29yr-old man arraigned in court over N12m truck theft

A 29-year-old man, called Paul Johnson, has been arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court for stealing a Howo truck worth N12 million belonging to China Railway Construction Company
Johnson, is facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
Johnson, who works as a mechanic was given the truck to repair and he was supposed to pick up a mobile container at Apapa Wharf before he was said to have allegedly conspired with others at large to commit the crime.
The suspect and his accomplice were said to have changed directions towards Ibadan express way instead of Apapa.
It was discovered that the defendant sold the truck on getting to Ibadan, where he was eventually arrested.
Part of the charge against the suspect read;
“That you Paul Johnson with others now at large on the 20th day of June 2015 at China Railway Construction Company Ebute-Meta West Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire together to steal one Howo Truck with Registration number LA 265 FZE belonging to China railway construction and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 409 of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.
The defence counsel, Lawyer Osodu apply for the bail of the defendant on liberal term.
The magistrate, Mrs, O.O Ope Agbe admitted the defendant’s bail. The case was thereby adjourned till October 12, 2015

DailyTimes

#PHOTO... Justin Bieber seen in a marijuan shop in Amsterdam

 

Justin Bieber's promotional tour touched down in Amsterdam, and you know what that means ... he HAD to score some coffee -- and by that, we mean marijuana lol
Now, we don't know if he indulged or inhaled, but he and DJ Martin Garrix hit up the Greenhouse Coffee Shop where menu highlights include: New York Diesel, Train Wreck, Super Silver Haze, El Nino, Temple Balls, and to wipe your mind clean on the way out 

 TMZ

Quote of the Day

 “Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

MISS ANAMBRA 2015 IS HERE

      









  










Ushering us into the ember months, September becomes a huge reminder that 2015 is nearing it’s end.
With September:
1. We reminisce on past months and achievements and ‘pop bottles’ for them and also take time to note where we have not fulfilled our desires yet.
2. Again with September, realizing we have just 3 months till the end of the year, we want to do more, focus more and achieve more.
3. ‎In addition to the loads of plans, events, ceremonies packed up in the schedule of Nigerians for us to attend, we note  in our reminder -the auditions and the grand finale of the debut edition of Miss Anambra 2015
Hence Nigerians and Ndi Anambra are counting down more  to the first audition which holds in Awka 26th September 2015 and the grand finale comes up on 30th October 2015


Registrations are still ongoing...
visit :www.absradiotv.com for more information
or call 08035757134,07016715527, 08034696959
Facebook:www.Facebook.com/missanambrabeautypageant

Miss Anambra Beauty Pageant♥ Celebrating Unity, Culture, Education & Beauty,powered by Anambra State Broadcasting Service(ABS) and Anambra State Government.

                                        y

Army Arrests Producers Of Fake National ID Cards For Boko Haram Members

                                                                                                       

According to Leadership the Nigerian army said yesterday that it has arrested two business centre operators in Maiduguri who allegedly produced fake National Identity Cards for Boko Haram terrorists in the city.
The spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Col. Tukur Gusau, made the disclosure while presenting the suspects to newsmen in Maiduguri.
“A business centre around Post Office area in Maiduguri was identified as an accomplice of Boko Haram terrorists by producing National Identity Cards and other documents for the terrorists,’’ Gusau said.
He said that this was in furtherance to the combined efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security organisations to counter terrorism and insurgency in the North-East.
Gusau said that the two operators of the centre, Mr Makinta Umar, and John Zakariya, were arrested after a suspected Boko Haram member confessed that the suspects were producing the ID cards for members of the terrorist group.
“The operators of the centre were apprehended after a Boko Haram suspect earlier arrested, confessed to the Joint Investigation Centre that the suspects were in the business of producing the ID cards for the terrorists group.
“Among the items recovered from the suspects were; computer laptops, memory sticks, still camera etc,’’ he said.
“It was discovered that the accomplices produce fake National ID cards and other documents for the terrorists in the business centre.
“These documents enable the terrorists to move freely to various destinations and carry out their terrorists activities killing and inflicting hardships on the law abiding citizens of the country,’’ Gusau added.

               

Gunmen Killed Four Policemen In Delta

Unidentified gunmen murdered four policemen attached to the Delta State police command on Thursday. The deceased were stationed in the Ugbolu community, in a suburb of Asaba, the capital of Delta State.
  
The news of the broad daylight murders caused serious pandemonium and mourning at the Delta State police command where policemen were seen in groups discussing the deaths of their colleagues.
SaharaReporters reliably learned that the four policemen met their untimely death on patrol in the community when the hoodlums opened fire on them along the road before escaping into the nearby bush.
 The corpses of the murdered policemen were deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba a few minutes after their murder.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Celestina Kalu has denied that four policemen were killed, saying that it was only one policeman who was the driver of a patrol van.
It could not be verified whether the killings were connected to the last weekend’s killing of three suspected kidnappers by the police during an exchange of fire at Okuokoko, Okpe Local Government Area (LGA) of the State following the alleged kidnapping of one Mrs. Paaga Blessing Emabari.

10 Makeup Tricks Every Woman Needs to Know

 We all put on makeup (at least some of the time), but is your technique yielding the best possible results? Here, Kimberly Soane, the director of artistry at Bobbi Brown, offers up some simple pointers to make sure we're using everything from concealer to bronzer to mascara right.

   Never put concealer or foundation on your eyelids as a base, it will cause your eye makeup to crease.
 Use your fingers to apply your foundation if you want sheer coverage and a brush if you more polished, medium to full coverage.
    Always apply powder where you are shiniest first, which it usually your T-zone, with a very light dusting everywhere else.

You should put bronzer on your neck, face, and chest to even out your skin tone. Be sure to take a step back and make sure everything is the same color.

When applying blush, first smile, then start on the apple of the cheek, blend the blush back towards the top of the ear, then down toward the jawline.
Always apply your brow pencil or powder to the upper portion of the eyebrow to lift your face up.

You want to make sure your lipstick is not too defined at your cupid's bow (the top of your lip), and that it goes all the way out to the inner corners of your mouth. Be sure to press down hard as you apply.

Always start with a base shadow without any shimmer that matches the lightest skin tone on your face and apply all over your lid up to the brow. You should use this base shadow to make sure the darker shadows used on your lid up to the crease are properly blended.

Instead of looking straight ahead at the mirror, get as close to it as possible, stick your head up and bring your chin toward the mirror. You want to look down as you apply, starting at the inner corner and making sure to go all the way out to the fold on the outside of the eye.

You don't want to do quick soft motions when you apply mascara. Instead, jam the wand into the root of the lash and do zigzag motions as you go up.

More tips coming soon...

What Are You Willing To Do For Love?

                                                                Love is weird, that’s something i ve pretty much already established. At any given moment we’re either blissfully in it, hating it, apprehensive of it, wanting it, worried about it, or resigning ourselves to forever alone status because we can’t deal with it anymore. And contrary to all this love advice that flies at us from every direction, it always seems like there’s no real “right” way to go about love, because one method doesn’t fit everyone and every relationship is different.
On the other hand, everyone has a threshold. A balance. A breaking point. A list of things they would or would not do for what they believe is or can be true love.
But figuring this out can be difficult, namely because in our culture we have two simultaneously dominant, completely opposite yet equally loud views on love: 1) love conquers all/is worth sacrificing for, and 2) if love inconveniences you in any way, don’t do it. Romantic comedies and eternal optimists will have it that we should “tough it out” in favor of true love, whereas the more rational-minded among us are wary of any emotional endeavor that makes us break too much of a sweat.
    So the question, I suppose, is this: what’s worth it? More importantly, who is worth it? What are you willing to give up and what are you willing to forgive? What makes you want to ignore a potential red flag, and what makes you take notice of it? What are you willing to put up with and what are you willing to change? How do you know you’re doing it for the right person? Do you think, given certain circumstances, you would ever prefer to settle?
What is the ultimate risk you’re willing to take? Tell me

How did kim tame North West?

I only ask because of their amazing ability to get their toddlers to sit silently in the front row of fashion shows, for which I am given to understand there is always a modishly long wait, and which aren’t typically viewed with childlike wonder by anyone other than professional fashion critics.
It seems to have been Victoria who started this trend, with little Harper seated on the front row for Mummy’s shows since infancy. She has now been followed by two-year-old North West, who sat on Kim’s knee during Kanye West’s New York fashion show this week. Yet not once did I see Kim issuing a threat we all know she wasn’t going to follow through on, or getting drawn into a desperate negotiation involving sweets, or hissing: “Please, I will literally buy you an entire toyshop if you just do this one thing for me.”
 Can  9ja kids can sit comfortably like that without crying or wanting to suck breast lol..

Kanye and Kim steps out in matching outfit

At New York Fashion Week, Kim and Kanye stepped out (again) in matching outfits. Turns out,
see photo below... so gorgeous
 

180 players set for Nigeria Cup 2015

About 180 players will vie for honours in the different categories when the Nigeria Cup tees off at the Ikoyi Club on September 26, the organisers have revealed.
The Nigeria Cup is Ikoyi Club’s annual golfing tournament, which commemorates Nigeria’s Independence anniversary. It was established to celebrate the country’s heritage while promoting the game of golf.
The competition aside the golf competition has other activities that exhibit Nigeria’s heritage, pride and sporting excellence.
Speaking during the unveiling of the tournament yesterday at the club, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Lanre Kalejaiye, who described the Nigeria Cup as the most prestigious amateur golf tournament at Ikoyi Club 1938 and on the Nigerian golfing calendar, revealed that of the 180 players billed to participate in the tournament, 100 are those who qualified from the recently held preliminaries. They would be joined by former winners and some of the sponsors, who were excused from the qualifiers.
This year’s tourney is themed “Seven Shades of Green,” which, according to Kalejaiye, reflects the seven days duration of the tournament.
He explained that each of the seven days would focus on a different category of golfers, and will highlight a different shade of Nigeria’s national and golf colour – green.
 
Kalejaiye added that this year’s Independence Day Kitty, scheduled for Thursday October 1, would be an exciting day of golfing for all club members and will celebrate the rich Nigerian heritage in the arts. Guest players, veterans and sponsors will take their turn on the course on Friday, October 2, and the grand finale will be on Saturday, October 3, 2015. It will climax with a gala dinner later in the evening.
The LOC chairman, who commended the sponsors for their support, also disclosed that tour professionals would lock horns in a battle, which N3 million has been staked as prize money.

He added: “We have adopted the philosophy of giving back, as part of the proceeds from sponsors will be donated to support the less privileged as well as developing the game of golf.  
“In preparation and anticipation of the event, the qualifier tournament was held on September 12, 2015 and was a very successful one, with about 200 golfers who played on that day and we got tremendous positive feedback from our players.
“This year’s theme is titled  “Seven Shades of Green”. Each of the seven days of the event will focus on a target group within our golf community, showcase a key value that defines who we are, and celebrate a different shade of our national color – green.”
The LOC chairman revealed that the tournament would tee off with the children’s competition, the second day is for the caddies, while the third day is the Ladies’ tournament.
The professionals would take their turn on the fourth day, with the Independence Kitty taking place on October 1, he said, adding, “We look forward to this day, as it would be an exciting one for all club members celebrating our rich Nigerian heritage in the Arts.
“To hold on the sixth day is a tournament for sponsors, veterans and guests, while the final tournament will hold on October 3, after which we will close the entire tournament in style at a gala dinner the same evening.
“We must state that the highlight of this tournament is the award to the winner of the final tournament, a highly competitive one.”

TheGuardian
 

2face Idibia Turns 40 Today

                                                                                              Happy Birthday to the King of music @2faceidibia   Wishes for your birthday; Lots of beer, gifts, party people, love, smiling faces, tears of joy, and many more...Happy birthday!
you have been an inspiration not just to me but to the Nigeria youths...we love you.                                    

Buhari unfair to ministers – Omobola Johnson

Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s Minister of Communication Technology (ComTech), Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of been unfair to ministers who worked hard, but didn’t make much noise about it.

Buhari: Ministers are noise makers…

Johnson, was reacting to a statement credited to President Buhari, in an interview during his three-day official visit to France, where he stated that it’s the civil servants and technocrats who do the real job of governance in Federal government ministries more than the ministers, who he described as noise makers.
The ex-ComTech minister who reacted to Buhari’s statement via her Twitter handle @OmobolaJohnson said: “President Buhari is being unfair to Ministers who work hard and don’t make noise. The civil service is broken and it needs to be fixed.”
However, President Buhari who departed Nigeria for France on Monday, during an exclusive interview with France 24 tv François Picard, on Wednesday, said he intends to stick with his decision to name his cabinet before the end of the month, but however, opined that ministers are only there to “make a lot of noise.”
Asked if the absence of a finance minister was affecting the Nigerian capital market and economy, Buhari said: “No. It is what we know –and which we learnt from the western system. The civil service provides the continuity, the technocrat. And in any case, they are those that do most of the work.
“The ministers are there, I think, to make a lot of noise; for the politicians to make a lot of noise. But the work is being done by the technocrats. They are there; they have to provide the continuity, dig into the records and then guide us, [those of us] who are just coming in.
“They have been there, some of them for 15 years, some for 20 years. So I think this question of ministers is political. People from different constituencies want to see their people directly in government, and see what they can get out of it.

Ex-ComTech minister, Omobola Johnson

“As for the cabinet, I said we will have one by the end of the month, and time flies. The end of the month is coming too quickly for my liking.
“Yeah, I will stick to it. I will send the names to the national assembly.”
Reminded by Picard that “some have quipped that the country runs better without ministers”, the President said: “When you started introducing me, you said I was around 1983 to 1985. Even then we had ministers. So under this system, we have to have ministers; and we are going to have ministers.”

Street style, NYFW: Stunning shots from Spring 2016’s first weekend of shows

 According to Fashionmagazine, models and mavens alike have taken to city streets in their most ostentatious garb with the hopes of attracting a lens. This weekend, it seemed that the arbiters of Manhattan street style reached a universal consensus in their love of all things striped. Whether they were horizontal, vertical, zig zagging, or tied (à la Leandra Medine), showgoers were cloaked in geometric bands of colour, making for looks that were anything but inside the lines.
Another trend getting serious snaps was the off the shoulder silhouette (fall’s new erogenous zone, perhaps?), with many designs also boasting swaths of fabric that billowed down the arms like modern Victorian dresses.
         In terms of the usual suspects, Anna Della Russo was out in fine form sporting a marquee of designer wares, from a plunging Altuzarra dévoré gown to psychedelic printed Dior jumpsuit. The always camera-perfect couple Justin O’Shea and Veronika Heilbrunner, known for their ability to concoct effortless high/low ensembles, did not disappoint, with Veronica pairing another velvet Altuzarra creation with shearling-topped work boots. Eva Chen went for a full plaid-on-plaid kimono/culotte pantsuit that was faintly reminiscent of pajamas (so much yes), while Susie Bubble opted for a gingham peplum and playfully undone black lace skirt.
Finally, what NYFW street style round up would be complete without the queen herself—one Anna Wintour, who, in typical IDGAF fashion, eschewed any kind of flashy ensemble in favour of her signature dark shades, sleeveless knit top, and statement bijoux. Because shouldn’t that really be what street style is all about—wearing whatever best expresses your personal taste? As usual, Anna knows best.
see more photos after the cut...
   

Fire guts shopping mall, bank in Lagos

Textile materials and fashion accessories estimated at millions of naira have been consumed after fire gutted a shopping plaza on Broad Street on the Lagos Island area of Lagos State.

Also, a section of the Skye Bank branch in Ikeja was gutted by fire, destroying some property.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the Lagos Island fire started around 8.55am after a power surge.

Workers at the plaza were said to have made frantic efforts to put out the fire before inviting officials of the Lagos State Fire Service and men of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.

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While some traders watched helplessly as their goods burnt, others were said to have struggled to salvage their wares.

A firefighter with the state fire service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the fire started from the second floor of the three-storey building, adding that more than three fire trucks were deployed in the scene.

He said, “It is a three-storey shopping plaza where they sell female fashion items like bags, shoes and other accessories. The fire started from the second floor and was caused by an electrical surge. We were able to curtail the spread quickly.

“Firemen from the Onikan, Sari Iganmu and Alausa stations responded with 10,000 litres of water each.”

The General Manager of LASEMA, Michael Akindele, said there was no casualty in the incident, adding that some traders were able to save their wares.

“No life was lost and there were no injuries. Traders in areas not affected moved out their goods; everything is under control,” he added.

In the Ikeja incident, PUNCH Metro gathered that the server room of Skye Bank caught fire around 10.50am.

The prompt response of firemen from the Ikeja fire station was said to have prevented the fire from escalating.

Our correspondent was told by a firefighter that the fire was also caused by a power surge.

“They called the fire service on time and that was what saved the day. The fire started from their internet server room. There was a spark, which started a fire.

“But we were able to stand with them till the problem was fixed and banking operation resumed without much delay,” he added.

The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Fire Service, Amodu Shakiru, called for increased vigilance among residents.

He said, “Both fire were caused by electrical upsurge and that is why we always tell people to be cautious.

“You can use the back of your hand to feel the heat of your electrical gadget. When it is hot, you should know it is a potential hazard.”

Meanwhile, several people were injured and about five shops set ablaze on Monday after some hoodlums clashed at the Alaba International Market.

A source told PUNCH Metro that the clash was between some Yoruba and Igbo touts, who engaged in a supremacy battle over collection of fees.

A witness said the fight started around 9am, adding that business activities had been grounded as a result of the clash.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joe Offor, who confirmed the incident, explained that the clash was between the market’s transporters and traders unions.

“The transport employers association and the traders association were involved in the incident. The Alaba traders complained that the activities of the transport association were affecting their businesses. They said some of their customers were being harassed and intimidated to pay exorbitant fees, and they were losing them to their competitors.

“This morning, the traders challenged the transport association which led to a scuffle between the groups.”

He added that policemen from the Ojo division and some military officers had restored sanity to the area

6 Nigerians Reportedly Die & 4 Go Missing in Mecca Mosque Crane Accident

 six Nigerian pilgrims have been confirmed dead while four have been declared missing in the crane accident which took place in a Mosque in Kaabah, Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Friday. The deceased, it was learnt on Sunday, had been buried in Saudi Arabia.

The spokesperson for National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Uba Mana, confirmed the death of the six Nigerians in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday.

He said, “There are six Nigerians that lost their lives; in Islam, you don’t bring corpses back home. You bury them where they died. Preparations are on the way for their burial as I speak with you now. But I’m sure they will be buried here (Saudi Arabia).”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reported on Sunday that four female pilgrims from Gombe State had been declared  missing following the crash. One other female pilgrim got injured during the incident.

The State Amirul-Hajj, Alhaji Abdullahi Mai-Kano, disclosed this while sympathising with the state pilgrims in Mecca over the mishap on Sunday.

Mai-Kano said that the four pilgrims were from Akko, Dukku and Nafada local governments areas of the state.

He said the other faithful sustained injury on her head, but had been treated and discharged.

He said the four pilgrims were declared missing after a thorough verification and bed checking in the three houses accommodating the state pilgrims. The hajj commission had on Saturday said that while three Nigerians were injured in the crane crash, no Nigerian was among the dead.

NAHCON had however stated that investigations by the Nigerian medical team and the Saudi authorities “are still ongoing on the matter.”

Mana had said, “For now, no Nigerian has been confirmed to be among the dead. But three Nigerians are believed to have been injured. Investigations by the Saudi authorities and our medical personnel are still ongoing, but not concluded. Our medical personnel are visiting hospitals to find out if there are Nigerian casualties. But so far, no Nigerian is among the dead.

The incident won’t affect pilgrimage because airlifting is ongoing. We have already airlifted over 80 per cent of our pilgrims. We don’t intend to stop, people are not scared. We have told our people to be cautious and observe what to do to protect themselves.”

NAN correspondents recall that the crane that was being used for the expansion of the grand mosque crashed killing many pilgrims with several others sustained varying degrees of injury.

 Apprehension was experienced at home on whether Nigerian pilgrims were involved.

But the government of Saudi Arabia had said they of identifying the victims before their burial.

They promised to contact all countries that might have lost any of her citizens in the crane accident.

While an investigative committee was said to have commenced searching for the cause of the collapse of the crane, a former Head of Mecca’s religious police, Sheikh Ahmed al-Ghandi, was said to have attributed the accident to an act of God.

Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces on Holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia were said to have extended medical treatment to other Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca.

The Director of Islamic Affairs in Nigerian Army, Col. Shehu Garba Mustapha, was reported to have said that it was part of their training that anywhere they find themselves, they must protect Nigerians.

Mustapha who is also the leader of the Armed Forces delegation to Saudi Arabia had said, 400 Armed Forces officers and personnel, including their families were in Saudi Arabia for the 2015 Hajj exercise

'1 out of every 4 girls and 1 out of every 10 boys in Nigeria suffers sexual violence'- UNICEF

According to results from a recent survey on violence against children in Nigeria, one out of every four girls and one out of every 10 boys in Nigeria suffers sexual violence, UNICEF Nigeria reports.

 

The organization which provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries and the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari is set to launch a year-long campaign to End Violence Against Children on Tuesday, September 15. 

 

linda ikeji

3 dead bodies found in an apartment in Anambra State

Army uncovers plot to undermine counter-insurgency operation

                         
The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a plan by some foreign media in partnership with collaborators in Nigeria to undermine ongoing operations to end insurgency in the country. This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.
Usman said the plot was to be executed via another false claim of human rights violation by troops in operation. He said the development was unfortunate and capable of frustrating the efforts of the military, while reiterating that troops and their commanders in the frontline would remain focused.
According to Usman, the Nigerian Army would like to reiterate and renew its commitment to upholding human rights principles and practice. “It has come to our knowledge that some foreign media, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and some of their Nigerian affiliates are about to start making false claims of human rights violations by the Nigerian Army.
“It is clear that these groups and their collaborators are not happy with the progress made in the efforts to solve the security problems bedeviling our nation as manifested in the terrorists’ activities. “The implication of such act is not lost on us as it is capable of thwarting the gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, ‘’ he said.
The acting Army spokesman described the sponsors of the new plot to discredit the army as “unscrupulous, unpatriotic and driven by material and pecuniary gains rather than the wellbeing of Nigerians’’. He said the Nigerian Army had been protecting human rights and would not be party to any breach in Nigeria or during any of the military’s operations.
He, however, stressed that the army would not give in to antics that were calculated at frustrating ongoing efforts to liberate parts of the North-East plagued by the Boko Haram insurgency. “We would not condone any human rights abuses.
“Where there are allegations of human rights violation by any individual or group, this would be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty would be brought to book in accordance with extant laws.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army would not succumb to blackmail and neither would it be distracted from its determined effort of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and safeguarding the security of its citizens,’’ Usman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had recently received commendations from notable figures and organisations around the world for the level of professionalism exhibited by troops in the frontline.

Vanguard

The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a plan by some foreign media in partnership with collaborators in Nigeria to undermine ongoing operations to end insurgency in the country. This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.
Usman said the plot was to be executed via another false claim of human rights violation by troops in operation. He said the development was unfortunate and capable of frustrating the efforts of the military, while reiterating that troops and their commanders in the frontline would remain focused.
According to Usman, the Nigerian Army would like to reiterate and renew its commitment to upholding human rights principles and practice. “It has come to our knowledge that some foreign media, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and some of their Nigerian affiliates are about to start making false claims of human rights violations by the Nigerian Army.
“It is clear that these groups and their collaborators are not happy with the progress made in the efforts to solve the security problems bedeviling our nation as manifested in the terrorists’ activities. “The implication of such act is not lost on us as it is capable of thwarting the gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, ‘’ he said.
The acting Army spokesman described the sponsors of the new plot to discredit the army as “unscrupulous, unpatriotic and driven by material and pecuniary gains rather than the wellbeing of Nigerians’’. He said the Nigerian Army had been protecting human rights and would not be party to any breach in Nigeria or during any of the military’s operations.
He, however, stressed that the army would not give in to antics that were calculated at frustrating ongoing efforts to liberate parts of the North-East plagued by the Boko Haram insurgency. “We would not condone any human rights abuses.
“Where there are allegations of human rights violation by any individual or group, this would be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty would be brought to book in accordance with extant laws.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army would not succumb to blackmail and neither would it be distracted from its determined effort of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and safeguarding the security of its citizens,’’ Usman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had recently received commendations from notable figures and organisations around the world for the level of professionalism exhibited by troops in the frontline.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/army-uncovers-plot-to-undermine-counter-insurgency-operation/#sthash.ZlKFLTR5.dpuf

The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a plan by some foreign media in partnership with collaborators in Nigeria to undermine ongoing operations to end insurgency in the country. This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.
Usman said the plot was to be executed via another false claim of human rights violation by troops in operation. He said the development was unfortunate and capable of frustrating the efforts of the military, while reiterating that troops and their commanders in the frontline would remain focused.
According to Usman, the Nigerian Army would like to reiterate and renew its commitment to upholding human rights principles and practice. “It has come to our knowledge that some foreign media, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and some of their Nigerian affiliates are about to start making false claims of human rights violations by the Nigerian Army.
“It is clear that these groups and their collaborators are not happy with the progress made in the efforts to solve the security problems bedeviling our nation as manifested in the terrorists’ activities. “The implication of such act is not lost on us as it is capable of thwarting the gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, ‘’ he said.
The acting Army spokesman described the sponsors of the new plot to discredit the army as “unscrupulous, unpatriotic and driven by material and pecuniary gains rather than the wellbeing of Nigerians’’. He said the Nigerian Army had been protecting human rights and would not be party to any breach in Nigeria or during any of the military’s operations.
He, however, stressed that the army would not give in to antics that were calculated at frustrating ongoing efforts to liberate parts of the North-East plagued by the Boko Haram insurgency. “We would not condone any human rights abuses.
“Where there are allegations of human rights violation by any individual or group, this would be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty would be brought to book in accordance with extant laws.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army would not succumb to blackmail and neither would it be distracted from its determined effort of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and safeguarding the security of its citizens,’’ Usman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had recently received commendations from notable figures and organisations around the world for the level of professionalism exhibited by troops in the frontline.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/army-uncovers-plot-to-undermine-counter-insurgency-operation/#sthash.ZlKFLTR5.dpuf

The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a plan by some foreign media in partnership with collaborators in Nigeria to undermine ongoing operations to end insurgency in the country. This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.
Usman said the plot was to be executed via another false claim of human rights violation by troops in operation. He said the development was unfortunate and capable of frustrating the efforts of the military, while reiterating that troops and their commanders in the frontline would remain focused.
According to Usman, the Nigerian Army would like to reiterate and renew its commitment to upholding human rights principles and practice. “It has come to our knowledge that some foreign media, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and some of their Nigerian affiliates are about to start making false claims of human rights violations by the Nigerian Army.
“It is clear that these groups and their collaborators are not happy with the progress made in the efforts to solve the security problems bedeviling our nation as manifested in the terrorists’ activities. “The implication of such act is not lost on us as it is capable of thwarting the gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, ‘’ he said.
The acting Army spokesman described the sponsors of the new plot to discredit the army as “unscrupulous, unpatriotic and driven by material and pecuniary gains rather than the wellbeing of Nigerians’’. He said the Nigerian Army had been protecting human rights and would not be party to any breach in Nigeria or during any of the military’s operations.
He, however, stressed that the army would not give in to antics that were calculated at frustrating ongoing efforts to liberate parts of the North-East plagued by the Boko Haram insurgency. “We would not condone any human rights abuses.
“Where there are allegations of human rights violation by any individual or group, this would be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty would be brought to book in accordance with extant laws.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army would not succumb to blackmail and neither would it be distracted from its determined effort of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and safeguarding the security of its citizens,’’ Usman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had recently received commendations from notable figures and organisations around the world for the level of professionalism exhibited by troops in the frontline.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/army-uncovers-plot-to-undermine-counter-insurgency-operation/#sthash.ZlKFLTR5.dpuf

Italy's Highest Court Slams Amanda Knox Case for "Glaring Errors," "Stunning Weakness"

On Monday, Italy’s highest criminal court published a blistering 52-page explanation of their decision to overturn Amanda Knox’s murder conviction in March, faulting police, prosecutors and lower court judges for a trial that “had oscillations which were the result of stunning flaws, or amnesia,” The Guardian reports.

In 2009, Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of killing Meredith Kercher, her roommate in Perugia, Italy, two years earlier. They would both spend four years in prison before their convictions were overturned in 2011. They were then found guilty a second time in 2014, but that conviction was thrown out by Italy’s Court of Cassation earlier this year.

In its ruling, the court cited the lack of biological traces of either Knox or Sollecito at the crime scene, contrasting that with the “copious” amounts of biological evidence left by a third suspect convicted of the murder, Rudy Guede. From NBC News:

Because no biological evidence from Knox or Sollecito was found at the house in Perugia where Kercher was murdered, the 52-page opinion said, their “participation” in the killing should have been “excluded.”

“There was no shortage of glaring errors in the underlying fabric of the sentence in question,” the court wrote.

The alleged murder weapon, a kitchen knife found at Sollecito’s house, was kept in a cardboard box—“the kind that gadgets are wrapped up in for Christmas”—and a bra clasp said to have carried DNA evidence was left on the floor for 46 days.

“The international spotlight on the case in fact resulted in the investigation undergoing a sudden acceleration, that, in the frantic search for one or more guilty parties to consign to international public opinion, certainly didn’t help the search for substantial truth,” wrote the judges, according to The Guardian.

In a statement on her website, Knox thanked “the many individuals who gave their time and talents to help me” during her nearly eight-year struggle.

“I am deeply grateful that the Italian Supreme Court has filed its opinion and forcefully declared my innocence,” wrote Knox. “I will now begin the rest of my life with one of my goals being to help others who have been wrongfully accused.”

10 Things You Must Know Before You Get Married

                           

Many people jump head first into marriage without discussing the 10 most important topics thoroughly, if at all.  Some are afraid of the answers.  Some have their head in the clouds and assume things will just "work out"!  It does not matter how long you are engaged.  What matters is how many honest discussions you have had with your significant other about these 10 topics. 
Topic Number One!  Finances.  Touchy subject, right?  So if this person is intended for life, why not thoroughly discuss it?  Where do each of you stand financially?  Bank Accounts, Retirement Funds, Stocks & Bonds,,,  Then print out and discuss each other's credit file and FICA scores.  What lead to the results?  Are there problems that are habitual here?  Is there a way to improve this before the wedding?  Are either or both of you financially responsible?  If so you are off to a decent beginning here.  If not, these practices lead to others that may ruin a marriage down the road.....
Topic Number Two!  Employment.  Where are you each now and where do you want to go with your career?  Do you each have short and long term goals in your career, in your education?  Do these goals need to change or be revised when you marry?  Who will revise their plans and in what way?
Topic Number Three!  Family.  No, not having children yet, that is later.  I mean extended family.  Those people who are already here.  How do you each get along with each other's family?  Are there unresolved conflicts?  Is there a way to work out problems now so they do not escalate later and you find yourself asserting your position because everyone thinks of YOU as the outsider, not the extended family member?
Topic Number Four!  Personal Belongings.  What will each of you keep, and what are you willing to sell or give away.  This may not seem big now, but it is later.  You are melding two lives into one.  Will you each keep both sets of furniture?  Does the dog stay or go?  Can selling some items not needed help pay for the wedding?  Can you each be objective about the stuff you own, and acknowledge what you truly need and what can go?  Do it before you plan the wedding.  That time is stressful enough.
Topic Number Five!  Bills.  Yes, I mean the bills you both pay now, and the bills you will pay when you live together.  Who has outstanding debt?  Car payments, charge cards, all of it.  Are you each responsible for the others debt jointly?  Or are you accepting the responsibility to pay off pre-existing debt out of your own pocket after the marriage?  Deal with this issue now so there are not hard feelings later.  How will the bills be split after marriage?  Each paying 50/50, or a percent based on income?
Topic Number Six!  Home Chores.  Who is responsible for the laundry, shopping, yard work, house cleaning, etc...A long list goes here!  Don't be fooled into thinking one or the other will automatically do it.  Or that it will just get done!  It won't!  At least not after the first few months.  Anything that you can't agree on, you will have to pay someone else to do.  Does that help to get one of you to step up to the plate?  Don't make the mistake of doing more than you should.  This is a 2 way street. 
Topic Number Seven!  Alone Time.  Will you both fit each other in when you can?  Or should you continue to "date"?  How often will you need to make sure you are alone together?  Will you continue doing fun things, or put them on hold until the months slip away?  Will you each start taking each other for granted?  Please discuss this now!  And then discuss it again. 
Topic Number Eight!  Background.  How has the other person presented themself to you so far?  Are there already habits or behaviors that annoy you?  Things you question and keep pushing to the back of your mind?  Check it out now!  Get straight answers.  Talk to friends and family, or hire a private investigator.  I don't care how you do it, just find out now.  I don't mean barrage people with questions.  Just pay attention.  Bring up what you have been told and notice if their is avoidance in answers.
Topic Number Nine!  Compromise.  Does your partner flip flop?  Once they give in to anything, (I don't care) or they give in to nothing. (I don't care)  Do they lie and later say it was to "avoid a fight"?  (I don't care)  Are they more willing to talk than listen (I don't care)  Do they understand what you are saying, or do they interpret it their own way and proceed from there?  (I don't care)  Pay attention to how they deal with issues.  It won't change later.
Topic Number Ten!  The Wedding.  How much should you spend?  Where will it be?  Do you each care and compromise on the issues around the wedding?  Are you BOTH involved in the planning?  This is the first test of how you deal with extreme stress.  How are you doing?
If you are each satisfied with the outcome of these 10 Topics you have a great chance at a BEGINNING.  If not, stop now.  If you need help do not go to any counselor in the yellow pages.  Many of them are not good.  Ask your doctor for a referral, ask a trusted family member or friend or co-worker.  Then see if you can work it out there.  It is much easier than what can happen later. 

Elephant kills journalist in Sri Lanka

                                       

According to Punch, A journalist was trampled to death after a herd of wild elephants invaded a village in North-Central Sri Lanka, police said on Tuesday.

Priyantha Ratnayaka, a videographer, was stomped by one elephant while wildlife officials were trying to drive the herd away from the village, about 190 kilometres North-East of Colombo.

The area is a popular tourist destination where foreigners gather to watch elephants.

More than 70 people were killed in elephant attacks in Sri Lanka in 2015 and about 150 elephants were killed during that time, mostly by poisoning or shooting by farmers.

Muslim Flight Attendant in US Placed on 'Administrative Leave' for Refusing to Serve Alcohol

                         

A Muslim flight attendant who works with American airline, ExpressJet, has been placed on administrative leave, following her refusal to serve alcoholic drinks to passengers.

The attendant, Charee Stanley, said her refusal to serve alcohol was in due to her Islamic faith, CNN reports.

Upon receiving news about her mandatory leave, Stanley proceeded to file “a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Tuesday for the revocation of a reasonable religious accommodation.”

Speaking on the issue, Lena Masri, an attorney with Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said, “What this case comes down to is no one should have to choose between their career and religion and it’s incumbent upon employers to provide a safe environment where employees can feel they can practice their religion freely.”

Reports also state that Stanley, 40, started working for ExpressJet nearly about years ago. About two years ago she converted to Islam. She later on learned this year that her faith prohibits her from not only consuming alcohol but serving it, too.

It was based on this premise that she refused to serve alcohol. She subsequently approached her supervisor on June 1 and was told to work out an arrangement for someone to fulfill passenger requests for alcohol.

According to reports the arrangement was working until another flight attendant filed a complaint against Stanley on August 2nd, claiming she was not fulfilling her duties by refusing to serve alcohol.

Trader gives seven-year-old daughter N10 after rape

                 

Seven-year-old Ngozi (pseudonym) is no longer a child. Her innocence has been stolen by her 41-year-old father, Emeka Igwe, who not only raped her, but got her addicted to masturbation.

It was gathered that anytime Ngozi felt sexual urge and her father was not around to stimulate her, she would invite boys into her parents’ apartment in the Federal Housing Estate, Meiran, Ojokoro, Lagos State, to “play with her private parts”.

     PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim’s mother first detected the act in January, 2015, and after reporting to policemen at the Ojokoro Police Division, the case was dismissed as a family matter.

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The police reportedly threatened to detain her, while her husband’s family accused her of inciting her four children against their family.

Emeka, a trader, allegedly continued to defile his daughter in their apartment until August, when the matter got to the attention of the estate executive.

The Orlu, Imo State indigene, was apprehended and reported to the Project Alert on Violence against Women, a non-governmental organisation, from where the case got to the Area F Police Command.

Ngozi, who is in primary 3, told PUNCH Metro that her father had been assaulting her since 2014.

She explained that after inserting his fingers into her private parts, he would press her head down and force his manhood into her mouth, adding that he always gave her N10 after the act.

She said her nine-year-old brother, Emeka, sometimes watched from a window.

She said, “My dad does it anytime; in the morning and in the afternoon. My mum always goes to the market. He will then give me N10 to buy something.

“He will open his leg and press my head down and put his private parts into my mouth. After that, he will say I should scratch his body. He will now carry me down and put his fingers in my private parts again.

“He started it last year when my mother was washing clothes and I went to buy something. He asked me to come into the parlour and told Ebuka, Chioma and Chibuike (her siblings) to go into the bedroom. I did not know that Ebuka was watching from the window.”

Her mother, Endurance, told PUNCH Metro she had been married to the suspect for more than 10 years, without knowing he was capable of such act.

The 40-year-old said her first child, Ebuka, had been telling her that Ngozi masturbated, but she never believed it.

“The first time she did it in my presence was sometime in January, while I was preparing a meal and I saw her. I beat her up and asked her to stop it because it was bad.

“I later told my husband my observation and he said nothing was wrong with her.

“My four-year-old neighbour’s son came to our apartment and Ngozi took her to our bedroom and asked the boy to put his fingers in her private parts. It was the boy’s mother that saw them.

“I called her and asked if anybody had been playing with her private parts and she said no.”

Endurance said Ebuka later told her what had been happening between father and daughter.

The other children were said to have corroborated Ebuka’s account, before Ngozi also confessed to her mother.

She said she confronted her husband with the allegation, adding that he got angry and started beating the children for every slight offence.

She said when she could no longer bear it, she reported at the Alakuko Police Station, from where she was referred to the Ojokoro Police Division.

PUNCH Metro learnt that a test was conducted on the victim at the General Hosptal, Ile Epo, which showed there was an opening in Ngozi’s private parts.

Endurance said she was advised to run an infection test on her daughter, before her in-laws asked her to withdraw the case.

She said the Divisional Police Officer at Ojokoro threatened to lock her up.

“The DPO said I deliberately set up my husband because he had not been treating me well. I was in tears,” she added.

She said they all returned home and things went back to normal until in August when her first child reported to her that their father had started “playing with Ngozi’s private parts” again.

“I called Ngozi and she told me that her father had started playing with her private parts. She said he asked her to kneel down and forced her to suck his private parts.

“Then, two weeks ago while I was washing clothes, Ebuka came and said their father gave Ngozi N20 and did not give him anything. After he left, Chioma also came and said the same thing.

“Later, I called Ngozi to know what made her father gave her the money. She told me it was N10, adding that he played with her private parts.”

The neighbours were said to have challenged the suspect, but he denied doing anything to the child.

The community youth leader, Olaitan Adebiyi, told PUNCH Metro that he got to know about the case after eavesdropping on a conversation in the street.

He added that he later met the victim’s mother, who narrated her ordeal to him.

He said, “The estate executive met and we decided to go to his house to investigate. His co-tenants confirmed that he had been doing it for a long time. We decided to get him arrested.

“He came into his apartment around 12.30 on Thursday night, and we decided to keep vigil at his door step till day break. He was about leaving the house on Friday when we apprehended him and told him he had a case to answer.”

The suspect, however, denied assaulting his daughter.

He said, “I did not do anything to Ngozi. The day I called her and gave her N10 to buy biscuit, her siblings asked me for their own, but I said I was not the one that gave her the money.

“I have touched her private parts only once. I did not know the time it happened. I touched her last year. I said, ‘Amaka, remove your pants. Why did you soil your pants?’ I then took water and washed her. That was all.”

The Director of Project Alert, Mrs. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, said the group was ready to take up the case.

“This is a clear case of sexual abuse, and we are having an epidemic in our hand. Hardly a week goes by without us having cases of children between the ages of three to seven being defiled.

“It is clear that this woman and her children can no longer live with him. The victim is seven and she has a five-year-old younger sister, and if this is not well handled, this man will move on to the little girl as well.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Patricia Amadin, confirmed the incident.

She said, “The case is confirmed. The suspect has also confessed to the crime, especially after his first son said he saw him.

“We will be transferring the case to the Area G Command, Ogba. Investigation is ongoing, and justice will be done.

Photos: 3 die after fire gut plaza in Balogun market Lagos

Three people lost their lives after a plaza in the popular Lagos market was gutted by fire yesterday September 3rd. The plaza was used as a store house for shoes and bags. Immediately occupants of the plaza, which is closely surrounded by some bank buildings, saw the fire, some of them ran hastily through the staircase while others jumped. A woman who tried to jump was said to have fallen with hard impact on the ground causing her skull to burst open.

Many others had bone fracture as they jumped through the staircase. The men of the Lagos state fire service after many hours of battle were able to put off the fire. Continue to see more photos from the incident