year-old pastor, Archie Morrow, before a Yaba Magistrate's Court, Lagos, over allegations that he duped 499 women of N3.5 million.
It was gathered that the pastor allegedly deceived the women to pay N7,000 each into his bank account with the promise to give them a loan of 150,000 each.
It was further gathered that after the pastor allegedly got N3.592 million, he bolted with the money and relocated to an unknown area, as all efforts by the women to get their money back proved abortive, while he also refused to pick their calls.
Luck, however, ran out on him when some of the women, acting on a tip-off, located him somewhere around Oke-Aro, a suburb of Ogun State. He was arrested by detectives from Pen Cinema Police Station, Agege.

How father of 2 died of shock, while robbers ate his food, drank his wine

Akin Ayotunde

A suspected member of the three gang that stormed an apartment in Gbogbo area of Lagos three weeks ago has been arrested.
The 27-year-old suspect, Akin Ayotunde, who hails from Umuahia, Abia State, disclosed that his gang had a field day in the operation that lasted five and half hours.
He expressed regret that the operation was marred by the death of the bread winner, whom he claimed died of shock.
The gang, it was gathered, scaled the fence of the building, where a man identified simply as Chike, who had come out of his flat to pick some documents from his car, was accosted.
The three-man gang led him into his sitting room. Chike’s wife was locked up in her bedroom, the children locked up in separate rooms, while their father remained in the sitting room.

Tithe thief to spend 6 months in jail

Magistrate Ade Adefulire of a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Lagos Island, yesterday, sentenced a church member, Elochukwu Nnoruga, to six months imprisonment for stealing N214,000 from Church tithe box.
The convict, who was on August 17, arraigned before the court, had pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of theft preferred against him by the police.
The magistrate sentenced the tithe thief to six months imprisonment in Ikoyi prison without an option of fine.

Police search for lost toddler's parents

A toddler, aged about nine months, who apparently strayed from her guardian’s watch, was found crawling along Aroshodipo Crescent, Government Reserved Area, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday.
A police patrol team, which sighted the baby, took him to the Lagos State Police Command headquarters, Ikeja. At press time yesterday, none had come to pick the baby boy.
Speaking on the rescue, the Command’s boss, Fatai Owoseni, appealed to parents, particularly working mothers, to be conscious of the need to protect their vulnerable children, to avoid them falling victims of kidnapping.
He called on parents of the child to come and pick him at the Command, with evidence to show that the baby is their biological child.

My 16-yr-old sister's too sexually active

I’m in my 20s and have recently discovered that my little sister is sleeping around  with old and young men in the neighbourhood.
She’s only 16.
I was shocked and ashamed of her waywardness. When I tried to talk to her, she scoffed and called me jealous. Do you think I should let my parents know?

My wife and I don't know how to ensure clean divorce

My wife and I row all of the time and it has got to a point where both of us agreed we might be better off apart. But we’re both terrified of what the reactions of our friends and relatives will be when we break up.
As a result, we still haven’t told anyone.
Our two kids are under 10. Our parents and friends think we are the perfect couple, so how can we come clean and let everyone know we’ve been living a total lie and that our marriage is over?

I still pine for my first love

When I was in the university, I got together with a long-term friend of mine and had the most amazing relationship. We were passionately in love and truly thought we were meant for each other. But afte r leaving university, we went in different directions and had a rather messy split.    
Ever since, I’ve pined for my first love and no relationship has ever equalled it. Is it a case of first love being the strongest? Were we meant to be?

My man is aroused by my ampit smell

I’ve been with my partner for over a year now and we are thinking of getting married.
Right from the time we started having sex, I’ve noticed he gets really aroused when he sniffs my armpit.
He’s pleaded with one not to shave them and I’ve complied but when the weather is  stuffy, my body odour becomes pronounced.
This is exactly when my partner buries his  head in them at regular intervals when we’re making love.
Do you think this is normal? I don’t particularly like it but I don’t want to hurt him by shaving my armpits.

4 UNILAG undergraduates docked over alleged cultism

Magistrate A. Okubule of an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistate’s Court, yesterday, remanded in prison custody four undergraduates of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, over their alleged involvement in cultism.
The undergraduates are Raheem Yusuf, 21; Adedoyin Abraham, 24; Olanrewaju Idowu, 36, and Safraini Peters, 24.
The prosecutor, Adebayo Oladele, told the court that the “undergraduates, who are members of an unlawful society known as Aloral Bucania, had on August 4, at 9.30a.m., at Room 318, Biobaku Hall, UNILAG, conspired among themselves to commit an offence likely to cause breach of public peace.”

3 killed as Hausa, Fulani clash in Lagos

No fewer than three persons lost their lives in a clash between Hausa and Fulani traders in Abbatoir, Agege area of Lagos, yesterday, while several others were injured.
However, Lagos State Police Command said only one person died.
Property were also destroyed in the clash that disrupted business activities at the popular cow market.
There are different accounts of what cause the clash. A version alleged that the Fulani stormed Oworose Hotel along the railway line, two days earlier and beat up some commercial sex workers and their male customers, majority of who were Hausa.
They were also alleged to have dispossessed their victims of their valuables.

Homeless boy drowns in Calabar drainage

It was a pitiable sight yesterday, when the remains of a street urchin that died while swimming, was carried through the streets of Calabar, Cross River State, by his friends for burial.
The homeless boy, simply identified as Daniel, drowned, yesterday, while swimming with his friends in a drainage popularly called Big Gutter, in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

SEASON OF FLOOD

Agbado Crossing, after Powerline Bus Stop, Ogun State, after a downpour, yesterday.

Oko-Oba Road, Agege, Lagos, after a downpour in Lagos, yesterday.

How herbalist, alfa killed 16-yr-old girl; throw body in river

Men of Ogun State Police Command from Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo Division of Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State, have arrested a herbalist, Mr. Tunde Banjo, an Alfa, Mr. Nurudeen Adeniyi, and 19-year-old Tobi Ogunkoya for allegedly killing a 16-year-old girl, identified as Olayinka.
Ogunkoya was arrested because he lured Olayinka to Banjo and Adeniyi.
They were arrested yesterday, following a frantic search for Olayinka.
A source in Ijebu-Igbo said Olayinka was likely killed for ritual purposes as her breasts were cut off by her killers.

Akperhe 4: Community celebrates, as Army releases last 3 detainees

AKPERHE community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, was agog yesterday, following the release of the last three of four of the community’s indigenes arrested by men of Operation Crocodile Smile.
Those released at 1.45p.m. yesterday from custody of the Military Police at the 3 Battalion, Effurun Barracks of the Nigerian Army, Uvwie Local Government Area, include Vincent Ekeke, Henry Koko and pregnant Rachael Abbah.
Madam Amrevweatefa Odada, a septuagenarian, was released last Sunday.

American bizman commits suicide in Lagos hotel

The dangling body of a 57-year-old American was, yesterday, found in a hotel in Lekki area of Lagos.
The foreign national, identified as Charles Carlson, was said to be on a business trip in Nigeria.
Although it could not be ascertained how long he had been in the country, it was gathered that he lodged in the hotel located on 8, African Line, Lekki Phase 1.
It was also gathered that apprehension set in after the 57-year-old businessman did not come down stairs for his breakfast.

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Foremost literary scholar, Isidore Okpewho, dies at 74

Foremost scholar of Oral Literature and award-winning novelist, Prof. Isidore Okpewho, has died at 74.
He was a prolific author, co-author and editor of about 14 books, dozens of articles and a seminal booklet, A Portrait of the Artist as a Scholar.
Prof. Okpewho died peacefully at a hospital in Binghamton, a town in Upstate New York where he had lived and taught since 1991.
His teaching career spanned University of New York at Buffalo (1974-76), University of Ibadan (1976-90), Harvard University (1990-91), and State University of New York at Binghamton.
According to Canada-based professor in Carleton University, Nduka Otiono, quoting family sources, the distinguished Professor at State University of New York, Binghamton, passed away on September 4, 2016, surrounded by family members.”
Although he battled illness recently, the scholar and humanist demonstrated exceptional capacity in dealing with his challenging health conditions.
Indeed, only two years ago, his last book to which he had long committed his intellectual resources, Blood on the Tides: The Ozidi Saga and Oral Epic Narratology, were published by University of Rochester Press.

Bags of rice smuggled as corpses in ambulance

Smugglers operating at the Badagry-Seme border tried a fast one on operatives of the Nigeria Customs by packaging smuggled rice as dead bodies.
The mobile patrol team leader, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Mr. Ozah M., said the team noticed the frequency with which the said ambulance was patronising the international route with the ‘dead body,’ a development they thought was becoming alarming.

50-yr-old father of two commits suicide, blames it on economy

It was a gory sight as the body of a 50-year-old man, identified as Chief Ekanem Edet, dangled from a rope tied to the roof of his room at Mbiabong Itam in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Ekanem Edet, former Secretary of the Mbiabong Village Council, popularly called Jolly Boy, waited until his wife and two sons went out before taking his life, allegedly leaving a suicide note in which he blamed his action on harsh economic condition.
According to a close family source, the deceased, in the suicide note, blamed government for inflicting unbearable pains and hardship on Nigerians.
A close associate of the deceased, Mr. Okon Effiong, told newsmen that Ekanem Edet was discovered dead by his friend, who went to visit him.

Man exchanges two siblings for bags of rice

An unidentified middle-aged man, Wednesday, abducted two siblings, who were returning from extra-moral class in Satellite area of Lagos. Thereafter, he exchanged them for two bags of rice in a shop at 63, Marwa Road, near Chemist Bus Stop.
The children are aged eight and 13.
It was gathered that at the shop, the abductor told the sales girl that he would like to take two bags of rice to the mother of the children, whom he claimed owned a restaurant close-by, to ascertain whether the rice was the brand she needed.
Owner of the shop, Mrs Silverline, explained that “he (the abductor) told my sales girl that the mother of the children needed Indian rice, but my sales girl told him that what we had was Brazilian rice and that it was good.