The Nigerian police in Lagos State have vowed to clampdown on sellers and users of fireworks across the state following series of explosions in Lagos Island yesterday in which one person was killed and 10 houses and 11 cars burnt.
For how long are we going to hear comments like this? How were those products brought in? Should not a lot of people be losing their jobs now?
Saturday, 29 December 2012
Gunmen Kill 25 in Adamawa, Borno
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| Adamawa state map |
No fewer than 25 people were allegedly killed Friday in separate attacks in Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Musari area of Borno State by unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Islamic religious sect, Boko Haram.
The attacks which came as people were almost celebrating a stress free Yuletide led to 20 deaths in Maiha where the terrorists also attacked offices and lodges of the Customs and residents as well as the Divisional Police Headquarters, which they set ablaze.
However, out of the 35 inmates freed by the attackers from the Maiha prison, the police said have re-arrested 11.
The terrorists entered a Musari within the hours of 1 am and 3 am and surreptitiously killed five people in their houses.
Police Public Relations Officer in Yola, DSP, Mohammed Ibrahim confirmed that the attackers burnt down the customs office, District Head office, a car belonging to the Divisional Police Officer and several residential houses in the town.
Mohammed further disclosed that a guest in the local government Presidential Lodge was killed and a police officer also killed at the Divisional Police Station.
The Adamawa State police commissioner, Mr Godfrey Okeke confirmed the incident, but declined to make further comment regarding the attacks in Maiha.
However, Hamman Jelani, an eyewitness told ThisDay that the gunmen came from the mountainous area of Maiha and set the prison inmates free.
He said the came with heavy weapons and fired some gunshots before attacking the Divisional Police Headquarters and the prison. "The attackers also made away with various arms and ammunition."
According to sources, the attackers subsequently proceeded to the Local Government Education Authority complex, which they ransacked and set ablaze.
A resident of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the people of Maiha were shell-shocked in the wee hours of the night as cries were heard from homes.
According to him, many were crying for help without any coming their way "as everyone knew not where the danger was coming from and they were equally apprehensive of the fact that they may walk into the hands of assailants."
He said the attack could have gone on till daybreak if not for the intervention of the men of the Joint Task Force who engaged the militants in a gun battle and drove them back.
Confirming the attack, the spokesperson of the JTF in Borno State, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa said:" Information revealed that some terrorists sneaked into Musari, a village located on the outskirts of Maiduguri and secretly carried out selective killings of five people including a serving Nigerian Police Traffic Warden.
"The Joint Task Force troops responded to the distress call, arrested three suspected assailants and recovered one AK 47 Rifle with ten rounds of 7.62mm ammunition."
Crossover Festival: Tuface and others billed
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| Tuface |
The show, organised by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, and Star Lager Beer among other partners, culminated a 12-day event of music, comedy and all-round entertainment at a specially-built Star Mega City situated within the Eko Atlantic City.
“This is a show to usher in New Year and we are proud to say that Lagos holds a special place in the heart of Star. That is why we have decided to get involved in this crossover festival,” said Yusuf Ageni, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries plc, at the opening of the Star Mega City.
Also speaking at the opening, Governor Babatunde Fashola, described the Star’s concept as a successful partnership between the public and the private sector. “I must say that the Star Mega City is a unique concept that will expose more the tourism potential of Lagos State,” Fashola said.
Crime:Robbery suspect narrowly escapes lynching
In an attempt to escape arrest by a team of policemen on patrol on the LASU-Isheri Expressway on Wednesday, a robbery suspect, Godwin Ibe, narrowly escaped death in the hands of a mob in Lagos.
Ibe, 29, was apprehended by some members of the Odua People’s Congress keeping the watch in the neighbourhood, in a manner that was reminiscent of the Aluu killings, at about 6 am with a shotgun and four live cartridges allegedly found on him.
Some moments before he was caught with the weapon, policemen patrolling the expressway had demanded to know the contents of the polythene bag in his possession. But scared that he might be discovered, he beat a hasty retreat and took to his heels.
It was learnt that in order to prevent him from escaping, the patrolmen raised the alarm and followed him in a hot chase.
The sound of running feet attracted the attention of the resident OPC vigilante group. The latter joined in the chase and eventually caught up with the fleeing suspect.
But Ibe denied ownership of the gun found in his possession. In an interview with CRIME DIGEST, he said, “I came to that area in the morning at the behest of Moses, who is a friend of mine and a fellow armed robber. On the previous night, he told me that he was travelling and requested me to come get his gun for safe keeping. I agreed and sometime before 6 am the following day, I was on the LASU/Isheri Road.
“Usually, members of my gang often met with Moses in an oil pipeline area just off that road. Moses is the leader of our gang. I have known him for five months now. A mutual friend introduced him to me at the Abuja Line in Alaba International Market. He keeps the arms that we use during our operations. After he handed his gun to me, I bade him farewell and started walking back home.”
Ibe admitted that on his way home he ran into the police patrol team at about 6 am. “The policemen stopped me and asked me about the contents of the bag I was carrying. I was scared and I couldn’t think up an excuse. So I ran away. But they raised the alarm and ran after me. Before they could get to me, some OPC men caught me. They checked my bag, saw the gun and immediately realised that I was a robber.
“The OPC men beat me with pieces of wood and anything they could lay their hands on. They were about to set me on fire when the policemen, who had been chasing me, arrived on the spot and stopped them.”
Nursing two head wounds and deep lacerations on his body, Ibe regretted his actions. He said, “I was arrested in 2010 and was jailed. I served at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison for armed robbery. At the time, I was into bag snatching and I was arrested during an unsuccessful operation. I was eventually released early this year from prison and travelled back to my home state.
“I didn’t return to Lagos until August. Starting life afresh was very difficult for me at the time. Although I am a trained mechanic, I tried my hand at being a casual worker at the Badagry beach. It was not profitable. Sometimes you made sales and at other times, you didn’t. I got tired and eventually approached Moses for help.
“We met regularly at a joint where Indian hemp was sold in the neighbourhood. But that was after he had been introduced to me. I told him that I needed his help and I has having difficulty making ends meet.
“Moses took pity on me and asked me to join his gang. Often, we would operate around the petroleum pipelines at Ojo, Okokomaiko and LASU. At first we started with bag snatching, harassing women who walked on the expressway in search of commercial motorcyclists on their way to work.
“Eventually, we changed tactics and started to attack traders. Most of time, our victims were the traders who left their homes before 6 am to take their wares to the market. They always carried some money on them. Since we were four in number, we would surround our victims with two in front and then, rob them of their bags and goods.
“The goods were usually taken to the premises of a public primary school located near the road. That is where we often met after every robbery to share our loot. We didn’t even make much money because the news of our robbery attacks often spread and other traders became more cautious in the end. I got involved in robbery because I had nowhere else to go. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Umaru Manko, confirmed the arrest. He said, “Ibe was rescued and arrested by a police patrol team attached to Satellite division. He was eventually transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad last Friday. Efforts are being made by the investigating SARS team to apprehend the remaining three gang members.
“However, this has been made more difficult because Ibe lost his phone while he was being mobbed by the OPC vigilante. He no longer has the contacts of his accomplices and has no idea where they live.
“Ibe confessed that the gang usually met at a certain location on Allen Avenue in Ikeja before any robbery attack. Investigation is still ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court upon its conclusion.
Yobo hits back at Odemwingie: You are not Messi
Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo has lashed out at Peter Odemwingie for being disrespectful after the West Bromwich Albion striker said the country does not have a team leader.
Odemwingie said via Twitter that recent Eagles captains have only looked out only for themselves and so the team lack a leader.
Yobo has now hit back at his national teammate, who was sensationally dropped from the squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa
“Osaze has been reckless, disrespectful to most people. He’s not a kid, he should grow up because we cannot continue to baby sit him. He is responsible for his problems,” Yobo told Lagos radio Brila FM on Friday.
“This is not the first time he has been disrespectful. He is fighting all the coaches and at the World Cup he also disrespected me and he later apologised.
“He is not the (Lionel) Messi or (Cristiano) Ronaldo of Nigeria. He should look himself in the mirror.”
The Fenerbache star gave credit to coach Stephen Keshi for the provisional squad he picked for the AFCON, while admitting that he was surprised Obafemi Martins, Osaze, Taye Taiwo and Kalu Uche were not considered.
“I will give him credit for the squad. He will score 95 percent even though one or two should have been there,” said the former Everton defender.
“I’m sure he would have had some sleepless nights in selecting his team. Kalu Uche, Martins, Taye and Osaze not being there was a surprise but the coach must have his reasons and he cannot call everybody.”
Yobo also admitted that at 32 this is most likely his last AFCON.
“I think I have to admit it that this may be my last Nations Cup. We have to allow younger players to get their chance,” said the central defender, who has featured in five Nations Cups.
Football:Odemwingie’s outburst unprofessional – Iroha
Former Super Eagles’ defender, Benedict Iroha has joined the train of former players who have backed the decision of the senior national team coach, Stephen Keshi to omit Peter Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Taye Taiwo from the preliminary squad of the team to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Iroha was one of the heroes of the 1994 Afcon tournament in Tunisia, where the Eagles came out tops and incidentally that was the last time Nigeria has won the competition.
Iroha told Goal.com that since Keshi calls the shots, he has the right to select players that he felt would figure in his programme knowing fully well he would be judged by the results garnered in South Africa in January.
He expressed dismay at the Twitter outburst of Odemwingie whom he reckoned threw caution to the wind as he failed to come to terms with his omission from the 2013 Afcon party.
“Keshi is the boss and he calls the shots,” Iroha told Goal.com.
“It doesn’t make much sense criticising the team list endorsed by him. He knows the importance of going to the Africa Cup of Nations with established players and for him to have dropped Odemwingie and the like shows he means business.
“The outburst of Odemwingie on the heels of his omission from the team list showed his level of maturity and the impact he would have had on the dressing room if he had made the squad.
“He didn’t exhibit the quality of a professional. He showed a bad example to upcoming footb-allers,” Iroha added.
The Imo born former Eagles’ Assistant Coach got a crucial goal in the semi-final of Tunisia 1994 Afcon against Cote d’Ivoire en-route to Nigeria’s second triumph in Africa’s biggest soccer fiesta.
Obasanjo, the comedian
He sure knows what he is talking about.
Friday, 28 December 2012
Funny:Nigeria Police On Red Alert Over Terror Rumours
Mohammed Abubakar, Inspector General of Police
Nigeria’s police authorities have placed their men on red alert in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja, following speculations about another terrorist attack.
Investigations revealed that additional security measures have also been provided around foreign missions, major hotels including Transcorp, Sheraton and NICON Luxury Hotels. Policemen, as well as private guards were seen frisking vehicles and visitors entering the hotels.
Besides, the security men at the US Embassy and the hotels, armed policemen were patrolling the area.
An Armoured Personnel Carrier was stationed metres away from the Canadian High Commission located on Bobo Street.
Investigations revealed further that security agencies had changed tactics in dealing with the increasing threat of terrorist attacks after earlier attacks on the nation’s capital.
Speculations about a possible terror strike in Nigeria have prompted The United States, Canadian and Taiwanese governments to warn their nationals against non-essential travel to Nigeria.
I find all these funny because only the rich are being protected. these people can afford private guards but yet the "meagre" national resources is still being expended on them. When will these end?
Calabar Carnival
THE Calabar Festival climaxed Thursday with the Cross River State capital, otherwise known as the Canaan City, bursting in a frenzy of celebrations.
As early as dawn Thursday, the city woke up to the sound of festivities as people began to set up for the carnival. The Millennium Park was the gathering point, and the mood and colours at the park were those of joy and celebration, with the participating five bands in the yearly feast making their ways to the starting point.
By 11a.m, the Acting Governor, Efiok Essien Cobham, accompanied by his wife and other dignitaries, including the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, and wife as well as Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, arrived at the park to a deafening ovation by the people.
And by 11.15a.m, the acting governor moved to cut the ribbon, after which he made the traditional declaration: “Let the show begin,” and the people responded with joy. From that point on, the carnival assumed a new dimension with the five competing bands – Passion 4, Freedom, Seagull, Masta Blasta and Bayside engaging in a feat of musical gyration, artistic and well choreographed dance steps in a highly entertaining manner that “threw the audience into spellbound celebration.”
Besides the five bands, other non-competing bands, such as the visiting Brazilian Samba group and Vai Vai entertained the audience as they went on the 14- kilometre street parade that terminated at the U.J. Esuene Stadium for the final showdown among the competing bands. The event lasted into late hours. The winning band was yet to be announced as at press time as the celebration was still on.
Chairman of the Carnival Commission, Mr. Gab Onah, described this year’s edition as classic, adding that the carnival has gone full swing and now has a brand identity that everyone was willing to be associated with. The presence of over five countries and high-ranking personalities from around the country and outside, he said, is a testimony to the height that the 32-day festival itself has reached.
This will be the first time in history the Calabar Festival is holding without the governor in attendance, as Governor Liyel Imoke is on annual vacation.
Travellers pass night on Lagos-Ibadan Exp •Incident claims 2 lives, injures 4
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| Burnt tanker |
Thousands of passengers were forced to pass the night on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday as a result of an accident caused by two articulated vehicles.
Two persons were said to have died in the accident, which involved five persons, while the others sustained varying degrees of injury.
The accident, which occurred in front of the AP Petrol Station in the Ayetoro area of the expressway, caused an all-night gridlock on the busy road.
The accident happened when an articulated vehicle marked Lagos KJA 894 XB, carrying a bulldozer, attempted to overtake a fuel tanker with number plate LAGOS 270 SD and in the process, pierced the tanker and let loose its content. This resulted in an instant fire outbreak.
The situation remained chaotic until midday on Friday when the debris of the burnt vehicles was cleared off the road.
The Sagamu Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Lasisi Ogundele, said the tanker went off in flames after both articulated vehicles collided and the tanker got pierced.
When our correspondent visited the spot on Friday morning, Ogundele blamed the accident on the carelessness of the driver of the articulated vehicle.
He said, “In an attempt to overtake the tanker, the driver of the trailer conveying the bulldozer forgot that the width of the bulldozer was wider than his truck. And in the process, the bulldozer pierced the rear compartment of the tanker and fuel started gushing out; this led to a fire outbreak.”
He said the accident occurred around 10.30 pm on Thursday, and the victims had been taken to the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.
“Five persons were involved in the accident. Three persons were seriously burnt and one of them died on the spot. While the second person died in the hospital, the third is in a critical condition,” the FRSC boss said.
Ogundele, who attributed the accident to dangerous overtaking, stated that officials of the corps passed the night at the scene trying to control traffic in the area.
He said, “You know it was late; we could not get a crane to the scene by that time to move the vehicles; that is the reason for the delay till this morning.”
The News Agency of Nigeria observed that combined efforts of the FRSC, Ogun Traffic Compliance Agency, police, soldiers and NSCDC officials had reduced the gridlock at 10.30 am, especially for those going to Ibadan from Lagos.
South-West Public Relations Officer of National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said, “It is unfortunate that this kind of incident is repeating itself on this corridor.
“There is an existing traffic law which stipulates how an articulated vehicle should move and overtake while on this type of road.”
The NEMA spokesperson promised that the agency would collaborate with traffic officials on federal highways to ensure compliance with the law in order to reduce road carnage.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, who was at the scene for an on-the-spot assessment, said the police would ensure that the situation did not degenerate.
“We are here to ensure that hoodlums do not hijack the process and turn it into something else. A lot of people are travelling and you know what that means.
“We have a duty to protect lives and property until this road is totally free; my men are not leaving here at all,” he said.
Some of the passengers, who spoke with NAN, regretted that they embarked on a journey that had lasted for more than 15 hours.
Chinedu Uzoh, who said he was on his way to Imo, pleaded with the government to enact a law that would reduce or ban the movement of articulated vehicles during the Yuletide.
When the road was eventually cleared, FRSC officials had a tough time controlling the traffic as everyone wanted to drive off at the same time.
Food: Spaghetti With Prawns And Mushrooms Served With Banana Shake
SPAGHETTI prepared with prawns and mushrooms is a tasty, fascinating meal that makes one to salivate at a glance. What makes spaghetti with prawns and mushrooms stand out as a unique and healthy food is that it has both animal and plant foods.
Research have shown that plant foods supply all the vital nutrients like vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E that nourish the body and also contain ideal elements for blood preservation and purification. Shrimp, the main ingredient of this dish provides very high quality protein similar to that of fish. It is rich in protein, energy and iron that are necessary to keep the body in good condition.
This recipe, apart from being high in iron, a main component of red blood cells, also contains vitamins and minerals that help in cleansing the blood, and carbohydrate that gives energy to the body. Spaghetti with prawns and mushrooms is specially designed for those that need energy like children, sportsmen, pregnant women and youths. Children need a lot of energy to carry out activities like running, playing, swimming and reading.
This meal can help in prevention and treatment of anaemia. It is also is recommended anytime there is an increase in nutritional needs such as, malnutrition, pregnancy, growth years in children and recovery period from illness. When it is garnished with chicken, it provides a good source of protein.
As many people are making New Year resolutions, why not consider including a nutritious and healthy meal once a day in your resolutions. Try it today and you will never regret it.
Ingredients Quantities
Dried spaghetti 400g
Rinsed Dried Porcini 15g
Mushroom(wild mushroom
Boiling water 300ml
Pipe plum tomatoes 6
Virgin Olive oil 2 tablespoons
Baby button mushroom 150g
Finely chopped garlic 2 cloves
Bay leaf 1
White wine 150ml
Cooked tiger prawn 225g
Ground black pepper ½ teaspoon
Salt
Method of preparation
Place the porcini in a bowl and pour half of the boiling water over, leave to soak for 30minutes.
Remove the mushrooms with a slotted spoon and chop, then strain the soaking liquid through a fine sieve and reserve.
Put the tomatoes in a neat proof bowl and make a small nick in the skin of each with the point of a sharp knife, then pour over enough boiling water to cover, leave for 30 seconds, then drain, peel, deseed and roughly chop.
Heat the oil in a large frying pan; add the porcini and button mushrooms and fry, stirring until golden.
Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Pour in the reserved porcini soaking liquid, add the bay leaf, and simmer briskly until the liquid is reduced to a glaze.
Reduce the heat to low.
Pour in the wine and tomatoes and simmer for 7-8 minutes or until the liquid is slightly reduced and the tomatoes break down.
Remove the bay leaf, add the prawns and cook for one minute or until heated through.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cook the spaghetti in plenty of lightly salted boiling water for 10 minutes, as directed on the packet.
Drain thoroughly, then return to the pan, add the sauce, toss to combine and serve immediately with banana shake.
Banana shake
This shake is not only pleasant to drink but also contains a number of medicinal properties. Milk, the basic ingredient of this shake is a complete single food, which provides practically all nutrients. It is high in protein calcium, B- complex vitamins and magnesium. Banana, apart from being high in magnesium it also supplies potassium, calcium, phosphorus, fibre and B- complex vitamins. Intake of banana shake helps to build a strong musculoskeletal system, prevent osteoporosis and demineralisation. It is also ideal for proper function of the nervous system
Recommendation
Banana shake is highly recommended for those wishing to prevent osteoporosis and people suffering from stress, intellectual strain, depression and irritability.
Ingredients Quantities
Milk ½ litre
Banana 4 medium size
Method of preparation
Peel and chop the banana.
Place the banana in a container.
Pour the milk and mix with an electric blender.
Pour the mixture into individual glasses.
Serve cold immediately with the main dish.
Update on Gov. Wada
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State is in critical condition and may have lost a leg in the fatal road accident that claimed the life of his aide the camp and leaving two others critically wounded.
Doctors at the Lokoja Specialist Hospital where Gov. Wada received first aid treatment said one of his leg is “totally broken.”
According to the doctors ,Governor Wada arrived the intensive care unit with a severely fractured femur. The good thing according to the doctors is that he did not sustain major head or spinal cord injuries.
Wada has since been flown to the National Hospital in Abuja.
The Governor’s convoy was involved in an auto crash on Lokoja-Ajaokuta road,near Salem University.
The aide-de-camp , Idris Mohammed, died instantly and two others including the driver were injured.
The cause of the accident remain unknown.
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