Illegal Possession Of Firearms : Dasuki To Be Arraigned Today

Former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd) will today, Tuesday be arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on one count of illegal possession of firearms.

The Federal Government is prosecuting the former NSA for being in possession of firearms without license. The offence is punishable under section 27(I)(a)(I) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004.

The Department of State Services had on 16 July 2015 searched the former NSA's residences in Abuja and Sokoto where operatives reportedly recovered seven high caliber assault rifles complete with associated magazines and military gears.

The houses are No. 13 John Khadya Street,and 46 Nelson Mandela Street, both in Asokoro, Abuja; and No. 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

Also recovered from the former security chief were twelve brand new cars (five of them bullet proof), the ownership of which he could not explain.

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Minority Leader Akpabio's Car In Crash With US Embassy Van

The convoy of the Senate Minority Leader and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio was on Monday morning involved in a collision with a Chevrolet Suburban van belonging to the Embassy of the USA.

The accident occurred around 7.20 hours at Bolingo Hotel Junction along Abuja - Airport road when Akpabio's convoy attempted to beat the traffic light.

According to the Head of Media Relations and Strategy, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr Bisi Kazeem, seven adult males were involved in the accident, three of whom were injured and hospitalized.

“A suburban jeep and a Mercedes Benz SUV were involved in the accident; the suburban was towed to the embassy while the Benz SUV was towed to the Central Police Station. Our accident investigation team has already commenced investigation, so it is too early to know the cause of the accident, " he said.

Senator Akpabio who was hurrying to the airport to catch an international flight reportedly sustained injuries and was taken to the National Hospital, Abuja for treatment.

Among the early callers at the hospital were the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel and Deputy Minority whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi.

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Invite Looters For Talks, Okojie Tells Buhari

Former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos and ex-President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Anthony Olubunmi Cardinal Okojie has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to invite treasury looters for dialog.

He said that Buhari's efforts to recover looted funds would be more successful if looters were engaged in private as against castigating them publicly.

The retired cleric who spoke with The Punch correspondent also argued that appealing to the conscience of looters through dialog would save government the huge cost of litigation.

But the question is : do treasury looters have a conscience?

See The Punch for more

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Pipeline Vandalism Stopped Since Buhari Assumed Office - Power Ministry.

The Ministry of Power has said that gas pipeline vandalism has virtually stopped since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power on 29 May 2015 because of the administration's constant engagement with the communities involved.

Godknows Igali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power while addressing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa debunked insinuations that power supply increased because the hydro stations at Kainji and Shiroro were receiving more water from rainfall as they only supplied 20% of the total power generation.

He said that pipeline vandalism was rampant during the era of the last administration but since the Buhari government redoubled efforts at engaging host communities of gas pipelines, incidences of vandalism have virtually stopped.

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Buhari Pushes For Polio Free Certification In 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday warned against anything that could stop Nigeria from being certified polio free by the World Health Organization in 2017.

To this end, he has ordered the relevant agencies to raise the tempo of the fight against the polio virus. He gave the order while receiving the polio high level advocacy team at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Linus Awute‎, told State House correspondents after the closed-door meeting that “the President directed us to sustain the tempo that has led us thus far after 17 years and how to do that is clearly developed in the template upon which we are going to work in collaboration with the governors.

“As it is now, there is no polio in our country, but then, we still need to monitor that throughout a period of two years. That is why we need to intensify routine immunization, ensuring that there is no leakage, no gap until 2017 when we shall be certified a polio-free country, having arrested the transmission for upward of one year plus. "

WHO representative in Nigeria, Dr Rui Gama Vaz commended President Buhari's determination to ensure a polio free Nigeria by 2017.

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VP Osinbajo In Abidjan For Inauguration Of AfDB President

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo left Abuja on Monday for Cote D'Ivoire to represent President Muhammadu Buhari at the inauguration of Nigeria's Dr Akinwumi Adeshina as President of the African Development Bank, AfDB.

Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande said that Osinbajo would deliver a speech at the event on Tuesday.

Adeshina who is Nigeria' s immediate past agriculture minister is the first Nigerian to be elected president of the AfDB.

VP Osinbajo is expected back in Abuja on Tuesday.

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Plaintiffs Withdraw Forgery Suit Against Saraki, Ekweremadu

Senators Abu Ibrahim, Kabir Marafa, Ajayi Boroffice, Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuni have withdrawn their suit challenging the elections of Senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively.

The five senators had sought the orders of an Abuja high court to remove Saraki and Ekweremadu from office for forging Senate Standing Orders 2015 and using same to maneuver their way into office.

At the resumed sitting of the court on Monday, the plaintiffs who were represented by their lawyer, Chief Mamman Osuman (SAN) said that they were withdrawing the suit because its essence had been overtaken by events.

They argued that despite the suit, the Senate leadership which legitimacy they were challenging had been carrying out legislative functions.

Following the application of the plaintiffs, Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court, Abuja struck out the case.

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Ethnicity Not The Basis For Our Appointment - SGF

New Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, David Babachir Lawal has said that his appointment by President Buhari was not based on ethnic or religious considerations, but purely on merit. He said the same thing applied to other appointments so far made by the president.

He spoke on the backdrop of complaints from Southern Nigeria that Buhari's appointments have been skewed in favor of the North. Of the 31 appointments made so far by Buhari, only 5 have come from the South.

Speaking after taking his oath of office on Monday, the SGF said,
“We want to thank God for granting Mr. President the vision, wisdom, kindness and boldness to consider us worthy of positions of responsibilities.

“We did not have to pass examination to get appointed into these positions; not because of our tribes, our faiths or our political groups that we were considered worthy for these positions.

“If it were such, I am sure none of us would have been considered worthy of these appointments.

“We appreciate the President and we appreciate God that He has blessed us with these privileged appointments. It is a privilege to serve Nigerians in these capacities at this point in time.

“Nigeria is at the threshold of achieving greatness and it is our honour and privilege to be senior members of the team that will propel the country to this greatness.

“We have in you (the President) and the Vice President, leaders that lead by example; leaders that are focused; leaders whose goal is to build a Nigeria where there is liberty, security, economic prosperity and the rule of law.

“We are grateful that we are part of the team to deliver this goal. Accept our assurances that by the grace of God, we will not fail you. We will not fail our country; we will not fail ourselves; our families and our friends.

“By the grace of God, we will not fail you either. We will strive at all times to serve our country and to serve you with excellence, hard work and integrity.”

President Muhammadu Buhari did not make any speech at the event.

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Boko Haram Horsemen Kill 68 In Borno Village

A band of gunmen on horseback suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists last week killed at least 68 people and injured many others when they attacked Baanu village in Nganzai local government area of Borno State.

Eyewitnesses said the militants rode into the village on Friday night, shooting indiscriminately. The villagers fled into the bush. They returned the next day only to be confronted with the grim reality that more than sixty of their kinsmen had either been slaughtered or shot.

Governor Kashim Shettima confirmed the attack while addressing parents of the abducted Chibok girls on Saturday. However, he put the number of people killed at 56.

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Anti-corruption War Not Negotiable - Presidency Tells Jonathan's Ministers

In a swift reaction to the statement issued earlier in the day by former president Goodluck Jonathan's erstwhile ministers, the presidency has declared that the current war being waged against corruption is not negotiable.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said this in a statement he released to newsmen in reaction to an earlier statement by Jonathan's ex ministers.

He said, "this war against corruption knows no friend nor foe. There is no intention to deny anyone of their good name where they are entitled to it and  President Buhari reserves the highest regards for the country’s former leaders including Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who he continues to praise to high heavens for the way and manner in which he accepted defeat in the last election.

“That singular action remains a feat that has earned the former President and Nigeria as a country befitting commendations all over the world, the latest coming from Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who visited a week ago.

“For the purpose of emphasis, the issue of fighting corruption by President Buhari is non negotiable.

“It is sine qua non to the overall reconstruction of the economy and social systems  which suffered  destruction and severe denigration under the last administration.

“President Buhari will not be deterred or blackmailed into retreat and surrender.”

He reminded the ex ministers that what they handed over to the present regime was a tottering economy which has been made more challenging by the continued slide in oil prices.

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Ex Ministers Tell Buhari To Stop Insulting Jonathan

Ministers who served under Goodluck Jonathan have told President Muhammadu Buhari to desist from his unprovoked attacks on the former president. They also asked Buhari to give Jonathan the respect due to him as a former president of the country.

In a joint statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the former ministers maintained that it was wrong for Buhari to cast aspersions on Jonathan and the ministers who served under him, while discrediting the monumental achievements of that administration.

The statement which was signed by former National Planning Minister, Abubakar O Suleiman pointed out that the sweat of the Jonathan administration is what Nigerians are now enjoying under President Buhari.
. The former ministers maintained that they served the country diligently and therefore deserved commendation and not vilification.

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Kaduna Pilgrim Slumps, Dies On Way To Tarmac

An intending pilgrim has died at Kaduna airport while riding in a bus to the tarmac for boarding. The deceased pilgrim identified only as Zainab is reported to have a history of asthma, although it is not clear whether she died of the ailment.

According to the Amirul Hajj of Kaduna State, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril who broke the news to pressmen at the Mando Hajj camp on Sunday, Zainab hailed from Kagarko local government area of the state.

The deceased has been buried according to Islamic rites.

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Buhari Promises More Action On Chibok Girls

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured parents and relations of the abducted Chibok girls that his government was making genuine efforts to rescue them.

Buhari spoke through Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima during a meeting with the girls' relations in government house, Maiduguri. He assured that efforts were being intensified to ensure the safe coming home of the girls who were kidnapped from their hostel on 14 April 2014.

Governor Shettima said he called the meeting on the orders of the President.

“I have called all of you here today (Saturday) on the direc­tive of Mr. President to address you on the release of your 219 daughters abducted last year in April, while writing their examinations. The President asked me to tell you to exercise more patience on our daughters still in Boko Haram captivity.

“I’m with all of you here to­day, as our President is also with you. He is very much concerned and committed towards the unconditional release of these abducted girls. We leaders have a responsibility that these girls are released, as soon as possible God willing. "

The governor gave each of the parents  N100,000 naira which he said was a token from President Buhari to help them "keep life going."

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DSS Arrests Boko Haram Commander

The Department of State Services, DSS said on Sunday that it has arrested key Boko Haram suspects including a commander linked with suicide attacks in various parts of the country.

The DSS said that a major suspect, Usman Shuaibu and other suspects were picked up in Lagos, Gombe, Kano, Plateau and Enugu states between July and August.

A statement issued by the DSS said, "of particular note was the arrest on 8th July, 2015 in Gombe state of those responsible for the coordination and execution of the suicide attacks in Potiskum, Kano, Zaria and Jos,"
"Shuaibu admitted being the leader of the team of nine sect members that was dispatched from Sambisa Forest to carry out the attacks. He disclosed that four out of the nine of them were used as suicide bombers in executing all the suicide attacks. "

It said that the arrest of the terrorist elements has stemmed the spate of attacks by the militant group.

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Jonathan, Diezani, Obua In $6.9m Fraud Allegation

An investigative panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to uncover and recover stolen funds has reportedly uncovered a $6.9m fraud allegedly committed by key officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The panel discovered that the money was purportedly used to procure three 40 feet mobile stages for the former President's use during public speaking events.

Findings by the panel reportedly revealed that former President Goodluck Jonathan, his then Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua and former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison Madueke were involved in the deal.

LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that Obua initiated a memo on 17 October 2011 seeking the former President's approval for the purchase of three mobile stages. The former president allegedly approved the deal the same day.

Sources have it that the money was moved from NNPC's New York account into a Nigerian bank from where it was paid into an account owned by the former CSO. According to the said sources, there is no evidence that the mobile stages were ever purchased.

See LEADERSHIP Sunday for more.

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NAHCON Airlifts 18909 Pilgrims To Saudi Arabia

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON on Saturday said it has so far, flown 18909 people to Saudi Arabia for the 2015 pilgrimage.

It said that about 76,000 Muslims from across the country are expected to perform this year's Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

NAHCON's Director of Public Affairs, Alhaji Uba Mana told News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the exercise which began on August 23 has been hitch free.

The airlift is expected to be rounded off on September 15th.

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Nigeria's Economy Worse Under Buhari - PDP

The opposition People's Democratic Party, PDP has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and his ruling APC of destroying the economy and deceiving Nigerians with empty promises.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP said that the GDP has declined under Buhari with attendant hardship on the people.

Metuh in the statement said that “the  shambolic state of the nation’s economy within the period, which represents the worst in the nation’s contemporary history, is a direct fallout of uncertainty created by the inability of the Buhari-led government to chart a clear-cut economic policy, worsened by abuse of regulations, and flagrant violation of constitutional provisions.

“If not for crass incompetence or a possible ulterior motive to subjugate Nigerians for selfish reasons, what else explains the adamant stance of this administration in running a government without the statutory components of a full cabinet and precise fiscal policy direction, even when the negative consequences of this strange totalitarian approach are taking serious toll on the economy and the polity in general?

“Whereas the APC led government is busy with its propaganda of imaginary achievements, official reports from the National Bureau of Statistics show that that the economy is being grounded with Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) plunging with about 2.35%, while job creation has dropped by 69 percent.

“In the last three months under an inept and poorly coordinated APC-led government, our nation’s economy, which before now, held the record as the largest in Africa and one of the fastest growing in the world, suddenly plummeted as officially evidenced in the lull in the capital and money market sectors which have lost billions of naira; spiral rate of inflation, and stagnation in domestic and foreign direct investments, with investors scared away due to the uncertainty arising from lack of economic direction and apparent confusion in the polity.

“This is in addition to the halt in infrastructure development projects in most parts of the country with associated massive job loss, closure of auxiliary small scale businesses, low purchasing power of citizens, among other negatives that have bedeviled the economy since the coming of this government, despite the much APC celebrated promissory notes from the President’s diplomatic shuttles, especially his recent visit to the United States.

“Nigerians would recall that we recently raised alarm on the negative consequences of the recent foreign exchange transaction restrictions, wherein this government is making it impossible for honest Nigerians to engage in free trade and regulate their personal activities as guaranteed by the constitution."

Source : Vanguard

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Air Force Sets Up Panel To Investigate Kaduna Crash

Following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force Dornier 228 jet on Saturday, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar has set up a panel to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A statement issued in Abuja on Saturday and signed by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters,
Air Commodore Dele Alonge confirmed this info.

The statement also said that the Air Chief would cancel his trip to Portharcourt to visit the crash site and condole with the families of the crash victims.

The statement added that the Abuja bound aircraft crashed into a house at Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna.

“A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Dornier-228 aircraft, with call sign NAF030, has crashed into a house at Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna.

“Though no casualty was recorded on ground, there were no survivors among the passengers on board the aircraft’’, it said.

The bodies of the victims have since been recovered.

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El-Rufai Shocked, Sad Over Kaduna Crash

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has expressed shock and sadness over Saturday's crash of a Nigerian Air Force Dornier 228 aircraft that claimed 7 lives.

In a statement signed by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan in Kaduna on Saturday, the governor condoled with the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the bereaved families over the tragic incident.

“We offer our deep condolences to the families, who have been bereaved by this incident.

“May Almighty God, in His infinite mercies, grant their souls eternal rest and uphold their families in this moment of grief and sorrow, " the governor said.

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40,000 Policemen For Promotion

40,000 police officers within the ranks of constable and Inspector are to be promoted in the next two months. The Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase disclosed this on Saturday, during a private visit to Lagos.

, “There has been a backlog of promotions between the constable and inspector cadre, involving about 36,000 of them. The two groups are already undergoing their promotional courses.

“Within the next two months, about 40,000 policemen between the ranks of constable and inspector will undertake promotion exercises and be moved up to the next rank.

“If we are able to solve the problem of the rank and file in the police, half of the issues we are dealing with, which is corruption, would be resolved. Corruption is born out of insecurity, " he said.

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Chad Executes 10 Boko Haram Convicts By Firing Squad

Chad on Saturday executed the ten 🔟 Boko Haram terrorists who were convicted by a court in N'djamena by firing squad.

Their execution came barely a day after they were convicted on charges of criminal conspiracy, killings, wilful destruction with explosives, fraud, illegal possessions of arms and ammunition, as well as using psychotropic substances.

They were put on trial on Wednesday over their roles in the twin bomb attacks that killed 38 people in N'djamena in June this year.

A judicial source told AFP that “they were executed this morning on a shooting ground north of N’Djamena,”

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NDLEA Tackles Drug Traffickers In Abuja

The Abuja command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA said on Saturday that it plans to embark on an anti nacortics campaign to reduce drug trafficking in the city.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Peter Adegbe told News Agency of Nigeria, NAN that the command plans to sensitize the public against drug traffickers.

He said that the command has beefed up surveillance in Abaji, Gwagwalada, Bwari and Abuja municipal area Council to checkmate drug trafficking.

“The FCT command will not allow these agents of wares of destruction to infiltrate the territory.

“To this effect, the Command’s stop and search strategy has been beefed up with many attendant successes.

“We have also increased our sensitization of the general public,especially the youths.”

He added that the NDLEA would also focus its campaign on motor parks, schools, hotels and entertainment centers to enlighten the public on the dangers of narcotics.

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Security Operatives Dislodge Boko Haram Spy Network At Abuja Airport

The Department of State Services has dislodged a spy network working for Boko Haram insurgents at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

According to a statement issued by an operative, Mr Tony Opuiyo in Abuja on Saturday, the service arrested a 14 year old suspected spy, Sulaiymon Abdulrahman who hails from Kogi State.

The service urged the public to report all suspicious movements to the authorities.

It added that collaboration between the DSS and aviation security at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja resulted in the arrest.

“The Service, in liaison with aviation security of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, disrupted a spying network mounted by the Boko Haram terrorists on Aug. 24.

“The suspect has confessed that he infiltrated the airport with the assistance of one Dauda Sadiq who is presently at large.

“Abdulraman said Dauda directed him to spy on installations at the airport and pass the information to him.’’

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Nigeria Air Force Jet Crashes In Kaduna

A Nigeria Air Force Dornier 228 aircraft this Saturday crashed at the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna.

Witnesses said the aircraft which took of at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna and was flying to Abuja before you it came down in the early hours of Saturday.

The plane is reported to have crashed into a residential building. Seven people were on board but survivors are not expected.

Air Force spokesman, Dele Alonge confirmed the crash.

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Buhari Happy With Compensation For Centenary City's Original Inhabitants

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday expressed his satisfaction with assurances from the management of Centenary City Plc that all the original inhabitants of the site have been compensated in full.

The president spoke after he was briefed by the Chairman of the company's board of directors, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd) and his management team.

The president lauded the Centenary City's main development partners for being confident enough in Nigeria to decide to invest over $18b in the project.

Buhari equally welcomed the disclosure by the Board of Directors that the project would create about 250,000 direct jobs and 500,000 indirect jobs in Abuja, FCT.

A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said, , “the President noted that skills, expertise and vast experience that will be brought into the country to build the Centenary City on the Dubai model, will also be of immense benefit to Nigeria’s overall development.”

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Insurgents Kill 28 Villagers In Borno

Boko Haram terrorists during the week killed 28 people in remote farming and fishing villages in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

According to the civilian JTF, 24 people were killed in a Tuesday night attack on Marfunudi village, about eighty kilometers outside the state capital, Maiduguri. The militants were said to have slit the throats of their victims.

Witnesses said the militants also attacked Kafa, a fishing village where they killed four people.

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See NUC's List Of 57 Illegal Degree Awarding Universities In Nigeria

These under listed universities and colleges are illegal and certificates obtained from them will not be recognized for the purposes of National Youth Service Corps program, employment or further studies.

The National Universities Commission, NUC, said so in its weekly bulletin dated August 24.
See the list below.

1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

2. Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology Nkpor, Anambra State or any of its campuses.

3. University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses.

4. University of applied Sciences and Management Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.

5. Blacksmith University, Awka or any of its campuses.

6. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.

7. Royal University Izhia, P.O. Box 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State or any of its other campuses.

8. Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kofi state or any of its other campuses.

9. Sunday Adokpela University, Otada Adoka, Otukpo, Benue State or any of its other campuses.

10. United Christian University,
Macotis Campus, Imo State or any of its other campuses.

11. United Nigeria University College, Okija, Anambra State or any of its other campuses.

12. Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its other campuses.

13. UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State or any of its other campuses.

14. Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos Plateau State or any of its other campuses.

15. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

16. Columbus University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

17. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

18. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

19. London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

20. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.

21. Lobi Business School Makurdi, Benue State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

22. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria.

23. Bolta University College Aba or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

24. JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) Kaduna Illegal Campus.

25. Westlan University, Esie, KwaraState or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

26. St. Andrews University College,Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

27. EC- Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.

28. Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo Akwa Ibom State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

29. Concept College/University (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

30. Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

31. Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

32. Acada University, Akinlalu, Oyo State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

33. Fifom University, Mbaise, Imo State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

34. Houdegbe North American University Campuses In Nigeria.

35. Atlantic International University, Okija, Anambra State.

36. Open International University, Akure.

37. Middle Belt University (North Central University), Otukpo.

38. Leadway University, Ugheli, Delta State.

39. Metro University, Dutse/Bwari, Abuja.

40. Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers State.

41. Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State.

42. Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja.

43. Temple University.

44. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

45. National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State.

46. University of Accountability and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos Ibadan Expressway and its Annex at 41, Ikorodu Road Lagos.

47. University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

48. Cape Cost University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

49. African University Cooperative Development (AUCD), Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

50. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.

51. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.

52. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko Campus).

53. Career Light Resources Centre,Jos.

54. University of West Africa, kwali-Abuja, FCT.

55. Coastal University, Iba-Oku, Akwa-Ibom State.

56. Kaduna Business School, Kaduna.

57. Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger Delta.

The NUC further listed another eight institutions undergoing investigations and litigation as

1. National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa state.

2. North Central University, Otukpo,Benue State.

3. Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu.

4. Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State.

5. West Coast University, Umuahia.

6. Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State.

7. Volta University College, Aba, Abia State.

8. Illegal Satellite Campuses of Ambrose Ali University.

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Buhari Is Looking For The Very Best Of Nigerians - Aide

Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina on Friday reacted to criticism that President Buhari's appointments so far have been in favor of the North.

Speaking on Ray Power 100.5 FM's Political Platform, Adeshina said that Buhari's appointments would soon balance out as the President was aware of the Federal Character principle.

He however, noted that the appointments so far made have been on merit as the President wants to work with the very best of Nigerians.

“Nobody can fault the fact that those appointed were based on merits.

“In terms of the spread, the President has the prerogative to appoint and he knows there is Federal Character.

“I am sure that there will be balance in the future.

“These are still early days. At the end of the day, we will have a balance.

“By the time more appointments are made, it will balance out. The President is trying to get the very best of Nigerians. The issue of key positions and no key positions should not be the issue.

“He gave a deadline of September for the appointment of ministers and he will keep to it, ” he said.

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Nigerian Troops Destroy Boko Haram Bomb Factory In Borno

Troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade, Nigerian Army in a joint operation with the Nigerian Air Force have discovered and destroyed a factory used by terrorists in Borno State to produce Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.

The information is contained in a statement signed by Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman and made available to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN in Abuja on Friday.

The statement said that the factory was found at Nyaleri village in Damboa local government of Borno State.

“The troops of 25 Task Force Brigade Nigerian Army achieved an unprecedented feat today in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in its area of operations.

“The Brigade, during a cordon and search operation at Sandia, Kokakowa and Nyaleri villages suspected to be Boko Haram enclaves early today, discovered and destroyed the factory.

“It was situated along Maiduguri-Bulabulin-Damboa road, in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria.’’

The troops arrested three terror suspects in the process. They also recovered some items including a Peugeot pick up truck, a 10kva power generator, a water pumping machine, gas cylinders, 3 bags of maize, 1 bag of millet and several empty Jerry cans of diesel.

The statement added that the feat was a result "of the renewed efforts and vigour on the part of our troops to meet up with the set deadline that has turned the tide and momentum of the battle against the Boko Haram terrorists in our country."

President Muhammadu Buhari had recently given the military a deadline of three months within which to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

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Most Beautiful Girl In Abuja Holds Pool Party Audition

Sandralia Hotel, Jabi, Abuja will this Saturday host the first pool party audition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Abuja beauty pageant

According to the organizers of the show, this year's event will feature cultural carnival and seminars. Forms are still on sale for the pageant which is open to ladies from age 17 to 26.

The second audition will hold at Top Rank Hotel, on September 5, while the grande finale is for October 31st at Abuja Transcorp Hilton.

The winner will go home with a brand new car and a ticket to represent Nigeria at an international beauty event.

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NiMET Predicts Cloudy Skies, Rain Over Abuja On Saturday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet has predicted rains, cloudy skies and thunderstorms for Abuja and the North Central cities of Makurdi, Lafiya, Jalingo and Yola on Saturday morning.

NiMet's Central Forecast Office, CFO, issued the prediction in Abuja on Friday. It added that widespread localized rains would be witnessed in the area in the afternoon and evening.

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Outrage in APC as Buhari Appoints More Northerners

There are rumblings in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC over President Muhammadu Buhari's latest appointments.

Sources within the party who spoke to The Punch complained that once again, the appointments were skewed in favor of the North, adding that something must be done fast to avoid a backlash from the other parts of the country.

“The President does not consult before making most of these appointments and I can tell you that Nigerians are going to term the party and the President as a northern party and the President of Northern Nigeria,” one of the sources said.

In the latest appointments announced on Thursday, President Buhari approved
Babachir David Lawal from Adamawa State as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Mr. Abba Kyari from Borno state as his Chief of Staff.

Other appointments approved by the President, according to the statement by Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina are those of Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd.) as the new Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service; Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi, Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service; Senator Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate); and Suleiman Kawu as SSA on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

With the exception of Senator Ita Enang from the South South, all the appointees are from the North.

Of the nine previous appointments made by Buhari, eight were from the North. Dissenting voices in APC worry that President Buhari is fast presenting himself as the President of Northern Nigeria and the APC as a northern party.

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65 Modular Refineries Get Buhari's Nod

Sixty-five Nigerian companies have been granted licenses to build modular refineries by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The 65 were selected from a list of 285 that applied for the license.

Modular refineries are small refineries with capacities of 1,000 to 10,000 barrels per day refining capacity. They can be easily assembled and taken apart.

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Atiku's Daughter Donates Salary To Charity

Daughter of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and newly appointed Adamawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr Fatima Atiku will not be taking home her salaries and allowances. This is because she wants them to be used in revitalizing the health care system in the state.

Speaking to newsmen on Friday in Yola after her swearing in. Dr Fatima Atiku said,

"I am very grateful to the governor for appointing me to head the Health Ministry.

"The ministry is the most challenging because of the insurgency problem that had caused some damage to the health system in the state.

“For this reason, I shall be donating my salary and allowances for use in enhancing the delivery of healthcare service in the state. "

Twenty one other commissioners were also sworn in at the occasion.

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Chad Sentences Boko Haram Convicts To Death

A court in N'djamena, Chad on Friday sentenced 10 convicted Boko Haram terrorists to death for masterminding the double suicide bombings in the capital city in June.

In the first ever trial in Chad of members of the Nigeria based Islamist terror group, the court ruled that "the 10 Boko Haram defendants have been condemned to death."

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CBN Approves Loans For States To Pay Salary Arrears

States burdened with salary debts now have a reprieve as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has approved the request by commercial banks to grant loan facilities to indebted states to enable them to offset backlogs of salary arrears.

The National Executive Council, NEC, had at its meeting in June charged the CBN to collaborate with other stakeholders to find out ways to liquidate salary arrears owed by states and local governments.

The apex bank said that so far, only two states, Kwara and Zamfara have met the conditions for the disbursement of the loan and have therefore received the facility.

According to the apex bank, the conditions for accessing the loan facility include:

1. A resolution of the State Executive Council authorizing the borrowing.

2. The State House of Assembly consenting to the loan package,

3. Issuance of Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) to ensure timely repayment.

The debtor states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Yobe, and Zamfara.

The salary debts owed by these states range from two months to eleven months.

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Handle Classified Documents With Confidentiality, Head of Service Tells Civil Servants

Civil servants in the country have been warned that classified documents must be handled with utmost confidentiality. The warning was contained in a circular titled "Handling of Classified Documents," and issued to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs in Abuja on Thursday.

The circular signed by Alhaji Muhammad Manga, Assistant Director (Media Relations), Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation observed that some officers were in the habit of misusing classified documents including those of the Federal Executive Council.

It reminded civil servants that classified documents were not meant for public consumption. It warned that anyone found in breach of the law would be made to face sanctions.

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Buhari Meets Board Of Centenary City Over Fraud Allegations

Following bickering over alleged fraud in the Centenary City Project, President Muhammadu Buhari will this Friday meet with members of the board of Centenary City Plc.

Chairman of the board and former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar will be leading the board members to the meeting.

This was disclosed to newsmen on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Muhammad Bukar. He was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to brief President Buhari on the activities of his office.

The meeting may not be unconnected with the recent petition to the President by the Vice Chairman, South South of the PDP, Dr Cairo Ojougbo, demanding a probe into the role of former SGF, Senator Pius Anyim in the Centenary City project.

Ojougbo had accused Anyim of conniving with the sponsors of the project to defraud the government.

However, Bukar said that government money was not put in the project which is totally private sector driven.

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Buhari Appoints SGF, Chief of Staff, Others.

The Federal Government on Thursday announced the appointment of Engr Babachir David Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF. He succeeds Senator Pius Anyim Pius.

Also appointed was Alhaji Abbah Kyari as President Buhari's Chief of Staff.

Other appointments as contained in a statement by Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina are
Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd.) – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service; Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi  – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service; Senator Ita Enang – Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate);  Suleiman A. Kawu   –  SSA to National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

All the appointments take immediate effect.

See Punch for more.

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Chibok Girls : 500 Days And Still Counting

Amid dwindling hopes for their rescue, relatives of over 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants from their school, on Thursday marked 500 days of the unfortunate event.

Amid increasing use of females for suicide bombings by the militants, hopes are receding for the rescue of the Chibok Girls, despite the imminent deployment of the 8700 troops Multinational Joint Task Force assembled by the countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

Boko Haram terrorists had stormed Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State on the night of 14 April 2014, abducting 276 girls from their hostels. They had been preparing for their final examinations.

Fifty-seven managed to escape but the fate of the rest has been a subject of speculations ever since. Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau once boasted in a video that the girls had all converted to Islam and been married off.

To mark the grim campaign, the #bringbackourgirls group staged a youth march in Abuja on Thursday. Dozens of young campaigners in red shirts and ribbons also processed through the streets of Abuja, carrying placards and banners with the names and photos of some of the missing girls.

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Nigeria Working To Diversify Economy

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his government is working to stop the country's dependence on oil exports by rapidly diversifying the economy.

He spoke on Thursday while receiving new ambassadors in Abuja. He said that Nigeria had over-depended on oil in the last three decades to the detriment of agriculture and other sectors.

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FG, States, Local Govts Share N511. 8b

A total of N511. 8b was shared among Federal, States and local governments as revenue for July 2015. This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Anastasia Nwaobia on Wednesday while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC meeting.

Nwaobia said the amount shared comprised the month's net statutory revenue of N433.5b and the exchange gain of N6.4b.
"Therefore, the total revenue distributable for the month of July including VAT of N74.9 billion is N511.8 billion,"

She said that while the Federal Government received N202.1 billion, representing 52.68 per cent, states got N102.5 billion, representing 26.72 per cent, and
the local governments received N79 billion, amounting to 20.60 per cent of the amount distributed.

She added that N28.2b amounting to 13 % of derivation revenue was shared among the oil producing states.

Nwaobia also said that VAT revenue increased by N9.9b in July to N74.9b over the preceding month. She said that mineral revenue was N228. 8b,and non mineral N190.2b

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Yobe Elections Tribunal Judge Dies In Abuja

A member of the Yobe State elections petition tribunal, Justice Audu Bako has died. The panel has been hearing petitions seeking to annul the election of Gov Ibrahim Gaidam.
Justice Bako is reported to have died in the afternoon of Wednesday 26 August 2015 at Primus Hospital, Karu, Abuja following a brief illness. He has already been buried in Nasarawa, his home town according to Islamic rites.

The late Justice Bako as a member of the 3-man panel of the Yobe State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal had only on August 12, heard how the EFCC traced the origin of N15m lodged into the account of the Resident Electoral Commissioner.

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PDP Begins Membership Drive, Begs Nigerians

Opposition People's Democratic Party, PDP is calling on Nigerians to join its folds, a few months after losing power at the center.

The party said that interested Nigerians were free to join without any conditions, adding that old and new members would be treated equally.

The call was made in Abuja on Wednesday by the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus. The occasion was the inauguration of the PDP e-Membership Registration Committee headed by Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

“I’m appealing to all Nigerians to come and join us. There is room for everybody. Journalists here are also free to join us and become our members.

“Look at our slogan, which is ‘Power to the People.’ We are now returning the party to the people, " he said.

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Claim of Missing N183b Untrue - NDDC Boss

Mr Dan Abia, Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has described the allegation that 183 billion naira is missing from the accounts of the commission as untrue.

Abia fielded questions from State House correspondents on Wednesday after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari on the activities of the commission. He said that although he was not the Managing Director of the commission during the period covered by the periodic check report of the auditor General of the Federation which alleged that N183b was unaccounted for, he was ready to defend the commission with records available to him.

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Police Service Commission Redeploys 37 Commissioners

The Police Service Commission, PSC, has redeployed the commissioners of police in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The PSC in a statement said,
“The Police Service Commission approved the deployment in line with Section 215 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the commission to appoint officers to states as Commissioners of Police, CP.”

Vanguard reports that officers affected by the exercise are ;
Emmanuel Ojukwu, formerly Force Public Relations Officer, who has been deployed to Kogi State and Ikechukwu Nwodibo, formerly CP in charge of Legal Services, who has been posted to Taraba State.

Others are J. Habila, Abia State; Adejo Gabriel Adaji, Adamawa State; Muritala U. Mani, Akwa Ibom; Karma Hosea, Anambra; Mohammed K. Mohammed, Bauchi; P. Okafor, Bayelsa; Dibai P.Yakadi, Benue; J. Opadokun, Borno. Henry Fadairo, Cross River; UsmanBala Alkali, Delta; P. Abdallah, Ebonyi; Chris Ezike, Edo; CP Etop J. James, Ekiti; CP Mohammed Adamu, Enugu, CP Wilson Inalegwu, FCT.

Also appointed are CP Austin Iwar, Gombe; CP T. Lakanu, Imo; CP U. Tilli Abubakar, Jigawa; CP U. U. Shehu, Kaduna; Mohammed Katsina, Kano; CP U. Abdullahi, Katsina; CP Yakubu O. Jubrin, Kebbi.

Furthermore, E. Amadasun, is CP of Kwara; Fatai Owoseni remains CP, Lagos; Mohammed Sani Usman, remains CP Nasarawa; CP Abubakar Marafa, CP Niger; CP Abdulmajid Ali, Ogun; CP M. Ogbodu, Ondo; CP K. Shodipo, Osun; CP Leye Oyebade, Oyo. Others are CP Nasiru Oki, Plateau; CP Hyelasinda Kimo Musa, Rivers, CP Salisu F. Abdullahi, Sokoto; CP Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, Yobe; Femi Ogunbayode, CP Zamfara.

According to PSC Chairman, Sir Mike Okiro, the exercise is meant to reinvigorate the state commands for more effective and efficient performance in line with President Buhari's "Change" agenda.

He urged the police commissioners to be serious with their jobs and ensure strict commitment to the enforcement of law and order and protection of lives and property within the ambit of the law.

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NNPC Revokes Contract For Crude Oil Delivery To Refineries

The contract for delivering crude oil to the refineries in Warri, Portharcourt, and Kaduna has been canceled by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

The decision was announced on Tuesday by the company's
Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe,

Also terminated were the offshore processing agreements entered into in January this year with three companies, Duke Oil Company Inc., Aiteo Energy Resources Limited and Sahara Energy Resources Limited.

The corporation said that the contracts were canceled because of their exorbitant costs and inappropriate process of engagement. It added that the new measures were aimed at reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency.

In the meantime, NIDAS Marine Limited, an NNPC subsidiary has been engaged to provide crude oil delivery to the refineries pending the establishment of a substantive contract.

“We have also commenced a rigorous and transparent process of securing capable and competitive contractors for the delivery of crude oil by marine vessels to Port Harcourt and Warri/Kaduna Refineries pending the restoration of the crude pipeline infrastructure, ” said Mr Ohi Alegbe.

To correct the existing anomalies, Mr Alegbe said that the NNPC has commenced the process of establishing alternative OPA based on optimum yield pattern with tender processing fees.

“After due appraisal of performance trajectory, we have invited Oando, Sahara Energy, Calson, MRS, Duke Oil, BP/Nigermed and Total Trading to bid for the new Offshore Processing Agreement, while we have engaged AITEO, Sahara Energy and Duke Oil to exit the current OPA, ” Alegbe said.

See Punch for more.

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Not A Government Of Probes But Of Due Process, Law And Order

The presidency has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari is not running a government of probes, but of due process, law and order.

Vanguard reports that Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said that President Buhari would not shy away from probing Goodluck Jonathan in the face of allegations of fraud and corruption.

He was reacting to an allegation of selective probe against President Buhari by a Northern leader, Tanko Yakassai.

The presidential spokesman said that Buhari is not actually probing anybody but merely treating issues he met on the table

“Let me say that officially, nobody is under probe, even Dr. Jonathan. People should not make mistakes about the fact that what is going on are routine investigations. These are matters that the President has found on the table. So, there is nothing like a probe. If Jonathan will be probed, you would have heard of, may be, an administrative panel of enquiry or judicial panel of enquiry. But it hasn’t come to that. These are matters of routine engagements of due process of law and order.

“President Buhari in his campaign said his government was not going to probe into the past. We are not probing but as a responsible government, you cannot bring to the table matters such as we are dealing with and then, the President will wave them off.

“The Office of the President may be powerful but it is controlled, regulated by due process and the constitution of the country. The President cannot wave away matters that are arising from either handing-over or the routine briefings. How can anybody say he was part of the Obasanjo military regime and that’s why he’s not probing them?"

See Vanguard for more.

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13-Man Panel To Probe Yar'Adua, Jonathan On Arms Procurement

In pursuance of his determination to stamp out corruption in the public service, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday set up a 13-man panel to probe the administrations of late President Umar Musa Yar'Adua and former President Goodluck Jonathan on the procurement of arms and ammunitions for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The committee was constituted by the National Security Adviser, Major-Gen Babagana Monguno (Retd) on the orders of President Buhari and is expected to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the armed forces.

The committee has AVM J. O. N. Ode (retd) as leader and Big-Gen Y. I. Shalangwa as Secretary.

Other members are Rear Admiral J. A. Aikhomu (retd.), Rear Admiral E. Ogbor (retd.), Brig-Gen. L. Adekagun (retd.), Brig-Gen. M. Aminu-Kano (retd.), Brig-Gen N. Rimtip (retd.), Commodore T. D. Ikoli, Air Commodore U. Mohammed (retd), Air CommodoreI. Shafi’i, Col A. A. Ariyibi, GP Capt C.A. Oriaku (retd) and Mr. I. Magu (EFCC).

A statement released by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina said, “the establishment of the investigative committee is in keeping with President Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption and irregularities in Nigeria’s public service.

“It comes against the background of the myriad of challenges that the Nigerian Armed Forces have faced in the course of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the northeast, including the apparent deficit in military platforms with its attendant negative effects on troops’ morale.

“The committee will specifically investigate allegations of non-adherence to correct equipment procurement procedures and the exclusion of relevant logistics branches from arms procurement under past administrations, which, very often resulted in the acquisition of sub-standard and unserviceable equipment.”

It is widely believed that Muhammadu Buhari won the last presidential elections based on his loud chants of the anti corruption mantra.

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"Dance With Peter" Audition Berths In Abuja

All is set for the first audition of the reality TV show, "Dance With Peter," which is to be held in Abuja.

According to Globacom, sponsor of Africa's hottest dance competition, the event holds this Friday at Shehu Musa Yar'adua Center in Central Business District, Abuja.

Thereafter, the audition train driven by Peter Okoye move to Accra for the Ghana phase scheduled for September 1 at the National Theatre, South Liberia Road.
The next stop will be Benin, Edo State, next week Friday, at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Center, Airport Road, Benin City. Lagos is next in line on Tuesday, September 8, at Bamako Studios, 1 Bamako Street, Ojodu, Lagos.

The final audition is on September 10 at Atrium Event Center, Stadium Road, Portharcourt.

To participate, text DANCE to 55517 in Nigeria and 3030 in Ghana from Glo lines only. Text message costs N100 for Nigeria and GHc0.5 for Ghana.

The best dancer  goes home with a brand new Toyota RAV 4, N3 million and the rare opportunity to feature in P-Square’s next music video.

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One Soldier, Two Suicide Bombers Die In Borno Blast

Two male suicide bombers suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists on Tuesday night detonated their explosive devices at a military checkpoint around Gomari Airport roundabout, killing themselves and a soldier.

Four passers-by were injured by the bomb blast which occurred barely an hour after the daily curfew had been lifted by 9.30 pm

Eyewitness accounts said that the suicide bombers who came in a tricycle were being checked by the soldiers on duty when they detonated their explosive devices, killing themselves and a soldier.

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Kaduna State Governor El-Rufai Loses Father

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State is bereaved. His foster father and former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mallam Yahaya Hamza passed away in Kaduna on Tuesday after a brief illness.

A statement issued by El-Rufai's spokesman, Samuel Aruwan said that the governor
"will miss the wisdom and counsel of this great man who became a father to him and guided his steps with tender firmness,”

He said that the governor played Allah to grant the departed aljanah firdaus and the family, strength.

The one time chairman of West African Examinations Council, WAEC, and Secretary to Kaduna State Government is survived by many wives, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was aged 80, having been born in 1935.

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PDP Caucus Petitions Buhari Over Alleged Interference

The Rivers State PDP caucus in the National Assembly is accusing security agencies of interference in its cases before the state elections petitions tribunal. The allegation is contained in a petition which the caucus comprising of PDP's 3 senators and 13 House of Representatives members wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The lawmakers accused the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services, DSS of interfering in the various election petition cases involving the party at the tribunal.

They alleged that soldiers and DSS operatives are conniving with APC to testify against PDP at the tribunal. They called on the president to call the security agencies to order to prevent a miscarriage of justice in the prosecution of the cases.

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14 Women Drown In Boat Mishaps

A total of 14 women on Monday lost their lives in two separate boat accidents in Sarkin Pawa River and River Guni both in Muniya local government area of Niger State.

Mr Bala Elikana, Niger State Police Public Relations Officer confirmed the incident to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.
"We have asked our Marine Police to get us detailed report of what transpired., " he said. He added that the marine police was meeting with boat owners and drivers to ensure safety on the waterways.

Reports have it that 11 women of the same family drowned in the Sarkin Pawa riva accident, just as 3 women from Gumi village died in similar circumstances in Gumi river.

The victims were said to be returning from the farm where they had gone to harvest groundnuts on Monday evening. Some of them were identified as
Munau, Wara, Fiddausi, Zainab, Najaatu, Ikilima, Fatima, Ladidi, Balaraba and Hafsat.

NAN

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War Against Terrorism Going According To Plan - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday assured that his administration was prosecuting the war on terrorism as planned.
He spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during a joint press conference with visiting President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic.

He said that having identified it's priorities as security and economy, his government is doing its best under the prevailing circumstances.

“We are doing our best under the circumstances in Nigeria. This government has just arrived, we are re-organising the military, they are on ground.

“Especially, the Army and the Air Force are doing very well and the Navy has joined to secure the Gulf of Guinea which is from Senegal to Gabon and Angola.

“So, we are on course, we are getting the cooperation of the international community and I assure you that we are already seeing the difference. The coast is clear.”

President Boni Yayi assured Nigeria of his country's solidarity, while commending President Buhari on his leadership role in the ongoing war on terrorism.

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Buhari Berates RMAFC For Approving Jumbo Pay For Political Office Holders

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday scolded the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, for approving outrageous remunerations for political office holders.

Speaking at a meeting with RMAFC Chairman, Elias Mbam and his team, the president admonished the organization to seek the proper interpretation of its powers and address the outcry of Nigerian people against the unreasonably high payments of political office holders.

He urged the Chairman and his team to go back to the drawing board and come up with humane proposals to rescue ordinary Nigerians.

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Past Governments Caused Subsidy Mess - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday blamed previous administrations for the current ugly situation in which the country is being cheated out of billions of naira every year for alleged oil subsidy claims.

The president expressed his disappointment over the way Nigeria's oil industry has been run in the last decade plus, saying that if development of refining capacity and petroleum products distribution network had kept pace with national demand, there would have been no need for the massive subsidies being presently paid to importers.

Buhari also said that the country's refineries, oil pipelines and related infrastructure were deliberately neglected for oil subsidy payment and its associated corruption to thrive.

“They allowed the infrastructure to collapse so that their cronies can steal by bringing in refined products from overseas,” he said.

He stressed that Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, which illegally retained all or parts of its revenues in the past, must now comply with the Nigerian constitution by paying all of its revenues into the Federation Account. He warned that severe sanctions would be meted on anyone who violates the directive.

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Force Headquarters, Police Service Commission Deploy Team To Enforce Withdrawal Of Officers From VIPs

The Police Service Commission, PSC, and the Force Headquarters, Nigeria Police have set up a monitoring team to implement President Muhammadu Buhari's directive to withdraw police officers attached to unauthorized persons and VIPs who are not entitled to their services. Such personnel are to be deployed to tackle the security challenges facing the country.

According to the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro who spoke to the press in Abuja on Tuesday,
“the PSC, in collaboration with the Inspector General Police, has concluded arrangements to deploy a high level monitoring team to the nation’s airports, highways and other public places to enforce the Presidential directive of immediate withdrawal of policemen from very important personalities, VIP, who are not entitled to their services.

“The monitoring team will have the powers to stop VIPs on the highways, airports and so on, for confirmation of their status and that of the policemen attached to them.”

The PSC Chairman stressed that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force would enforce the presidential directive to the letter.

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Economic Crunch : Buhari, Senators, To Take Pay Cut

The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC is presently trimming down the pay packages of the President, National Assembly members, governors, and all elected public servants in line with current economic realities.

The Chairman of RMAFC, Mr Elias Mbam disclosed this to pressmen in Abuja on Tuesday after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We are here to brief the President on the activities of the commission, the challenges and the way forward.

“The President advised us to ensure that we use all legitimate means to ensure all public office holders take home remuneration as determined by the commission and also block all leakages.

“We have done a lot in informing the public on the true position of the remuneration packages. It is on our website; it is clearly written there and we have published these remuneration packages in many national dailies several times.

“We have also had interactions with the press at different fora.
What we read on the pages of newspapers is not known to the commission because there is no member of the National Assembly, based on what we determined, who earns up to N1 million per month.

“Presently, we are reviewing the subsisting remuneration packages and it is going to reflect the socio-economic realities of today. We expect that before the end of next month, it will be ready.

“When I talk of packages, the responsibility of the commission is to determine the remuneration for political office holders, both elected and appointed, from the national level to the local government level.

“Of course, National Assembly members are elected. It will include them, it will include the judiciary, it will include the state legislature, executive and of course, the local government will be included.

“Recently, the oil price dropped. Many government agencies, the states and local governments have not been able to pay their salaries. These are some of the issues that made it necessarily to review it. It did not start with this administration; we started the review as far back as last year. It is not because of the present administration that we commenced it.

“They do not have a choice. We are guided by the constitution and we are going to be guided by such laws that are provided for in the constitution and the oath they swore to obey the laws of the country, " Elias Mbam disclosed.

See Vanguard for more.

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8700 Soldiers Set To Deploy Against Boko Haram

The Acting Director of Defense Information, Col Rabe Abubakar has said that military chiefs from the Lake Chad Basin Commission have concluded plans for the imminent deployment of the 8700 troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force.

He said in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday that a meeting of military chiefs in N'djamena, Chad concluded the plans for the deployment. Present at the meeting were defense chiefs from Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroun and Republic of Benin as well as the Commander of the Multi-National JTF and other high military ranking officers.

“The Chiefs of Defence Staff from the Lake Chad Basin Commission member- countries met in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad and finalised details of the deployment of a joint force to fight the Boko Haram which has sworn allegiance to ISIS and has killed hundreds of people through suicide bombings in the last three months, " the defense spokesman said.

He noted that the Chief of Defense Staff has been working hard to meet up with President Buhari's directive to completely eliminate Boko Haram within the next three months.

He also said that troops of the Multi-National JTF would be deployed to two command centres in Nigeria and Cameroun, even as soldiers on secondment to the task force have been directed to immediately report to their duty posts.

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Police In Kubwa Arrest 38 Year-old Security Guard For Defiling 9 Year-old Girl

The police in Kubwa, in Bwari Local Council of Abuja have arrested a 38 years old security guard for being in a sexual relationship with a girl of 9 years. The security guard works and lives at a church in Phase 2 Site 2, Kubwa.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the police that he had been in a sexual relationship with the primary 4 pupil for over a year. He said that he usually picked up the little girl at an agreed point after school hours. From there, they would proceed to his house.

However, trouble started for the randy guard when he decided that their usual after-school tryst was no longer sufficient.  He slept with her over the night and the parents became alarmed that their little girl did not come home.

The worried parents contacted their pastor whom the suspect incidentally works and lives with. The cleric reported the matter to the police and subsequent investigation led to the arrest of the security guard.

Medical examinations at Kubwa General Hospital confirmed that the 9 years old primary 4 girl has been sexually active.

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Medical Youth Corpers Protest Nonpayment Of Allowances By Bwari Area Council

Health corpers doing their NYSC program in Bwari Area Council, Abuja are protesting the failure of the council authorities to pay their monthly allowances since March this year. The corpers from Batch C of the National Youth Service Corps began their service in December 2014.

The authorities had requested the services of health care youth corpers whom they posted to the various health facilities in the area council. They placed the medical doctors on monthly allowances of N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira) and the pharmacists, nurses, laboratory technicians etc N70,000 (seventy thousand naira).

However, the youth corpers said that they were short paid by 30% in January. The doctors received payment alerts of seventy thousand naira as against the expected one hundred thousand. The rest got fifty thousand naira instead of seventy thousand. Upon enquiry, they were told that the area council could no longer pay what was initially promised, due to paucity of funds.

Despite the cut in their monthly payments, the youth corpers said their main grouse is that they have not been paid since February and their service ends in October. That would mean that they could be leaving with about ten 🔟 months of their allowances unpaid.

The health corpers are also worried about stories making the rounds in the rumor mill that a lot of NYSC members had in the past left Bwari Area Council will months of unpaid allowances.

Attempts by Brekete Family Show to reach the Chairman of Bwari Area Council on Friday were not successful. The youth corpers said that the Zonal Inspector of the National Youth Service Corps had earlier intervened without success.

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Buhari To Host Ban Ki Moon In Abuja Today

President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to host UN Sec-Gen, Ban Ki Moon at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, Monday 24 August 2015 at midday.

The information is contained in a media advisory signed by Mr Oche Egwa for the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity. The statement said Buhari and the UN boss will address a joint press conference after a closed-door session.

Thereafter, Ban Ki Moon will return to the Presidential Villa for a dinner to be hosted in his honor by President Buhari.

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Buhari Begs Lawyers To Support War Against Corruption

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerian lawyers to support his government's war on corruption and help return the country to the path of uprightness. He urged lawyers who often defend human rights to also see corruption as a violation of human rights.

Buhari identified corruption as the major reason why Nigerians suffer all manner of derivations
.
“For the masses of our people, the millions still wallowing in want and diseases, corruption is a major reason why they cannot go to school; why they cannot be gainfully employed; and why there are few doctors, nurses and drugs in their hospitals and health centers.

“It is the reason why pensioners are not paid and potable water is scarce.

“In effect, corruption diverts public resources meant for millions of people into the private pockets of a greedy few, thereby causing a lot of suffering, deprivation and death.

“In my view, there can be no greater violation of human rights.

“Viewed in this way, I think we can all fully appreciate the gravity of this oppressive and destructive evil. This should rouse us to fight it with the same zeal and doggedness as we deploy in the defence of fundamental rights, ” he said

He also advised lawyers to place the integrity of Nigeria's legal system above their own pecuniary considerations by not covering up the misdeeds of their clients.

The president spoke this Sunday through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu at the opening of the 55th annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja

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The Three Sins That Led To Parradang's Fall

Feelers from government circles indicate that the case of former Nigeria Immigration Service boss, David Shikfu Parradang is like that of the proverbial hunter's dog that wouldn't hear his master's whistle.

A subsequent statement to the one that announced Parradang's dismissal issued on 21 August 2015 and signed by a director/secretary in the ministry in charge of Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prisons Services Board, Mr A. A. Ibrahim gave more insight into Parradang's suspension.

His number one sin according to the statement was the issuance of appointment letters to 1600 new personnel without approval. The new recruitments consisted of 700 Assistant Inspectors of Immigration and 900 Immigration Assistant III.

The suspended Immigration boss is said to have ignored repeated warnings from superior authorities to take necessary corrective actions. The statement cited the letters from the supervising ministry as reference nos: FMI/PSO/OOllll/402 of June 11, 2015, and FMI/PSO/OOl/lll/411 of June 14, 2015.

By failing to act directed in those letters, Parradang registered his second sin.

Whatever hope that was left for Parradang was swept away by the Nigerian Visa scandal involving ISIS terrorist, Imam Ahmed al-Assir. The wanted cleric was arrested at the Rafik Hariri International Airport, Beirut as he tried to board a flight to Palestine enroute to Nigeria with a fake Palestinian passport and a valid Nigerian Visa. That was how the embattled former Immigration boss landed sin number three in his register.

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Ambush: Army Chief's Convoy In Gunfight With Boko Haram Fighters

Faljari village, 45kms east of Borno State capital Maiduguri was the scene of a fierce gun battle on Saturday between troops in the convoy of Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai and suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

The Army Chief was in Borno State to motivate the front line troops in the war against the insurgents, said Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman.

At the end of the firefight, 10 insurgents and a soldier were killed. Five militants were captured while four others managed to escape.

"The terrorists encountered an overwhelming firepower from the troops in which 10 of them were killed. The troops captured five terrorists," he said.
"During the encounter, sadly, we lost a soldier, while an officer and four soldiers sustained gunshot wounds, " Usman said.

The Army Chief was unharmed in the incident.

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PDP Vice Chair Alleges Threat To Life Over Centenary City

The fight between the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim and the Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the South South, Dr Cairo Ojougbo is getting messier.

Dr Ojougbo who had alleged that former President Goodluck Jonathan was deceived into starting the Centenary City Project by Senator Pius Anyim is now raising an alarm that assassins have been contracted to eliminate him.

He has therefore instructed his lawyer, Mr Kayode Ajulo to write two petitions on the alleged assassination plot and the involvement of a foreign company in the Centenary City Project scam.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja last week, Dr Ojougbo said,

“I have instructed my lawyers to forward petitions to the Government of the United Arab Emirates over the scam (allegedly) being perpetrated by Eagle Hills.
“The petition should also be sent to the Nigerian Immigration Service over the activities of a notorious Mexican drug baron called Carlos Cabal that has been given the task to assassinate me; the European Union and the Government of Germany over the activities of Berger the Billfinger in Nigeria and African Human Rights Commission in The Gambia.”

While calling on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase to thoroughly investigate the threat to his life, Ojougbo ask his party, the PDP to ignore the rantings of Pius Anyim who he described as "This mass of protoplasm"

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UN Sec-Gen Visits Nigeria Today

United Nations Sec-Gen, Ban Ki- Moon is expected in Nigeria today, Sunday 23 August 2015. According to a statement released by the UN on Friday, Ki-moon who will be received by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja will thereafter engage in other field activities.

“The Secretary-General will travel to Abuja, Nigeria, over the weekend. During his visit, he will meet with President Buhari and other federal and state government officials. He will also meet with leaders from human rights, religious, civil society and business communities.
“The Secretary-General is expected to discuss development, climate change, human rights and countering violent extremism while he is in Nigeria. He will also mark the anniversary of the August 26, 2011 attack on UN House in Abuja,” the statement said.

Ban Ki-Moon was in Nigeria in May 2011 to promote his "every woman, every child" global health campaign. His current visit is also expected to commemorate the 26th August 2011 Boko Haram car bombing of the UN House in Abuja that killed at least 21 and injured many others.

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Boko Haram Landmines Kill Two, Injure Two Nigerian Soldiers

Two Nigerian soldiers lost their lives on Friday when they stepped on a landmine as their team advanced through a Boko Haram stronghold.

According to Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman, two other troops were also critically injured in the incident. The incident happened as troops of the 5 Brigade Explosives Ordinance Division, EOD, ran into landmines as they advanced towards Dikwa in Marte local government area of Borno State.

The troops also lost a Mowag armored personnel carrier at the location. The fallen soldiers were quickly evacuated while the injured were taken to the military hospital for treatment.

The Army spokesman said that the troops were not deterred by the loss as they continued their advance, chasing the terrorists into their enclaves in the Sambisa forest.

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Change Sweeps Away Immigration Boss

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate suspension of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr David Parradang. According to a statement signed by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Interior, Mr Yusuf Isiaka Alhaji,, the Deputy Comptroller General of immigration, Mr Martin Kure Abeshi has been directed to take over the affairs of the service.

The suspension of Parradang may not be unconnected with the recent scandal over the issuance of Nigerian Visa to wanted ISIS terrorist, Ahmed al-Assir in Lebanon.

David Parradang was appointed to the office of Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service in July 2013.

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Nine Arrested in Kaduna Over Rape, Theft

Five suspected rapists and four thieves are now in police net. This was disclosed on Friday by the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mr Zubairu Abubakar.

He told News Agency of Nigeria that the rape suspects committed the offense in Rigasa area of Kaduna metropolis. He added that the suspects were arrested on Wednesday August 19, after complaints by the victims' parents.

“Among the suspects, were two who raped a 13-year-old girl, while three others raped a 20-year-old girl. Two other suspects involved in the act are at large.
“The victims were taken to Rigasa General Hospital and the medical reports have confirmed that they were raped. "

Zubairu also said that four suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy, vandalism and theft of property belonging to a company identified as Forlknox. He said that following a complaint lodged by the company's regional manager, Mr Musa Usman, the police quickly swung into action and recovered five 4kva power generators belonging to the company.

Zubairu said that all the suspects would soon appear in court.

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End of Boko Haram In Sight - Buhari

Hi President Muhammadu Buhari believes that as Nigeria and her allies intensify the war against Boko Haram terrorists, a quick end to the insurgency can be expected.

He spoke on Thursday in Abuja while receiving Chad's Minister of Foreign Affairs and President Idris Deby's special envoy, Moussa Faki Mahamat.

President Buhari said that with increased morale, better logistics and equipment and training of troops at the front lines of the fight against the insurgents, he expects a quick end to Boko Haram.

He also said that Nigeria and Chad being at "the very heart of the insurgency", needed to make more sacrifices. He said that both countries should sustain their efforts until the terrorists are defeated.

On his part, Special Envoy Moussa Faki Mahamat said that President Idris Deby appreciates Buhari's leading role in the war against terrorism. He said that his coming to Nigeria was reaffirm Chad's commitment to ending the insurgency quickly.

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817Kg of Cannabis Found In Abuja Warehouse

79 bags of dried weeds weighing 817 kilograms which reportedly tested positive for Indian hemp were last Monday, found in a warehouse belonging to  Mr Chukwuka Ugbai in Bakko village, Kwali Area Council, Abuja.

The discovery was made by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, following a tip-off.

Mr Ugbai who owned up to illicit drug dealing said that he took to the business to fend for his family.

The Abuja command of the NDLEA said that Ugbai would soon be charged to court.

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25 Year-old Man Arrested With 48.4m Naira Cash On Abuja Highway

It was a case of almost there for 25 years old John Okafor who was ferrying a cash of 48,450,000 naira from Onitsha, South East Nigeria to Abuja last Monday. He was nabbed in a commercial bus at the Abaji end of the Abuja Lokoja expressway by anti narcotics operatives on routine patrol.

However, Okafor denied ownership of the money. He said that he was on an errand for an Onitsha-based Bureau de change to purchase US dollars in Abuja.

“I work for a bureau de change in Onitsha. I was asked to purchase dollars at the foreign exchange market in Abuja with the money. When we got to Abaji, our vehicle was searched and the money was found. That is all I know, " he said.

According to Mrs Chinyere Obijuru, NDLEA Commander in FCT, Mr Okafor who also had 86,500 on him would be handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

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Guards Brigade To Partner Civil Defense On Security In Abuja

The Nigerian Security And Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, has been assured of the cooperation of the Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army in ensuring security in Abuja.

The Commander, Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army, Big-Gen
Musa Yusuf made the pledge during a courtesy visit to the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Patrick Ukpan as part of his ongoing familiarization tour of security formations in Abuja.

He said that the Guards Brigade which oversees security in Abuja will synergize with other security agencies to ensure maximum security in the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Patrick Ukpan had earlier said that his organization had been doing a lot to safeguard lives and property as well as critical infrastructure in Abuja, and would do even more, given the reactivation of the Kaduna refinery.

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How Did Wanted ISIS Terrorist Get Nigerian Visa In Lebanon?

Nigerian embassy officials are by now, scratching their heads to explain how they granted a valid Nigerian Visa to wanted ISIS terrorist, Ahmed al-Assir.

This is because President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered full scale investigations into the circumstances surrounding the issuance of Nigerian Visa to al-Assir who is on the wanted list of several national governments over terrorist activities.

The man was arrested at Rafik Hariri International Airport, Beirut on Saturday as he attempted to board a flight with a fake Palestinian passport and a valid Nigerian Visa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already instructed the embassy to furnish it with the details of how the terrorist got the passport.

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Nigerian Forces Kill Terrorists, Recover Weapons In Borno

A sizeable number of Boko Haram Islamist terrorists were on Tuesday destroyed by troops from the 26 Task Force Brigade, Gwoza, Borno State as they fled from Nigeria Airforce's aerial bombardment of the Sambisa forest.

Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sani Usman said on Wednesday in Abuja that a lot of terrorists were killed in the operation while their weapons were either destroyed or recovered.

The terrorists were fleeing on motorbikes and pickup vans mounted with assorted weapons like rocket-propelled grenades, and antiaircraft guns. Six of the pickup trucks were destroyed while one was recovered.

The Nigerian Forces "also recovered  one motorcycle and two AK47 riffles and large quantities of 7.62mm NATO and 12.7mm ammunitions,’’ Col Sani Usman said in a statement.

He added that offensive actions against the undesirable elements are being intensified.

NAN

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Customs Boss Resigns

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi has resigned.
He did not give any reasons for the decision which is to take effect immediately.

President Buhari in accepting the resignation thanked Abdullahi for his hard work over the past six years.

A successor is yet to be named.

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AMCON : Buhari Sacks Chike-Obi

The Managing Director of Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, Mr Mustapha Chike-Obi has been sent packing with his management team by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari appointed Ahmed Lawan Kuru to replace Chike-Obi as the Managing Director of the corporation. Also appointed were Kola Ayeye, Eberechukwu Uneze and Aminu Ismail as executive directors.

According to presidential spokesman Femi Adeshina, the appointments are with immediate effect.

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Abuja's Worst Traffic Nightmare

Passing through Apo District of Abuja on a weekend can be one hell of a stress. If in doubt, ask those who shop at Shoprite and those who go to Apo mechanic village on weekends. See Abujacitynews's experience in pictures.

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I Can't Be Teleguided, Buhari Tells Igbo Leaders

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the claim by some Igbo leaders that he is being teleguided by certain forces in prosecuting the fight against corruption. A group operating as Igbo Leaders of Thought, under the leadership of Prof Ben Nwabueze had said in a recent statement that President Buhari's anti corruption war was being directed by an invisible government controlled by Rtd Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalam Abubakar, and Olusegun Obasanjo.

Reacting through the Senior Special Adviser, Media Affairs, Garba Shehu, the presidency said that Buhari's disposition to listening to all should not be misconstrued as manipulation.

"He will listen to everyone as a leader who is open to all. Nobody should lose sight of the fact that responsibility is his own and he is conscious of that. So, saying that somebody is teleguiding him cannot be the case, " he said.

He also said that though the president is not directly probing anyone, he would not interfere with investigations being done by the anti corruption agencies.

“Government is not probing anybody at the moment. But there are matters that he has turned on the table, going through the processes of investigations by the EFCC, ICPC; whatever, those things are, they must go on. Whatever is on the table must be treated, " he said.

Vanguard

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Happening now. Ohuhu youths get together in Abuja

Ohuhu youths in collaboration with Ohuhu Welfare Union are at this time holding their cultural get together at the Education Resource Center, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.

We have seen the display by Ojemba cultural dance group. Right now, Ohuhu children are showing their acting skills in a drama display.

Details later

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Buhari Condoles Borno People Over Deputy Gov's Death

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Abuja, described the death of deputy governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha as sad and shocking.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina, Buhari sympathized with the government and people of Borno State of over their huge loss. He also prayed for a peaceful repose for the soul of the deceased.

The deputy governor reportedly died in his hotel room while on official assignment to represent the Gov Kashim Shettima at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adamawa University of Science and Technology, Yola. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

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Nollywood Veteran Bruno Iwuoha Returns After Treatment In USA, Thanks Nigerians

Veteran actor, Mr Bruno Iwuoha was at the Brekete Family Show in Abuja on Friday to thank Nigerians and Brekete Family for their assistance and prayers during his period of illness.

Mr Iwuoha had solicited for help on the show a couple of weeks ago over his failing health. He had lamented the lack of help from his professional colleagues in the movie industry.

Following that edition of the Brekete show, a kindhearted Nigerian and MD/CEO of Morgan Entertainment, Mr Emeka Ogujiofor invited him to the United States of America for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment of his condition.

The actor who arrived the USA on wheelchair said that Mr Ogujiofor saw to it that he received the best of medical attention while in America. As a result, he is now hale and hearty. He also used the medium to debunk speculations in the social media that he had gone blind.

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NNPC Says No Ethnic Undertone In Retirements

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is not happy with a section of the media which it accuses of trying to politicize the ongoing restructuring of the organization by whipping up ethnic sentiments.

In a statement issued by Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Ohi Alegbe in Abuja on Friday, the NNPC said that recent retirements in the organization were in line with extant rules, just as appointments conform with international best practices.

It added that all its recent actions reflect federal character and have the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari.

"The recent appointments, promotions, and retirements are all part of the ongoing restructuring aimed at repositioning the corporation into a lean, efficient, profit-driven organization,’’ the statement said, adding that all retirements due this year and 2016 would be carried out without regard to tribe or state of origin.

It therefore advised the public to disregard any attempt to politicize the ongoing restructuring of the NNPC.

NAN

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NNPC Says No Ethnic Undertone In Retirements

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is not happy with a section of the media which it accuses of trying to politicize the ongoing restructuring of the organization by whipping up ethnic sentiments.

In a statement issued by Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Ohi Alegbe in Abuja on Friday, the NNPC said that recent retirements in the organization were in line with extant rules, just as appointments conform with international best practices.

It added that all its recent actions reflect federal character and have the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari.

"The recent appointments, promotions, and retirements are all part of the ongoing restructuring aimed at repositioning the corporation into a lean, efficient, profit-driven organization,’’ the statement said, adding that all retirements due this year and 2016 would be carried out without regard to tribe or state of origin.

It therefore advised the public to disregard any attempt to politicize the ongoing restructuring of the NNPC.

NAN

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Trader Assaulted By Abuja Task Force Charged For Missing Guns, Ammunition

An Abuja based clothes dealer was on Wednesday subjected to severe beating by members of the Task Force on City Cleaning at the Area One roundabout, Abuja.

The trader was a passenger in a taxicab which was being chased by the task force for operating without permit. According to an eyewitness, trouble started for the trader when the cab driver locked up himself and his passenger inside the car, thus denying the operatives access.

When the car was eventually forced open, the task force descended on the trader, giving him the beating of his life. Abujacitynews is yet to find out why the operatives chose to attack the passenger rather than the driver who broke the rules.

According to the victim's brother, Mr Chidiebere Duru Ashiloka, who spoke in an SOS message to Brekete Family Show, the task force has arraigned the trader before an Abuja court on charges of stealing their firearms and ammunitions.

The task force comprises of officers from the Nigeria Police, Civil Defense Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, the Prison Service, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, the Transport Secretariat aka, VIO, Department of State Security, and the Federal Road Safety Commission.

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