AFCON 2017: Siasia drops five players, redeploys one

Super Eagles interim Head Coach Samson Siasia has dropped five and reassigned one of the home based players currently in camp for the March 25 AFCON 2017 qualifier against Egypt, following their uninspiring performance in tuneup matches against the national U-23 team.

The home based Eagles had suffered a 0 - 2 loss to the U-23 team after beating them by the same margin in an earlier encounter.

The dropped players are defenders Christopher Madaki and Oke Ogagatewho, midfielder Hassan Yau, attackers Prince Aggreh and Ezekiel Bassey, and Bright Onyedikachi who was redeployed to the Under-23 camp.

“The coaches are gradually cutting down the numbers. Next week, more players will be released to their clubs and some others will be transferred to the Olympic team also currently in camp ahead of the international friendly against Brazil.

“I am sure the coaches already have an idea of those home stars that will join the foreign legion for the final phase of preparation in a week’s time,” said the Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye.

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Wanted Boko Haram terrorist killed in shootout with soldiers

A notorious Boko Haram kingpin has died of the injuries he sustained during a shootout with soldiers in Borno State.

He was number 95 in the list of 100 most wanted Boko Haram terrorists released by military authorities last year.

The late kingpin was confronted on Thursday by a combined team of troops from the 7 Multinational Joint Task Force Brigade Quick Response Group (QRG) based in Baga and the 118 Task Force Battalion while leading a gang of gunmen to ferry fuel through border communities in the State.

According to Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman, the terrorist was fatally injured in the ensuing shootout and later died of his injuries.

“troops of the 7 Multinational Joint Task Force Brigade Quick Response Group (QRG) stationed in Baga and 118 Task Force Battalion mounted an ambush along Daban Masara axis used by Boko Haram terrorists to convey logistics.

“At the encounter, one of the suspected wanted Boko Haram terrorists’ leaders who is serial number 95 on the first Nigerian Army wanted list of 100 Boko Haram terrorists leaders, was fatally wounded in the exchange of fire.

“He later gave up while receiving medical attention at the base, while other members of his team escaped with gunshot wounds. The troops recovered 7 Jerri cans of 30 litres containing 210 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), motorcycles and food stuff in addition to arms and ammunitions,” he said.

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Three die in fresh lassa fever outbreak in Bauchi

A fresh outbreak of lassa fever in Bauchi State has claimed three lives.

Also, ten members of one family are currently being treated for the virus.

The Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ibrahim Gamawa disclosed this yesterday in Bauchi, the state capital.

He said that the new outbreak started with a 78 year-old man who died of the disease without seeking medical attention.

“Investigations revealed that the deceased contracted the virus from Liman Katagum, where some cases of Lassa Fever were found in November last year.

“The victim was put on traditional treatment from patent medicine stores for a number of days before he died. 10 persons contacted the virus and samples of their blood were taken to Irrua laboratory in Edo State, where they were confirmed positive.

“They are now on admission at the state isolation centre of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching hospital, Bauchi,” he said.

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Caught in the act! Police nab man making love to horse.

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a man seen making love to a horse.

The State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Usman Abdullahi made the disclosure in Katsina on Thursday during a press conference.

He said that the suspect was arrested on Tuesday night by a police patrol team near Polo Ground in Katsina.

‘’Our policemen on patrol went to the area and saw a motorcycle parked.

‘’Our officers became suspicious. While searching the area, they cited the man behind a wall naked making love to a horse.

‘’It is unfortunate for a human being to make love to an animal,’’ he said.

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AFCON 2017: tickets for Nigeria-Egypt match to sell for N1000, N300

The Nigerian Football Federation, NFF has confirmed that tickets for the Nigeria, Egypt 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on March 25 will go for N1000 for the covered seats and N300 for the popular stand.

Meanwhile, renovation work on the 25000-capacity stadium has reached an advanced stage and is expected to be completed a week before the encounter.

Sources said yesterday that a team of the football federation staff will visit the stadium next week for inspection.

would check out the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna by next week.

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CBN suspends key personnel for fraud

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, announced the suspension of some of its key personnel alleged to have been involved in a fraudulent transaction.

The apex bank said this in a press statement signed by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor.

“A highly sophisticated plot to defraud the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by some criminally minded elements has been uncovered and aborted by the Bank.

“Although preliminary investigations so far have not revealed any accomplices within the CBN, Management has decided to place all key personnel involved in the transaction on suspension. This is to ensure a full and unfettered investigation.

“The incidence has been reported to relevant authorities. The CBN wishes to assure the public that the security of the Bank remains intact”

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Fuel scarcity: PPMC sends 228 trucks into Abuja.

Following the call off of the strike action by PENGASSAN and NUPENG, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company PPMC  has intensified efforts to fill the gap in supply created by the industrial action.

To this end, 228 trucks were on Thursday dispatched from Suleja depot to Abuja city center while the outskirts and environs received 52 trucks.

Petrol stations around Suleja got 23 trucks while 30 trucks were sent to stations beyond Suleja.

The PPMC said that all the major filling stations and key outlets like Total, Conoil, Forte Oil have been fully served with more than sufficient products which is expected to drastically reduce the queues if not erase them totally.

Abujacitynews learnt that the staff of PPMC have been sent out to monitor the activities at the filling stations.

The PPMC urged the public to send  eyewitness reports to its facebook account – ppmc_ngr/ facebook.com and @ppmc_ngr for Twitter.

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