US doctor charged with genital mutilation on girls

An emergency room doctor in Detroit has been accused of carrying out female genital mutilation (AFP Photo/JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD)

New York (AFP) - A US doctor in Detroit has been arrested and charged with carrying out female genital mutilation on girls aged six to eight, prosecutors said.

Emergency room doctor Jumana Nagarwala, 44, of Northville, Michigan, is accused of carrying out the widely condemned practice -- illegal in the United States -- for 12 years from a medical office in Livonia, Michigan.

She appeared in a US federal court in Detroit on Thursday and was remanded into custody until at least Monday, said a spokeswoman for the US attorney's office.

If convicted at trial she faces a maximum sentence of life behind bars.

Congress passed a law in 1996 making it illegal to perform genital mutilation or cutting in the United States on anyone under than 18. Twenty-five US states also have laws prohibiting the practice.

Prosecutors in Michigan say they believe it is the first case of its kind brought under the federal law.

Some of Nagarwala's victims traveled from outside Michigan and were told not to talk about the procedure, prosecutors said.

"Dr Nagarwala is alleged to have performed horrifying acts of brutality on the most vulnerable victims," said acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Blanco.

"The Department of Justice is committed to stopping female genital mutilation in this country, and will use the full power of the law to ensure that no girls suffer such physical and emotional abuse."

"The practice has no place in modern society and those who perform FGM on minors will be held accountable under federal law," said acting US Attorney Daniel Lemisch.

In 2006, a court in Georgia found a man guilty of sexually mutilating his two-year-old daughter with a pair of scissors, in what was then the first recorded case of female genital mutilation in the United States.

The Ethiopian immigrant was sentenced to 10 years in prison for aggravated battery and cruelty to children for the 2001 crime.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 513,000 women and girls in the United States in 2012 were at risk of or had been subjected to female genital mutilation or cutting.

The estimate was three times higher than one based on 1990 data, due to increased immigration from countries where genital mutilation is practiced.

Globally, at least 200 million girls and women alive today have suffered some form of female genital mutilation across 30 countries, according to the United Nations.

While concentrated in Africa, it is common in some communities in Asia, Arab states and Latin America. Half of those cut live in Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia, according to the UN.

NIA Lied, Money Found In Ikoyi Apartment Belongs To Amaechi -FFK

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation, has said that sums of $43m, £27,800 and N23m recovered by EFCC, from an apartment in Ikoyi area of Lagos on Wednesday belong to the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.

He disclosed this on his twitter handle today. He also said the statement by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) that the said monies belong to them is fake.

Rogue landlords offering 'sex for rent' deals in England

Rogue landlords are exploiting vulnerable people by offering free accommodation in exchange for sex, charities have warned.

They say the deals take advantage of those unable to afford spiralling rents and 'go as close to the edge of the law … without breaking [it]'.

Websites hosting adverts for such offers are being urged to tackle the problem.

As young people and the low-paid are priced out of accommodation, particularly in south-east England, 'sex for rent' adverts have sprung up online.

One classified advertising site, Craigslist, carried more than 100 such listings in a single day, a BBC investigation found.


A female student who answered one of them said she felt it was her only option.

She added: 'He took me into his living room, got me drinks, and then after that it was just straight upstairs … He would do what he wanted, forcefully, and I just sort of went along with it.'

Labour MP Peter Kyle said classified websites should stop allowing the adverts or Parliament should intervene.

'If [websites] don't stand up to this and then accept their responsibility, I will be pushing for legislation to do it for them,' he said.

A string of charities have backed his calls for a crackdown.

Mel Potter, of the Brighton Oasis Project for women, said: 'It's something that potentially can trap someone and put them at risk of violence and abuse.'

Super Eagles Star, Ahmed Musa Reportedly Divorces Wife

Super Eagles Assistant Captain and Leicester FC of England player, Ahmed Musa has reportedly divorced his wife. According to SCORE, Ahmed Musa has divorced his wife by giving her a Saki Uku (a final divorce notice).

Recall that only few days ago there were reports on both local and international media that the striker allegedly hit his wife and police were called in. He was taken away, but was released without charge. Musa has since denied the story, saying he never hit her.

SCORE reports that, his wife Jamila who bore him two kids is now back in Kano and Musa ready to move on with another wife. The report suggests that, the decision for Musa to take a second wife brought about the big quarrel.

(C)Thief James Ibori Honoured With Chieftaincy Title In Delta State

Above in the picture is former Governor "Thief "James Ibori  been decorated with chieftancy title by the traditional ruler of Anioma ....... wonders will never end in the republic of ole gbe ole gba.

Knifeman slashes his own throat in front of horrified children

Slit Throat

A man who was seen on the street of Glasgow, Scotland brandishing two knives, slit his own throat in front of horrified children and some adults.

According The Sun, the man was captured walking down West Nile Street in central Glasgow on Thursday with two knives.

Eyewitnesses who described how he ‘calmly slit his own throat’ in front of terrified children said the man later died of the injuries sustained despite efforts to save him by the police.

Police say the man was involved in an assault at about 4pm before walking away and inflicting serious injuries on himself in the city centre.

According to the report, another passer-by who asked not to be named, said: “I was going to All Bar One and I heard a guy shouting. The guy was trying to take his own life. He had two orange Stanley blades and a hatchet.“Police came flying down then a guy on a bike told me he was going to step in to try and help but didn’t want to get to close.

The police started shouting, ‘Drop the knife, drop the knife’.

“He was going round in circles, back and forth. He was trying to hurt himself.

“Then he did it and there was blood squirting out everywhere.

"The police pepper sprayed him and he fell to the ground and the ambulance came and he was stretchered away.

“I’ve seen some things in my time, mates being stabbed, but that was crazy.”

A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed the incident but said it was not a terror-related incident.

Man found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl on a bus

[Image: Dean Forte, 36, of Knights Hill, has been found guilty of sexual offences]

A man has been convicted of sexual assault after targeting a 13-year-old-girl on a London bus.

Dean Forte, 36 (19.03.81), of Knights Hill, SE27, was convicted of sexual assault and breach of a sexual harm prevention order.

He denied the allegation but was found guilty by a jury at Inner London Crown Court on Tuesday 11,April.

He will be sentenced on Friday, 12 May.

Forte was arrested and convicted following a media appeal by the Metropolitan Police Service.

The assault occurred on Monday, 27 June 2016 at about 16:25hrs on a route 468 bus in the West Norwood area.

The 13-year-old victim sat upstairs on the bus - towards the back - when Forte came and sat next to her. He then sexually assaulted her.

Detective Constable Daniel Kelly of the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command said: "Offences of this nature are taken very seriously. We would encourage any other victims to come forward. This conviction demonstrates victims will always be listened too and offenders will be prosecuted."- 

Metropolitan police

Londoners could have to pay a deposit for bottled water in litter crackdown

© Provided by Independent Print Limited

Londoners could be asked to pay a deposit when buying bottled water in a crackdown on tonnes of plastic waste being thrown in the Thames.

Mayor Sadiq Khan is being urged to install more drinking water taps around the capital as well as introduce a money deposit scheme to encourage Londoners to recycle their plastic bottles.

The Mayor was told London’s waste from plastic water bottles was “out of control” with people in London consuming more plastic bottled water per person than anywhere else in the UK. Despite this, the capital has the worst recycling rate in the whole country.

© Provided by Independent Print Limited thames-21-volunteers.jpg
In a newly-published report by the London Assembly’s environment committee, the Mayor was urged to act fast to combat the plastic waste epidemic, sparked by sales of bottled water rocketing in the last two decades.

One idea suggested was a deposit scheme where shoppers pay extra for bottles of water, but are refunded some of the money when they return the bottle to a special recycling machine.

The report has asked the Mayor to launch a study into how the scheme could work and suggested the idea could be rolled out nationwide after a pilot in London.

Another mooted idea was to urge local businesses to offer to fill up Londoners’ water bottles for free as well as more water refill taps at bus stations and piers along the Thames.

© Provided by Independent Print Limited sadiq.jpg

Environmental charity Thames21 – whose Thames River Watch research was used in the London Assembly report – said it was “fantastic” to see their study being used to guide policy.

Debbie Leach, head of Thames21, backed the deposit return scheme and said: “We would also underline that if it wasn’t for London’s fantastic volunteers who have for years given their spare time to help at the charity’s river clean up events across the capital, London would be drowning beneath a mountain of plastic bottle waste.

“We share the Environment Committee’s view that a deposit return scheme should be looked at as an important way of addressing the huge problem of single use plastic bottles ending up in London’s waterways.” - Evening Standard 

Man Arrested And Charged For Trying To Have Sex Publicly With A Motorbike

A man exposed himself before 'trying to have sex with a motorbike' in a busy city centre, a court heard. 

Folkestone Magistrates' Court heard Kevin Chapman allegedly exposed his genitals and attempted sexual manoeuvres with the bike.

On the same day, it is also alleged the 33-year-old punched and kicked the same Blue Suzuki motorbike in Canterbury, Kent.

The alleged mechanophiliac claims he remembers dropping his trousers, but denied exposing himself and 'grinding' the vehicle.


He also denied kicking and pushing the motorbike and claimed he was pushed into it by homeless people.

Chapman, from Ashford in Kent, pleaded not guilty to indecent exposure and causing criminal damage to the bike at Folkestone Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The court heard Chapman had 'no recollection' of indecently exposing himself on March 27.

Chapman was said to be receiving treatment, had something to drink and overdosed on the day of the allegation, the court heard.

He will face a trial at the same court on June 13.

In a separate case, Chapman also appeared at the same court for sending obscene messages on January 2 and pleaded not guilty.

Photos: Nine facing death sentences in Indonesia as authorities discover Nigerian drug syndicate

Indonesian authorities on Wednesday April 12, said it has discovered a Nigerian drug syndicate following the arrest of a German citizen at the airport by the National Anti Narcotics Agency.

The German citizen identified only by the initials CG was detained on April 3, by customs officers after arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
Officers noticed something was off when CG’s baggage went through screening. They found 2.65 kilograms of methamphetamine in one of his bags.

 "According to information received by officers, CG admitted that he carried 2.65 kilograms of meth under the order of a Nigerian suspect identified only by the initial A. This Nigerian suspect ordered CG to stay in West Jakarta because he would order someone to meet him there," explained Erwin Situmorang, head of Soekarno-Hatta International airport customs office.

Customs officers are partnering with local police to investigate the matter further. Local police took CG to the hotel in West Jakarta and arrested the Nigerian(PICTURED)  identified only by the initials IH, who was supposed to take the meth from CG. The man claimed that he was ordered to do so by A.

However, the case did not end after police arrested IH. After further investigation, they also arrested a local citizen (with the initials RS) on April 4, 2017. Similar to previous suspects, RS also admitted that she was following orders from someone in Nigeria via Facebook. RS and another unnamed local suspect were to distribute the meth in 100-gram packages each.

These packages were to be sold in West Jakarta and according to one of the suspects, there are more people involved in the business. Martua Raja Silitonga, commissary police and head unit of resort police in Soekarno-Hatta international Airport mentioned that a felon from Salemba prison (with the initial R) is allegedly overseeing the syndicate’s activities from behind bars. Additionally, he mentioned that R planned to also sell the meth to his spouse’s sibling.

So far, police have identified 14 people involved, nine of whom are still suspects while five of wom were convicted in the past and are currently serving prison sentences.

"Normally drug couriers come from Malaysia or Hong Kong, while CG came from Doha,” said Situmorang to reporters. 

 Additionally, these suspects are to face law number 35 of 2009 regarding narcotics, with possible death sentences and a Rp.10 billion (US$750,000) fine.

Source: Publica, Kompas/Indonesia Expat

Hyundai Motors slashes prices of Nigeria-made vehicles

Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited has cut the prices of its locally made vehicles in the B-segment, in a move expected to increase the number of brand new small vehicles on the nation’s road.

A statement by the spokesman, Santhosh Nair, said a starting price offer of N2,695,000 had been announced for Hyundai cars in that category as part of 2017 Hyundai Grand Savings Bonanza.

The statement quoted the Head, Sales and Marketing of the company, Mr. Jatin Nadkarni, as saying this had been restricted to select models such as Hyundai i10, Grand Xcent and Accent.

He added that this could be extended to other models in the Hyundai line-up.

He said, “Stallion Hyundai Motors Nigeria is determined to cushion imminent scarcity of functional B segment cars and mitigate price increase of cars owing to last year’s prohibition of used vehicle import through the land borders. The offer also gives customers to buy the desired Hyundai models during this Easter festive season.”

Nadkarni said, “Buyers of these three homemade models are offered free registration and free service for six months or 10,000km, whichever is earlier."

Buhari Appoints New Heads For 23 Federal Agencies [List]

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointments of Chief Executives and Directors for twenty three Federal Government Agencies. The list was released last night.

The names of the new appointees and the agencies are as follows:

1) National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)
Barrister Julie Okah-Donli – Director-General

2) National Centre for Women Development (NCWD)
Barrister Mary Ikpere-Eta – Director-General

3) Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)
Bayo Somefun – Managing Director
Tijani Suleiman – Executive Director
Mr. Jasper Azuatalam – Executive Director
Kemi Nelson – Executive Director

4) Federal Mortgage Bank (FMB)
Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa – Managing Director
Melvin Eboh – Executive Director (Org. Resourcing)
Hajiya Rahimatu Aliyu – Executive Director (Loans Department, Securities Issuance and Market Development)
Umaru Abdullahi Dankane – Executive Director (Policy and Strategy Loans Set-Up and Pay Off)

5) Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)
Alex Okoh – Director General

6) Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA)
Abdulkadir Saidu Umar – Executive Secretary

7) National Park Service (NPS)
Ibrahim Musa Goni – Conservator-General/Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

8] Service Compact (SERVICOM)
Nnenna A. Akajemeli – National Coordinator/CEO

9) National Directorate of Employment (NDE)
Dr. Nasiru Mohammed Ladan – Director General

10) Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS)
Saliu Dada Alabi – Director General

11) National Research Institute for Chemical Technology
Professor Jef. T. Barminas – Director General

12) Nigeria Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER)
Dr. Haruna Yerima – Director General

13) Nigeria Insurance Commission (NAICOM)
Sunday Thomas – Deputy Commissioner

14) Consumer Protection Council
Tunde Erukera – Executive Secretary

15) Federal Character Commission
Barr. Mohammed Bello Tukur – Secretary

16) National Pension Commission (PENCOM)
Dikko Aliyu Abdulrahman – Director-General (Subject to Senate Confirmation)
Funso Doherty – Chairman
Akin Akinwale – Executive Commissioner
Abubakar Zaki Magawata – Executive Commissioner
Ben Oviosun – Executive Commissioner
Nyerere Ayim – Executive Commissioner

17) Federal Capital Development Authority
Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin – Executive Secretary

18) Nigeria Agriculture Insurance Corporation
Mrs. Folashade Joseph – Managing Director

19) Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON)
Cecilia Umaru Gaya, mni – Director General

20) Lagos International Trade Fair Management Board
Mrs. Luci Ajayi – Executive Secretary

21) Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority
Barrister Emmanuel Jimme – Managing Director

22) Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission
Lanre Gbajabiamila – Director General

23) Nigeria Automotive Design and Development Council
Jalani Aliyu – Director General

NNPC Sacks 3 Senior Directors Over Missing N11bn Petrol

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday sacked three of its senior officials and deployed four others in vacant positions.

It was gathered that the affected directors and a manager were allegedly involved in the N11bn missing petrol scandal that was recently exposed.

The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said the officials were retired by the corporation but gave no reason for the action.

Ughamadu said, “In line with the ongoing reforms in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the management has announced the retirement of some staff and the deployment of others. The retired staff members are Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, Managing Director, NNPC Retail Limited; Mr. Alpha P. Mamza, Executive Director, Operations, NNPC Retail Limited; and Mr. Oluwakayode Erinoso, Manager, Distribution, NNPC Retail Limited.

“Those redeployed are Mr. Adeyemi Adetunji, Managing Director, NNPC Retail Limited; Mr. Lawal Bello, Executive Director, Operations, NNPC Retail Limited; Mrs. Affiong Akpasubi, Executive Director, Services, NNPC Retail Limited; and Mr. Agwandas A. Andrawus, Manager, Distribution, NNPC Retail Limited.

“The appointments take effect immediately.”

INEC Staff Return Bribe They Collected From Diezani

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said some of its staff accused of benefitting from a N3.4bn bribe money in the 2015 general elections have refunded their share.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, disclosed this when he visited the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, in Abuja.

A statement by spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, quoted the INEC chairman as saying that 70 of the affected staff in three states were still in denial.

Yakubu, according to Uwujaren, said they would be referred to the EFCC for further investigation.

The INEC chairman also said about five INEC political appointees, who are either National Commissioners or Resident Commissioners, were found wanting.

Also indicted, he said, are 21 retired staff mostly acting under the aegis of WANEO (West African Network of Election Observers).

Yakubu said 21 retirees had been blacklisted from monitoring elections and other activities organised by INEC in the future, according to Uwujaren.

“If we get our election right, we get our democracy right as the right people will be elected and once we get our democracy right we will get national progress and development on track.

“INEC is on the same page with the EFCC in this big responsibility of sanitising the country,’’ the INEC chairman was quoted saying.

Responding, Magu was said to have expressed the anti-graft agency’s readiness to prosecute all the indicted INEC staff.

“We are already prosecuting some of the INEC staff, we have started in Lagos and we are in the process in Port-Harcourt, Kano and Gombe,’’ Magu reportedly said.

While expressing satisfaction with the collaboration between both agencies, Magu commended the INEC boss for supporting the investigation involving some of his staff members.

He said: “What you have done will change the course of electioneering in this country, by bringing in sanity and credibility.

“It will send a signal and serve as deterrent to any person who may wish to perpetrate fraud in the electoral process whether as a monitor or staff of INEC.’’

Magu assured INEC of continued support from the EFCC, noting that the agency’s functions are central to the future of the country, and that the next election must be different.

6 Ways The Social Media Can Ruin Your Life

Social media has become a part of our daily life and many of us cannot do without it. What you don’t know is that your addiction to social media is affecting your lives negatively. Read on to know how social media can ruin your life.

According to Jumia Travel, phone users should cut down on the hours they spend on social media like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, for their own good. Here's why...

Checking/updating every second
You have become so attached to Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat that you are checking and updating them every second. The day you don’t access your accounts because you don’t have data, you become hysterical and irrational. It is not a matter of life and death.

Bragging about likes, followers and comments
The number of likes, followers and comments you have has become a thing to brag about and show off. The rule is that the more followers you have, the more traction and engagement you get. True, you do not have to boast about it. Some people go as far as buying likes, followers and even comments.

Posting without thinking
Many of us have converted social media to an abuse platform. A place where we criticise and troll people. As a result, more and more people are in trouble because of what they share and say on social media. Presently, a popular United States-based Nigerian journalist, Kemi Olunloyo, is being prosecuted for the content she shared on social media. Always, think before you share.

Dressing and making up just because you want to share picture on Instagram
This is peculiar to girls. They do not have anywhere to go but they dress up, apply make-up and take beautiful pictures just to post on Instagram or Facebook. It is ridiculous.

Staying up late
We all do this. We spend hours flying from one social media platform to another. Meanwhile, we are very sleepy but we still continue browsing. Surprisingly, they sleep off while on Twitter or WhatsApp. Hence, many of us don’t get enough sleep because of social media.

Seeking social media validation
Seeking social media validation can lead to depression. This is because you wait for others to give you approval for your life activities. If you don’t get the desired response, you become depressed.

You should stop seeking social media validation and live your life without pressure.

Photo: Husband Blinds Wife’s Eye Over Housemaid

A 32-year-old woman, Precious (real name withheld), lost the use of one of her eyes after she was allegedly brutalised by her husband, Samuel, at their home on Unity Christian Street, Akesan, in the Igando area of Lagos.

While struggling to raise N180,000, the amount needed for a surgery to repair the damaged eye, the Akwa Ibom State indigene was allegedly beaten with a cutlass by the husband, who accused her of exposing their family problem to a neighbour.

Precious, a mother of four, allegedly got married to the husband when she was barely 14 years old.

She told Punch that she had endured 18 years of domestic violence, adding that she was fed up with the marriage and wanted a divorce.

She said, “Sometime last year, my housemaid told me that my husband beat her up. I went to ask him why he did that, knowing that if anything happened to the girl, I would be held responsible. When my husband heard that, he left what he was doing and started chasing me. That was around 10pm. I ran out of the house.

“When I fell, he stamped on my eye and everything went dark. I visited the Lagos Island General Hospital for treatment, but they said I would need to undergo a corrective surgery which would cost N180,000.”

The victim, who earned N700 per day at a restaurant where she assisted a cook, said she had not been able to raise the money since then.

She said sometime in March 2017, their landlord issued them a notice to quit after their rent expired in December 2016.

Precious, who claimed to be responsible for payment of rents of their two-bedroomed flat, said the landlord later gave them a letter inviting them for a meeting with his lawyer.

She said, “I went to see a neighbour, called Alhaja, and asked her to counsel me on how to go about the issue. When my husband returned from church that evening, he ordered me not to enter the house.

“I then sat on a bench outside. Suddenly, he brought out a cutlass and started beating me with it. People in the neighbourhood begged him, but he refused. He used the cutlass to injure me in the hand. I also fell and injured my leg.”

Precious said she was ready to separate from Samuel over fear that she could be killed, saying she was an orphan.

“I got married to him when I was only 14 because my mum didn’t want me to get into prostitution like other girls in the village. As of then, I didn’t even know how to talk to men,” she added.

recious reported the case to Lagos State Citizens Mediation Centre and the husband, when invited, denied the allegations.

She was said to have petitioned the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, appealing for help for the custody of their children.

The husband, Samuel, when contacted by Punch, said the matter had been resolved.

When Precious was asked why she withdrew the case, she said, “I withdrew the case because my children said I should not continue with it. His mother also said she would die if I didn’t withdraw it. Our church also begged me. Let me leave everything to God; He will fight for me. I am looking for funds to relocate from the house because I don’t want to die before my time.” 

Soldiers Ambush and Kill 57 Boko Haram Members In Borno

Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and the Multi-National Joint Task Force have shot dead at least 57 Boko Haram terrorists in Arege area of northern Borno State, during a gun battle.

The slain Boko Haram members were regrouping under trees in the area when the soldiers attacked them after getting reliable intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform of the air component.

However, some of the Nigerian soldiers were reportedly injured during the bloody encounter. 

The Commander, air component of Operation Lafiya Dole, Air Commodore Charles Ohwo, confirmed the incident, while briefing journalists in Yola, Adamawa State.

He said, “In Arege village of northern Borno, on Monday, an ISR operation was carried out. We discovered that a lot of fleeing Boko Haram insurgents hid under trees and the adverse weather prevented us from taking them out in an air strike. So, we communicated with the MNJTF troops around the location.

“In the fire fight which ensued, at least 57 Boko Haram members were killed by the MNJTF forces. Several arms and ammunition were also recovered from the insurgents.

“In Tagoshe and Gwoza hills, there were also indications that the Boko Haram terrorists had hideouts and we mobilised the ISR platform to the place. We thereafter conducted air interdiction and blew up the terrorists. We have and will continue to monitor all these areas.”

On the Rann accidental bombing on Tuesday, January 17, the commander noted that the NAF authorities would reach out to the victims of the incident and their families, as soon as the NAF panel set up to investigate the incident unveiled its findings.

Abuja Airport 96% Ready, Re-opens Next Week Wednesday

While inspecting the final lap of work on the runway, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, confirmed that the airport is 96% ready and assured everyone that the airport will be reopened on the 19th of April, 2017.

“This is runway 22 where the work terminates. Remember work started from the other end which is runway 04. You can see that we have finished asphalting and we are at 96 percent completion.

“The marking of the runway and lighting are going on simultaneously. This is three to four days work and we still have about eight days to go. We are happy and we are on course.”

The minister also talked about a new technology used for the runway which will not retain rain water and another, where glass glide is put in the process of constructing the runway to reinforce it, to give it extra strength and prevent cracks.

“This is the first time any Nigerian runway is being treated with such material and that material is a 50 tonner.” He said.

At the moment, all Abuja-bound traffic is diverted to the recently upgraded Kaduna International Airport (KIA).

A lot of activities have also resumed ahead of next Wednesday reopening of the airport.

Kingsley Nwokoma, President, foreign airlines association in Nigeria, said, “In a civilised country, if they give you a date people will work with that date. But since the minister has put his job on the line, we are confident that flights will start in Abuja after next week."

Desperate Man Invites Gang To Rob, Abduct His In-Law

The Oyo State Police Command said its officers arrested a 41-year-old man, Komolafe Rasaq, for "masterminding" the robbery and abduction of his in-law on New Ife Road, Ibadan.

Seven accomplices of Rasaq, comprising 3 robbers and four others, were arrested in connection with the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, said the arrest of the suspects led to the recovery of three vehicles, including a Toyota Camry belonging to Rasaq’s in-law.

Apart from Rasaq, others nabbed are Adetunji Adeboye, 35; Oluwaseun Ayeni, 30; Lukman Lawal, 31; Mohammed Lawal, 52; Baba Adamu, 63; Abidoye Solomon, 27; and Omote Pius.

CP Odude said Rasaq invited the gang and set the stage for the robbery of his in-law, who was at home with her children.

He said, “On February 11, 2017, a gang of armed robbers invaded the victim’s house at night and robbed her of her valuables. They also abducted her and drove her away in her car. We arrested them after receiving a petition on the activities of the gang. Further investigation led to the arrest of criminal receivers of stolen cars and property at various locations in Niger and Kaduna states.”

Rasaq said he made N70,000 from the robbery, adding that he joined the gang at a location after the success of the operation.

He said he was told that the car would be driven to Minna, Niger State, where it would be sold.

The victim of the robbery said the robbers entered into the house through her kitchen and forced her to travel a long distance with them because of the fear that the car might have a security device that could hinder their getaway plan.

She said, “After gaining entrance into the apartment, they demanded my car key. I was about going into the bedroom to take it when they stopped me. One of them went inside and took the key by himself. They locked my kids in a small room.

“They asked me if the car had a security device. Before I could respond to their question, they had forced me into the car. They dropped me off somewhere in the dead of the night. I had to trek back home. Neighbours and policemen later helped me to force the door open and release the children. They were almost dead when we opened the door open.”

Female British student stabbed to death in knife attack on board train in Jerusalem

© Reuters Israeli policemen block the road after the attack just outside Jerusalem's Old City (Reuters)  
 A young British woman has been killed in a knife attack on a train in Jerusalem.

The woman, a student understood to be visiting on a tourist trip, was stabbed repeatedly on board a train near the Old Town of Jerusalem.

Two other people are believed to have also been injured in the attack. One of the attack victims is said to have been a pregnant woman.

Israel’s national ambulance service, Magen David Adom, said on Twitter they treated a 25-year-old woman who was in a critical condition after being stabbed in the upper part of her body.

The woman later succumbed to her injuries, according to Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem.

They said a 30-year-old pregnant woman and 50 year-old man were also injured.

MDA official Zeevi Hanfling said: “Police officers led me into the train where a young girl was lying unconscious W stab wounds 2 her upper body part."

Israel’s foreign ministry referred to the attacker in a tweet posted online as a “terrorist”.

The foreign affairs office shared a photo of the knife allegedly used to murder the young woman.
They added: “The terrorist was arrested by police at the scene.” - Evening Standard 

Every man is potential rapist, policewoman warns

Inspector Precious Simango

A Zimbabwean senior police officer has warned the public not to leave young girls with family members because every male should be seen as  potential rapist.

The Bulawayo police  spokesperson, Inspector Precious Simango explained that there is a very high chance that abusive sex might take place if males are left alone with young girls.

Simango said, “We want to reiterate that every male is a potential rapist and as such we want to warn the public not to leave the girl child under the guardianship of male relatives.

“We also want to urge the youths not to indulge in activities that may endanger their lives.”

In the last one year for example, Lagos State recorded 4,035 cases of sexual and child abuse the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, has said.

Kazeem mentioned it during a news briefing on the activities of the state’s Domestic and Sexual abuse. - Punch

Nigeria’s Intelligence Agency, Former Gov. Amaechi Dismiss Reports Linking Them To $50m Cash Seized By EFCC

The National Intelligence Agency of Nigeria (NIA) has vehemently denied a report that its officials were laying claims to the cash hoard of $50 million recently seized from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

An online publication (not SaharaReporters) had reported that officials of the NIA were insisting that the seized cash was part of the agency’s covert operations. The publication had also claimed that NIA officials were furious that the EFCC acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, had undermined their covert tasks by sending agents of the anti-corruption agency to impound the cash. Seizure of the huge haul of cash, which included millions of US dollars, British pound sterling and the Nigerian currency, the naira, has dominated news coverage in Nigeria for two days. 

A top NIA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told SaharaReporters that the agency was in no way tied to the scandalous amount discovered in an apartment that was built by a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Muazu. According to the source, the NIA never claimed ownership of the funds, contrary to the assertion made by an online paper.

SaharaReporters briefly spoke to the Director-General of the NIA, Ayodele Oke, who said he had not seen such a report and couldn't comment on it. Pressed further, he said he had not met President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss owning the cash, he then pleaded to speak with our report when he wakes up in the morning saying he had a 'headache'. One of our sources said the version of the story claiming that NIA owns te money was being spread by Nigerian Senate president Bukola Saraki who claimed the NIA had warnedEFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu not invade the apartment with the cash, claiming the NIA was using it for covert operations.

The EFCC has yet to unveil the owner of the stash of cash unearthed in safes that were concealed behind a false wall at an apartment in Ikoyi, an upscale area of the sprawling metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria’s major commercial city. 

Earlier this evening, some individuals began circulating a WhatsApp message stating that former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State was the owner of the apartment where the cash was found. The WhatsApp message, which was also tweeted by Lere Olayinka, a spokesman for Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, claimed that Mr. Amaechi bought apartments 7A and 7B in the apartment complex and then gave one to famous Nigerian TV personality, Mo Abudu. 

In an interview with SaharaReporters, Mr. Amaechi, who is Nigeria’s current Minister of Transportation, said he had no connection whatsoever with the apartment or the money. He added that he does not own any apartment or house in Lagos, stating that his only property in Nigeria was in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. - SR

Rotimi Amaechi and Ayodele Oke