Fire razes 44 shops at Kano GSM market

About 44 shops were gutted by fire at the Farm Centre GSM market in Kano metropolis on Friday on Friday evening.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that the fire which consumed mobile phones and other valuables valued at several millions of naira started sometime after 5pm when most traders had closed for the day.

Eyewitnesses said that the inferno was caused by a spark from the public power supply.

The Director of Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Mustapha Rilwan confirmed the incident, saying that the fire was put out within 45 minutes.

He however attributed the fire to an inverter being used in one of the shops which he said are mostly made from wooden materials.

NAN recalls that the latest fire incident is the second in the market in eight months.

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Why Globacom sacked 54 engineers

One of Nigeria's leading telecommunications service providers, Globacom has laid off 54 engineers across the country.

The letter of termination of appointment directed the affected staff to return their ID and SIM cards to the company.

“This serves to inform you that your services are no longer required by Globacom Limited.

“Consequently, you are advised to report to the Human Resources Manager, Globacom Manpower Services Limited, the outsourcing company, with immediate effect.

“You are also expected to hand over all company property (including SIM card, company ID, etc) issued to you during the course of your services with us.

“We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.”

The Punch reports that one of the affected staff is at a loss concerning the reason for his sacking.

“I can’t believe it is real… being told my services are no longer required without explicit reason. I am still in shock.

"For someone like me who has been working at Globacom for seven years and had been managing about 150 power stations for more than two years now, to be sacked in this manner is unacceptable.

“I have been in charge of over 150 sites, operating them without official vehicle or basic transport allowances and yet there has been no case of stealing or anything else under my area of operations,” he said.

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Osinbajo to represent Buhari at AU summit in Kigali

President Muhammadu Buhari will be represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the African Union, AU Summit opening in Kigali, Rwanda, on Sunday.

The vice president will be accompanied to the summit by Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe. They are expected to return to Abuja on Monday.

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Osinbajo celebrates wife as she turns a year older (Photo)

Mrs Oludolapo Osinbajo, wife of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo turned a year older on Friday.

The VP was on Twitter to celebrate his wings.

Tweet
Prof Yemi Osinbajo
@ProfOsinbajo
At my side. My support. My wings. Happy birthday to my beautiful wife, Oludolapo.
pic.twitter.com/0zErSr9YbV
7:40 AM - 15 Jul 2016

Abujacitynews wishes Mrs Osinbajo a happy birthday.

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N2.4b scam: Court remands contractor in Kuje prison

A contractor, Olugbenga Obadina has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on charges of criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

Obadina was sued alongside his firm, Almond Projects Limited on an eight-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering to the tune of N2.4b.

The prosecution alleged that Odadina received N2. 417 billion paid into his company’s account in tranches, between 2013 and 2015.

The money according to the prosecution was paid from the Office of the National Security Adviser, under retired Col. Sambo Dasuki without a contract award.

The offence, according to the prosecution, contravened Section 15(2), (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended, and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

The prosecution also alleged that Obadina in April 2014 in Abuja, directly took possession of N648 million paid into the account of Almond Projects Ltd.
Obadina also in February 2015, directly took possession of N510 million paid into the account of Almond Projects, from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, all without contract awards.

However, Obadina pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

Following the not guilty plea, EFCC counsel, Aso Larry Peters, requested for a trial date while urging the court to remand the accused in prison custody.

Chris Uche, counsel to the accused person prayed the court to grant the defendant bail, as he had a pending application to that effect, which had been served on the prosecution.

Presiding judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, however, ordered the accused to be remanded in Kuje prison till July 18 when his application for bail would be ruled on.

NAN

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Boko Haram: M-NJTF repel attacks in Baga

Troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, M-NJTF on Friday neutralized attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in Baga.

A statement signed by Col. Muhammad Dole,  Chief Military Public Information Officer of the M-NJTF and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN said that the troops inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists.

"In continuation with conduct of Operation GAMA AIKI by Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in its Area of Operation (AOO), the troops of sector 3 in Baga, (Nigeria) had successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorists attacks and cleared more villages around Kangarwa and Doron Naira villages.

"A total of 25 x BHT were feared died, 2 x Trucks mounted with AA guns and one was captured.

"Also among seized weapons were, 1 x 60mm Mortar, 2 x RPG tubes, 12 x AK 47 rifles, 1 x LMG, 1 x GPMG, assorted ammunitions of various caliber, including a vehicle.

"During the encounter some terrorists were killed, 2 x AK 47 rifles and 3 x Motorcycles, 7 x Jericans of PMS, as well as assorted drugs were recovered.

"Also, during all these combat operations, the Sector lost 1 x officer and a soldier, with 7 soldiers wounded in action.

"The wounded personnel were swiftly evacuated to the nearest medical centre for treatment,’’ the statement said.

It added that the troops of Sector 1 at Makary area (Cameroon) were continuing to dominate the villages and other areas already cleared of terrorists.

"Unfortunately during one of the fighting patrols around general of Mordasse, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded on patrol team and wounded 5 personnel and damaged one of the vehicles.

"Both the wounded personnel and vehicle were safely evacuated and the wounded are in stable condition. The cohesion and the fighting spirit of the troops remain high."

NAN

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DSS operatives shoot and kill mother of 5 in Kaduna

Hell was almost let loose in Kaduna on Wednesday when an operative of the Department of State Services, DSS shot to death, a female traveller on the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

An eyewitness account has it that the mother of 5 was hit by a bullet fired by a DSS operative at the commercial vehicle she was traveling in for disobeying an order to stop at the Kakau and Sabon-Gaya Toll Gate.

Following the unfortunate shooting, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW and and other other angry motorists blocked the toll gate, making vehicular movement impossible.

According to another eyewitness who said that the incident happened at about 2pm, the 6 man team of DSS operatives had been aiming at another vehicle but missed their target and hit the one in which the victim was traveling with her children, killing her instantly.

The timely intervention of the Kaduna State Police Command prevented a breakdown of law and order.

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Ibrahim, said that the offending DSS operatives have been arrested by the police.

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