Terrorism : Fulani Herdsmen kill farmer in Ogun

Herdsmen have hacked a farmer to death on his farmland in Ogun State.

The farmer identified as Adetona Owolabi was allegedly killed on Thursday in his farm at Afon, Imeko-Afon local government area of the state.

The incident occurred few hours after the Ogun State Government took proactive measures to prevent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

The Nation gathered that Adetona was working on his farm located few metres away from the  Afon bridge along Owode/Abeokuta road when he observed that herds of cattle were grazing on the farm and ate his  cassava, yam and vegetables.

Eyewitnesses said the herdsmen attacked him with machetes for daring to challenge them for allowing cattle into his farmland and destroyed all the farm produce.

The victim, who was in his mid-60s, suffered cuts all over his body and bled to death before help could reach him.

The attackers fled the place after the incident.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident. - The Nation

A committee to end herdsmen killings? They are just deceiving Nigerians - Femi Falana

Falana, lawyer and rights activist, says the federal government is “chasing shadows” by setting up a committee on the herdsmen killings in the country.

On Thursday, the national economic council (NEC) headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo constituted a 10-man working committee, including nine governors, to address the killings.
But Falana disagreed with the council on the move. He said the current administration has been aware of the herdsmen crisis even before its inception, and had promised to tackle it during its electioneering campaign.
“With respect to the national economic council, I think we busy chasing the shadows as a people,” he said.

“The government is parading Nigerians as a bunch of jokers. It is not rocket science to solve this problem. And I am bothered when leaders come out to make statements that give the impression that we are either out to cover up serious criminality
“We don’t want a committee for heaven’s sake! A committee to do what? To go and find out how many people have been killed? Or to establish the fact that we have been in this problem for five years running and nobody is addressing the problem… the committee is just to deceive Nigerians.”

Quoting the Global Terrorism Index, the lawyer listed the number of people who have died in the crisis over the years.
“In 2014, we lost about 1,300 people. Between 2013 and 2016, 1,800 people were killed in Benue state alone. And this government knew this problem before it came on board; it was part of its campaign,” he said.

“And this government, upon its inauguration, has repeatedly maintained, and quite correctly, that the only solution to the incessant violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers is to establish ranches in the country.”
The activist also took a swipe at Audu Ogbeh, minister of agriculture, for proposing the establishing of “cattle colonies”.
He said Ogbeh is talking about cattle colonies “to confuse Nigerians”.

He added: “According to him (Ogbeh), the colonies will mean a group of ranches. Why are you using such word as if you are giving the impression in a tensed atmosphere that you want to colonise certain parts so the country. It is so nonsensical. Government has to take Nigerians seriously.”

‘BUHARI GIVING THE IMPRESSION THAT NIGERIAN STATE HAS COLLAPSED’

“Since the colonial regime, this is the first time in the history of our country that any group is going about terrorising people with AK-47. And they have not been crushed. The Buhari administration declared a war on insecurity in the country.
“He prides himself as having successfully, to a large extent, tamed terrorism in the north-east. He crushed IPOB, a war has been waged against the militants. So, why are these guys allowed to go around killing people? You are just simply giving the impression that the Nigerian state has collapsed.” - Cable Nigeria

LaLiga : No one like Ronaldinho until Messi - Guardiola

Ronaldinho helped Barcelona to rediscover their self-esteem, according to Pep Guardiola, who paid a glowing tribute to the retiring Brazilian superstar.

The lavishly gifted forward will forever be associated with Barcelona, where he won back-to-back LaLiga titles, the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or during a glorious spell from 2003 to 2008.

He was moved on at the start of Guardiola's tenure as Camp Nou coach and the Manchester City boss credited Ronaldinho with clearing a path for the era of dominance he would oversee.

"When Joan Laporta became the president of Barcelona he made a big impact and when he signed Ronaldinho he was the biggest influence on the pitch Barcelona," Guardiola said at a news conference to preview the Premier League leaders' home match against Newcastle United.

"It helped to recover the self-esteem in that club after some really low years.

"Between Joan Laporta as president and Ronaldinho on the pitch they helped to turn around the situation at the club.

"He had fantastic years at Barcelona – he won leagues and the Champions League."

Guardiola regularly hails Lionel Messi as the finest player in the world.

The Argentinian was a teenage team-mate of Ronaldinho's, who Guardiola felt was the master until Messi flourished.

"He was a player at another level," he added. "Until Messi arrived, honestly, I had never seen anything like that before.

"I wish him all the best for the future. He had an amazing impact, not only at Barcelona, but in the world of football.

"He had a big, big impact."

The 37-year-old has not played competitively since 2015 and his brother and agent announced this week he would officially hang his boots up this year with a farewell schedule of matches. -Goal

Carragher : Antonio Conte should replace Wenger at Arsenal

Conte would be the ideal replacement for Arsene Wenger when the veteran Frenchman leaves his post as Arsenal manager, according to Jamie Carragher.

Wenger signed a new two-year deal at the Emirates Stadium in May, but has not won the league title since the 2003-04 season, while the Gunners are on a five-game winless run in all competitions and in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification for the second year running.

Conte - reportedly frustrated with Chelsea's transfer policy - also penned fresh terms at the end of last season, although they did not extend his tenure and he has consistently been linked with a range of other managerial positions, including the Italian national team and Serie A underachievers AC Milan.

And Carragher believes Arsenal should put Conte at the top of their wishlist for when Wenger eventually decides to end his 21-year reign at the helm.

"If Conte's situation is precarious - the Chelsea hierarchy ambivalent on his future and Conte increasingly frustrated by the structure of the club - there will be a long queue for his services," Carragher wrote in a column for the Telegraph.

"I could imagine Real Madrid considering Conte as a replacement for Zinedine Zidane, whose position looks vulnerable. The Italian national team would beg him to go back after their failure to qualify for the World Cup.

"There is talk of him returning to Italian football but having managed the national team and led Juventus to three Serie A titles in a row, would heading home at this stage of his career be so appealing? He has nothing more to prove in his own country.

"There is one club in particular, much closer to his current home, I feel should be monitoring developments more than others; a club desperately in need of Conte’s persona, who would send a rocket through every department of their institution and instantly change perceptions. That club is Arsenal.

"I can imagine no more suitable replacement for Arsene Wenger than Conte.

"It would be one of the most astute managerial appointments in Premier League history.

"Arsenal are still stuck in a cycle of mediocrity they have been unable to escape for several years. I will never lose respect for Wenger – his legacy in English football is preserved and he will always be considered one of the all-time greats – but I said last year his time was coming to an end and nothing has changed.

"Conte is too good for Chelsea to let go. They should be desperately trying to keep him, not only because he will bring more success to the club, but to ensure he does not come back to haunt them when he returns with a rival.

"If the Chelsea board cannot see that, Arsenal should do everything in their power to ensure it is a short Tube ride to his next destination." - Goal

Waje : Nigeria deserves the insults it gets from other countries

Nigerian singer, Aituaje Iruobe, popularly known as Waje, has described Nigerians as wicked, manipulative and deceitful people, adding that they deserve the insult they get from the rest of the world.

The singer took to her Instagram page, Friday morning to rant about Nigerians who go on peoples social media pages to spew negative and hurtful comments. She accused women of being the worst culprits.

She wrote, “May be we as Nigerians deserve the insults we get from the rest of the world. We are a deceitful, manipulative, wicked, religious bunch.

“Our problem is character, we lack character and integrity. We have become faceless.

”May God help us. I read comments and wonder if these are human beings or fallen angels (demons will be harsh).”

- Daily Post

36-year-old Man beats, stabs wife

One transporter identified as Lateef Saka, has been arraigned before the Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stabbing his wife with a kitchen knife.

The man is facing a charge of assault for stabbing his wife on her head.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Kehinde Omisakin, told the court, that the accused committed the offence on Jan. 18, about 11.00 p.m at his residence: No. 27, Jebba St., Ebute Meta, Lagos.

Omisakin said the accused was fond of beating his wife, and on the said day beat her to a pulp before using a kitchen knife to stab her on the head, causing her to bleed profusely.

The accused, however, entered a plea of innocence to the charge.

The chief magistrates, Mrs A. O. Ajibade, admitted the accused to a bail of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The offence contravened Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The case was adjourned  until February 22 for further hearing.

Proscription: Court’s judgment wicked, reckless – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday described judgement of the federal High Court, Abuja, which upheld its proscription as wicked and reckless.

The Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice, Abdul Kafarati, on Thursday upheld IPOB’s proscription and classification as a terror group.

IPOB, in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Powerful, in Awka, Anambra State, condemned the court’s judgement.

Powerful said IPOB was a peaceful and legal organisation registered in over 88 countries across the world.

He said: “The upholding of this obnoxious order proscribing the activities of IPOB, when everybody knows that the organisation is peaceful and has not killed an ant, talk less of taking a human life is nothing short of judicial impunity, recklessness and raw wickedness.

“Simply put, a judge cannot be ignorant of the law and at the same time lacking in conscience.

“What Abdul-Kafarati has displayed, by upholding his originally flawed judgement is raw wickedness.

“He failed to address all the issues before him but rather chose to be selective.

“The simple question which ordinary people have been asking all along is this; what activity or aspect of IPOB operations can be regarded as constituting a terrorist act?

“Can Abdul-Kafarati, the DSS or Attorney General’s office name one verifiable incident of breach of peace, murder, arson or rape- usually associated with their fellow Fulani herdsmen- that IPOB has ever been associated with? - The Nation

Really ??? Court affirms proscription of IPOB

A federal high court in Abuja affirmed the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Governors of the south-east had proscribed the group and branded it a terrorist organisation.

Subsequently, the federal government outlawed the group and proscribed its activities in every part of the country.

Abubakar Malami, minister of justice, had filed an ex-parte motion filed motion asking the court to proscribe the the group.

Malami cited section 2 of the terrorism ‎prevention act and listed IPOB as the only respondent in the suit which was marked FHC/ABJ/CS/871/2017.

The matter was not heard in the open court but in the chambers of Abdu Kafarati, acting chief judge of the federal high court.

Kafarati, after listening to the application, granted the applicant’s prayer and consequently ordered the proscription of the group.

In protest, IPOB filed a suit to challenge the action. It asked the court to reverse the proscription order.

But in his ruling on Thursday,  Kafarati upheld the proscription order.

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, has not be seen in public since September. - Cable Nigeria

Shocking !!! How pastor gave 14-year-old girl abortion drug - Medical doctor

One medical doctor yesterday told an FCT High Court in Maitama how an Abuja-based clergyman, Apostle Basil Princewill, gave a 14-year-old girl an abortion pill to terminate a pregnancy.

The clergyman is facing a 4-count charge bordering on rape, impersonation and attempt to cause abortion.

Princewill is also alleged to have forcefully had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl, one Miss F. Iwuoha, between July 27 and December 31, 2011 at Mountain Mover Ministry International and his house at Nyanya, Abuja, without her consent and impregnated her.

He was said to have given her drugs with a view to aborting a pregnancy.

Princewill was also alleged to have, on or about January, 2012, attempted to cause miscarriage on Favour when he gave her drugs to take and abort the pregnancy, which resulted to her bleeding.

The witness, Dr Felix Ogunbade of Fountainhead Medical Centre, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, told the court at the resumed hearing that “the examination conducted on Favour as of the time she was brought to the clinic revealed that she was given an abortion drug.”

The witness, who had earlier testified in the case as the third prosecution witness, was recalled by the prosecution after the charge was amended.

The case was filed by the police on June 4, 2012 with the prosecution closing its case on December 9, 2016 after calling five witnesses to prove its case, with the defence also closing its case on May 24, 2017 having testified for himself without calling any other witnesses.

The trial judge, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, subsequently adjourned the matter to March 27 for adoption of final written addresses. - Daily post

Corruption empire !!! EFCC launches probe as $500m Abacha loot goes missing

Where is $500 million recovered from the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s family?

This is the question the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is battling to answer.The cash was recovered from the family of the late Head of State during ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

It was repatriated from slush accounts in foreign jurisdictions.

The foreign governments,  which released the loot to the Federal Government after hard negotiations,  demanded that the cash be used for concrete developments, including infrastructure, such as roads, water, healthcare and education.

EFCC detectives tracking the $500million have discovered that it was diverted.

Of the $500million, about $250million was released to the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA)during the tenure of Col. Sambo Dasuki without appropriation. The balance of $250million cannot be traced yet.

The Nation learnt that detectives discovered that the $250million was illegally withdrawn barely two months to the end of Jonathan’s administration.

Investigators are said to be working on clues that part of the cash was spent on “extraneous matters, including media services, opinion polls and personal matters”.

According to a fact-sheet on the investigation, the $250million was withdrawn between March 2, 2015 and April 21, 2015.

About $36,155,000 (N13,015,800billion) of the $250million was also withdrawn in cash “without any purpose” on March 2nd, 9th, 16th and 18th of 2015.

Detectives have retrieved documents relating to the alleged “re-looting” of the Abacha loot.

In the fact-sheet, the ONSA in a memo of January 12, 2015, asked the former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to transfer $300million .

The memo said: “Please refer to our meeting on recovered funds.  You are pleased requested to remit the sum of $300m and £5.5m to the following account being ONSA share as agreed. Account name: CBN (NSA Foreign Operation; Account number: -100367-USD-CABANK30

Bank;  Address: 28, Finsbury Circus, London. Please accept the assurances of my highest esteem.”

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, in a memo to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, requested for $300m from the Abacha loot.

Only $250million was released to the ex-NSA.

The January 20, 2015 memo said: “Attached,  please find a request by the NSA for the transfer of $300m and British pounds (£5.5m) of the recovered Abacha funds to ONSA operations account. The NSA has explained that this is to enable purchase of ammunition, security and other intelligence equipment for the security agencies in order to enable them confront the ongoing Boko Haram threat.

“His request is sequel to the meeting you chaired with the committee on use of recovered funds where decision was made that recovered Abacha funds would be split 50-50 between urgent security needs to confront Boko Haram and development needs (including a portion for the Future Generations window of Sovereign Wealth Fund).

“This letter is to seek your approval to borrow these funds, for now, to disburse to the NSA. These funds form part of projected FG Independent Revenue to be appropriated.

“In light of this and for accountability, given the peculiar nature of security and intelligence transactions, we would expect the NSA to account to your Excellency for the utilisation of the funds.”

On January 29, 2015, the ex-President responded to the ex-Minister as follows: “CME/HMF, approved.”

To back his approval, Dr. Jonathan through his Senior Special Assistant  (Admin) Matt Aikhionbare,  in a memo of January 30, 2015 said: “RE: Request by NSA for transfer of funds.” I am directed to forward Ref A to you and convey to you Mr. President’s approval. Humbly submitted for your further action, Ma’am.”

Detectives have discovered that only $250million out of the $300million requested was paid to ONSA.

16/2/15

In a letter of February 16, 2015, the then Director of Funds of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. M.K. Dikwa, in a memo to the CBN Governor, conveyed the mandate to transfer the $250million.

The memo said: “. You are hereby requested to immediately effect fund transfer as below($250m) being amount disbursed to enable for the purchase of ammunition, security and other intelligence equipment for the security agencies in order to enable them fully confront the ongoing Boko Haram threat.

“As per Mr. President’s approval  on CME-HMF/FMF/2015/18 dated 20th January 2015 conveyed via State Houses letter No PRES/87/MF /-2/520 dated 30th January 2015. NSA’s letter Ref. No. NSA/362/5 dated 5th March 2015 also refers.”

A source said: “The $250million was duly approved by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan; the ex-NSA did not commit any infractions. He acted in the interest of the country.

It is incorrect for EFCC to assume that the $250million was diverted because it was used to purchase vital equipment.”

A table of how the $250million was spent was obtained by our correspondent last night.

An EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We will need to interact with the former Minister of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala, to guide us on the contents of her letter,  especially on the legality of the withdrawal of the $250million.

“We will find out  what she meant by to ‘borrow these funds’ and these ‘funds form part of projected FG Independent Revenue to be appropriated.’ She should assist investigators on whether or not the ex-NSA accounted to Jonathan for the ‘utilization of the funds.’

A former Chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had claimed that Abacha “took over $6 billion from Nigeria”. He also said $2 billion was recovered when he was in charge of the anti-graft agency.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project(SERAP) had through its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, on 21 September 2015 sent an access to information request to the President, World Bank Group, asking him to “exercise the bank’s prerogative to release documents relating to spending of recovered assets stolen by late Gen. Sani Abacha”.

SERAP asked the World Bank President to “disclose information about the Bank’s role in the implementation of any projects funded by the recovered assets and any other on-going repatriation initiatives on Nigeria with which the bank is engaged.”

It said: “The request is pursuant to the World Bank’s Access to Information Policy (The Policy), approved by the Board on June 30 2015. SERAP notes that one of the policy’s guiding principles is to maximise access to information. There is also clear public interest in Nigerians knowing about the Bank’s supervisory role and specifically its involvement in the implementation of projects on which repatriated funds were spent.”

But Okonjo-Iweala in 2015 insisted that she had no case to answer.

She said: “Former President Jonathan set up a Committee comprising the former Minister of Justice, former NSA and the former Minister of Finance to determine how best to use both the returned  and expected funds for development.

“The NSA made a case for using the returned funds for urgent security operations since, he noted, there cannot be any development without peace and security. Based on this, a decision was taken to deploy about $322m for the military operations, while the expected $700m would be applied for development programmes as originally conceived.

“Following the discussions and based on the urgency of the NSA’s memo, Dr Okonjo-Iweala requested the President to approve the transfer of the requested amount to the NSA’s Office for the specified purposes.

“But, as captured in the memo, she insisted on three conditions: a. only a part, not the entire Abacha funds would be spent on the arms; the rest would be invested in developmental projects as originally conceived b. the money was to be treated as borrowed funds which would be paid back as soon as possible c. the NSA’s office was to account for the spending to the President who was the Commander in Chief, given the fact that the Minister of Finance is not part of the security architecture and does not participate in the Security Council.

“The attempt to link the former Minister’s name to any misuse of these funds for any purpose other than security as far as she understood it is totally false and cannot stand.” - The Nation Nigeria

Transfer news : David De Gea happy to delay Man Utd contract talks

De Gea is keen to delay talks over a new Manchester United contract until the end of the season.

United manager Jose Mourinho this week called for De Gea to be given a bumper extension to his current deal, which is set to expire in 2019, although it has an option to be increased for a further 12 months.

Long-term Real Madrid target De Gea has developed into one of the world's finest goalkeepers since joining United from Atletico Madrid in 2011.

But despite near-constant speculation linking the 27-year-old with a return to the Spanish capital, De Gea is in no rush to sit down for contract talks.

"I don't think it's the time to start talking about the future, it's not the time to be talking contracts," De Gea told Sky Sports.

"We have lots of games between now and the end of the season and the first thing we need to think about is Burnley this weekend.

"It's all about getting your head down, focusing, working hard, competing in training, keeping fit and picking up points.

"Just being part of this club is special in itself. Being a player and a part of this club is special, so when you get to wear the shirt, you go to away games, that's something you are always proud of and is very special.

"Being part of such a great club like Manchester United fills you with emotion and you gradually realise how much the club means to the fans and the people who work here. They really live for the game, so that does become part of you and you can only appreciate that having spent time here."

"You have to be honest and say it's difficult, but in the Premier League you never know what will happen," De Gea added. "It's a very difficult league to compete in. Obviously it will be tough.

"There is quite a big gap, 12 points is a lot, but we will fight very hard every game to get as many points as we can and then see where we end up at the end of the season. It's about not giving up - and fighting until the end." 

Although United are 12 points adrift of runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City, De Gea's 13 clean sheets from 23 appearances is more than any other goalkeeper has recorded in the division this season.

And the Spain international still believes it is possible for Mourinho's men to catch neighbours City, who suffered their first domestic defeat of the season at Liverpool in a 4-3 thriller last week.- Goal

Sanchez exit won't hurt like Van Persie - Arsenal manager

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal fans will not mourn the departure of Alexis Sanchez as much as they did when Robin van Persie was sold to Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Van Persie angered supporters when he swapped Arsenal for United in 2012 and Chile international forward Sanchez is tipped to follow the same path.

Soon-to-be free agent Sanchez – out of contract at the end of the season – is reportedly nearing a move to Old Trafford, with United playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan set to go the opposite way.

"I would say that our fans today know that Sanchez will not extend his contract, and they have accepted that idea," Wenger said.

"And the fact that it will not be one-way traffic, it will be other-way traffic as well [with Mkhitaryan], so that makes the whole thing a bit smoother maybe, a bit less disappointing. We lose a player yes, but we could gain another player of top level as well.

"When it was with Van Persie it was a similar case, in the fact that he had only one year to go. Maybe it was the first case where the big players, Van Persie was one of the first cases where a big player didn't extend his contract and came close to the end of his contract.

"That will happen more and more. Because we arrive at a level where the money at stake for players who are free is so big, and the transfers are so big, that the players think 'it's better I go to the end of my contract, and if I don't get the whole integrity of the transfer now, if I get only half, it's a huge amount of money."

Wenger added: "We took Van Persie when he played in the reserve team at Feyenoord and we [put in] long work with him. And when you get them there to the level and after they leave, of course that is the most painful.

"After, that they do well for the other club -- you know that they will do well. But most of the time it's after long, patient work that you have done with the players. ... You forget that Man United had already a very strong team [when Van Persie left], and they have as well a very strong team now. So was it him on his own that made a difference? I don't know, but he was a great player, Van Persie.'' - Goal

Bad move !!! Bill Gates promised to pay off Nigeria's $76 million debt — now he's doing it

Billionaire philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates will pay off $76 million of Nigeria's debt. 

It's part of a promise the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation made to the African country in an effort to end polio. The payments, which will be made over the course of 20 years, are due to begin this year.

Nigeria had no new cases of polio last year

In 2014, Nigeria borrowed the money from Japan to fund its fight against the preventable disease, Quartz reports. The Gates Foundation had agreed to repay the loan if Nigeria met certain conditions, namely "achieving more than 80% vaccination coverage in at least one round each year in very high risk areas across 80% of the country's local government areas," according to an email from the foundation to Quartz.

Nigeria held up its end of the bargain, and no new cases of polio were reported in the country in 2017. That's a drastic change from 2012, when Nigeria had over half of all polio cases worldwide, according to Quartz.

In a recent blog post, Gates acknowledges the significant strides made towards wiping out the disease globally — 30 years ago, there were 350,000 cases of polio per year worldwide, while last year, that number dropped to just 21. 

"The heroes who have made this progress possible are the millions of vaccinators who have gone door to door to immunize more than 2.5 billion children. Thanks to their work, 16 million people who would have been paralyzed are walking today," Gates writes.

Polio is "a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease," which, after invading the nervous system, can cause paralysis. Among those paralyzed, two to 10 percent die.

The Gates Foundation spent $3 billion in 2017 to help stop the spread of the disease, and names polio eradication one of its "top priorities." The foundation says it has supported the Global Polio Eradication Initiative's efforts to wipe out the disease by contributing technical and financial resources to accelerate targeted vaccination campaigns, community mobilization and routine immunizations.

"Progress in fighting polio might be one of the world's best-kept secrets in global health," Gates previously acknowledged in the foundation's 2017 annual letter. "If things stay stable in the conflicted areas, humanity will see its last case of polio this year."

In 1988, the virus was present in over 125 countries, paralyzing about 1,000 children per day. Since then, cases of polio have decreased by over 99 percent.  - CNBC

Again, Customs Operatives Shoot, Injure Pregnant Woman In Ogun

The operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service reportedly shot and injured a pregnant woman identified as Bukola Olugunna, at Iyana Iyesi, in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Olugunna, who is carrying an eight-month pregnancy, was allegedly shot by the NCS Operatives attached to the Federal Operation Unit, Ikeja, around 7.45am while on her way to the office.

She is a member of the staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

This incident was happening less than 24 hours after Customs operatives allegedly killed one person and injured three others on Wednesday at Abule Egba, in Lagos while in pursuit of the vehicle believed to be conveying smuggled bags of rice.

An eyewitness said the woman was hit by stray bullets on her back and the left side of her body.

He explained that the woman was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, he, however, said he could not ascertain whether the woman survived the gunshot wounds or not.

The source, further, hinted that the customs officials who shot the pregnant woman were later arrested by policemen attached to Onipanu Divisional headquarters, Ota, and were later taken to Sango police station.

When contacted, the spokesman of Customs FOU, Ikeja, Jerry Attah, said he was yet to confirm the incident.

The Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Customs Area Command, Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed the incident but said the woman was only ‘brushed by stray bullets’ and not hit.

He said Customs operatives were on the trail of a suspected smuggled vehicle and not rice as claimed, then they were mobbed by some ‘unpatriotic members of the public.’

“The officers were on a trail of a suspected smuggled vehicle and in the process, they were mobbed by some unpatriotic members of the public,” he said. - PunchNG